By Marvin A. McMickle
Galatians 5:19-26
Not many months ago I read about a poll that was done by radio listeners and disc jockeys concerning the #1 Rock “N” Roll song of all-time. Since the roots of that kind of music stretch back to the time of my own teen-age years I wondered if my idea about the #1 song of that era would correspond or contrast with the views of others of my generation. Knowing that I had a preference for the Rhythm and Blues music of Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin and The Temptations, I was not especially interested in the outcome of this poll. However, I had some ideas of my own concerning Rock “N” Roll music that included music by Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Elvis Presley. I must confess that I was somewhat surprised when it was revealed that none of my favorite singers in this musical genre came out on top. Instead, the poll revealed that the #1 Rock “N” Roll song of all time was a song by the British band; The Rolling Stones entitled “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction.”
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It occurs to me that the popularity and longevity of that song can be explained by a simple observation; that song speaks to the fundamental dilemma of so many people in our society who are in a constant quest for something that can bring them satisfaction. The song has a refrain that says “And I tried – and I tried – and I tried – and I tried – I can’t get no satisfaction.” You can almost see the history of the last 40 years of American life and culture written through the lens and lyrics of that song.
I have tried sex and orgies, and I can’t get satisfaction. I have tried LSD and cocaine, and I can’t get satisfaction. I have tried alcohol and amphetamines, and I still can’t get satisfaction. Perhaps the reason why the song has remained so appealing to Americans is because the song speaks to an aspiration that reaches deep into our psyche and to a frustration that burns within us so many of our fellow citizens; “I tried, and I tried, and I tried, and I tried – but I can’t get no satisfaction.”
The search for satisfaction can take at least four different faces in our world today, and most of us have gotten stuck trying to find satisfaction in one of these four ways. They are called happiness, pleasure, thrills and highs. These are the things that are spoken of by Paul in Galatians 5:19-21 as the works of the flesh or the acts of the sinful nature.” Paul refers to them by such names as drunkenness, debauchery, discord and dissensions. We can refer to the same impulses of the human spirit by different names, but the motivation and the desired outcome are the same; I am trying to create satisfaction for myself.