Mel’s Ten Life Lessons You Can Learn from Popular Songs

Be the one who has the special skill.

Astrud knew some English.

Don’t be afraid to bark.

My friend Steve Greenberg did, big time.

Recruit your demons.

What Django did with two fingers, we can’t do with four.

Create your own fate. From Wikipedia on Perry Como: 

Carlone invited anyone who thought he might have talent to come up and sing with his band. Young Como was terrified, but his friends urged him and pushed him onto the stage. Carlone was so impressed with Como’s performance that he immediately offered him a job.^[32]

The young man was not certain if he should accept the offer Freddy Carlone had made, so he returned to Canonsburg to talk the matter over with his father. Perry expected his father would tell him to stay in the barber business, but to his surprise, the senior Como told him if he did not take the opportunity, he might never know whether or not he could be a professional singer.

Sometimes all you need to do is add a little ‘twist’.

But being first doesn’t mean you’ll get the credit.

Chubby didn’t write the song. Hank Ballard did.

Be ready when the opportunity presents itself.

Little Eva was Carole King’s household helper.

Or go all the way and become a ‘luck burglar’.

Al Kooper went over to the organ uninvited and riffed his way into Dylan’s career.

A little humor can go a long way.

Tiny Tim made a top hit by singing a classical popular tune in a non-classical manner.

Never give up.

You never know when you’re gonna make it big. Sugar Man didn’t.