Conference Soundtracks: A Travel Back in Time

Just a random thought that occurred while listening to the radio. “Lose Yourself” came on and we thought…hmmm…haven’t heard this on the radio in a while, but we have heard it at a company conference.

Do you think that when the bleached blonde known as Eminem recorded “Lose Yourself,” he imagined that years later, it would be the anthem of middle-aged managers wearing khaki pants and collared shirts, standing in front of some clip-art plagued Power Point?

We at “Human Resources” are guessing the answer is “hell naw,” but who knows.  Mr. Marshall Mathers might just have known his gritty Detroit bathroom confessional had power outside the hip-hop circles.  After all, managers and even CEOs have long tapped into pop culture for inspirations at their otherwise boring corporate conference.

Here are some songs, past, present and even future that get Corporate Americans on their freaking feet:

PAST

“Lose Yourself”

Rabbit was trying to psyche himself up for a rap battle in “8 Mile,” but that don’t worry middle managers none.  The bumping bass and hint of guitar in “Lose Yourself” is perfect for company retreats, particularly the ones that end with news that you aren’t going to get that bonus you were promised in Q1.

“Let’s Get it Started”

The Black Eyed Peas are generally annoying, but you’re lying to yourself if you don’t admit they know how to bring the energy up in a room. Whether it’s a new advertising campaign or a move to new headquarters, this song can get the grumpiest employee up and on the move. 

 ”We Are the Champions”

More old-school than Eminem, this Queen classic is most often used for professional sports, but it also has a place in boardrooms. It’s really a nice audio companion when the sales team is duh, #winning and wants to rub the rest of the company’s nose in it.

PRESENT

”Fireworks”

Few people do bubbly like Katy Perry, the busty pop wunderkind who even makes us kinda like “Friday’s” Rebecca Black in her most recent smash. Though “Fireworks” is seen as empowering to those in the gay and lesbian community,  we have heard it used during presentations to get the troops feeling good even as the economy goes bad.

“Airplanes”

This wistful BOB hip-pop is a useful tool to fire up the man and (woman) power.  What with the shooting stars and all that good stuff, almost makes you smile on a Monday.

FUTURE

“The Show Goes On”

Lost a major client?  Let Lupe make it all better during the Wednesday status call. Shouts to Modest Mouse.

So there you have it.  The lamest…er um…most inspirational songs we’ve heard, or think we could hear, at a business event.  What about you?  Vote on our poll and let us know which of these songs you’ve heard the most often at a retreat or meeting.  You can also tell us any song we might have missed.