53.
Rock Stars as Poets
I love music. I find music just makes life better. Add a little music to an ordinary experience and it becomes
extraordinary. I just drove my kids to school before I wrote this chapter. Played the new Our Lady Peace
CD as we drove. My daughter, Bianca, looked up at me and said: “Daddy, music makes me feel like
dancing.” Her eyes sparkled as she said it. Perfect.
Last night I had a thoughtful conversation with an interesting friend. He makes his living in the
financial markets. But he lives his passion spinning turntables as a DJ. Cool combination. He loves music.
Make his life better too. We talked about Morcheeba and Thievery Corporation and U2 and the Dave
Matthews Band. That got me thinking. Music can connect us, giving us a shared language, whether we live
in New York or Bogota, tel Aviv, San Juan, Bangalore or Beijing. Music has the potential to elevate our
lives, enrich our societies and uplift the world.
Here’s what I really think: Musicians are artists, no different from painters or poets. They document
our culture, cause us to think, provoke us (sometimes) and introduce us to new ideas. And the good ones
are philosophers. Seriously. The best share wise insights through their songs that inspire us to see the
world through a new set of lenses and step out of the ordinary – into the realm of something special – if
only for three minutes.
Bono of U2 said in an interview that he sees himself as a traveling salesman. He crisscrosses the
planet selling a message, evangelizing his values, spreading the silent whispers of his heart on a stage in
front of tens of thousands. Bono’s a poet. Just read some of his stuff. It’s deep. Alanis Morissette also
comes to mind when I think of lyrics with philosophical weight. So does Dave Matthews. Even Eminem’s
words, when not profane, have power. Listen to them sometime. The guys gets life.
Musicians are artists, no different from
Painters or poets. They document our culture, cause
Us to think, provoke us (sometimes) and
Introduce us to new ideas. And the good
Ones are philosophers.
So let me ask you: Do you fill your moments with music? What songs make you think or laugh or
cry? What music makes your heart soar and reminds you how beautifully blessed you are to be walking the
planet today? What tunes inspire you to reach higher, dream bigger and get to the greatness that you are
meant to be? Oh, and let me ask you one final question: What is the music that makes you just want to get
up and start dancing?