(Motivational) music to my ears

Da Coach and I had an (unlinkable) email exchange yesterday that hearkened back to the comments he made on this post, in which he cataloged Bruce Springsteen's critical yet unsung (so to speak) contributions to the field of personal coaching.

Since then, I've been hearing rock 'n roll motivational masters all over the place. Just this morning on the way into work, this little gem blasted its way through my speakers and into my awareness:

So often times it happens
That we live our lives in chains
And we never even know we have the key

Simple, powerful, and -- if it caught you at the right moment -- potentially life changing. Questionable grammar aside ("So often times"??? Someone get me a comma.)this could have come right out of Earl Nightingale's esteemed mouth.  But I believe Eagles frontman Glenn Frey provided the vocals on this one. Lead the Field? Uh-uh -- try On the Border.

Even the darker end of the rock spectrum has its inspiring moments. I found myself getting pretty fired up (and even a bit misty) the other day listening to -- dare I admit it? -- Eminem's "Lose Yourself", the lyrics of which I cannot reprint because the Play Room does not come equipped with a Parental Advisory warning. But if you can handle the moderate-for-Eminem-but-still-pretty-bad language and you're in the mood for some unorthodox success advice, go listen to it. It's really rather awesome!

I don't know that it's possible to compile an official Nightingale-Conant compendium of Rock 'n Roll motivation (a personal development audio program by Eminem would give us an awfully sharp edge -- a fatal one, I'm thinking.)

But I do know this: if your mind is open to the kinds of great ideas you get from N-C's programs, you'll start to hear those ideas everywhere.

What about you? Got any rock 'n roll "coaches" you call on when you need a motivational shot in the arm -- or ear, as the case may be? Who are they, and what are the lines that lift you up and make you better?

Comments

[Matthew]

Great Post,
It reminds me of the Pink Floyd song, Time. Here is just a sample:
"And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun."

"The sun is the same in the relative way, but youre older
Shorter of breath and one day closer to death."

The message: Don't waste time!

[Workbook Writing Doctor]

The new song by Natasha Beddinfield is the one that inspires me so much that it makes me cry!! Here are the lyrics:

NATASHA BEDINGFIELD LYRICS

"Unwritten"

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, oh, oh

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten

Oh, yeah, yeah

[Sheila]

Workbook Writing Doctor,

YES!! That is an awesome example of what I'm talking about! I, too, love that song and get teary and inspired when I hear it. I feel like if I had that playing on repeat on my iPod, I could run a marathon no problem.

Thanks for commenting!

[John]

From Sister Hazel:

If you want to be somebody else,
If you're tired of fighting battles with yourself
If you want to be somebody else,

Change your mind!!!

Cheers!
John

[psychoward]

OK - I got a weird contribution to make. How about the lyrics to "Rain Drops Keep Falling on my Head" I love the line, 'I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining.' I say weird cause I'm not a huge fan of the song - but the lyrics have a positive message.

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