These are strange, sometimes even scary times we’re living in. There are occasions when a thoughtful person may sit alone and rightfully just wonder if it’s all going to be alright. Politically? Militarily? Economically? Culturally? Is the climate going to do us in? Another pandemic? Or will AI-trained robots get to us first? I mean, danger – really, calamity – is constantly swirling, roiling all around us, bubbling up and seemingly threatening to swallow us in. In short, it just feels too often like the end of the world is nigh (or if not nigh, then at most in a couple nighs). Seriously, one must at least occasionally ponder, are we really, somehow, going to all be alright?

At times of existential crises such as these, one must turn to history’s scholars. August men of grandiose intellect whose wisdom and lingual sophistication might shrewdly convey a renewed purpose for the future of civilization, even a reaffirmation of life itself. Men, for instance, such as Matthew McConaughey as David Wooderson in the 1993 cinematic classic Dazed and Confused.

In just three brilliantly incisive words – influenced, no less, by a Jim Morrison outburst from a live Doors album (it’s true) – McConaughey’s utterance can instinctively put us at peace, instill clear-headed perspective, and set the world back on its axis. “Alright, Alright, Alright.” Yesiree. An expression of inspiring truth for a bunch of coming-of-age burnouts in mid-1970’s Texas, moviegoers of surely stunted maturity in the early ‘90’s, and still curiously comforting assurance for the anxious denizens of tumultuous planet earth in the early 21st century. Thank you, Wooderson. The world needs more like you. Elvis Costello (or technically Nick Lowe who actually wrote it) plaintively wondered “Where is the harmony, sweet harmony?” in ‘(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding.’ Indeed, perhaps it lies with the likes of wise old Wooderson. Alright, alright, alright. We thirst for more such simple harmony.

So then, or shall we say, alright then, here’s a collection of applicable songs to commemorate the righteous momentousness we’ve just acknowledged…also known as David Wooderson’s favorite playlist. “Alright, Alright, Alright” – an even 30 tunes featuring the operative word “alright” (as well as its alternately configured “all right”) in the title. From Dylan to The Doobies, Joe Cocker to The Police, even Elvis to The Ramones, just hit play on this new SMGM title and you may be confidently assured that…it’s all gonna be alright.

Alright? Alright.