10. The Shining

10. "Instant Karma" by John Lennon

Clearly, I have a problem with seeing morons do cruel things to my family and friends and then wanting to seek sweet, sweet revenge upon the bastards. Fortunately, this song, or at least the concept of "instant karma" has actually kept me from doing some rather cruel things to get that revenge.

The concept of karma is that that the totality of what someone does in this life will impact how they are reincarnated in the next. But that's too slow for me. I want "instant karma." I want to see the offenders get what's coming them in this life. And to my delight, I've seen that happen to some of my greatest enemies--the stupid and cruel things they did quickly came back around to bite them in the ass. Yeah, it may have taken a year or two, but they got what was coming to them. And that's when I smile and think, "Yep. Instant Karma got you, so now I don't have to."


The other part of this song I like is the rebuke that John gives to the narcissistic bastards when he says something to the effect, "Who do you think you are? A superstar? Well, you might be one, but we all shine like the moon and the sun and stars--we've all got our own light--so you're not special after all, and that's why you should make amends and try to live in peace with us all."

In regards to the music, I like John's scratchy, strained voice during the chorus. And I like the piano a lot. But if I were identify any musical flaw in this song it would be the lack of a cowbell. That would really make it shine on, on and on and on, on and on.