“It’s summer, summer, summertime, time to sit back and unwind,” read the lyrics from Will Smith’s appropriately titled anthem “Summertime”. Anyone who knows me, knows that I love music. You’ll find a pretty eclectic mix on my iPod. I especially like music from the 80s and 90s and this one from 1991 always reminds me of my first full summer after getting my driver’s license.
It got me thinking about other songs and some key lyrics that so aptly tell a story, feeling or emotion. I thought I’d take Mr. Smith’s advice on this blog – it is summertime after all - to sit back and unwind. I’ve listed a few of my favorites below and what they mean to me. I’m betting you know many of them, but maybe not all.
Do me a favor and share your favorites also!
Frank Sinatra: “New York, New York”
My little town blues, they are melting away. I’m gonna make a brand new start of it in old New York. If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere. It’s up to you New York, New York.
- Have you ever tried something new? Something big? We all need to remember to challenge ourselves from time-to-time. You really don’t know your limits unless you test them.
John Lennon: “Watching The Wheels”
People say I'm crazy, doing what I'm doing. Well, they give me all kinds of warnings to save me from ruin. When I say that I'm okay, well, they look at me kinda strange. Surely you're not happy now; you no longer play the game.
- This song was on the radio one day after I announced my decision to leave Arizona and move back to Indiana in 2005. A lot of people questioned the “sanity” of leaving my career at a large national firm (and the Arizona lifestyle) to move back to the Heartland. This song helped me realize that I shouldn’t worry too much about what others think as they aren’t in my shoes and couldn’t understand.
Public Enemy: “He Got Game”
Don’t let a win get to your head or a loss to your heart.
- Chuck D says it well here. Most of us do it just the opposite.
Tom Petty: “It’s Good To Be King”
Yeah, the world would swing if I were king. Can I help it if I still dream time-to-time?
- One of the things that has helped me a great deal in my career was the mental notebook I kept early on. You know the one where you say, “If I am ever in charge, here is how I’m going to do it”? The key is not to forget all the things you felt back then. That empathy will come in handy.
Van Halen: “Jump”
I get up, and nothing gets me down. You got it tough. I've seen the toughest around. And I know, baby, just how you feel. You've got to roll with the punches to get to what's real.
- Is there anything like the synthesizer opening on this song? It always energizes me. Having positive mojo goes a long, long way in life. As we say at Gibson, Optimism Reigns!
Neil Young: “Old Man
Old man take a look at my life. I'm a lot like you. I need someone to love me the whole day through. Ah, one look in my eyes and you can tell that's true.
- You know for all the talk about generational differences – and there are plenty – the truth is, we’re all not that different from one another.
Eminem: “Lose Yourself”
His palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. There's vomit on his sweater already, mom's spaghetti. He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready to drop bombs, but he keeps on forgetting what he wrote down…
- Like Dwight Schrute from The Office I play a “motivational” song every time before I go into a big meeting. Okay, I’m kidding, but if I did, I think it would be this one. “The moment, you own it, you better never let it go. You only get one shot, do not miss your chance….” Anyway, Em does a pretty good job of capturing the emotions you feel right before something big.
What’s The Risk?
Well nothing life or career threatening here. But music just makes everything better. We were at dinner recently with some friends. A “date night” on a weeknight! We were outside on the patio at a cool restaurant, the weather was fabulous and the food was excellent. Oh and there was great music playing in the background at just the right volume. The husband leaned back in his chair and remarked, “What a great night! No offense, but it’s just a little bit better with the music.”
Well said.
What’s your song? Please share below.
