“Music is the melody whose text is the world.”
– Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher (1788-1860)
Indulge me here. Music matters. And I dare you to click on and listen to the songs below and tell me that they’re not all great songs. I dare you. There’s a comment section below. Wanna have this conversation? Let’s do it!
Where was I? Oh, yes. Music…
When something really cool happens – the kids do something amazing, or She Who Birthed The Three and I have that awesome glass of wine, or I hit that “perfect” golf shot or something in nature catches my eye “just so,” there’s a soundtrack in my noggin that helps imprint it permanently. By the same token, when I am in a tough spot – a difficult negotiation, a “crucial conversation” with a team-member or client, or a scenario where I really need to focus and “nail it,” – there’s a soundtrack in my noggin that helps then, too, if I’ll let it.
There’s almost always music in there somewhere for me, I guess.
If we listen for the “song cues” in day-to-day conversations, I wonder if there’s not some difference-making that will occur more effortlessly, more efficiently… Oh, and it’s impossible for me to hear Muzak® in an elevator without seeing, in my mind’s eye, the scene from The Blues Brothers where Jake and Elwood are riding up to the Cook County Assessor’s office…
Examples, Please!
Storytelling: Yes, it is really long, but worth every second; Arlo Guthrie’s Alice’s Restaurant Massacree
People who want to waste time on unimportant stuff: BR-549’s Ain’t Got Time
When I’m tired but gotta get one across the finish line: Toby Keith’s As Good As I Once Was
When dealing with people that just. Don’t. Get it: The Refreshment’s Banditos
When you know that there has to be a better way: Ben Harper’s Better Way
Those days that you feel like giving up: Steven Curtis Chapman’s Take Another Step
Getting someone to deal with reality: Shakey Grave’s Dearly Departed
When taking a risk, feeling the fear: Molly Hatchet’s Flirtin’ With Disaster
When taking a risk, feeling the adrenaline rush: Blackberry Smoke’s I Can Feel A Good One
When you just know they’re wrong: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s You Know You Wrong
When our belief is in doubt: Cowboy Mouth’s I Believe
The boss / spouse / partner / client / coach / teacher / whoever else is mad at us: Jason D Williams’ You Look Like I Could Use A Drink
When we’re feeling restless: Jimmy Buffet’s Pacing the Cage
When we need to power through anything: G3 Live’s (Satriani, Johnson, Vai) I’m Going Down
When we have to choose between good and evil: The Steeldriver’s Reckless Side of Me
I could do this for weeks, but you get the point…
Somewhere in our noggins is a soundtrack, and it will connect with wherever we find it. It’s as if music is the doctor…
Let the music flow, as we cross another corporate milestone, and make something incredible happen today!
Kim Hanken says
Thanks for the music recs! I will have to play Alice’s Restaurant for my Alice (she already believes the world revolves around her)! Music is the glue that pulls the world together and nothing beats a good soundtrack, except maybe a GREAT soundtrack.
Steve Heston says
She’ll love all 18 1/2 minutes of it. She’ll probably start a “move – ment!” Thanks for joining the conversation, Kim!