No matter which side of the political fence you sit on, you’ll only be too aware that the recent elections in Malaysia have brought changes which have significantly affected the country’s political landscape. For those who thought that what was true yesterday, will be true tomorrow, this would have been a great surprise. Myself included.

So this brings to mind the all-too-famous Bob Dylan lyrics, warning us that the we shouldn’t rely on the status quo:

Come writers and critics
Who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide
The chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon
For the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no tellin’ who
That it’s namin’.
For the loser now
Will be later to win
For the times they are a-changin’.

Sam Cooke, who took a stand against racial prejudice and was unfortunately shot dead in a cheap motel, may also have thought his song pretty apt as it brought hope to those seeking redress:

There’s been times that I thought
I wouldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able to carry on
It’s been a long, long time coming
But I know a change is gonna come
Oh, yes it will

Even the Bee Gees, whom I’ve avidly listened to from the age of 6 and since Maurice’s death may never release another album, have profound words on this matter:

Sometime a man breaks down,
and the good thing he is looking for
are crushed into the ground.
Get on up, look around;
can’t you feel the wind of change?
Get on up, taste the air;
can’t you see the wind of change;

And David Bowie, whom ruminates deeply when he isn’t trying to look so cool, puts himself firmly in the shoes of those caught in these winds:

So I turned myself to face me
But Ive never caught a glimpse
Of how the others must see the faker
I’m much too fast to take that test

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes
(turn and face the strain)
Ch-ch-changes
Don’t want to be a richer man

So you see, song lyrics, which are often more direct and accessible than poetry, can teach us so much. So let’s hope that those in power, whether at the federal or state level (run by whatever political coalition), or even at the local government level will be keenly aware that things do change.