Does Barack Obama's Favorite Music Make Him More Interesting?
Rolling Stone interviewed Barack Obama recently. He revealed his iPod play list, which included songs by:
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- Elton John
- The Rolling Stones
- Sheryl Crow
- Yo-Yo Ma
- Jay-Z
- Bob Dylan
- Stevie Wonder
He said Stevie Wonder is his musical hero. We learn more about him because he shared his musical taste. He’s in touch with the classics and brilliant musicians. He shows his age, yet he’s still in touch with artists of today.
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Mary-Lynn says …
When I think of Bob Dylan, I think of music with a message … that sense of activism.
When I think of Yo-Yo Ma or Stevie Wonder, I think of great musicianship.
And I think of the song, I Wish. How when I was working in radio, I was always excited when that song was coming up. I’d crank it when it was on and do my own boogie!
George replies …
When I think of Stevie Wonder, I think about the Saturday Night Live skit where he was playing tennis! He got hit by a lot of balls!
Seriously, I think of Ebony and Ivory. I’m a lyrics guy. I can picture the keyboard with its ebony and ivory keys. And Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder singing it. It’s powerful!
Sharing opens up the conversation
So you see what’s happening here. Barack Obama revealed things about himself. Now we’re revealing things about ourselves. When you share, you open up the conversation because the other person finds things to be interested in. So they find you more interesting and get to know you better. And you connect with them.
So let’s take a page from the politician’s playbook – they look for every single way they can to connect with people.
George’s example:
I’m a husband, a business owner, a professor, a blogger, a podcaster, an alum of the best university in the world … the University of Illinois. And the list goes on. Kind of like Sonny & Cher’s beat!
It’s how people can relate to you, by finding things in common with you.
The more you share, the more you connect
That’s why one of our friends says that you should fill out your profile completely on social networking sites, when you join an organization, and at every opportunity. Share as much about yourself and your interests as you feel comfortable sharing.
We can learn a lesson from politicians on this – the more you share, the more you connect!
Mary-Lynn says …
As we prepared for this show, one of the things we talked about is how neither one of us has been listening to much music lately. This really surprises me about myself because I was a musician and a music disc jockey for many years. So music has been an integral part of my life.
George replied …
That begs the question, Mary-Lynn. Why aren’t you listening to more music now?
And I think I know the answer – you get to hear me sing in the shower! What more could you possibly need?
Mary-Lynn’s retort …
That’s not music to my ears, George!
I work at my computer a lot and whenever I am in the car they’re always playing the same songs on the radio. So I just flip to talk.
Connect with yourself
Music is an opportunity to connect with others, but more importantly, it lets you connect with yourself. So make time for things that touch you deeply – in your mind, your heart, and your soul.
Whether that be music or something else.
What do you do to connect to others and yourself? Is there something you used to do that you need to reconnect with?
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(Image by rollingstone.com)
