Every year, the Recording Academy brings together the best of mainstream music with the Grammy Awards, honoring artists and writers across all genres. The highly coveted title of Song of the Year is so revered because it crosses genre lines, from country and rap to classical scores and pop. Past winners include Bruce Springsteen, Lorde, Childish Gambino, and Tina Turner.

The televised ceremony was pushed back to April 3, which is next Sunday, another event delayed by Covid concerns.

Though I love music – it vibrates my soul and makes my heart happy – I won’t be watching the show. I haven’t watched since 1990, when the Milli Vanilli lip-synch scandal was discovered. The sacred bond between performers and their audience snapped, I’ve boycotted the event every since.

With access to Google, which all humans have, each year’s Song of the Year is known. I availed myself of this archive and excised slices of good advice embedded in the winning songs lyrics. In these 10 lyrics, we find timeless encouragement to choose new experiences, take a chance on love, and remember that no one alone.

Two drifters, off to see the world / There’s such a lot of world to see
— “Moon River” by Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer, 1962

I’m sailing right behind / Like a bridge over troubled water / I will ease your mind
— “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Paul Simon, 1971

You just call out my name / And you know, wherever I am / I’ll come running / To see you again
— “You’ve Got a Friend” by Carole King, 1972

I took the good times, I’ll take the bad times / I’ll take you just the way you are
— “Just The Way You Are,” written and performed by Billy Joel, 1979

Let us realize / That a change can only come / When we stand together as one
— “We Are The World” by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson (performed by USA for Africa), 1986

Keep smiling and keep shining / Knowing you can always count on me
— “That’s What Friends Are For” by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, 1987

It’s a beautiful day / Don’t let it get away
— “Beautiful Day” written and performed by U2, 2001

You don’t have to put up a fight / You don’t have to always be right / Let me take some of the punches / For you tonight
— “Sometimes You Can’t Make It On Your Own” written and performed by U2, 2006

I could care less what you think / I need no permission
— “Single Ladies” by Beyoncé, Terius Nash, Thaddis Harrell, and Christopher Stewart, 2010

Throw your soul through every open door / Count your blessings to find what you look for
— “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele Laurie Blue Adkins and Paul Richard Epworth and torch-sung by Adele, 2012