The Best Thing to Be Is a Person

Song Meaning

This song opens with a man feeling utterly insignificant, a profound sense of unimportance that drives him to seek divine guidance. He looks upward, questioning his worth and asking for direction, setting a tone of existential desperation. The initial plea, "Lord, what good am I?", immediately grounds the narrative in a universal human struggle for purpose. The divine response offers a surprisingly simple, yet powerful, directive: the best thing to be is a person. This isn't a call to grand achievement or specific roles, but an emphasis on fundamental humanity. The Lord clarifies this by stating a person should "love his fellow man" and "do the best he can," framing these actions as the ultimate purpose. The lyrics highlight a subtle but crucial distinction in the Lord's advice. While the man asks "what good am I?", the answer isn't about inherent goodness, but about active, compassionate living. The suggestion to "let the world around you / Know the love that's in your heart" implies that outward expression of inner love is key to fulfilling one's potential as a person. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their directness and gentle reassurance. By stripping away complex theology or grand pronouncements, the song lands on a message of simple, actionable humanism. It suggests that true value is found not in status or accomplishment, but in the consistent effort to be kind and to try one's best, a message that resonates with a deep-seated human desire for meaning.