The antidote to cynicism

Stephin Merritt of the Magnetic Fields understands, even if Ron Wood does not.



As does Peter Gabriel, in this gorgeous and melodic cover.



How sad that anyone would settle for less.

Lifestyles of the rich and cynical

I've always said that the saddest consequence of cynicism, in life, is that, generally, it means that you miss out on real love in your life.

Ron Wood, 61, Runs Off With 18-Year-Old Cocktail Waitress

If there is any more proof needed of what a fool this guy is, I don't know what it would be.

I watched a video of Nora Jones and Keith Richards singing a duo of Love Hurts, recently. And all I kept thinking was how Nora Jones so completely outclassed her wealthier, more famous Stones compatriot.



I love the Rolling Stones, is the truth. I love rocking out and the dark and exciting themes in songs like Paint It Black, Sympathy with the Devil, Start Me Up, Brown Sugar, Wild Horses, Shattered, Get Off of My Cloud, Heart of Stone, (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, Jumpin' Jack Flash, and the poignant and wildly ironic - given the tragic and foolish lives of most of the members of the Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want.



I would feel more sorry for this guys, is the truth, if they didn't consistently make messes out of their lives and the lives of those around them, and taking very little responsibility in the process.

But the commercial success of the Rolling Stones has always stuck out in my head as one of the better bits of evidence for those making the cynical argument for their lives and for life, generally, that nice guys finish last, to the victor goes the spoils, and every other cynical notion that people, especially young people of my generation and younger generations, have about the world.

But then you see a story like this one and you remember that, as always, the fantasy never lives up to the reality.

Cynisism is a foolish way to live one's life on any count, is the truth.

But cynicism about matters of love is one of its most tragic forms, I think. People who live their lives carrying such cynicism around in their hearts, whether flitting about from parter to partner or secretly harboring cynicism in committed relationships, make what I regard as one of the most serious mistakes that any person can make in a lifetime.

Because such cynicism cheats you from real love. And if you have never experienced it, you really have no clue what it is that you are missing out on. And there is no other thing in life that nurtures the heart and soul in quite the same way.

It is so sad to me that there are people in this world some of whom may never know what real love feels like. Not from their parents. Not from their family. Not from their friends. Not even from their lovers or spouses.

I can't imagine living a life so empty and tragic.

Ron Wood can (the rest of the band, too, save for more grounded members like Stones drummer, Charlie Watts). And I can't imagine a better argument for what a sad and bankrupt life it is to live like that. To live without real love. For others or for yourself. No matter how much money or fame or whatever cynical compensation for what really matters in life might be rationalized.



I'll take something real any day of the week. And none of that bullshit makes up for a hollow life without real love.