Everybody's Free (To Wear Sunscreen) by Quindon Tarver

Hands up who remembers this song?  Well, it's more dialogue set to music, really.  I was in Year 9 when it was included in the Triple J Hottest 100.  Man, that seems like yonks ago now.

I don't agree with everything in this song, so I've just included the lyrics that I do like.  Some great advice to start the new year.

Ladies and gentleman of the class of 1997, wear sunscreen.
If I could only offer you one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it.
The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists,
Whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable,
Than my own meandering experience, I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth, oh never mind,
You will never understand the power and beauty of your youth,
Until they've faded,
But trust me, in twenty years,
You will look back at photos of yourself,
And recall in a way you can't grasp now,
How much possibility lay before you,
And how fabulous you really looked.
You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future,
Know that worrying is as effective
As trying to solve an algebra equation
By chewing bubblegum.

Do one thing every day that scares you.
Sing
Don't be reckless with other people's hearts.
Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.
Floss
Don't waste your time on jealousy.
Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind.
The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive, forget the insults.
If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
Keep your old love letters, throw away your old bank statements.
Stretch

Get plenty of calcium.
Be kind to your knees, you'll miss them when they're gone.

Enjoy your body, use it every way you can.
Don't be afraid of it, or what other people think of it.
It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.
Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your own living room.
Read the directions even if you don't follow them.
Do not read beauty magazines, they will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.
Be nice to your siblings, they are your best link to your past,
And the people most likely to stick with you in the future.
Understand that friends come and go,
But a precious few who should hold on.
Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle.
For as the older you get, the more you need the people
You knew when you were young.

Accept certain inalienable truths.
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old,
And when you do, you'll fantasise that when you were young,
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble,
And children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.
Don't mess too much with your hair,
Or by the time that you're forty,
It will look eighty five.
Be careful whose advice you buy,
But be patient with those who supply it.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Lyrics sourced from here.