Guardians of the Galaxy was a great and fun movie. In the movie, Peter Quill’s mother gives him a cassette called Awesome Mix Vol. I. If you’ve seen the movie, you know how well the music complements the action. I love watching my 8 year old dance to these old songs and make her own mixes on Spotify. Over the years, I’ve used music as I’ve worked to get things done, get pumped up for a project, and even get through the tough times. How about a Awesome Corporate Mix Vol. 1? Let’s kick it off with one from Guardians of the Galaxy!
Track #1
Fooled Around and Fell In Love by Elvin Bishop You’ve got an internship, just started, and you could just work here forever! Heck, you’ll be in charge after your first year! (You poor naïve sap.)
Relevant Lyrics: Free, on my own, that’s the way I used to be / Ah, but since I met you baby / Love’s got a hold on me
Track #2
Retreat! by Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings Someone in your management chain (you know who I mean), is just a little off. You wonder how they got there and why they are still there. Bananas might be a good way to describe this person.
Relevant Lyrics: Step back, boy, because you can’t fix crazy!…Retreat, ’cause it’s my way baby / And I don’t care none about the rest of you
Track #3
Applause by Lady Gaga This one is for the millennials. If LinkedIn has taught me anything, this is it. I will cling to this stereotype forever, sorry I can’t be swayed otherwise. If it makes you feel better, you can consider me an angst filled Gen X-er (refer to the post you are currently reading).
Relevant Lyrics: I live for the applause, applause, applause / Live for the way that you cheer and scream for me / The applause, applause, applause
Track #4
Don’t Say Nothing by The Heavy Have you ever been in a meeting and you are just about wrapped up, but then BAM! Tangent Man arrives! He has the power to interject his 2 cents and hijack any meeting! His only weakness is not hearing his own voice for one hour.
Relevant Lyrics: I get it / If it’s wrong then it’s wrong / But you say nothing / ‘Bout all kinds of something
Track #5
Gimme Three Steps by Lynyrd Skynyrd Dedicated to all you Silicon Valley folks that try to interview across tech companies and then get found out. Oops! If you’ve been living under a rock, lift it up and go read this.
Relevant Lyrics: Gimme three steps Mister and you’ll never see me no more
Track #6
The Touch by Stan Bush It’s been six months and your project is over. Despite all the issues and marketing’s instance on miring you in a two week product name discussion, the widget is ready to ship two months early and $200k under budget. You are the king (or queen). Commence strut! Surely, this project will get you noticed!
Relevant Lyrics: You’re at your best when when the goin’ gets rough / You’ve been put to the test but it’s never enough / You got the touch
Track #7
That’s Not My Name by The Ting Tings Oh my gosh! The CEO is calling! This has to be about the great work I did on that widget!
You: “Hello?”
CEO: “Uh, hello, uh, Michael, congratulations on the success of the widget.”
You: “This is Matthew.” (I also would’ve accepted stunned silence here.)
CEO: “Ah, yes, well on behalf of the board, I wanted to offer my sincerest thanks! Keep up the good work!” (He hangs up here. You have a thank you, but no bonus.)
Relevant Lyrics: They call me Hell / They call me Stacey / They call me her / They call me Jane / That’s not my name
Track #8
Private Eyes by Hall & Oates *click, click click When did IT start blocking Facebook? *click I’m the social media marketing manager, dang it! (Pulls out phone and hops on the 4G connection to post anyway.)
Relevant Lyrics: Private eyes, they’re watching you / Watching you, watching you, watching you
Track #9
Patience by Guns N’ Roses Hello, Help Desk? Email is down. It’s in the cloud, you say? Not your problem anymore, you say? Get a coffee, you say?
Relevant Lyrics: Said, woman, take it slow / And it’ll work itself out fine / All we need is just a little patience
Track #10
Peace of Mind by Boston What do you mean, I can’t get the iPhone 6? My cubemate just called and got one! How can I show my face at work without it? What will my loved ones think?
Relevant Lyrics: But I don’t care if I get behind / People livin’ in competition / All I want is to have my peace of mind
Track #11
Tick Tick Boom by The Hives Look, I’ve brought up this risk 10 times over the past year. If you’re not willing to fund the fix, I can’t be held accountable (2 days later, the risk manifests and you are still blamed anyway.)
Relevant Lyrics: You get your head out of the sand / But its too late, it’s too late, too late
Track #12
Too Much Time on My Hands by Styx Your group is being eliminated. The good news is that we want to keep you on just in case for another year. The bad news is that your resume just took a one year hit.
Relevant Lyrics: Well I’m so tired of losing I got nothing to do / And all day to do it
Track #13
Uprising by Muse Congratulations! Your company is being acquired. All your software, processes and staff are changing. Here’s hoping YOU make it through! You have 2 months to complete this mission. Good luck, random participant!
Relevant Lyrics: They will not force us / And they will stop degrading us / And they will not control us / We will be victorious
Track #14
I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor Your cell phone is ringing. It’s from that company that fired you last week…they have a question that only YOU can answer. You’re busy on a new project at a better company. You wonder if not answering the phone is considered burning a bridge?
Relevant Lyrics: And so you felt like dropping in / And just expect me to be free / Now I’m saving all my lovin’ for someone who’s lovin’ me
Track #15
Running on Faith by Eric Clapton The stock is at an all time low with no end in sight. Actually, the company’s end is in sight, you just refuse to see it.
Relevant Lyrics: Lately I’ve been running on faith / What else can a poor boy do?
Bonus Track (for Guardians of the Galaxy viewers only!)
O-o-h Child by The Five Stairsteps This one is a challenge. If you are in a meeting and Tangent Man shows up, here’s what to do.
Step 1: Stand up and start singing this song.
Step 2: Find your groove and start dancing.
Step 3: Challenge him to a dance off.
If you happen to get a video, send it to Twitter #danceoff and be sure to include @MatthewSekol!