At 13 years old, the line “Ain’t no time to hate” from “Uncle John’s Band” pulled me into the remarkable world of the Grateful Dead and an ongoing appreciation of song lyrics.

Reading “Hit Parade” magazine at the pharmacy, trying to sneak a peek if I didn’t have enough money. Hoping the redhead kid working there didn’t catch me. The magazine had only song lyrics and I read and reread.

Starting with simple, sappy, ’70s like Terry Jacks’ “Seasons in the Sun,” “Dancing in the Moonlight” by King Harvest and “Diamond Girl” by Seals & Croft. Not profound lyrics, but still enjoyable. Absorbing more meaningful lyrics like “I need you more than want you” from “Wichita Lineman.”

There was nothing better than unwrapping an album and finding the song lyrics were included. I’d listen over and over as I read along and dropped the needle on my favorite tracks.

From Bruce Springsteen to Stephen Sondheim. I connected to Sondheim’s “A Little Night Music” about infidelity in 1900 Sweden at 12 years old.

“You have a thought, you’re nearly bursting with a personal discovery or problem. / What’s the rush, Henrik, shush Henrik … Later Henrik” as recited in “Later.” I felt Henrik’s agony.

Sondheim’s musical “Company” explored “Being Alive” with “Somebody need me too much, somebody know me too well.”

Springsteen: Initially I didn’t think he had offered anything worthwhile as all I heard from my older sister’s room was this screaming voice. That voice became the voice of my adolescence (and life) once I read the lyrics and listened. “I turn the radio up loud so I don’t have to think.” With a bit more teen angst from “The Promised Land.”

Sometimes I feel so weak I just want to explode / Explode and tear this whole town apart / Take a knife and cut this pain from my heart / Find somebody itching for something to start.”

Bruce’s lyrics always had redemption and a light in the darkness.

In a college fundraiser we could “arrest” someone who then needed to get bail paid to get out. My “arrest” was for “Reciting Springsteen lyrics while my roommate was trying to sleep.” I was proud of this “crime.”

There were enough sad love songs for every breakup. Jackson Brown’s “Hear Come Those Tears Again” and “Please Don’t Ask” by Genesis among the ones on replay. Followed by The Five Stairsteps “Ooh Child,” “Things are gonna get easier. Things will get brighter.” Or Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” singing “Don’t worry about a thing, cause every little thing gonna be alright.” Lyrically impacting my mood full circle.

“The scars are not your fault” sings John Dennis in “Good, Good Love.” A moving song telling someone “You deserve a good, good love,” connecting to the passion in his words.

I could listen to “Here’s to Life.” as performed by Shirley Horn over and over.

“I have learned that all you give is all you get … / As long as I’m still in the game I want to play. / For laughs, for life, for love.”

Deeply feeling these heartfelt words.

The Dead’s “Going Down the Road Feeling Bad” has always resonated with me. “I don’t want to be treated this a way.” Who would? Feeling a connection, knowing others feel the same, brings a sense of belonging.

Chris Stapleton asks “What Are You Listening To?” “Is it na-na-na’s and air guitar? Is it something to get you through?” From straightforward to emotional lyrics, cheerfully singing along or feeling moved.

Especially these days, we need to remember the simple, yet profound, lyrics, “Ain’t no time to hate.”

What are you listening to?