I’ve been wondering about the role of music as a modern vehicle for philosophical maxims (of a sort). The ancients didn’t seem to make lyrical music in the same way we do today, and definitely did not have recordings at their fingertips.

A web search shows several Reddit conversations on the topic. It’s a good list. A few of the big ones that stood out to me include:

• “Let it Be” (Beatles)
• “Que sera sera” (Doris Day)
• “Simple man” (Lynard Skynard)

I’ve been getting Stoic vibes from listening to Blues Traveler recently. They don’t have anything as explicit as the songs I list above, but a good one may be “All in the groove”

Sometimes when you worry
The tendency to hurry
Can make your vision blurry
And blind you
You might shake and you might stammer
Or dance like MC Hammer
But could that pomp and glamour
Remind you
Of who you are and where you're going
And whose mind that you're blowing
And if your car needs towing
Don't move
Then calmly call the AAA you've got nothing to prove
As in all things, it's all in the groove

I also think there may be something in “Love and Greed”, “Support your Local Emperor”, “Fledgling”, and “Ivory Tusk”, which touch on topics like the danger of strong passions, the futility of seeking domination or immortality through accomplishments, taking joy in simple pleasures and accomplishments, and overcoming communal hatred. I wouldn’t consider Blues Traveler to be Stoic in general – but I think even their drama-focused songs may help build sympathy those who may make foolish choices, and their fun-focused songs tend to focus on simple harmless pleasures and accomplishments, rather than the glee of domination or self-destructive euphoria, which is common in a lot of other song lyrics.