Lyrical Advice For The Class Of 2011

There will be no guitars and Marshall stacks at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion this weekend, just "Pomp and Circumstance." As the Class of 2011 walks across the stage soon to be occupied by Peter Gabriel, Widespread Panic and Kings of Leon, it reminds Rocks Off that we graduated on the same floor the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and Stevie Wonder once played. (Hofheinz Pavilion, yo... CBHS Class of '93.)

Whether or not they are headed to college in the fall, many of this year's grads are no doubt wondering what to do next. Luckily, there are thousands and thousands of pop songs out there to help them, so as our graduation present, Rocks Off cherry-picked 25 of our favorite lyrical pearls of wisdom for the uncertain times to come.

Don't walk too close, don't breathe so soft, don't talk so sweet.

Give me one reason to stay here, and I'll turn right back around.

Step outside, summertime's in bloom.

Just step out the back, Jack. Make a new plan, Stan.

Now come on down and do what you've gotta do.

Don't make me come over there and love you.

Don't call him a cowboy until you've seen him ride.

You can't roller-skate in a buffalo herd.

Take a load off, Manny. Take a load for free.

Don't change for you, don't change a thing for me.

Walk, don't run.

Reach out, touch a hand, make a friend if you can.

Take out the papers and the trash, or you don't get no spendin' cash.

Don't stand so close to me.

Don't ask me no questions, and I won't tell you no lies.

Don't go back to Rockville, and waste another year.

Don't think twice, it's all right.

A country boy can survive.

Go get yourself some cheap sunglasses.

Hey, you, get off my cloud.

Stay off that whiskey, and let that cocaine be.

Take, if you want a slice.

Stay hungry.

Never surrender.

Don't quote me boy, 'cause I ain't said shit.

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