Optimism: If you want to sing out, Sing out!

In 1971 the movie Harold and Maude came out. The theme song from the movie was “If You Want To Sing Out, Sing Out” by Cat Stevens.

The movie was quirky. It was about a life-embracing, 80-year-old woman who befriends a 20-something, melodramatic, morbid young man.

Perhaps the ultimate “cougar” movie, the relationship helps transform the youth. “Sing Out” becomes their theme song, and it became a personal catalyst for me.



This song (along with the movie) introduced me to a life of possibilities.

Maude was a non-conformist. She was the consummate life-long learner. She had suffered greatly, she had a Nazi concentration camp tattoo, but she was still optimistic.

Maude personified involvement and creativity. She inspired optimism!

The song's title foreshadows the song's message: If you want sing out, sing out!

Life is all about choices, options, and alternatives. This song implores the listener to chose a path and then go for it! And I did.




(You can hear the song here, and there’s a picture of Cat Stevens.)


Here’s a copy of the inspirational lyrics:

If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
’cause there’s a million things to be
You know that there are

And if you want to live high, live high
And if you want to live low, live low
’cause there’s a million ways to go
You know that there are

Chorus:

You can do what you want
The opportunity’s on
And if you can find a new way
You can do it today
You can make it all true
And you can make it undo
You see ah ah ah
Its easy ah ah ah
You only need to know

Well if you want to say yes, say yes
And if you want to say no, say no
’cause there’s a million ways to go
You know that there are
And if you want to be me, be me
And if you want to be you, be you
’cause there’s a million things to do
You know that there are

Chorus

Well, if you want to sing out, sing out
And if you want to be free, be free
’cause there’s a million things to be
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are
You know that there are