The year was 1996. It was one of Leonardo DiCaprio’s first major roles before his break out the following year in Titanic. An epic love story. As many women my age can attest to, he was one of my first crushes. Baz Luhrmann’s William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet celebrated it’s 20th anniversary this month and it still holds one of the top places in my favorite movie list. Ah, I can go on and on about this movie and my love for it.
But today I wanted to talk about one of the songs from the soundtrack (the movie had THE BEST soundtrack, by the way). It’s called Everybody’s Free (to Wear Sunscreen) produced by Baz Luhrmann and it was released in 1999. The version that appears in Romeo & Juliet is called Everybody’s Free sung by Quindon Tarver. You might remember the scene in the movie with the little boy in the church singing a beautiful melody (Everybody’s Free) and then I think it goes into When Doves Cry by Prince. Anyway, back to Everybody’s Free (to Wear Sunscreen) or “The Sunscreen Song” as it’s called for short. It’s a spoken word downtempo song that was released three years after the move in 1999. It was based on a column in the Chicago Tribune written by Mary Schmich, “Advice, like youth, probably just wasted on the young.” Apparently she wrote it in the style of a commencement speech. It had so much good advice especially about the importance of wearing sunscreen and of one of my personal mottos I try to live by “Do One Thing Everyday that Scares You.”
I wanted to share this song with you in case you’ve never heard or if it’s been years. I swear, the amount of great life advice packed into 5 minutes is amazing. This song makes me feel so good, inspires me, and makes me appreciate life. I try to have my friends and family members listen to it if we’re driving in the car or listening to music, or if it randomly comes to my mind because I love it that much. If you scroll to the end of the lyrics, you’ll find the YouTube clip so you can listen to it. I’ve bolded my favorite lyrics:
Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ‘99, wear sunscreen
If I could offer you only 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 the 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 or worry that know that worrying
Is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation
By chewing bubble gum
The real troubles in your life are apt to be things
That never crossed your worried mind
The kind that blindsides you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday
Do one thing every day that scares you, sing
Don't be reckless with other peoples' 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
Don't feel guilty if you don't know what to do with your life
The most interesting people
I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives
Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't
Get plenty of calcium
Be kind to knees, you'll miss them when they're gone
Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't
Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the "Funky Chicken"
On your 75th wedding anniversary
Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much
Or berate yourself either
Your choices are half chance, so are everybody else's
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
Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard
Live in northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft
Travel, accept certain inalienable truths
Prices will rise, politicians will philander, you too will get old
And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young
Prices were reasonable, politicians were noble
And children respected their elders
Respect your elders, don't expect anyone else to support you
Maybe you have a trust fund, maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse
But you'll never know when either one will run out
Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're forty
It will look eighty-five
Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it
Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of
Wishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off
Painting over the ugly parts and recycling for more than it's worth
But trust me on the sunscreen
Read more: Baz Luhrmann - Everybody's Free (to Wear Sunscreen) Lyrics | MetroLyrics
You can listen to the song here on YouTube:
If I had to choose 1 part of the song that’s my favorite it would be “Get to know your parents, you never know when they'll be gone for good.” It’s such an important reminder that time is fleeting. If there’s something you need to say to someone, say it. Tell them you love them, find out their story and get to know them. I have so many instances where I wish I would have done this. I always wish I was closer to my parents.
My second favorite part is “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.” This is some of the best advice because we’re always so caught up with looking at how great someone else’s life is, or job is, when it’s basically irrelevant to spend any time on these things, unless it’s in a positive light for motivation. Instead of tearing other people down, or being jealous of them, your time is much better spent bettering yourself and those around you.
I hope you enjoyed The Sunscreen Song. Feel free to share it with someone you think needs to hear some sound life advice or if you want to make someone's day. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have fantastic week and you do one thing every day that scares you :)
