These 4 Rock Songs From 1972 Celebrate the Joy of Being Alive

When it’s a good day, a good song can make that day even better. These are three of the best rock songs, all out in 1972, which celebrate the joy of simply being alive.

Videos by American Songwriter

“Lean On Me” by Bill Withers

His three-week No. 1 hit, and his first to land at the top of the charts, Bill Withers includes “Lean On Me” on his sophomore Still Bill record. Written solely by Withers, “Lean On Me” says, “Lean on me, when you’re not strong / And I’ll be your friend / I’ll help you carry on / For it won’t be long / ’Til I’m gonna need / Somebody to lean on.”

“I bought a little piano,” Withers recalls to Songfacts. “And I was sitting there just running my fingers up and down the piano. In the course of doing the music, that phrase crossed my mind. So then you go back and say, ‘OK, I like the way that phrase, ‘Lean On Me’, sounds with this song.’ So you go back and say, ‘How do I arrive at this as a conclusion to a statement? What would I say that would cause me to say ‘Lean On Me’?’ At that point, it’s between you and your actual feelings, you and your morals, and what you’re really like. You probably do more thinking about it after it’s done.”

“Saturday In The Park” by Chicago

On their Chicago V record, “Saturday In The Park” is written by band member Robert Lamm. “Saturday In The Park” became a Top 5 single for the group.

The visual song says, “Another day in the park / It looks just like the Fourth of July / Another day in the park / Look just like the Fourth of July / People dancing, really smiling / A man playing guitar  / And singing for us all / Singing for us all.”

Chicago still plays “Saturday In The Park” in their live shows today.

“Beautiful Sunday” by Daniel Boone

Daniel Boone’s biggest hit, “Beautiful Sunday,” is the title track of his sophomore album. Written by Boone and Rod McQueen, “Beautiful Sunday” is about enjoying a day of carefree living.

“Beautiful Sunday” says,  “Hi, hi, hi, beautiful Sunday / This is my, my, my beautiful day / When you say, say, say, say that you love me / Oh, my, my, my, it’s a beautiful day.”

“Morning Has Broken” by Cat Stevens

Cat Stevens includes “Morning Has Broken” on his Teaser And The Firecast record. The song began as a hymn, written by Eleanor Farjeon in the early 1930s.

The sweet, uplifting tune says, “Morning has broken like the first morning / Blackbird has spoken like the first bird / Praise for the singing, praise for the morning / Praise for them springing fresh from the world.”

Photo by Goebel/picture alliance via Getty Images