Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s the music scene was much different – it had a much bigger impact on people then. It wasn’t just about the lyrics or the band’s entertainment value–it was about a strong emotional attachment you had to that band. Far less people liked bands/artists because they were “catchy” or because their songs were “great to dance to.” Instead, it was about what that band stood for. It was about that band’s ability to connect with its audience. It was about the band’s ability to create a complete album that flowed all the way through–it was art in its purist form. Musicians weren’t judged by a popularity contest–they were judged by their performance and creativity.
Clearly, one of the most notable bands from my childhood is Led Zeppelin. The music resonated well with teenagers at the time for obvious reasons–the music was all about sex, drugs and rock and roll. But the band’s songs and lyrics hit me on a deeper level and have helped me thrive as a franchise sales executive with Blimpie. A few of these (outside of this post’s title) are…
- “How Many More Times” (http://bit.ly/vxAjwU). The take away here was that I always had to be proactive and aggressive to make it as a business development executive. I had to be a “hunter” and go get the things I wanted in life.
- “Over the Hills and Far Away” (http://bit.ly/cWVxVI). This song taught me that there’s more to life than simply the pursuit of money. I truly do “live for my dream and a pocketful of gold.” The whole money can’t buy happiness, but it can get you closer message isn’t a new concept, but the way Robert Plant presents it is powerful.
- “The Ocean” (http://bit.ly/d1JkMV). Now, I’m a single man with no kids, but my friends and family are still very important to me. “The Ocean” helped me understand that many relationships will come and go, but the bonds of true friends and family will never fade.
The messages in these songs aren’t earth shattering. But like anything else in life, the delivery and tone is far more important than the message and Robert Plant and Zeppelin just had a way of positioning things that hit home to me.
Now, I’m sure many people thought I’d “go down like a lead balloon” when I started with franchising more than 25 years ago (as Keith Moon said about Zeppelin when the band got started), but I think it’s time for a “Celebration Day” instead.
How has music impacted you? Has it had an effect on the way you conduct business?