Beyond the Meditations: Finding Aurelius's Wisdom in Song

Marcus Aurelius, in his profound work *Meditations*, often reflected on the virtuous qualities he admired in the people around him—their wisdom, kindness, integrity, and steadfastness. This practice of recognizing and appreciating the good in others is a timeless pursuit. Music, in its myriad forms, frequently serves as a powerful medium for songwriters to express similar sentiments of admiration, gratitude, and respect for the admirable traits of friends, family, and partners. This exploration delves into various musical genres to unearth songs that resonate with this Aurelian spirit.

Key Insights: Echoes of Virtue in Melody

• Diverse Expressions: Across genres like jazz, folk, soul, and rock, songwriters articulate admiration for virtues such as gratitude, loyalty, kindness, and wisdom, mirroring Aurelius's reflective practice.
• Emotional Resonance: Music often captures the deep emotional impact of virtuous individuals on our lives, celebrating their support, integrity, and positive influence through lyrics and melody.
• Timeless Themes: The appreciation for good character is a universal human experience, and these songs serve as contemporary meditations on the enduring value of strong, virtuous relationships.

The Philosophical Muse: Marcus Aurelius and Musical Admiration

Marcus Aurelius's *Meditations* wasn't just a personal diary; it was an exercise in Stoic philosophy, emphasizing self-improvement, resilience, and the importance of living a virtuous life. A significant part of this involved observing and learning from the virtues of others. He meticulously noted the qualities he admired in his mentors, family, and friends—from his mother's piety and generosity to his teacher Rusticus's aversion to sophistry and his adopted father Antoninus Pius's unwavering commitment to reason and gentleness. This act of recognizing and internalizing virtue in others was central to his ethical framework. Similarly, many songwriters, perhaps unknowingly, tap into this same reflective admiration, channeling their appreciation for the commendable traits of loved ones into their art. Their songs become odes to character, celebrating the very qualities Aurelius held in high esteem.

Jazz: Improvising on Virtue and Connection

The Soulful Language of Respect

Jazz, with its emphasis on improvisation, collaboration, and emotional expression, often conveys deep admiration and respect, even without explicit lyrics. The interplay between musicians can itself be a testament to mutual respect and shared understanding—virtues in action. However, some jazz compositions do directly address these themes.

Notable Examples:

• "Your Virtues" by NYC Jazz Quartett (2024): This contemporary piece is an explicit musical tribute to the admirable qualities of a beloved person. Its smooth, reflective tone is perfectly suited for a meditation on personal virtues, mirroring the introspective nature of Aurelius's writings.
• Classic Jazz Standards: While often instrumental, pieces like Duke Ellington's "Take the A-Train" embody a spirit of shared journey and appreciation for community. The collaborative nature of jazz performance itself highlights virtues such as tradition, mutual respect, and the pursuit of excellence (or *aretē*, the Greek concept of virtue/excellence). Anirban Bhattacharya, in discussing "The 4 Virtues Of Jazz," notes how jazz embodies tradition, collaboration, improvisation, and transcendence, qualities that can foster a "wise life."
• "Vices and Virtues" by Kris Bowers: This piece, performed in a jazz setting, directly plays with the concept of virtues, showcasing the genre's capability to explore complex ethical themes through sophisticated musical language.

Folk & Folk Rock: Storytelling Moral Character

Ballads of Integrity and Enduring Bonds

Folk music has long been a vehicle for storytelling, often reflecting on life's experiences, moral lessons, and the human condition. It frequently uses heartfelt melodies and direct language to convey admiration for individuals who embody strength, resilience, and kindness. The tradition of folk often carries religiously-inflected language or themes of social virtue, tethering communities through shared values.

Songs of Shared Values:

• Adrienne Young & Little Sadie - "The Art of Virtue": Both the album and its title track delve into the concept of virtues within a folk and country-folk framework. The music expresses admiration for noble qualities, echoing Stoic ideals of personal integrity and moral character.
• "Homeward Bound" by Simon & Garfunkel: While not explicitly about admiration for virtues, this song captures a profound sense of longing and appreciation for companionship and the comfort of loved ones, a sentiment that aligns with valuing supportive relationships.
• "Fire and Rain" by James Taylor: This introspective piece speaks to the solace found in friendships during difficult times, implicitly acknowledging the virtue of supportive companionship.
• American Folk, Gospel, and Bluegrass Traditions: As highlighted by sources like "Songs of Virtue and Vice" (athwart.org), these genres often explore themes of death, loss, hope, and redemption, inspiring calls for greater public virtue and reflecting on shared human experiences, often admiring figures who embody resilience and faith.

Soul & Motown: Anthems of Gratitude and Devotion

Celebrating Loyalty and Unwavering Support

Soul and Motown are genres renowned for their capacity to express deep emotion with passion and sincerity. Many iconic songs celebrate love, gratitude, and unwavering support—qualities central to virtuous relationships. These tracks often become timeless anthems of appreciation.

Heartfelt Tributes:

• "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell: A quintessential Motown duet, this song is a powerful testament to devotion, loyalty, and the willingness to overcome any obstacle for a loved one—a clear admiration for steadfastness and commitment.
• "I'll Be There" by The Jackson 5: A classic promise of unwavering support and presence, highlighting the virtues of reliability and care in a friendship or relationship.
• "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers: This iconic soul song is a direct celebration of friendship, mutual support, and the strength found in human connection, emphasizing kindness and dependability.
• "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" by Stevie Wonder: This Motown hit expresses profound admiration and commitment, celebrating the joy and thankfulness found in a secure and loving relationship.
• "Thank You for Being a Friend" by Andrew Gold: Though often categorized as pop-rock, its soulful sincerity and direct expression of gratitude for a friend's kindness, loyalty, and steadfastness make it a perfect example. It beautifully captures the appreciation for the virtues that underpin a strong friendship.

The following video for Andrew Gold's "Thank You For Being A Friend" encapsulates this sentiment of heartfelt appreciation for a companion's enduring qualities:

Andrew Gold's "Thank You For Being A Friend" – a timeless ode to the virtues of friendship.

Classic Rock, Pop Rock & AOR: Odes to Enduring Connections

Reflecting on Love, Loyalty, and Shared Journeys

Classic rock, pop rock, and adult-oriented rock (AOR) often feature songs that reflect on personal relationships, expressing admiration for the qualities that make these connections meaningful and lasting. These can range from grand romantic gestures to quiet acknowledgments of a partner's strength and support.

Classic rock bands often convey powerful emotions and narratives about human connection through their music.

Iconic Tributes:

• "In My Life" by The Beatles: A poignant and reflective piece where John Lennon contemplates the people and places that have shaped him, expressing deep affection and gratitude. It resonates with Aurelius's practice of recalling influential figures and their virtues.
• "With a Little Help from My Friends" by The Beatles: This song directly highlights the importance of friendship, support, and camaraderie—essential social virtues.
• "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney: A powerful love song expressing deep admiration and gratitude for his wife Linda's support and love, particularly during a challenging period. It highlights virtues like steadfastness and emotional strength.
• "Something" by The Beatles (George Harrison): A tender expression of admiration for a loved one's inner beauty and essence, appreciating qualities beyond the superficial.
• "You Are So Beautiful" by Joe Cocker: This soulful rock ballad is a straightforward and heartfelt expression of admiration for a loved one's inherent goodness and beauty, internal and external.
• "Brothers in Arms" by Dire Straits: This song reflects on camaraderie, loyalty, and shared hardship, admiring the steadfastness of companions in difficult circumstances.

Synthesizing Virtues in Music: A Comparative Look

Visualizing Admiration Across Musical Forms

Different songs and musical styles emphasize various virtues to different degrees. The following chart offers a conceptual representation of how selected songs or genre archetypes might score on qualities like Gratitude, Loyalty, Wisdom (reflective or learned), Kindness, Steadfastness, and Emotional Support. This is an interpretive exercise, as the expression of these virtues can be subjective and deeply personal, much like Aurelius's own reflections.

This chart illustrates how different musical expressions might emphasize particular virtues. For example, a song like "Lean On Me" scores high on 'Emotional Support' and 'Kindness', while a reflective piece like "In My Life" might emphasize 'Wisdom' (in terms of life reflection) and 'Gratitude'. Jazz improvisation, as an archetype, scores well on 'Wisdom' (musical and improvisational) and 'Loyalty' (to the ensemble and tradition).

Alternative, Indie & Prog Rock: Nuanced Reflections

Exploring Complexity and Metaphor in Admiration

Alternative, indie, and progressive rock genres often explore themes of admiration and virtue with more lyrical complexity, metaphor, or introspection. These songs might not always be straightforward declarations but can offer profound insights into the appreciation of others' characters.

Introspective Appreciations:

• "First Day of My Life" by Bright Eyes (Indie Folk): A poignant song about the transformative impact of a loved one, implying deep admiration for the qualities that bring about such positive change.
• "Home" by Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros (Indie Folk): This joyful song celebrates the comfort, happiness, and sense of belonging found with a loved one, admiring the simple yet profound virtues that create such a space.
• "From Eden" by Hozier (Alternative/Indie): Known for his metaphorical lyrics, Hozier often expresses deep admiration and connection, touching on themes of virtue and positive influence in a poetic style.
• "Bloom" by The Paper Kites (Indie Folk-Rock): This gentle, reflective song conveys admiration for a partner's simple, virtuous qualities, appreciating authenticity and gentle strength.
• Kendrick Lamar - "HUMBLE.": While from the hip-hop genre, its inclusion in discussions of songs incorporating virtues (as noted in The Musical Hype) is relevant. It complexly addresses humility, a key Stoic virtue, prompting reflection even if through critique. This illustrates how modern artists across various spectrums engage with virtue.
• Björk: Artists like Björk, as mentioned in discussions, explore admiration in various forms – for maternal strength, for nature, or for the resilience of women, often through experimental and deeply personal musical landscapes.

Mapping the Connections: Virtues, Aurelius, and Music

A Visual Web of Ideas

The connection between Marcus Aurelius's philosophical reflections on virtue and the expression of admiration in music forms a rich tapestry. The mindmap below illustrates how his focus on specific virtues finds echoes in diverse musical genres, expressed through both lyrical content and the emotional power of music itself.

This mindmap shows how Aurelius's emphasis on virtues like wisdom, kindness, and loyalty is mirrored in music through themes of celebrating character, expressing gratitude for support, and valuing enduring relationships, all manifested across the various genres you're interested in.

A Curated Listen: Songs Embodying Admirable Qualities

A Tabular Guide to Virtuous Melodies

To further distill these ideas, the following table provides a selection of songs discussed, highlighting the artists, genres, key virtues expressed, and a brief rationale for their connection to the Aurelian theme of admiring good character in others.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Recommended Further Exploration

If you're interested in delving deeper into music that explores themes of virtue, admiration, and meaningful connections, consider these related queries:

• What are some songs that explicitly discuss Stoic virtues like resilience and wisdom?
• Can you find instrumental jazz pieces known for conveying deep emotional respect or contemplation?
• Explore folk songs that tell stories of moral courage and integrity in ordinary people.
• Discover modern indie artists whose lyrics focus on gratitude and the importance of supportive relationships.

References

The information and song suggestions in this response were synthesized from insights found in the following resources:

athwart.org

Songs of Virtue and Vice - Athwart

linkedin.com

The 4 Virtues Of Jazz for a Better Life & Greater Performance - LinkedIn (Anirban Bhattacharya)

themusicalhype.com

15 Songs That Incorporate Virtues | Playlist - The Musical Hype

happierhuman.com

Gratitude Songs - Happier Human

billboard.com

Top "Thank You" Songs - Billboard

hellomusictheory.com

Songs About Being Proud of Someone - Hello Music Theory

americansongwriter.com

Top 10 Songs About Gratitude and Friendship - American Songwriter