I was recently asked if there were any good songs that helped to encourage a Stoic attitude, and, like the geek I am, I suggested all sorts of epic prog and metal songs about free will, cosmic self-realization, universal love, or bravely coping with fate.
A few hours later, it occurred to me how The Style Council, one of my favorite bands from the 1980's, had actually done a perfect job of expressing Stoicism in a song that was simple, catchy, and without any goofy pretensions.
The Style Council were a total love or hate thing, and for me it was a total love.
After disbanding The Jam, Paul Weller joined up with Mick Talbot to record what they both loved: eclectic music that ranged from café torch songs to rap, piano and Hammond organ jazz to smart danceable pop, acoustic ballads to blistering funk.
Through it all, Weller infused his own brand of social commentary; again, a love or hate thing.
You always come back to the first things you loved. It doesn't have to be complex to be true.
—8/2016
The Style Council, "Strength of Your Nature" from Café Bleu (1984)
I liked how the original LP sleeve listed the lyrics as follows:
When you gonna find the strength of your nature?
When you gonna let yourself take control?
(Then make your own up!)
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