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Baby Steps, Tiny Victories, And Staying Positive

It’s another “Month of Content” here for me, Dave, here on the blog, on my YouTube channel, and on my Substack. Do I have all the answers? No. Will I keep at it in a quest to find the answers? Yes. Here are a few thoughts…

The Baby Steps?

We’re all neophytes at SOMETHING. With the launch of just about anything these days — a new AI tool, a new social network, a platform that tries to replace another platform that you’ve known, loved, and now are taught to ignore — there will always be some who are first movers, and others who are later to the party, and still others who have to figure out how it works.

I was that way with Substack — which launched as a newsletter platform and still does that job BUT it seems to be veering into “social network” territory — and I look back to the baby steps I took on that platform and wonder…what the heck was I thinking?

So the baby steps were probably awfully wobbly, followed by a toddler sprint into a different direction and, finally, The Saturday List.

Now? Well, we’ve hit our stride when it comes to consistency. 30 straight weeks. Even though the growth of the channel isn’t where I want it to be just yet, I’m bullish on the power of newsletters and of the strength of owning an email audience and curating content for them.

The Tiny Victories?

I also have a YouTube Channel. A tiny victory came this week when the channel got to 1000 subscribers. Cause for celebration? Well, maybe…for about ten minutes or so.

But the real challenge here is the same one I bumped into when launching The Saturday List: consistency. We had a great interview on Monday with Tamsen Webster (link below) where we discussed getting your message across. We have also had some other cool interviews, and we discussed them on our last blog post.

And we have three more interviews scheduled for the next couple weeks. So stay tuned.

Another challenge? Staying in my lane. BUT I’ll counter with this: I need to zigzag around the pool a little before I find the right swim lane. So stay tuned.

And…Staying Positive?

If you look around, you might realize that everyone seems to be going through some stuff. You’re not alone in being anxious.

BUT there’s a reason for staying positive despite the craziness: we have things a heck of a lot better than any society in the history of the world.

Cue the “You’re sitting in a chair in the sky!” video. Here it is…14 years ago. From Louis CK.

Attitude Is What Will Win

Yes, things can be crazy. Yes, the stoplights will not always be green on your way to your appointment, especially if you’re running late.

But, maybe, just maybe, continuing to stay at it, consistently, and celebrating a little along the way…maybe that’s how you’re gonna win.

Three Recent Vandy Program Interviews

Back in December 2025, I decided to post content each day; between this blog, my Substack, LinkedIn, YouTube, and X, the plan was something every day. It was a fun experiment and…I figured June 2026 was a good enough time to do that again. So here goes; it’s June 1 and time to take a look at some recent videos.

One of the fun things about my podcast, The Vandy Program, is the variety of people I get to interview.

So let’s take this opportunity to look back at three completely different discussions — one sports, one business, and one a discussion of current events that I’m calling The News Of The Day — that you can find on YouTube.

Lauren Beasley, Sportswriter

One of my claims on my various channels is that I’m a “Recovering Sportscaster.” It’s true; but most of my sportscasting experience is from days of yesteryear, specifically in college athletics, where the players were unpaid and the coaches didn’t jump from one program to another THAT often.

USA Today writer Lauren Beasley is much more plugged in, covering the SEC — and specifically South Carolina — from her perch in the Palmetto State. She also grew up in Augusta, Georgia; so she knows a thing or 72 about golf, and she covers that sport, too.

This interview checked all the boxes: fun conversation, engaging subject matter expert, and a couple semi-controversial pieces (if you consider Lane Kiffin to be controversial; see above about coaches jumping from one program to another).

Jeannie Walters, Author of ‘Experience Is Everything’

This interview fell into the “Throwback” category, in that Jeannie Walters and I both realized we went back a long way. (How long? Chicago folks may remember Techweek; Jeannie and I were part of the team that created Techweek’s original iteration, in 2004, SEVEN YEARS before the officially branded Techweek.)

Jeannie has built quite a career as an expert in Customer Experience; and her work as CEO of Experience Investigators led her to share her findings in a book called Experience Is Everything.

This discussion is really pertinent in the modern world where you can have any and everything you want at the touch of a button; but sometimes that button-click moment ain’t everything it’s cracked up to be, and everything leading up to the moment is kinda meh, too.

Here’s the link.

Andrew Donaldson, Podcaster and Host of ‘Heard Tell’

Andrew and I go back several years and, in addition to his work behind the microphone, he is also part of the editorial team at Ordinary-Times, a rather cool website that yours truly has contributed to in the past.

This interview was part of an occasional feature I’m calling The News Of The Day, where we riff on…get this…the news of the day. But I capitalize every first letter, even the “O” in “Of” and both “T’s” in “The” because I am a rebel. (But not enough of a rebel to just say “Ts” because that looks weird.)

In any event, this dropped on Wednesday, May 27 and…most of what we talked about is still in the news. This may be a testament to the vagaries of modern warfare AND modern political campaigns.

Here’s the link to that one:

What’s Ahead in June?

Well, we’re aiming for content daily, so check back often. We’re also doubling-down on video interviews.

Thanks, as always, for your support.

Requiem For A Show

It’s official: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is off the air. It wrapped its final show on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

And, in keeping with tradition, I didn’t watch.

I first wrote about the show’s demise on my Substack last year. It was then, is now, and ever shall be…a business decision.

Don’t cry for Stephen, he’ll be fine. He’ll be on Substack soon. He’ll launch a podcast. Probably sell rights to Netflix — he is part of the Democratic Industrial Complex, after all; see Letterman, David, or Obama, Barack and Michelle — and, again, the facts won’t matter because the narrative does.

First, The Money

Last year I wrote the following:

If you don’t see the changes to the modern media world, you are likely completely lost.

Ignore your thoughts about Colbert as a person; Ignore his politics, too — even though they contributed to his demise at the network — and think about this as a business decision.

No operational executive worth his salt in the modern business world would lose $40 million on a product year over year (over year, since Colbert started in 2015) and not find himself shown the door. In fact, the plug should have been pulled years ago.

Part of the reason for that quote was because of this tweet, which underscored how crazy the finances were for the show (and for network TV writ large):

Pore over numbers all you want, but, as an executive, you cannot keep losing $40 million EACH YEAR on a product without deciding to shut the product down.

So enough about the finances. Let’s talk about two other things that kept me away from the program, and will keep me away from crying of its death.

‘Republicans Buy Sneakers, Too’

You cannot hate an audience repeatedly, then expect the very audience you hate to watch your program. Especially…on CBS; sure, the news division has always been Left-leaning, but it’s not known as “The Old People’s Network” for nothing. Shows like Blue Bloods could not have found an audience on any other mainstream network.

Yet, there was Colbert continuing to thumb his nose — “SPEAK TRUTH TO POWER!” — at 50% of his potential viewers.

Continuing to have only guests that appeared to be pre-approved by the Democratic National Committe cemented his fate not as an entertainer or a comedian — meh at the first, not passable as the second — but as a champion of The Narrative. And that he excelled at. Less about speaking truth to power, and more about shouting with a megaphone in an echo chamber.

In fact, he so alienated half of the potential audience that he opened the door for Fox News to put its muscle behind Gutfeld! — which first launched on weekends in 2015, then made the leap to 11 p.m. Eastern in 2021 — and that muscle led to Gutfeld! doubling The Late Show‘s ratings on some weeks (3.3-3.5 million vs. 1.5 to 2.3 million).

It’s an own goal.

The Other Thing: LARPing as a Catholic

The above tweet and video is rather illuminating. Stephen’s religious views are between he and God, but I find it incredibly odd that, given an opportunity to share his faith, he…didn’t.

This is someone who met with Pope Francis at the Vatican last year, and has often professed to be a Catholic. Fine, but…well, not fine.

He probably didn’t want, again, to do anything that was counter to The Narrative.

Fare Thee Well, Late Show

Unlike David Letterman, whose CBS run was great until it, too, went too-far-Left for half of its potential audience, Colbert never had any of the irony or the sensibility — or the music: let’s face it, Paul Shaffer’s work as Music Director won’t be matched, and Paul was the reason Dave had the best musical guests in history — and was actually gravitas-negative.

It’s like the startup that built the cool offices, kept raising money, didn’t focus on the product, and now must shut down.

Understand Your Personality and Activate Growth Mode

Three new Moleskine knock-offs arrived on Sunday. One’s teal, one’s a dark blueish-green, one’s magenta. (At least that’s my argument; you may disagree based on your interpretation of the below photo.)

Alas, they’re here and I plan on using them.

Much has been said about the benefits of writing things down; I’ve talked about it on my Substack before — December 6, 2025 edition of The Saturday List — and I even shared a screengrab from a Scientific American article on the same subject.

(Yes, I’ve wondered if I’m related to either of the authors; No, I’m not sure how two folks with Low Country last names ended in in Norway.)

It used to be easier to be “the guy with the notebook” because you didn’t stand out. Now, you bring a notebook to a meeting or you have one at the coffee shop and people wonder about you.

Turns out, I’m somewhat high in Conscientiousness, one of the Big Five Personality Traits.

The Big Five

Psychologists use the Big Five Personality Traits to help figure people out. You can use the word “OCEAN” to remember them:

  • Openness
  • Conscientiousness
  • Extroversion
  • Agreeableness
  • Neuroticism

We’re all somewhere from 1 to 100 on each and that’s part of what makes each of us unique. And once you understand where you are on each, you can have a better idea of where you might be able to grow.

I mentioned above that I’m somewhat high in Conscientiousness, so a using those notebooks with a plan (more on that below) is something I do pretty often; I’m also somewhat high in Neuroticism. (I need paper and pen sitting nearby to write lists down.) Note that both can explain the fact that I am almost never late for meetings. (Unless my gallbladder is being removed; even though I sent a note and asked to move that particular job interview, I ended up being removed from consideration. Oh well.)

And, I’m pretty high in Openness, so I’m — get this! — open to new experiences. I’m (allegedly) imaginative, and adventurous, and creative!

Understanding WHAT makes you tick and HOW you tick are both pretty important. Here’s more…

Taking Notes? Journaling? Writing An Actual Book?

A couple months ago, I sat down with Megy Karydes for my Podcast, The Vandy Program. The full interview is below and Megy actually wrote a book that helps you minimize stress in your life, called 50 Ways to More Calm, Less Stress.

ONE of those 50 ways — and one that she religiously follows — is daily journaling. That’s right, setting aside time in the morning with your coffee (or tea) and making it a ritual.

It doesn’t have to be formal; it could be venting, or it could be making lists of things that are on your mind. Or poetry. Anything. But make it a ritual and, behold, you’re in Growth Mode.

One reason I ordered three notebooks of my own is that I’ve got one for Personal and one for Business. And the extra one is in case I come up with another Big Idea (for a book or something else). (Or if I exhaust the Personal or Business one and find myself needing to rip one open because I can’t wait.) But I’m the type of person who can benefit from daily journaling, and from taking notes when I watch videos or am reading an interesting book or article.

All Five Traits and Your Learning Style

So if I’m open to new experiences, and I’m conscientious and a little neurotic — in a good way, I promise! — what does that say about Activating Growth Mode?

Well, you can’t be High in all five traits, so there’s got to be a little give and take.

Take a gander at the photo below of the books that are on my nightstand.

I’m definitely open to new things, and like to read and make a habit of it AND take lots of notes, so High in Openness and Medium-to-High in both Conscientiousness and Neuroticism.

That means that I might be…less agreeable about points of view. (Honestly, I’m probably right in the middle on Agreeableness. Depends on the situation.) So that’s a place where I need to grow. AND I’m definitely an introvert, so Extraversion would be a low score for me. Assignments: get out of my shell and challenge my assumptions.

Is ‘Growth Mode’ Just ‘Learning Mode’ In Disguise?

One advantage of hosting a podcast is the ability to learn from a variety of people. About a variety of topics. (I know, I know…”Pick a Lane!”) Reaching out to people and then having them say “yes, I’ll go on your show” is actually a bit of a thrill…THEN doing more research on who they are and what they do and what makes them tick is quite fun. (Working on increasing the Extroversion score and moderating my Agreeableness so that it’s situationally appropriate.)

FINALLY, once I’m sitting down with the guest, the discussion can open up a whole host of possibilities. (I guess my job as the interviewer is to help guide the discussion in the right direction; and if *I* learn something new about the topic, then, hopefully, the viewer or listener will, too.)

A Couple Examples

My friend Jennifer Brown is a two-time guest on the pod; I find I always learn something about people when I speak with her. “Canadian Steve” teaches me something about Canada and how they view Americans each time I speak with him. (Links to recent episodes with both are below.)

So This Post Is About…What?

No, I’m not just here to post about my podcast or my “High in Openness” personality.

I’m here to, hopefully, ask you to figure out how to maximize Growth Mode for yourself.

Are you open to new experiences? If not, you are possibly higher in another personality trait; your conscientiousness might mean you’re the type of person who could sit down with a guitar, fire up some online lessons, and become kinda self-taught in an afternoon.

OR you might have the “High in Neuroticism” trait — again, Neuroticism is not *necessarily* a bad thing — that could make you the type of person who could get the temperature conditions exactly right in your home kitchen to make a perfect loaf of fresh bread.

In any event, keep at it. Whatever “it” is…

Sharing Some Recent Interviews on The Vandy Program

Hello there!

I recently read that, of the estimated 4.5 million podcasts in the world, only 300,000 have released a new episode in the past 30 days.

Since I’ve aimed for Systems Over Goals, especially here in 2026, I thought I’d point to not 1, not 2, but 3 recent podcast interviews. So I’m in the good category, I guess; All three videos I’m sharing here are ones that have been conducted in the past 30 days.

The channel link is here: The Vandy Program.

Vandy Talks with Marc Moschetto (Jan. 29)

Marc is a long-time friend (who I met on X, of course; his handle is Boston Writer) and a consultant. Kickmotor is his company, and he has the bona fides to talk about where HR and tech intersect with common sense. Fun interview.

Vandy Talks with Liam Gallegos (Feb. 5)

Liam is the self-proclaimed “King of LinkedIn Live” and has amazing energy; and a heck of a studio setup, too. We had a fun conversation.

Vandy Talks with Stephen Barrigar (Feb. 18)

Finally, my most-recent discussion — and a long-time friend, former colleague, and resident Canadian — was with Stephen Barrigar. It was the fourth time chatting with Stephen on camera.

Take a look, be sure to subscribe. Thanks, and be on the lookout for more!

31 Days of Content: Here’s What I Learned

On December 1, I vowed to share content every day for a month. Here, on Day 31, I look back at what I’ve learned.

First Up: ‘The What’

The content I shared — for the first 30 days, not counting today — fell into three categories:

  • Business and Advice: 11 posts
  • Music: 8 posts
  • The Saturday List: 4
  • Podcast Interviews/Summaries of Shows: 4
  • Inspirational: 2
  • Creativity: 2

Next: ‘The Where’

25 of the 30 posts were on the Area 224 blog (that’s where you are right now!) and the other 5 were posted on my Substack.

In most cases, the content was re-shared by me on LinkedIn; and some of the posts were also reshared on X, which I’m still calling “Twitter.”

Best-Performing Posts?

Six of my posts stand out as performing better than the others, at least when it comes to views; Four on Substack and two on the blog:

To be fair to myself: I had spent a year or so curating my Substack much more than my blog, so, the combination of a built-in audience and the consistency of The Saturday List would both be factors leading to its (relative) success.

It’s also been suggested — fairly, I might add — that I should add a Subscribe Button to the blog. So here’s one.

The LinkedIn Factor

I will be completely direct here: LinkedIn is not my favorite tool. Sure, everyone thinks that “Followers” and “Connections” and the like are great. But it’s clunky, its newsletter publisher is pretty bad and doesn’t allow links, and views don’t lead to any real activities.

LinkedIn has a REAL algorithm problem: posts are still being delivered to the feed that are 2-plus weeks old, so the jury may be out on whether some of the above posts might still move up or down my rankings.

Finally, and this is big, even with Premium, the analytics are…poor. I can’t tell you which of my posts on LinkedIn performed well, or not well, if they are more than seven days old. Each passing month leads me to question why I pay for Premium.

Big Winner: The Daily Habit of Writing

If you watch enough cooking videos or you talk to those in some sort of performance industry — sportscasters, professional speakers, actors — you know how big it is to get “reps.” Your first four ribeyes cooked on the steel pan will be okay, the next four will get better, and, by the ninth ribeye, you are finally able to cook for others.

Writing is similar; and, given the combination of work priorities and life priorities taking over, I had not really flexed any writing muscles of note in a long, long time.

But I did write every single day.

There were days I was able to pull together a couple blog posts, and there were other days where I felt like all I got was a neat little paragraph that shaped blog post or the next week’s Saturday List.

And, The Next Steps For Me (There Are Two)

A December goal was to do as much of this content creation as I could WITHOUT any AI tools. In fact, other than my post on GEO vs SEO, or my piece on AI-driven “creativity,” I stayed away from AI. (So yes, I wrote all the words myself.)

I don’t plan on issuing another 31-day content challenge to myself for January; however, I do plan on doing a few deeper-dive looks at AI tools and how to use them. Look for more of that in January.

The other January goal: MORE INTERVIEWS. Yes, that’s right, I plan on ramping up discussions on The Vandy Program. I only did ONE of them in December; the only gauntlet I’ll throw down for a busy January is to do…THREE.

(Here’s the one that I did in December.)

So yeah, that’s actually a blatant pitch for interesting podcast guests. If there’s someone YOU want to hear from, let me know in the comments…even if that person is you.

Finally, My Thanks

Back in journalism school, they would tell you to imagine that you’re talking to a friend or family member before you went on air. Trite? Maybe. But that’s been the thing that kept me going during December. And it’ll keep me going through 2026, come what may.

My sincere thanks for coming along for the ride.

Just How Vulnerable?

Is 2026 going to be The Year of Vulnerability? If so, we probably need to set some ground rules.

When someone is “in the soup,” they are in trouble. Trouble of some sort, trouble that may or may not be with a capital “T;” You may or may not want or need to know exactly what they’re going through, but you do need to at least be aware that they…are going through it.

The idiom goes way back to earlier times — I saw it mentioned as I rewatch the show Deadwood — and I have heard it quite a few times this year, in a variety of instances. In each case, I didn’t ask for details, just knew that I needed to show a little compassion.

So, if you are currently “In The Soup,” I see you.

Levels of Vulnerability

Let’s talk, first, about the job search world. No industry seems to be immune to cutbacks, layoffs, job losses; the rise of not just “AI” but the “AI is gonna take your job” phrase adds nothing but anxiety. There’s a real chance that you know a few people “In The Soup.”

If you spend any time at all on LinkedIn — oh, I’m there A LOT — you’ll see one debate among job searchers, hiring managers, and everyone in between: do you use the dreaded “Green Circle?”

You can use a Green Circle to telegraph to the world that you are “Open to Work.” To some, it’s important: You have a lot to offer an employer, and they need to know that you can help fill a need of theirs.

To others, it’s too vulnerable by half.

Here Again, Your Mileage May Vary

Advice for the jobless — or ANYONE going through any significant life change — is everywhere. Apply to all the jobs! Only apply to those that are a really good fit! Only apply if you have someone on the inside! And so on, and so forth.

The challenge for YOU, Dear Reader: understand just how vulnerable you want to be. Can you deal with all of the advice? Do you want help from well-meaning strangers?

Maybe Quiet Confidence Is ‘The Way’

Here’s the thing: EVERYONE is in some sort of soup. Is it lower-case “soup” or “THE SOUP ” in ALL CAPS AND BOLD ITALICS?

We’re all human, we can’t avoid the realities of life; challenges will always find us. Some people may get more than they can apparently handle, some may seem to skate by. But everyone is dealing with some sort of soup.

The Crisis Communicator in All of Us

I worked at a place a decade or so ago where we dealt with our share of crises; most of them were out of the public eye. (Part of my job was to KEEP THEM OUT OF THE PUBLIC EYE.) On my last day, as I left for greener pastures, one of my colleagues said “wow, you always seemed cool under pressure when everything was out of control.” (Yes, that old saw about men receiving compliments so infrequently that they remember them always…it’s true.)

But I also had to do the “chameleon” thing while there: couldn’t tell everyone everything that was going on, lest it jeopardize my long-term prospects.

Vulnerability could lead to victimhood if you take it too far. You could get taken advantage of. And so on.

Advice, Then, For 2026

I write this post having just celebrated a birthday. (Yes, I realize I don’t look THAT old. Thank you.) I’ve dealt with my share of soup — my favorite story is how, a few years ago, I had “16-and-a-half inches of my colon removed” and how I asked to have the piece of colon freeze-dried so I can wear it around my neck as a symbol of my vanquished opponent; that request was denied — and anyone who has spouses or kids or pets knows that various soups, stews, and chowders surround you 24/7.

You may have had more of your colon removed, or may have had a worse problem befall you.

OR you may have had a really crappy job loss and it may have been way too long since you’ve had a job that matched your skills and abilities.

And you can tease this out in any other aspect of life: We’re all In The Soup.

Share as you see fit. Or don’t share at all. Quietly ping a friend and let them know they are on your mind. Hop on a call with an old friend; or, even better, do the IRL thing as often as you can.

Make it a wonderful 2026.

The Best Long-Form Videos of 2025

As I plan for 2026, one of the things I want to do is conduct more long-form interviews on YouTube.

As a result, I’ve spent much of the year — and especially the last three months — watching a ton of long-form interviews. I’ve got a few favorite interviewers: folks who put together a combination of interview subjects and their own ability to ask questions (and to let the guests talk).

So, while I plot my own next steps, allow me to share some of the best videos I’ve watched during 2025. (And there are two bonuses at the end: a couple good interviews that I conducted.) Here goes:

Triggernometry Interviews Richard Miniter

I’ve gone from “hey these guys are pretty good” to “OMG, ANOTHER VIDEO? I HAVE TO STOP EVERYTHING AND WATCH.” Francis Foster and Konstantin Kisin know what they’re doing when they interview someone. So I have three of their chats on this list…

This first one was actually crazy memorable for me; I was shocked that a couple British folks wanted to talk with Richard about America.

The interview is a discussion of how America became…America. Big fun.

It’s great, I’ve watched it at least twice all the way through.

Triggernometry Interviews Jonathan Wilson

The subject, “The Real History of Football.” This is fun and *weird*, IMHO. As opposed to a discussion of American Football, this analysis of how football became “FOOTBALL” is really something.

It also just dropped within the past couple days, proving that sometimes they have a “run, don’t walk” subject. A propos as we enter a World Cup year.

Triggernometry Interviews Dr. Peter Attia

Dr. Peter Attia’s “Outlive” sits on my nightstand. It’s because of his work that I’ve tried to incorporate a combination of exercise, diet, and genetic predispositions — I just learned I’m A LOT MORE Italian than I had originally been told; I grew up being told I’m 0% Italian, so 20% is quite a lot more — to my own health journey.

I’m also now closer to 60 than I am to 50; so I’m hopeful that I can lean more on the part of the family that lived into its 80s (Mom just turned 80) than on the part of the family where the men die in their 60s (Grandpa was 61, Dad lived to 65). This is going to take a combination of…exercise — which Dr. Attia champions throughout his work — and diet; perhaps a few other medications can help me to ward off bad health.

Jordan Peterson Interviews Scott Adams

This becomes even better under the sober light of day: Jordan and Scott have both had some significant health challenges this year, so it is even more illuminating.

Chris Williamson Interviews Peter Zeihan

With the title of “The New World Order Is Here,” we get to listen to Peter Zeihan as he waxes poetic about the state of the world.

It’s all about demographics: and China’s demographics — and those of Russia and South Korea, too — are not good.

Chris Williamson Interviews Dave Ramsey

Big fans of both. But it’s real cool to watch a long-form interviewer (Chris) talk to someone who is used to five-to-ten-minute calls (Dave) over and over.

Dave Van de Walle (that’s me!) Interviews Stephen Barrigar

I interviewed Stephen three times in 2025, but this one was my favorite; partly because of the wide-eyed innocence we both had. Neither of us could have predicted how much impact the Trump tariffs would have had on Canadian politics — Stephen went so far as to say that Pierre Poilievre would be the next prime minister, and I didn’t dispute that assertion — but here we are.

Worth a watch to see just how wrong we both were.

Dave Van de Walle Interviews Jennifer Brown

Jennifer is a fun interview; the fact that she’s in Minnesota and, as I write this, news of possible widespread Somali fraud is making the rounds makes it all the more interesting and timely.

Also, the low number of views is a testament to me as a marketer, not her as an interview subject. SO WATCH, WILL YA???

See you in 2026. (And don’t forget to Like and Subscribe over at The Vandy Program.)

Systems Over Goals; And New Year’s Resolutions

I’ve followed the work of Scott Adams for years. Decades, actually; as I just found this calendar in a box of stuff I’ve kept.

Flipping through it is actually quite illuminating, as 2000 marked the start of a six-year run at a large insurance brokerage (and human capital consultant) that you’ve heard of. And it’s inside the calendar that I’m finding a ton of evidence to one of Scott’s key messages: “Systems Over Goals.”

Creating the System

My time at Aon started in the human capital consulting arm, then known as Aon Consulting. For a young-ish guy like me, it was a tremendous opportunity: I had the chance to build a system that could best be described as “Marketing Communications.” It was also a system that had somewhat stagnated under my predecessor, and it needed a combination of a clear mandate and some good old fashioned hard work.

And, looking back at my calendar — which looked less like a journal and more like a combination of Post-It notes and birthday reminders and appointments and out-of-town trip summaries — I can see just how effective our “system” was.

Explaining Myself Further

One of the challenges of Systems Thinking vs. Goals Thinking is figuring out why you are building the system in the first place. I mean, it sounds counter-intuitive: you need to know the direction you’re headed and you have to have a general idea of what you’re trying to achieve. BUT…

To use our example, we were trying, as my then-boss was saying, to be “on the shelf of the mind” when companies — specifically, their HR leaders — were looking for an employee benefits consultant. (Back then, pre-ACA, “health and welfare” consulting was our bread-and-butter, with 401(k) consulting and pension actuarial work coming in second; HR outsourcing, a distant third, would take up a large portion of future revenues as the organization’s priorities shifted.)

To do this, we could have come up with any number of goals, but those would have had to change a couple times, at least, while we built the system.

In this case, the system needed to include a few things:

  • An understanding of the issues that drive buyer behavior
  • A sense of who in our company could speak to these issues; i.e. “thought leaders”
  • A full mapping of the products and services that we had in the pipeline that could help clients and prospects
  • And a cadence of messages — news releases, product brochures, speaking opportunities — airdropped throughout the calendar year.

We Did Pretty Well

I looked back at another Post-It that tells me that our little team actually produced 15 news releases that year; it was a variety that zig-zagged between product announcements and thought leadership pieces tied to a key piece of research that we conducted.

The news releases weren’t all, of course; and none of this was done in a vacuum. The company had a research arm in Ann Arbor, Michigan — the long-since shuttered “Loyalty Institute” — and their research was centered around what kept employees committed to their employer and what employee benefits and HR practices were (and weren’t) drivers of workforce commitment.

So we had research reports to share, and we had brochures that told our prospects how we could help them.

And we also had a bit of a chip on our shoulder; as an underdog, we were acting like a challenger brand. We were fifth- or sixth-largest in the market at the time.

Systems Are Better Than New Year’s Resolutions

There’s a point to this post: I didn’t see any New Year’s Resolutions — I normally don’t do them — and I didn’t see any goals, either.

I did see, however, the beginnings of a System.

The System for you and me today will of course be WAY DIFFERENT than the System I helped to build in 2000. So much has changed no matter the industry.

But my advice for you is to build that System for 2026:

  • What PROCESSES are you good at creating, or following?
  • What SKILLS can you use in order to build…A team? A business? An audience?
  • What TALENTS do you need a little help with?
  • What are the MARKETS where you can best find success?

You might find that you have a combination of ideas and you may be able to create a System that can set you up for success.

Go get ’em!

What Is ‘Price’s Law’?

This post originally appeared on Dave’s Substack in March 2024. It has been lightly edited and updated.

If you’ve been anywhere around business or business books or hustle culture or anything related to GSD (“Getting Stuff Done”) at work, you’ve heard of the Pareto Principle.

The 80/20 Rule.

80 percent of [THING] will come from 20 percent of [GROUP]. Simple, really: if you sell something, 80 percent of sales will come from 20 percent of your customers. If you take a category — like, for instance, music — you’ll find that 20 percent of the artists produce 80 percent of the songs that actually get listened to.

For a while, this was canon in business and you couldn’t go into a work meeting without trying to use that to sound smart. “Boss, why don’t we fire 80 percent of our clients so we can just sell to the 20 percent that we spend all our time with?”

This ignores…well…EVERYTHING about whatever business you’re in, but points scored for simplification!

Introducing Price’s Law

THE ECONOMY is in weird shape; Note that your job might be at risk if you aren’t deemed to be productive. However you slice that at work — look busy! be at your desk! — at some point you’re gonna start looking around and asking the question: Am I Getting Stuff Done?

Price’s Law is “stupid simple:”

The square root of the number of people in any enterprise will produce 50% of the results.

The credit goes to Derek J. de Solla Price for coming up with this scientific analysis.

Let’s apply this to your (hypothetical) team at work and figure out what that means for you:

If it’s a small team, it of course makes sense: in a team of 4, the square root of 4 — which is 2 — will do half the work. (I was told there would be no math.)

But in a bigger team Price’s law starts to have…bigger impact.

Raising Your Hand At Work

In a (hypothetical) team of 50, let’s call the square root 7. 7 People are getting stuff done, the other 43 are working at roughly 50% capacity. In a sales-driven organization, that doesn’t bode well for the other 43.

Now start to look around: are you one of the 7?

Probably pretty easy to answer that question in a lot of organizations. You have a little success on a project and then you have another project assigned to you. You open the door to sell something to a company and all of a sudden that company asks you to help them solve a different problem. You write a piece for the company blog and it clicks and then management realizes you should do more blog writing.

You are pretty obviously one of the 7.

Making Sure Your Department Is Productive, Too

Your job as “one of the 7” is pretty important when management starts to look to…well, how do we say this…cut the dead weight. These are sometimes the “get me the low performers” discussions, but they, too, are sometimes the “which departments can we do without?” discussions.

Yeah, that’s right. If marketing isn’t producing, marketing can easily be cut. Well, let me edit that: If marketing isn’t seen to be producing, marketing can easily be cut.

Your goal, then, as one of the 7 is to make sure that your department works on — and ONLY on — high-impact projects. If 20 of the other 43 are assigned to the Penske File and all they’re doing is moving the contents to an accordion-style file folder, that’s a low-impact project. If the other 23 are working on monthly TPS reports that don’t go anywhere, that’s a low-impact project.

Your Book of Business

It’s an insurance industry thing: the Book of Business. Or your portfolio. You should have a sense at all times of what that means for your personal situation: what are the clients you’re bringing in and/or responsible for? What are the projects that you are working on and how are they tied to the business and its bottom line?

What is your department doing on those days when they’re not planning or navel-gazing or working on Penske Files and TPS reports?

Your Book of Business should actually be yours. You should be able to discern where you have the most impact, and, if they show you the door, you should be able to say “hey, I was one of the 7 and here’s how.”

Or you should be able to say “here’s what the other 43 were working on, it added no value, I helped with the things over here that did add value, and I’m indispensable.”

You can thank Mr. Price.

The Best Musical Performances from The Late Show with David Letterman

We’re talking music on the blog today. Give this Gen-Xer a chance to get nostalgic for a bit, please.

There is no question in my mind that David Letterman was loads better than his competition at getting the best musical guests on his show. No question. Most of this was because of Paul Shaffer, the music director, bandleader, and man with his finger on the pulse of the musical zeitgeist.

In honor of Boxing Day, I thought I’d share some of my favorite musical guest moments from the show’s 23-year history.

This post has nothing to do with Boxing Day. But I’m posting some videos anyway.

Pearl Jam, “Hail, Hail” (1996)

Dave chose to do a show “Sponsor Free.” Though, if memory serves, there were still sponsored segments somewhere within the show, while it didn’t break for commercial. How they sold that to the affiliates? I don’t know.

Bloc Party, “Banquet” (2004)

Something about the way this one gets rolling. I’m a big fan of drums — so, too, was Dave; see below — and Matt Tong is on fire at the start of this song.

Phoenix, “1901” (2009)

French band Phoenix has been rather successful in the Indie and Alternative space during its career — they pretty much held a concert at the Closing Ceremony for the Paris Olympics — and they made their US network television debut in 2009 on the show.

Come for the all-time-banger. Stay for the mic drop.

Mark Ronson + The Business Intl., “Bang Bang Bang” (2010)

Any musical project that involves Q-Tip gets my attention.

The National, “Afraid of Everyone” (2010)

I gotta admit, this might be my all-time favorite Letterman performance. Maybe it’s the song itself — chilling, haunting; stunning baritone from Matt Berninger — maybe it’s Dave’s reaction at the end.

The fact that this song served as my eldest’s introduction to The National makes me happy.

Special shout out to “The Audio Perv,” who had a knack for uploading these recording in as high quality as you’d find anywhere…long before the shows themselves understood the power of YouTube.

Neil Peart, “Drum Solo” (2011)

Only Dave could have “Drum Solo Week” and pull it off.

And only Neil Peart could perform the finale of Drum Solo Week. (RIP Neil.)

Future Islands, “Seasons (Waiting For You)” (2014)

And then there’s a performance that the show’s team thought was one of its most memorable.

Most of the viewers were likely left with a big dose of… What. Was. That?

If this served as your introduction to Future Islands, you were darn fortunate. Lead singer Samuel Herring knows what he’s doing in front of an audience.

Folks, thanks for helping me keep my content streak going. This is DAY 26. It’s been a December to Remember.

Be sure to check out my Substack and sign up for The Saturday List while you’re here; that’s where I’ll see ya tomorrow.

The Christmas Message

It’s Christmas 2025.

In Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christ, things are returning to normal this year. The past two Christmases, there were no traditional processions, no celebrations of Christmas; the Hamas attacks of October 7, 2023 made that impossible.

War continued. Christians, who are in the minority even in Bethlehem itself, would celebrate Christmas quietly.

Bethlehem has nearly 30,000 residents, and nearly all of them rely on tourism, especially this time of year. It’s impossible to have measurable tourism income during a war.

At long last, there’s a cease fire in Gaza; the war, hopefully, is coming to an end.

A Christmas Truce

Christmas 1914 was the last time there was a significant war that had a Christmas Truce. World War I — “The Great War,” until another, larger, greater war forced it to adopt a Roman numeral — went on pause for a day. Imagine that: soldiers put differences aside for a day, shared pleasantries, even played soccer together. It sounds unbelievable.

As the Imperial War Museum tells us in this video, it…happened throughout the Western Front.

It seems differences could be put aside, even if it’s only for a day.

‘Unto Us A Child Is Born’

Interestingly, the popular scripture verse is from the Old Testament, from Isaiah Chapter 9, verse 6:

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Call it foreshadowing, or prophecy.

In Bethlehem, 2000-plus years ago, the Christ Child arrived in a manger. Shepherds watched over Mother and Child; wise men came from the East with gifts.

In 1914, in Europe, war paused, ever so briefly, with hopes for peace.

Today, in Bethlehem, and throughout the world, may the birth of Christ bring you hope, and may it bring us all peace.

God Bless.

On Christmas Eve

Growing up in Northern Indiana, our Christmas Eve tradition was rather simple. We rotated each year between Grandma’s, Aunt Dorothy’s, and our house. Roll in at around 3 or so and have food and drink and make merry and all that. It was a great tradition that, in retrospect, we were blessed to have; with families getting smaller and people having kids later in life — often after they’ve moved away from where they grew up — for many, those days may already be gone.

Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Dick had six kids; because of an 11-year age gap between Dad and Dorothy, my youngest cousin had several years on my brothers and me. But there were six of them, and they were the only cousins in town in the 70s. (We had other cousins on Dad’s side in Florida; and, on Mom’s side, some out of town and some that would arrive in the early 80s.)

Six kids, plus the three of us, plus aunts and uncles, plus Grandma. 14 by my count, though there may have been a cousin’s girlfriend or boyfriend in the mix somewhere.

I can’t tell you the order of things — did we go from Grandma’s to Aunt Dorothy’s to our house then begin the rota again? — but I can tell you that the 1978 edition was at our house, because I have vivid memories of a placekicker named Mike Michel for the Philadelphia Eagles missing a field goal attempt and the Eagles losing to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL playoffs. (I felt bad for the guy; and this is before I grew up and learned about how Philadelphia treats its sports figures when they make a mistake. I have since learned that he was also the punter and was ill-suited for the placekicking job, but when one of the Mike-Mayer brothers gets hurt, you do what you have to.)

I digress.

This Christmas Eve tradition started during my Santa-believing days, so the festivities served as the precursor to the whole coming-down-the-chimney routine; the festivities — and the rota — continued until Grandma passed away in 1985, so we had a decent run.

Our House

Hosting on home turf was, at the time, sorta special. I would spend all day anticipating everyone’s arrival. Once they got to our house, we could eat — mostly some sort of heavy appetizer, if I recall correctly, but there wasn’t really a main course — and there would be inevitable card games that would not involve the kids. Wiezen? Sure, kid, when you’re older. (Once we figured out Euchre, though, all bets were off.)

Aunt Dorothy’s House

Aunt Dorothy’s house was fun because it was packed with activity that can only come with middle- and high-schoolers; add the fact that five of the six were boys — boys who had an annual tradition of fashioning some sort of super-bike out of multiple bicycles, thus necessitating a ladder to get on the seat and it has to be seen to be believed — and my brothers and I were usually in awe.

Grandma Was the Glue

Christmas Eve at Grandma’s, though, was the most memorable.

I can still tell you the layout of her house, inch-by-inch. There was always the “davenport” that we’d sit on — never a couch, always a davenport — and there was that hexagonal side table, the one my younger brother could fit inside of. (He put himself there, we did not roll him into a ball and put him there.)

There was the recliner — Grandpa’s chair, the one he loved, the one he died in months before I was born — and it could lean so far back the Craftmatic people were jealous.

There were the encyclopedias — the ones I asked for when Grandma passed away — with letters and newspaper clippings tucked inside. (I still have them.) There was that music box thing that had the string you pulled and it played a song that I can’t name…but if I heard it, I’d know it.

There was also that mystery factor: did my Dad actually LIVE HERE? Yes, when he was a kid. Wait, he slept in THAT room? It was pretty small. And so on; questions that are sensible when you’re 8, and then you kinda understand how things work, not worth discussing.

Grandma’s Tree

BUT, really, the standout was the tree. Grandma’s Tree. Bold, italics, all caps.

A small, ceramic tree, but worthy of its stature.

It would be the centerpiece of the living room. It would plug in and light up and we would put what few gifts there were under that tree; Grandma liked to give out envelopes of cold, hard cash — WE LOVED THAT — and the only other gifts exchanged were between my parents and Grandma, my Aunt and Uncle and Grandma, and anyone with a godparent in the family (thus excluding my older brother, whose godparents were Dad’s buddy from growing up and his wife).

So the tree served its purpose. And it was glorious.

Turns Out…

I’m pretty good with details, but wasn’t 100% on this one: Mom had taken a ceramics class and learned how to make things like…miniature Christmas trees. So she made this particular tree as a gift for Grandma — whose December 2nd birthday kicked off our birthday month — and that meant she wouldn’t have to worry about putting together a large plastic one like ours.

And where is it today?

Mom’s house. Serving as the centerpiece.

Flash Forward A Few Years

When my own kids were growing up, our Christmas Eve traditions were different and much more random; the Methodists didn’t hold services on Christmas Day, so Christmas Eve it was. Younger kids would enjoy the live animals at the earlier service; when the kids got older and we were in town, we’d hit the later service.

Now, things are even more random just about everywhere: Gen Xers like us might have a kid or two home, a kid or two in college, and have to juggle multiple things. A kid or two may work Christmas Eve — nothing wrong with time-and-a-half — and last-minute shopping has given rise to stores staying open later than we remember. (Or is it the other way around?)

My Hope for Christmas Eve 2025

Grandma’s house also had another staple: a little curio thingy that looked like a book that was permanently opened to a page that read:

“Make new friends, Keep the old. One is silver, The other gold.”

As we build new traditions, move from job to job, town to town; or as we find ourselves looking around and wondering where the traditions went, and how to build new ones…

May you find Grandma’s Tree. Or something like it, something that you can hold onto and that can bring you joy.

God Bless.

GEO vs. SEO — A Primer for Marketers

Welcome to the new world of marketing and public relations. Out with tradition and in with…machines?

We’ve had a few tongue-in-cheek posts here about using Artificial Intelligence for good and not evil. And we have also had some fun with it, at least when we decided to generate really absurd images.

But AI is everywhere AND it’s taking the jobs away from marketers and PR pros. Right?

Not…exactly.

Something New to Learn

Remember keyword stuffing? Trying to outfox the Google machines?

Search Engine Optimization, it seems, was the way to go for the longest time: you want to “rank highly in search engines” so you configure your pages in such a way that it’s easy to show up for certain terms. You write your blog posts in the same way: hoping to be seen as a thought leader by sounding smart, but not sounding like you’re obviously TRYING to sound smart. Art AND science.

SEO was both easy — Don’t overdo it. Act naturally. Write like you talk. But also understand what keywords you need to rank for and be able to talk about SERPs. — and hard — Why do the keywords always change? Why are these consultants so expensive? Why does Google always change the rules? What about Bing? — but it was something that you had to do. And often you had to put in a lot of effort to get tiny results.

Marketers could do it, though: smart and savvy PR people could either add SEO to their toolkit or outsource it to a firm that they trusted.

BUT…AI…changed the game. It’s not about search engines but generative engines. SEO now works side by side with GEO.

Generative Engine Optimization Defined

GEO is the process of maximizing your content so it is found by the AI-driven tools — like Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, or Copilot — so that your service shows up AND helps to explain what people need to know about the subject.

The point now is that you don’t go to Google as much as Google sends its AI search capabilities straight to your computer or phone. And you don’t hit up Bing as much as Microsoft’s Copilot AI machine tells you what’s happening. And so on…

So…what’s a marketer to do? I have three ideas for you:

1. Start at the Finish Line

In a post last week on the blog — you can check it out here; scroll all the way down for the bullet points that would call a meeting a success — we talked about starting at the finish line when you have a meeting.

Same process here: if you start at the finish line, you have already accomplished what you set out to do. The question is, what are you setting out to do?

Let’s say you’re an insurance company and you want to get the prospect aware of your policies for D&O and E&O coverage. As opposed to just coming out and saying “Call XYZ Insurance for the Best D&O and E&O policies” you have to explain what they are. So, yes, that means you’ll probably have to spell out D&O (“Directors & Officers”) and E&O (“Errors and Omissions”) and showcase not necessarily why XYZ is the best but what these things do for a company.

That might even have to include boilerplate language that’s typical of each coverage; because, let’s face it, that’s already out there.

Which brings us to point two:

2. It’s About Thought Leadership…NOT Keyword Leadership

Let’s continue with our insurance example…A “keyword leader” isn’t a thing.

A “thought leader,” however, is a thing. So considering the fact that your company has this particular expertise, you’re going to want to do a lot more than just keyword-stuffing.

Think about it this way: you’re an insurance leader and you’re asked to talk about D&O and E&O insurance at a conference. You have a set amount of time and you have key messages you want to get out there. Put those to paper and that’s your thought leadership.

More conversational — of course you have to have the boilerplate language in point one above — and make it like you’re trying to answer the question on the mind of the audience.

3. Write Better Content

Here’s the “DUH” moment that a lot of people miss. This particular post was created entirely by hand. It looks like it was written by a person because it was…get this…written by a person.

AI is getting better at creating content that sounds natural, but it’s not there yet. It has to rely on the content that’s out there so that the large language models can learn what sounds sensible and what sounds stilted and computer-generated.

Sure, it’s easy to go to any of the AI platforms and just ask for content about a subject, but, if it’s a subject your business cares about, it’s going to be better long-term for you to create the content you want to see.

The Oversimplified Bottom Line

SEO: Keywords. Lots of keywords. Lots of work. World is changing, though.

GEO: Write longer form content that sounds like it’s from a human. Take your time and make it good, and write like the thought leader you are on the subject you understand.

Songs You May Have Missed in 2025

Yes, I listen to a ton of new music. And I talk about it here.

There was the Top 5 Songs post. And Songs 6-13. And Songs 14-20.

Plus there were the Next Big Things that I posited a guess about.

In any event, there’s likely something that I missed. Or a few somethings. Here goes…call this a bonus music post.

Wet Leg, “Catch These Fists”

This song that was number one on Sirius XMU’s year-end list but…

Music is subjective, the band is talented, but this song didn’t jump out to me. It’s solid, Top 40, you’ll probably still be hearing it in a couple years.

Alex G, “Afterlife”

This is simply a fun song. Great voice, great guitar.

Tame Impala, “End of Summer”

Tame Impala — the project of Australian Kevin Parker — has made other appearances on my year-end lists; “It Might Be Time” is one of those pandemic-era songs for me.

This one is quite good, and Tame Impala keeps launching new stuff, so that’s fun. Get yourself on the list for the Tame Impala 25th Anniversary Tour in 2032, as I’m sure they’ll still be at it.

CMAT, “Euro-Country”

I’m a big fan of Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, stage name “CMAT,” as evidenced by her appearance at number 3 on this year’s list with “The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station.”

“Euro-Country” shows her range as a musician. I’m in.

Geese, “Au Pays du Cocaine”

2025’s “It Band.” Whole album, Getting Killed, is excellent. Throw a dart and you find a good song. Here’s “Au Pays du Cocaine.”

Stay tuned, as I’m sure to share more in 2026.

What To Read

It’s Sunday, and I’m continuing the streak in my Month of Content…Here’s Day 21.

In yesterday’s edition of The Saturday List on my Substack — that’s where I share what I’m “Watching, Reading, Listening to, and Rediscovering” — the “Reading” section included my friend Megy Karydes‘s book, 50 Ways to More Calm, Less Stress.

As I said yesterday:

Not only is it a well-written and well-designed book, it’s a fun read that isn’t overwhelming. The subtitle: “Scientifically Proven Ways to Relieve Anxiety & Boost Your Mental Health Using Your Five Senses.” Chapters include things like “Mood and Food,” “Painting for Perspective,” and “When It’s Time to Try Tinkering.”

What About a Business-Meets-Work Tome?

I asked my friend Barbara Jacobs: “What book do you recommend everyone read, and why?”

Here’s her response:

“I did book reports in elementary school – and uniformly aced them. [Peter Rabbit, A plus-plus-plus-plus!]

“But that’s not what Dave asked for.

“Instead, it’s your most fave book.

“Which is hard.  I’ve reviewed books for decades, professionally (note:  a long-term side gig).

“And my beat, which runs the spectrum from crafty tomes and mysteries to hard-nosed biz tracts to fanciful fiction, doesn’t really lend itself to top ten, let alone THE ONE.

“YET:  There is one small book that I do constantly refer to – in life and for work.

“It’s The Four Agreements (Don Miguel Ruiz). It gives me four tenets to remember, to live by, to refer to. Who could argue with

  • Be impeccable with your word
  • Don’t take anything personally
  • Don’t make assumptions and
  • Always do your best?

“To me (and to Oprah, The New York Times best-seller list et al.), these four comprise beliefs that guide actions and behaviors.  [BTW: The hardest one for me is ‘don’t take anything personally.’]  Some call it the works of a shaman. Others say it’s from the Mexican Toltec beliefs.

“Whatever the derivation, these four are prominent in my house and office, helping me lead my life to its fullest and bestest.

“What is your guidelight?”

How About Some General Advice?

I asked another friend, Barton Lorimor, for his “What to read?” advice. But my question to him was “What business book should people read, and why?”

Here’s his response:

“The best business book people need to read is any textbook that matches their current financial literacy and takes them to the next level. Forget for a moment the ‘”‘Get Rich, Retire Young!'”‘ and ‘”‘Best Business Management Strategies!’ books, as so many of those offerings have ulterior motives. Having a stronger understanding of accounting practices and terminology helps business managers better understand ‘the language of money.’ Being able to speak that language helps long-term business strategy development, operations management, and detecting how business authors might sneak a pitch into their work.”

In Case You Need Some Recommendations…

Between Megy, Barbara, and Barton, you still have time to grab a stocking stuffer or Hanukkah read.

Another Podcast Interview?

Yes, I sat down with Stephen Barrigar — he of the Substack called The Velcro Staircase — and yes I am continuing my content streak today by posting the entire hour-plus conversation.

We talk about A TON of stuff:

  • Our football teams of choice (his: the Lions, mine: the Bengals)
  • Canadian politics and the impact of tariffs
  • How to make a decent Old Fashioned
  • What’s gonna happen in 2026?
  • And, of course, music, including our Songs of the Year 2025 and shows we enjoyed.

Create Against The Machines

Editor’s Note: This post originally appeared on my Substack in February 2025

To say that I have a favorite poem might be a bit of a stretch; I loved my lone college poetry class at Syracuse, but wouldn’t call myself a devotee of the genre. Alas, if pressed while at whatever passes for an Algonquin Round Table these days, I would offer perhaps the poem I remember best: “The Red Wheelbarrow”, by William Carlos Williams. Originally titled “XXII” — those Roman numerals add up to 22! — and from the book Spring and All, the Wikipedia entry for the poem itself devotes hundreds of words discussing the poem; the poem itself is sixteen (XVI) words.

Is it memorable because it’s so short? Is it great because it’s merely memorable? Is it too glib and flip and quick and quirky that it really counts more as an ad slogan than a poem?

Do you care?

Good poetry is a little like former U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese talking about pornography: “I know it when I see it.” “The Red Wheelbarrow” is not an excerpt from The Iliad, nor is it a Shakespearean sonnet. Nor was it composed by committee or focus-grouped like an ad campaign for a soft drink with Seal as a seal.

It reminds me of another memorable quip (attribution unknown): “Perfect is good, done is better.”

‘I’m Something of a Writer Myself’

For the Creative Class, writing these days is limited to a well-composed email, or a really clever tweet; calling the tweet a tweet is way more creative, IMHO, than calling it a “post on X,” but we are where we are.

But that email was great! My tweet should have gone viral!

Enter the world of AI. Why write a blog post when you can ask ChatGPT or Grok or another machine to write a blog post for you. You just need to know how to correctly ask it to write a blog post for you. Logic be darned, as you don’t need to think your way through a blog post, you just need to think your way through the one question — “Write me a 400-word blog post about someone with writer’s block and how they got through it” — and let the machine do the rest.

When Creativity Gets Replaced By Prompts

When AI started getting interesting and I had to conduct team meetings, I tried to start them off with art. Not just any art, mind you, but AI-generated art that was, sometimes, rather out there.

Not just Trump-playing-keyboards out there…stuff like this:

I could go on — and attendees at those meetings were probably asking me to stop — but the point here is that the quality was fine, the messages were weird, and the “art” wasn’t really art.

‘I’m Something of an Artist Myself’

Back when NFTs were first a thing — they’re coming back, I just know it! — I created a bunch of art. Like tons of it. Hundreds of images. First, playing around with sketching programs on my phone, then using other programs to manipulate shapes, add colors and effects, and aim for some sort of aesthetic. First, the early work:

Then, a later piece:

Is the art any good? Would you put it on a wall? Is it gallery-worthy?

None of this really matters, actually. Which brings us to the point of the article.

Without a Creative Outlet, What Are We?

I could pound away at a keyboard — this article has taken me the better part of an afternoon; it’s actually an article I started probably a month ago by writing the headline — or I could outsource the creativity to a machine. I prefer the former.

I could challenge myself to remember things without going to Wikipedia, or I could just take the lazy way out. Again, memorizing new facts and figures or asking myself what details I remember from the first baseball game I attended (August 1978, Cubs 2, Reds 0, Dave Kingman homered!) exercises parts of the brain that don’t get used as much (or ever, in the case of most phone numbers, which exist solely in your contacts, I gather).

I could play around with art — maybe leaning into the fact that 99% of it is pretty bad — or I could just ask Bing to whip up something that looks like a modern art NFT.

I don’t have the answers, but I much prefer the future with some sort of human creativity to a code-driven, cyborg-fueled AI Franken-novel.

Top 20 Songs of 2025

Superthread of all 20.

1. Preoccupations, “Ill at Ease”

2. Bar Italia, “Rooster”

3. CMAT, “The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station”

4. Wunderhorse, “Rain”

5. Daffo, “Dagger Song”

6. Lola Young, “Messy”

7. Perfume Genius, “It’s A Mirror”

8. Turnstile, “Seein’ Stars”

9. AFI, “Behind The Clock”

10. The Boojums, “Burnin’ Up”

11. Geese, “Taxes”

12. Bar Italia, “Rooster”

13. Youth Lagoon, “Speed Freak”

14. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, “Dang”

15. Preoccupations, “Focus”

16. Witch Post, “The Wolf”

17. Big Thief, “Words”

18. Strange Neighbors, “Hate Me Less”

19. Unknown Mortal Orchestra, “Boys with the Characteristics of Wolves”

20. Bel Air Lip Bombs, “Hey You”

Why An Eight-Minute Episode of Bluey Might Change Your Life

Okay, now that we have your attention…

High praise continues to be heaped upon one particular episode of the television show Bluey.

For instance: the website Romper says “Adults Are Obsessing…Because It’s Perfect.”

It’s a show for children, so folks like me — whose kids are no longer in the target demo for children’s programming — were likely to miss it. BUT…it’s THAT GOOD.

If you can roll everything about child-rearing, growing up, moving on, even grief into 8 Minutes?

It is rather amazing. If you haven’t seen it, you can watch it on YouTube.

Trust me, it might change your life.

Want to Own The Narrative? Own The Room.

Editor’s Note: This originally ran in June 2024 on this blog and on Substack.

Rewatching Global Financial Crisis Movies, and Replaying the Global Financial Crisis in Your Head

I am blessed to work with, and know, a pretty age-diverse crowd.

Which means a couple things: (1) I need to watch my “Cultural Literacy References” (e.g., talking about how great The Dennis Miller Show was, then punctuating an obscure witticism with “Cha-cha” may not be as over-the-target a zinger as I hoped); and (2) some “Historical References” might be lost completely.

Which brings us to the Global Financial Crisis.

If you missed it, you might have been too young, or it was something that wasn’t as relatively big in your world as it was in the epicenter of global finance.

The unofficial trilogy of the GFC is, in chronological order:

  1. The Big Short, which begins in 2005 and is based on a true story and derived from Michael Lewis’s book of the same name;
  2. Margin Call, which is set during the early part of the GFC (2007-2008) and, while fictitious, really wasn’t too far from the truth; it all takes place in around a 24-hour period;
  3. Too Big To Fail, which wraps everything up nicely and shows the beginning of the unraveling of companies like Lehman Brothers and AIG; it’s based on Andrew Ross Sorkin’s book of the same name (and the book’s title comes from the decision-making process that leads to that binary question that kinda keeps us all from another Depression: Is this particular bank “Too Big To Fail?”).

The Big Short has arguably one central character — Michael Burry, the guy who made the huge bet starting it all — and Too Big To Fail has several; I’ll argue that Margin Call has one central character: John Tuld, played by Jeremy Irons.

Watch This Scene

Even if you’ve seen the movie, I’ll suggest that, before proceeding, you watch (or rewatch; or, if you’re me, rewatch it for the 100th time) the scene here: the “Senior Partners Emergency Meeting.”

Own The Room Like John Tuld

While the scene marks a turning point in the movie, I’d hazard a guess that a good chunk of people had this scene — which is up there with Ned Beatty’s in Network and Alec Baldwin’s in Glengarry Glen Ross; links to both are below — serve as their introduction to the film. (Thanks, YouTube algorithm!) This is fine, because it also serves as the film’s introduction to Tuld.

This is a character that, until this point, we had not seen nor heard from.

But this is a character that would show us in just ten minutes not only who was in charge, but how to run a meeting. Here’s his playbook.

1. Don’t Call A Meeting Just Because

Sure, we get it, meetings are important. Regular team meetings, 1-on-1s, quarterly all-hands: these are part of corporate life. But Mr. Tuld is judicious with his time and is calling this meeting — At what appears to be 3:45 a.m.! With a dozen people! All wearing suits! — because he absolutely has to.

The meeting marks a decision point for the firm, and there is a necessity to it. He’s not meeting just to meet.

2. Every Meeting Should Have Either An Agenda…Or A Point

This meeting didn’t have a stated agenda, but, as we learn at the end, the meeting had a definite point: save the firm.

You could argue that the guy in charge can call a meeting whenever he (or she) wants to and gather everyone at 3:45 in the morning and he could do so without an agenda or a point. It’s a flimsy argument, though, as the person in charge cannot ascend to a position of importance if they call one agenda-free, point-free, 3:45 a.m. meeting. There will not be a second one of those meetings.

Tuld sets the agenda at the outset: this meeting is vital, he wans to get to the bottom of what’s in the report, and he wants to hear from the people who know how the firm got to this point.

If you’re asking whether this meeting could have been an email — which is a GREAT question to ask of any meeting — this meeting COULD NOT HAVE BEEN AN EMAIL.

3. He Involves the Subject Matter Experts…

Tuld relaxes the group at the outset (see above); a likely deliberate mistake to both get everyone thinking (a) did he just say that? and (b) okay, if he can make a mistake like that, maybe there’s less pressure on me.

Since the team is now relaxed — as relaxed as one can be at this hour in what they have to know is the highest-stakes meeting they’ve ever been in — Tuld wants to hear from the expert: Peter Sullivan, played by Zachary Quinto.

But, before Sullivan speaks, Tuld delivers another self-effacing line; this one is meant to get Sullivan as comfortable as possible:

Sullivan starts explaining the situation and Tuld — having already disarmed everyone TWICE — invites Sullivan to “just relax, stand up, tell us in a clear voice: what is the nature of the problem.”

Tuld has now given the limelight to a junior-level researcher, and he is keenly interested in what Sullivan has to say. Tuld is the one running the meeting, and Tuld does not have all the answers. Sullivan’s report — which was finished just hours earlier, and portends some really REALLY bad things happening to the firm — has caught his attention.

This is the sign of a leader who, in this case, has incomplete information and is looking to confirm that things are as bad as they are. He knows that Sullivan is the person who can put it in perspective. Or:

Tuld walked in thinking the firm had a 90% chance of being screwed. He needed Sullivan to confirm the other 10%.

So, he’s not afraid of sharing the spotlight. However, we used an ellipsis for number 3 above because…

4. …Not Everyone Is Included in the Discussion

You’ll notice that there are more than a dozen people in the room. You’ll also notice that nobody speaks unless called on. And you’ll notice half the people in the room DO NOT SPEAK AT ALL.

Sam Rogers, Kevin Spacey’s character, only speaks when he’s asked how they’d implement the plan; his back-and-forth with Tuld underscores their work history together, and he appears to be the only one who can challenge Tuld.

Other than that, Jared Cohen (played by Simon Baker) weighs in a little (more on that below) and Ramesh Shah (Aasif Mandvi) is very brief when suggesting the legalities of what they’re about to do.

But, in the days of “everyone has a voice!” and “we’re an inclusive culture!” it’s notable that most successful organizations aren’t running democracies: in this meeting, crisp is the way to go. We don’t need to hear from Steve in Accounting, and we don’t need a bunch of corporate-speak. We’re not running this up the flagpole; the flagpole is in the room.

5. Enjoy the Silence

One of the best parts of this scene starts at the 4:57 mark, when Tuld asks Sullivan “Do you care to know why I’m in this chair with you all, I mean why I earn the big bucks?” (Sullivan, of course, says yes.) We’ve queued it up below; watch the next minute.

Tuld explains that he’s in that role “to predict what the music might do a week, a month, a year from now. That’s it. Nothing more.” Then…

The word “silence” is punctuated by 15 full seconds of…silence. No one fills the silence until John Tuld fills the silence.

6. Have A Decision Filter…AND USE IT

I mentioned above that Tuld had about a 90 percent inkling that things were wrong — that the music was slowing — and Sullivan’s report got him that last 10 percent — the music had stopped — and now we’re at the decision point. Tuld asks Jared what to do next, Jared pauses, and we get the line from the movie poster:

  • Be First
  • Be Smarter
  • Or Cheat.

Not just a clever marketing gimmick for the movie, this is the decision filter that Tuld had planned on using all along.

If you’re calling a meeting that has a decision to be made, you need to have a decision filter in mind. You need to know going in if there are plans of action that you can reasonably take.

(Funny enough, they do often come in threes like that; the old mantra from my startup days about whether or not to enter a new market often came down to choosing from one of these three:

  • Build (e.g., use your resources to create the solution yourselves)
  • Buy (find someone doing it and pay for their solution)
  • Or Partner (find someone doing it and join forces with them).)

Anyway, Tuld made his choice: Be First. They would get out of the MBS world, effectively killing the market in the process, and face the consequences.

What Can You Learn From All This?

Well, for starters, don’t call a 3:45 a.m. meeting unless you absolutely have to.

But, and again we know meetings are necessary, if you call the meeting, you’re best to begin at the finish line:

  • When this meeting is done, what will I have learned?
  • What decisions will my team need to make?
  • Who is responsible for the final decision?

Also, if the meeting could have been an email, by all means make it an email!

BTW…

Here, as promised, the Ned Beatty scene from Network:

And here’s Alec Baldwin’s speech in Glengarry Glen Ross:

An Hour Well Spent

Trying something new on this particular Sunday — as we continue our month of content — by sending you in the direction of two outstanding interviewers and one S-tier guest.

The interviewers: Konstantin Kisin and Francis Foster, co-hosts of the insanely popular Triggernometry podcast.

The guest: Eric Weinstein. Probably the most “practically brilliant” thinker out there. By practically brilliant, I mean:

  • YES he’s whip-smart
  • YES some of his ideas — and you’ll hear a lot of them during this hour-plus conversation — are out there
  • BUT there are practical applications to quite a bit of what he talks about.

For instance, at the end of the interview, there’s a really robust discussion about AI, where Eric says, in effect, “we are asking the wrong question.” The practically brilliant idea, which goes back to economic research, is to look at the tradeoffs — between human flourishing and machine-driven productivity — and incentivize the right part of the equation: the humans, not the machines.

The whole thing — aired a year ago, after Trump’s re-election — is not TOTALLY a political discussion; but it also sacrifices sacred cows on both sides of the political equation.

Like I said, practically brilliant. And Konstantin and Francis are really solid interviewers.

Enjoy.

Every Year’s Top Song Since 2020

According to Dave, at least.

I’ve been blogging about all sorts of things for quite some time now, but the annual Top Songs list — which I’ve been doing both here and on Facebook and X — remains a personal favorite.

AND it’s fun to compare my lists to others, especially those who blog about music for a living.

In any event, let’s dive in with the top picks from each of the last six years; I’ll also rate each with “Staying Power” on a scale of 1 to 5; 5 means it still manages to maintain a certain level of coolness to me.

2020: The Districts, “Cheap Regrets”

Okay, I’m starting to think I’m the only one who has heard this song.

Not really, but, maybe the fact that this song’s video has only been viewed 195,000 times is telling me something.

Alas, Staying Power of 3/5. I still love it, and may still love it in a few years. But the rest of you have moved on (or never arrived in the first place).

2021: Glass Animals, “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”

Band: still at it. This song: still slaps. Staying Power: 5/5.

2022: Hemlocke Springs, “Girlfriend”

Turns out this song, which arrived near the end of 2022 and immediately shot up to the top of my list, launched a bit of a star. Staying Power Rating: 4/5.

2023: The Last Dinner Party, “Nothing Matters”

Yeah, considering the fact this band has gone beyond cult following, I’m giving this song a 5/5 for Staying Power.

2024: Mannequin Pussy, “Sometimes”

I listen to this song way too often. The band is cool enough to support Foo Fighters and Queens of the Stone Age on next year’s tour.

Staying Power: 5/5.

2025: Preoccupations, “Ill at Ease”

I’d give this a 6/5 for Staying Power if I could. I can’t give it a rating, though, since it’s from this year.

But if I could will the band to visit Chicago again…

The Fifth Dentist and The Tenth Man

On reading the fine print, studying the scenarios, and thinking differently

A year ago, I was working on a project and started wondering about The Fifth Dentist. You know, from the gum commercials.

Ages ago, the idea took hold that “four out of five dentists recommend Trident,” a brand of sugarless chewing gum. Simple enough, right? A survey was conducted, dentists were asked about chewing gum, and, for some reason, Trident was the winner.

In fact, if you were to ask me what other brands of sugarless chewing gum are on the market, I don’t know what I’d say. I don’t give it much thought, I’ve accepted the claim at face value — Get it? Dentists? “Face” Value? — and I guess we’ve moved on.

But…not everybody has moved on. And you shouldn’t either.

Four Out of Five…

Yes, there’s a mini-screed over at a blog from Ideal Dental. Yes, they take it rather seriously. Yes, the claims are really misleading.

I highlighted the part that got me thinking — and the rest of it is a fun read, sure — and then I started looking into what Trident actually said. From Wikipedia:

The survey wasn’t about Trident, it was about the category of “Sugarless Gum.”

Which brings us to…

The Tenth Man

After a surprise attack by Arab forces led to the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the Israeli Army needed to come up with a system that would insure against overconfidence.

To put it simply, if nine people agreed on something, a tenth man needed to come up with an argument against the other nine.

It’s “Institutionalized Devil’s Advocacy,” as Chris Meyer tells us over at The Mind Collective:

Are These Two Things Connected?

We’re in the age of “Narrative-driven Journalism” so we’re often looking for facts when all the other side is doing is aiming to be “Directionally Correct.” In the Trident example, you can draw a couple conclusions:

  • Trident is in the business of selling sugarless gum
  • Of course no dentist in their right mind would recommend a particular brand of gum
  • It’s a win for the Trident marketing team to get you to think about their brand as tangentially recommended by a bunch of dentists.

Cynical, maybe, but…true. Trident is happy to be directionally correct.

And yes, you can make a connection between Trident and The Tenth Man:

  • Everybody seems to have accepted the connection between Trident and four out of five dentists, but should they?
  • Why DIDN’T the Fifth Dentist “cave?”*
  • What reasons would there be for a dentist to recommend gum at all?

Your Thinking Can Evolve

Cynicism needn’t drive your every move in business and in life, but healthy skepticism is often warranted.

The contrarian viewpoint — be it from a fifth dentist or a tenth voice in an argument — can be your friend.

Oh, and the * above? Well, IYKYK.

Setting Yourself Up for 2026 Success

As we wind down 2025, and we keep on creating content in December, we look ahead at 2026. There’s going to be A LOT happening in 2026.

No matter what your role is — Corporate Person? Independent? Small Agency Creative? Sales Leader? — it’s time to take stock of what you need for 2026. Let’s Go!

1. Take a Look at Your ‘Stack’

New to the concept of a “Stack?” The technology industry came up with the concept of a “Tech Stack” to describe all of the tools at their disposal. (Imagine a rack of servers, stacked on top of each other, maybe with one running the company’s web server and another running its anti-fraud system, and so on…) Others have used the concept: a marketing stack or a talent stack can be used to describe the full suite of tools at your disposal.

Your own stack might be different depending on your industry, but you’re going to need a bunch of tools and systems and subscriptions to make that happen.

Here’s an example: I have more than a couple X mutuals — that’s what you call someone on what used to be known as Twitter when you follow them and they follow you; if you want to be my mutual, be sure to follow me — that make money from their posts.

It’s easy to say “just post more!” in order to profit, but there’s more to it than that: not only do you need to be posting A LOT and you need A LOT of viewers for your posts, you also need to have “Premium +” in your stack. (Which is an investment of an extra…30 more bucks a month. See item 4 below, though.)

MORE: I got a note today from Trello asking me to login to Trello to keep using my Trello account. So I did. And I realized that I haven’t USED Trello in maybe five years. So I probably don’t need it.

Again, no matter your work or industry, no matter if you’re solo or part of a big organization, you need to understand what tools are at your disposal and whether you need more of them. (Or fewer.)

2. The Calendar Is Your Friend

2026 is going to be YOUR year!

It’s also going to be a year like any other: January means the gym is packed for the first few days, then starts to slow down. March comes in like a lamb and out like a lion. And so on.

The point? When’s the last time you looked at the whole year, from start to finish, and actually planned the whole thing out?

Now I know what some of you are thinking: what about The Planning Fallacy? Yes, we do tend to underestimate how long something will take, and underestimate how much it will cost, and overestimate our own skills and abilities.

But I’ll counter with this: do you know what September COULD look like? Have you figured out where you might be a year from now?

That’s right, take out a calendar and start looking at the next 12 months. Do it today: even if it’s just a general idea, like “Finish writing the 3000 words of my book” in March, or “Have 30 emails sent to prospective clients” by September.

You’ll be amazed at what you’ll start to discover about the year ahead, and you’ll thank yourself next year at this time.

3. The Best Time to Reach Out to Your Network? Yesterday…

The Go-Giver

One general ideas in the book The Go-Giver, by Bob Burg and John David Mann, is the concept of not keeping score. (You’ll have to read the book, though…)

You should have a Rolodex of contacts — today, that’s kinda known as LinkedIn — and you may want to take a look at that list and figure out how you can help them.

And think creatively: Who are the people that you know that should know each other? Who are the people that you haven’t talked to in ages?

You want to make it a point to reach out to say hello — LinkedIn, email, text message — and just let them know they’re on your mind. Ask them if they’re free to catch up, or let them know you are here to help them if they need help.

4. Watch Your Spending. Seriously.

You’ve heard about those tools where you can see if you’re subscribing to stuff that you don’t need to subscribe to? Those are actually pretty nifty; but, really, you might get more satisfaction out of doing it a little manually.

Yes, the spreadsheet-obsessed (like me) just needs to revisit a couple of monthly statements.

Do you need to spend so much on [INSERT THING HERE]? Do you need that monthly subscription to [INSERT THING HERE]?

You know the drill, but…well nobody really knows what 2026 will bring, so best to give the finances more than a quick glance.

5. Don’t Stop Learning

You are living in a wonderful time: you have access to so much information.

Sign up for a Duolingo account. Check out Coursera. Play around with AI — even if it’s absurd — and learn how the tools work and how to use them.

Go down a YouTube rabbit hole and listen to experts — or people who promote themselves well who MAY be experts — and find a couple favorites.

A couple faves: I could watch Chris Williamson interview a brick wall and he’d probably get the wall talking. And if Eric Weinstein is on any podcast, I’ll watch; he’s one of the most fascinating guests anywhere. (Here is Chris interviewing Eric a year ago; 4 million views and counting.)

Are You Ready for 2026?

There’s still time to get ready…Go get ’em!

Top Five Songs of 2025

Last week, we started the countdown. You can see Songs 20-14 here.

Then, yesterday, we gave you 13 on down to 6.

Now, it’s time for the Top 5 Songs of 2025. Let’s dive in!

5. Daffo, “Dagger Song”

I first heard this song in August on my way back from dropping a kid off at college. BUT, I had to…I had to search to find it. Like I couldn’t quite catch who the artist was and then had to listen to back episodes of The Download 15 on Sirius XMU.

But, I found it. And it entered heavy rotation for Dave, at least.

Daffo is the stage name for Gabi Gamberg and this song just hit me.

(I have found, FWIW, that The Download 15 often delivers songs that disappear from the playlists rather quickly. Not sure why this one didn’t get the staying power.)

4. Wunderhorse, “Rain”

Wunderhorse has been well-documented — not just by me; I did that here on my Substack — and they’re definitely going places. A trip to Lollapalooza underscored there otherworldly status.

Note that I’ll share a couple versions of this song below because they appear to be incredible live.

BUT how bout a bonus track, first? Here’s “The Rope.”

Here’s “Rain,” first live on Jimmy Kimmel.

AND, here’s the band Live at The Dublin Castle; shout out to the audio team, this is impeccable.

And, finally, the official audio from the band.

The song stuck with me all year. If you rank it first, I ain’t arguing with you.

3. CMAT, “The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station”

This one is 100% on Canadian Steve. I can’t thank him enough for it, either.

I talked about CMAT on this page last week and she definitely has that certain something about her.

What’s beautiful about this song is not JUST that it doesn’t make a heck of a lot of sense at first, but that CMAT tells you that it’s not making too much sense.

But it makes total sense: Why do we hate certain people? Why are some things so triggering?

CMAT asks the question. And tries to answer it. Flipping glorious. I dig.

2. Bar Italia, “Rooster”

We thank the YouTube algorithm for this song. You’ll notice the Bar Italia song “Fundraiser” made the Top 20 list (yesterday, ranking 12th). YouTube decided to introduce another Bar Italia song a month ago — YES, THAT RECENTLY — and I absolutely cannot get enough of it.

The video is actually nuts: Get a load of the guitarist deciding to stop pretending he was singing into a live mic. (My buddy Ken said that moment was both “unsettling and very cool.”)

Kicking myself for missing this band when they were nearby. Will make it a point to see them live in 2026, God willing.

It’s the second-best song I heard this year.

1. Preoccupations, “Ill at Ease”

This shall be no surprise to anyone who has followed my work this year.

I telegraphed this decision in July, when I launched The Saturday List; in the very first edition of said list I made a declaration:

I was right. “Rooster,” above, Number 2, came close.

Impeccably crafted song. Lead singer Matt Flegel has a really amazing voice and the lyrics are top notch. For instance:

Let’s carve ourselves a tiny space to live in
And mutually assure our self destruction
Cause all the things I love are things that kill me
And all the things I dread aren’t really there

Funny enough, I heard this song AFTER my post of possible Song of the Decade candidates for the 2020s; It has since moved to the top of my list for the decade. It’s. That. Good.

Behold, Dave’s Song of the Year for 2025: Preoccupations, “Ill at Ease.”

Thanks for reading. Seriously, it means a ton to me.

We’ll have some Honorable Mentions to share later this month. And we’ll return to other programming tomorrow.

Cheers!

Top Songs of 2025, Part Two

We’re back! It’s Part Two, so today’s post goes from 13 down to 6. The Top Five will come tomorrow.

Let’s go!

13. Youth Lagoon, “Speed Freak”

If you’re wondering who or what a Youth Lagoon is (or are), here’s a primer from Wikipedia:

So that’s settled.

In any event, Youth Lagoon brings it with this song, which clocks in at 13.

12. Bar Italia, “Fundraiser

This song served as my introduction to the band Bar Italia.

It won’t be the first time you’ll see them in the countdown, as they are one of two acts with multiple appearances; they’re also one of two bands — see Witch Post, on last week’s first installment of Top Songs — that moves back and forth between male and female voices.

The video makes little sense, but the song is a banger.

11. Geese, “Taxes”

One of 2025’s “It Bands” is Geese. Part of the reason: front man Cameron Winter’s voice is unlike anything I’ve heard in quite some time.

And the lyrics? Way-too-Gen-X to be a band of kids in their 20s; angsty enough to get invited to sit in the driveway with me, pop open a lager, and yell at the kids to “get off my lawn.”

Below, the official video, and the band’s performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

10. The Boojums, “Burnin’ Up”

The best band you’ll ever see from Nova Scotia.

9. AFI, “Behind the Clock”

Perfect for a “How It Started…How It’s Going” post, eh?

How It Started: Lead singer Davey Havok at a fashion show in 2011.

How It’s Going: Davey Havok today.

It’s also a heavier sound for the band with their single “Behind the Clock.”

8. Turnstile, “Seein’ Stars”

My notes on this song: “Taco Bell brought me here.”

Yes, you’ve heard this song on Taco Bell ads and it’s okay if you want to go grab a Cheesy Gordita Crunch after listening.

7. Perfume Genius, “It’s A Mirror”

Here’s another from the category of “Guy Who Goes By a Stage Name That Sounds Like a Band.”

Michael Hadreas is the guy, Perfume Genius is the stage name.

6. Lola Young, “Messy”

Lola Young has had A YEAR — so much so, she needed to take a break thanks to the exhaustion.

“Messy” is a great tune; to be honest, the second link below is one of the best live performances I’ve seen this year, from Glastonbury.

See you…TOMORROW…for the Top Five Songs of 2025.

It’s Sunday, So Here’s Advice from an Orthodox Priest — And A Couple Doctors, Too

Fr. Paul Truebenbach is an orthodox priest at Sts. Peter and Paul Orthodox Church in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In this video, which appears on YouTube from a channel called Roots of Orthodoxy, Fr. Paul was asked if he had advice for someone with anxiety and depression.

Even if you’re not a religious person, there’s something to be said for the four-step process:

  • Exercise for 30 minutes (more on that below)
  • “Go build, fix, or clean something”
  • “Go pray” — again, for those who aren’t religious, substitute meditation — and the “Jesus prayer” recommended by Fr. Paul is simply “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
  • Find something you can do for someone else.

The Exercise Habit

Spend any time on the internet and you’ll see that there are scores of theories on exercise: which ones are best, how much, how often, etc. It’s a lot to digest.

If you have the time for another brief video, here’s one where Chris Williamson interviews Dr. Rhonda Patrick — she’s someone who has appeared on a number of podcasts and hosts one of her own — where they discuss a number of exercise strategies; the one that I zeroed in on is the “Norwegian 4×4.”

Rhonda explains it here:

Sounds daunting, sure, and it may not be your thing.

Another approach: Walking. As detailed in this video, where Dr. Andrew Huberman interviews Dr. Casey Means.

“If walking were a pill, it would be the most impactful pill we have in modern medicine.”

The Upshot: Get Moving, Get Busy, Get Out of Your Own Head

We could talk about all of Fr. Paul’s points all day; but if you zero in on his main ideas, it all makes sense. Workout, then accomplish something by building or cleaning or fixing, then pray, then do something for someone else.

The Top Songs of 2025, Part One

We’re back! Every year at about this time, we rank the songs we’ve heard — who’s kidding anyone, we’re using the “Royal We” here, as this is Dave’s ranking of the songs, according to Dave — and 2025 provided some…certified bangers.

This year, we’ve expanded the list to include 20 songs. And today we’ll present 20 through 14; 13 on down arrives next week.

20. Bel Air Lip Bombs, “Hey You”

Folks, it’s a complete standout of a music year when a song like this one, from a band like this band, gets stuck with the 20th slot in my rankings.

But that was the year that this was. (Yes, the previous sentence is grammatically correct.)

Off the album “Again,” there’s a breezy rock-meets-pop sound to this band. Others in my orbit may rate this higher on their lists, but…it charts as 20 for us.

Sidebar — Band I Discovered in 2025: Aloha

Long-time pal on X (f/k/a Twitter) is a chap called “Sisyphus Goals” and he and I have bonded over music for…several years now.

Imagine my surprise when he shared this band and I said: “Who?” They’re a band that has been around long enough to have a MySpace page. Here’s their Wikipedia entry.

Aloha is the name of the band. Here’s “All the Wars.”

And here’s “It Won’t Be Long.”

Also, here’s “We Get Down.” What a fun find this band was.

And, Sisyphus suggested this song in his tweet…”Let Your Head Hang Low.”

19. Unknown Mortal Orchestra, “Boys with the Characteristics of Wolves”

Fair warning: this is a weird, AI-produced video that begins with an interlude thing that is different from the actual song.

Alas, Unknown Mortal Orchestra makes the Top 20 list with a pretty catchy tune.

18. Strange Neighbors, “Hate Me Less”

This song was fun enough that it entered my world very early in the year, and it stayed on the list, and it managed to keep on the list through many repeats.

They’re from NYC and big enough to have their own really interesting web page — but not yet big enough to have a Wikipedia entry.

17. Big Thief, “Words”

I’m a big fan of Adrianne Lenker, the front-woman of the band Big Thief (who also does some solo work from time to time). “Words” is off the album Double Infinity, which just arrived a couple months ago.

Lenker’s voice is haunting, soulful, and kinda fits the mood lately. Great song.

16. Witch Post, “The Wolf”

I’m a big fan of bands that can move seamlessly between a male and a female singer; Witch Post is such a collaboration, as Dylan Fraser and Alaska Reid teamed up from two separate continents, as detailed in this article from a magazine/website called Dork.

(Note to self: revisit Dork often.)

“The Wolf” is getting The Airplay on SiriusXMU AND on Alt Nation, so they must be doing something right.

15. Preoccupations, “Focus”

The first of two artists to hold multiple slots on my countdown, Canadian act Preoccupations has figured out two things: (1) song construction and (2) video production.

This video is a sad and jarring walk down memory lane for anyone who either remembers the People’s Temple Guyana Massacre has watched any of the myriad documentaries on cult behavior.

But a fun song nonetheless.

14. Rainbow Kitten Surprise, “Dang”

A fun rock band with a pretty sizeable following, Rainbow Kitten Surprise bandmates met when they were students at Appalachian State University. You can read more about the band on their Wikipedia page.

This is a catchy song that I first heard on Alt Nation a few months back, and I continue hearing it. SO….you can hear it, too.

Next round comes next week. Enjoy the tunes!

The Next Big Thing — Or, Three Musical Acts About to Explode

We’re back on Day Three of A Month of Content…Here’s a post that appeared on Dave’s Substack this past June; it has been lightly edited with some editor’s notes updating statistics.

It’s time to amaze your friends! Yes, thanks to yours truly listening to a lot of new music, a little sleuthing, and a chap called Canadian Steve, you are about to become The Tastemaker. The Influencer. The guy (or gal) who tells everybody six months from now that you told everybody about this artist six months ago.

Behold, The Next Big Thing, 2025 Edition. Here goes.

The Next Big Thing, Solo Artist: CMAT

To become The Next Big Thing, you have to have both a vibe and a catchy single. Meet CMAT, who provides both right here. The song is called…”The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station.” Color me intrigued — or, more accurately, “colour me intrigued,” as CMAT is from Ireland.

We’re a scant three seconds into this video and I’m nonplussed. Do I tell everyone about this artist? Do I take a screenshot? Do I subscribe? Do I wonder what has happened to society when some mysterious artist — who appears to be named after a college admissions test or a part you’d find inside a Ford Thunderbird — has only 27,000 subscribers?

Editor’s Note: What a difference a few months and an album launch can make, CMAT now has 48,000 subscribers, and the video has been viewed 246,000 times and counting.

Mind you we haven’t even listened to the song yet. This is the impact of CMAT.

Quick internet scan tells us that the artist CMAT is a young woman whose real name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson. Gotta admit, while it’s a pretty name, Ciara Thompson doesn’t roll off the tongue like CMAT does.

And here’s the CERTIFIED BANGER(™) that will be your Song of the Summer.

She visited the States in September, 8 American shows (and one in Toronto, which is not yet part of America) in a two-week span. Funny enough, her new album, Euro-Country, dropped at the end of August.

Like I said: CERTIFIED BANGER.

My thanks to Canadian Steve, who introduced me to CMAT (and dozens of others) on his Substack.

Also check out this song:

She’s going places, kid.

The Next Big Thing, Duo: Mind Enterprises

To summarize where we’re going with this, it’s time for a screenshot of a tweet. From me, of course. I’m clever and modest.

I am simultaneously late to the party – this act has been around for years, it seems – and brand new to the courtyard wine-and-cheese-fest vibe known as “Italo Disco,” as it seems that the duo is tapping into the milieu of the modern Italian zeitgeist. Or they’re trending in my X bubble. Same diff.

In any event, it was thanks to a random repost of an Italian Fashion Party that I learned of the existence of Mind Enterprises.

And, after I gave her an immediate follow, this tweet about Mind Enterprises, also from Miss White.

I was quickly able to confirm that the music in the first tweet is from Mind Enterprises, the vibe matches; the second tweet sealed the deal.

And, it follows — like that one kind of cognitive bias where you buy a car and then everyone is driving that same car — Mind Enterprises owns Twitter. (Mind Enterprises is probably too cool to call it “X.”)

Here, then, 45 Minutes of Mind Enterprises. As they say in the business, “You’re Welcome.”

Only have 22 minutes to spare? Here’s a shorter video. Again, accept the awesomeness with my compliments. (I love what you’re doing with your hair.)

BTW, no article that even mentions Italo Disco would be complete without Giorgio Moroder’s classic, “Chase,” which was part of the soundtrack of my youth because the local NBC affiliate used it for Notre Dame football highlights; I can still see Vagas Ferguson cutting through the Purdue defense.

(Feel free to go down the Giorgio Moroder rabbit hole; and one-half of Mind Enterprises looks awfully similar to young Giorgio.)

The Next Big Thing, Rock Band: Wunderhorse

This band came around at the right time, it seems: they toured the US, then went back to their home in Britain and were just in time to fill what is a void in rock music. Like, rock music wasn’t…rocking…and now it’s back.

Wunderhorse is definitely a throwback to the days of guitar-heavy rock.

To wit, “Rain.” In the running for my Song of the Year, this ditty is outstanding.

Here’s a version recorded in Dublin:

And here’s “Rain” live on Kimmel:

And if you’re really interested in a breakdown from someone who has been there…here’s Justin Hawkins saying what I’ve been saying (but he said it 7 months ago).

There’s more from the band, too: “Leader of the Pack” is a clever little song:

And a three-song set in The Netherlands, which starts off with “Midas”:

You Are Now The Tastemaker

That’s right, friends. I may not have my finger directly on the pulse of what’s cool, but I’m somewhere in the Top Quintile. That’s good enough these days, so check out these acts, amaze your friends, and enjoy your December.

Editor’s Note: We’ll be releasing our Top Songs of 2025 next week on the blog.

Lean Into the Absurd with AI

We continue our Month-long content festival with a talk about AI and absurdity.

The genie is out of the bottle when it comes to Artificial Intelligence. AI will change the world! AI will take our jobs! AI will cure cancer!

All those things could eventually be true.

But, starting a couple years ago, when I first started playing around with AI tools, I took a different approach.

How Absurd Can You Get?

Now, is there a method to the madness? Yes: Akin to playing MadLibs, I was trying to spur creativity. And sometimes, I failed spectacularly. In any event, here’s a smattering of some wins and losses from my journey into AI absurdity.

How Absurd Can You Make It?

Here’s a for instance: say you want to encourage people to get a colonoscopy — and you know that the recommendations have changed, suggesting that you get one starting at age 45 — but you can’t really use a picture of a diseased colon to get people to make the appointment.

Enter: The Vintage Colonoscopy Travel Poster!

Well, it was close.

Enough of that, let’s try another topic.

What About The Four-Panel Cartoon?

Sure, you can type that into your favorite machine and maybe it’ll spit back something that makes sense. Like, how bout two dogs discussing the song “Last Resort” by the band Papa Roach?

Maybe a little too dark. Here’s another attempt: A dog named Clyde introducing himself.

Sigh. Not sure which one is Clyde.

What Would Huff Do?

Huff is my friend on X; he has created some really interesting AI art as the technology has advanced. Some of it is a little more political, but a couple of his creations stand out. Like…

Also, he sent me one of his personal favorites: a recreation of Stewie and Brian from Family Guy, posing for a 1970s mall photo.

Round Three: Merger & Acquisition Division

The earliest days of AI imagery left spelling to the imagination.

And, remember when the USFL merged with the XFL and created the UFL? This guy remembers.

What’s The Point?

For me, the point is to sharpen creativity. To think about things in new and different ways.

It’s also a great way to learn the nuances of the various platforms: typing in a prompt, then realizing the prompt wasn’t quite right, then sharpening your focus — “create an image in the style of a 1970s mall photo session” — can lead you down various paths you may not have thought of. And you’ll compare and contrast ChatGPT with Gemini or with Grok or…well, whatever tool you’re using, you will learn its particularities, and THAT will help you think a little better about whatever problem you’re trying to solve.

A Month of Content

31 Days of Content

It’s December 1. So I decided to issue a challenge to myself; and you can join in on the fun.

The challenge: Create Content Every Day. Each day, for 31 days. The entire month of December.

Throwing down a gauntlet.

There’s really no catch here: come up with something new, repurpose something old. Remember, “systems vs. goals.” Your mission is to create a “system.”

Hey, It Worked for Jerry…

As the story goes, Jerry Seinfeld decided to build a writing habit by getting a big calendar and putting an “X” on each day after writing. Once you see a series of X’s — first one, then two, then next thing you know it’s a week straight —you start to build confidence.

Then the process gets refined, you get better at what you’re doing, and you have even more confidence when you realize how much you can accomplish in 30 minutes. Then an hour. Then two hours.

Or, Borrow from James Clear

Clear’s book Atomic Habits sits nearby. It’s a great read — and one I wrote about in my August 16 edition of The Saturday List on my Substack — and one nugget has really stuck with me. This one:

I’ve faced challenges with this trying to build a habit of going to the gym or getting exercise; but just saying to yourself “Hey, I missed yesterday, so I can’t miss today” is often just enough of a trick to keep at it.

What’s Coming from Dave?

Good question: posts like this, sure, but also new stuff…and some “merchandising” of old content, too.

Like these: podcast interviews that a friend JUST told me “you should do more of these.”

While I line up the “more of these…” here are three of them:

First up, an October 17 interview with writer and professed music nerd Stephen Barrigar.

And this one, a few weeks later, with writer and blogger Jennifer Brown:

AND, why not a throwback: Jim Rogers, in February of 2021. (We both looked so young!)

How Will You Make These 31 Days Count?

The Saturday List – November 15, 2025

What I’m Watching, Reading, Listening to, and Rediscovering

Watching: Two Shows With Buzz, The Chair Company and Pluribus

In this case, I haven’t started either yet. No spoilers, please. And part of the mystery behind both shows is…the mystery behind both shows. In other words, I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT EITHER ONE IS ABOUT.

Here’s the trailer for Pluribus.

Here’s the trailer for The Chair Company.

Both have 100% ratings on Rotten Tomatoes. Subscriptions required (AppleTV for Pluribus, HBO for The Chair Company).

Reading: Ten Global Trends, by Ronald Bailey and Marian L. Tupy

Sometimes, it’s just a matter of perspective. Sure, things may appear bad “out there” on a few different levels, but Messrs Bailey and Tupy decided to take a contrarian view of things, and the result doesn’t just look good on your coffee table; this is a really positive book.

The authors scour research reports and study what is really happening with the world, its people, its economy, and its resources.

Take the environment as just one example: between 1982 and 2016, the global tree canopy increased by an amount that’s greater than the land area of Alaska and Montana combined (865,000 square miles). And, interestingly, thanks to higher temperatures in mountainous regions, trees can, in some cases, grow in higher altitudes.

Maybe things aren’t all that bad, eh? Grab the book at this Amazon Link.

Amazon.com: Ten Global Trends Every Smart Person Should Know ...

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Listening To: Geese, The Band That’s Having A Moment

“Geese” is the name of a band from Brooklyn. I’d try to define their sound but would run out of hyphens after the first “Post-Punk-Meets-Indie” suggestion and just send you a couple YouTube links.

Like this one, the song “Taxes” that the band performed on Jimmy Kimmel Live. (Certain to end up on Dave’s Top Songs of 2025 post, coming next month.)

Or this one, “I See Myself,” from a couple years back.

And this one, “Crusades.”

Here’s their Wikipedia entry and the band’s website, if you’re looking for more info.

Rediscovering: An Unconventional Ad From Burger King

One of the most interesting advertising experiments ever was called “Whopper Virgins.” The Burger King chain worked with ad agency Crispin Porter + Bogusky 16 years ago to find people that were…so “off the grid”…that they had never had a hamburger, let alone a Burger King Whopper.

Seven minutes or so of joy. Worth a watch.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to subscribe if you haven’t yet. Cheers, and see you next week.

Songs of the Decade (So Far)

It’s time for one of those bars that show you how far along you are, you know, updating the virus scanner or something like that. Except…it’s time for that with the 2020s.

Time, first off, for the disclaimer: I don’t care that there was no “Year Zero” and I also don’t care that the new millennium started in 2001. The 2000s started in 2000, the 2010s started in 2010, and the 2020s started in 2020.

That being said…

My Candidates for Song of the Decade

Rather than usual rankings — which I have done here for every year since 2022, and I have done on other socials going back to 2020 — I’m instead thinking we’re just going to go freeform. Like, here’s a song I liked, and here’s another one I liked and here’s one that has grown on me more than expected. And so on.

The Districts, “Cheap Regrets” (2020)

Yes, I have adored this song since I first heard it. I have tweeted about it for the past five years. No regrets at all.

This song, for me, is a “Time and Place” song: I can tell you what I was doing (sitting in a parking lot in suburban St. Louis during the pre-pandemic shut-down period of 2020) when I first heard the song.

And I give thanks to my car’s SiriusXM setup, because I was able to rewind and replay it five times in a row.

It has also stuck with me, remained on my playlist, and isn’t going away. Great video, too.

Depeche Mode, “Ghosts Again” (2023)

I reached out to my pal “Canadian Steve,” from whom we’ve received a few contributions in the past, for his vote on “Song of the Decade (So Far)” and his response took less than a minute. His comments:

“Written and recorded shortly after the passing of original member Andrew Fletcher, a band that had recorded songs about death brought a newfound honesty to the inevitable.”

This particular song made an appearance in *my* Top Ten from 2023, clocking in at #4.

The Last Dinner Party, “Nothing Matters” (2023)

This was my #1 Song of 2023, and there was something about the energy of the band, the in-your-face-F-bomb lyrics that spoke to me. And quite a few others, too, as mainstream airplay followed (with an edit or two) for “Nothing Matters.”

Here’s the video version, complete with the F’ing chorus.

Chappell Roan, “Pink Pony Club” (2020)

Unless you’ve witnessed this turning a dance floor from meh to party in the span of ten seconds, you might not “get” Chappell Roan. Okay. Fine. That was me until a while back.

But, here’s to Chappell for being the right person at the right time — even if the song came out in 2020 and really didn’t become a THING until maybe last year — and becoming a cultural touchstone in the process.

Lola Young, “Messy” (2024)

This was released in June 2024 but, like Ms Roan above, Ms Young also appears to have been on a slow simmer for a while before standing thisclose to becoming absolutely huge.

Getting airplay in 2025 and topping alternative airplay charts in the US and Canada is enough to move this onto my Top Ten list for this year — hey, I don’t spend time on TikTok so I wouldn’t have seen it catch fire, and Young didn’t appear on Fallon and elsewhere til this year anyway — and, in addition to the below official video, you MUST check out the Glastonbury performance; emotional in a way that is taken aback at the success that she no doubt visualized.

Mannequin Pussy, “Sometimes” (2024)

My fear with this song is that, once we get to 2029, people might forget how downright awesome it is.

Part 90s angst and part 2000s female-led punk-ish rock, this song spoke to me in a “hey, this could have simultaneously been released in 1991 or 2001 or like yesterday” way.

Not sure how much sense that makes, but MP brings it. My #1 Song of 2024.

Bartees Strange, “Heavy Heart” (2022)

Interestingly, Mr Strange only hit #2 on my Top Ten Songs of 2022 list. (Click the link to see what was number one.)

However, Strange has staying power, has come out with new music, continues to have the soul-meets-rock sound that defies categories, and he’s so charming in interviews I wouldn’t mind having a beer with him.

And the song still hits.

Glass Animals, “Space Ghost Coast to Coast” (2021)

Not the Glass Animals song you were expecting, anon? (That’s okay, here’s a link to “Heat Waves.”)

“Space Ghost…” got some heavy alternative airplay on the satellite channel I frequent in 2021, and the volume of weird rhymes hit me in a way that Twenty One Pilots might have; but this song spoke to me. And still does.

Fontaines D.C., “Starburster” (2024)

Kid 1 told me this should have been my Top Song of 2024 selection. She was overruled but it was a tight race and Fontaines finished second to the above-mentioned Mannequin Pussy. (Number 3, Fat Dog’s “Running,” hasn’t caught on throughout the universe as much as I would have hoped, but I’ll link to it nevertheless.)

I’m still a BIG FAN of this song. You may be as well.

Comments? Questions? What Am I Missing?

Let me know in the comments, and/or tweet away.

Top Songs of 2024: Part Three (Songs 1-5)

Here they are: The Top Five Songs of 2024.

This is the third year for these rankings from me; prior to that, I did post on Facebook, but 2022 and 2023 had lists and you can read them here: Your Top Ten Songs of 2022, Top Ten Songs of 2023.

And, here are the links if you missed Part One or Part Two.

Boy, This Was Tough…

I came up with a Top Five a couple weeks ago. I figured that the Top Five wouldn’t change — and, despite some cool late entrants to my Song Database of Fire over the past few weeks, it didn’t — but that Number One likely would.

So I have deliberated, invited both of my music-loving daughters (ages 23 and 18, where does the time go?) to weigh in, and have made my decision. (Note that the decision was NOT done to appease either of my music-loving daughters.)

The Top Five Songs of 2024

5. Beach Bunny, “Vertigo”

Catchy tune? Check. “Beach” in the band name? Check. Neato animated video? Check.

Clocking in at a Usain Bolt-level 2-and-a-half minutes, it’s the first bit of new music released by Beach Bunny — the band started as Lili Trifilio’s solo project in 2015 — in three years. And, now that it’s just a three-piece, after the departure of lead guitarist Matt Henkels, the band does not miss a beat.

If this were the best song you heard all year, you had a good year. A solid #5.

4. Katrina Ford, “Cry Wolf”

Have you heard of Katrina Ford? Here’s the thing…you have probably heard FROM Katrina Ford. Ha!

Here’s a story from Stereogum. Wait, WHAT? Gotta give “Wolf Like Me” another listen, then. Like…how about now?

In any event, Ms. Ford dropped an album called H.E.A.R.T. earlier this year and we dig what we’ve heard. And we REALLY dig this song, which also falls into the “Criminally Underrated” category; fewer than 10K viewers of this, the official video. (Also, here’s a link to her YouTube channel. Subscribe, people. Seriously!)

3. Fat Dog, “Running”

Did I mention this year’s Top Five was tough? For instance, if I had put this song at #1, there would possibly be a few head nods: this band is out-of-control good. Energetic as heck, live shows are off-the-hook bonkers AND LEAD SINGER JOE LOVE GOES INTO THE CROWD IN THIS PERFORMANCE…WHAT?

Here’s an excerpt from a review from London’s Sunday Times’ Will Hodgkinson:

You had me at “rave, punk, klezmer, arabesque.”

Best Song of 2024? Maybe. This year, ranks third on my countdown.

2. Fontaines D.C., “Starburster”

I knew this song had made it when it randomly made background music in a feature on FOX NFL Sunday.

Fontaines, D.C. are seemingly everywhere in 2024. There’s a reason why: songs like this one and “Favourite,” which has also charted on US Alternative charts, are stellar.

Ireland, baby.

Anyway, they’ve performed on Jimmy Fallon, on Jools Holland, and they toured the US in the Fall. They are the real deal.

Without Further Ado…

1. Mannequin Pussy, “Sometimes”

To me, the only thing holding this band back from absolute mainstream success is the band’s name.

To be honest, that’s it. Songs like this one and “I Got Heaven,” which charted in the U.K., and “Loud Bark,” both off the I Got Heaven album, and you get the feeling these folks will be huge.

I immediately harken back to Harriet Wheeler from The Sundays when I hear lead singer Missy Dabice start singing. Then, hearing her her do the primal scream thing, I think…Courtney Love and Hole. There’s a lot packed into just over 3 minutes here; no song accompanied my car trips better than this one in 2024.

It’s my Song of the Year.

A couple versions here: first, live on KEXP.

And then, here’s the official video version.

There You Have It…

Our Top Songs of 2024. Here’s a link to the other two parts of our blog post:

Top Songs Part One

Top Songs Part Two

And…here are the past couple years:

Top Songs 2023

Top Songs 2022

Top Songs of 2024: Part Two (Songs 6-10)

In Part One, we told you about the Honorable Mentions. Now, we crack the Top Ten with songs 6-10. But presented in reverse order because we grew up as the Casey Kasem generation.

10. Magdalena Bay, “Death and Romance”

If you’re Gen X, you’ve no doubt picked up an album and, when you see a song that isn’t your favorite off the album hit the charts, you’ve said “that’s not even the best song on that album!” Such may be the case here: IMHO, “Image,” with its nearly 1 million views on YouTube, isn’t even the best song I’ve heard from Magdalena Bay this year.

(Don’t get me wrong: “Image” is catchy as heck.)

But Magdalena Bay really spoke to me with “Death and Romance.”

You’ve maybe seen them on TikTok or elsewhere. Won’t be the last you’ve heard MB.

First, the “Official Audio” version.

Now, the Official Video version, 8 minutes of creativity.

9. Bartees Strange, “Sober”

My notes on this song, upon first listen, were as follows:

I’m a big fan of Mr. Strange, whose 2022 “Heavy Heart” clocked in at #2 on that year’s list.

“Sober” is one of the best songs I’ve heard this year.

8. Cardinals, “Twist and Turn”

Turns out a few Irish bands are making their marks in music. These chaps build a pretty good case for a Top Ten song with “Twist and Turn.” I especially like the back-and-forth between an acoustic coffee house sound AND a rock-percussion vibe…in the same song.

7. Alice Merton, “run away girl”

This is one of the best “pure-pop” songs I’ve heard in a while. And here are two versions from Alice:

First, the stripped down acoustic (“black sands”) version:

Next, the “visualizer” version, which is kindof a video except it’s Alice in a field. Which is fine, but also matches the radio version of the tune.

6. Omni (feat. Izzy Glaudini), “Plastic Pyramid”

When I first heard this, my initial reaction was (again from Excel) as follows:

Ah, Yes. I have “Roundabout” as one of the best songs ever — read here: Top Songs of All Time — but others find it to be (quoting a friend) “over-produced audio drivel.”

In that vein, Omni may not be your cup of tea. But it was mine — and it’s not even the zaniest song I heard in 2024, natch — and makes it in at #6. (And the video is nuts; congrats, Omni!)

Coming soon, Part Three…your Top Five.

Top Songs of 2024: Part One (Honorable Mentions)

These are the Honorable Mentions: Songs outside the Top Ten but worthy of a listen. Let’s Go!

Here’s 2024’s Year-End Fiesta of Music. We’re talking about songs released in 2024 that went from “worth a listen” to “earworm city” to “wow, this is amazing.” You should know that these picks are subjective as heck.

A little about the format, which differs from past years. This year, ‘m doing THREE posts. First up is going to be a list of “Honorable Mentions,” which are songs just outside of my Top Ten. Second, songs 10-6 — we’re “countin’ ’em down” — and third will be songs 5-1.

I’ve had fun with these in past years and, as always, your mileage may vary.

Also, as usual, we’ll be casually referring back to a few items here or there from past posts. This is the…checks notes…third straight year we’ve done this; and the first year we’ll cross-post on Substack. If you want to see last year’s, here is a link: Top Ten Songs of 2023. And for 2022, here you go: Top Ten Songs of 2022.

The Honorable Mentions

HM(a): Pearl Jam, “Waiting for Stevie”

It’s a fun story: the band was going to hang out with Stevie Wonder, but Mr. Wonder was late, so they had some time to spend and decided to write a song.

The result is, according to me, the best song off of an above-average — but not S-Tier — Pearl Jam album, “Dark Matter.”

HM(b): Dexter and the Moonrocks: “Sad in Carolina”

In the circles in which I operate, this song might have had the most potential for being played into the ground. Or maybe it’s just that cognitive bias that causes you to see the same model of the car you just bought everywhere.

Anyway, this little ditty is kinda fun and kinda catchy and kinda rock all the same time. Points scored, though not enough to make this year’s Top Ten.

HM(c): Jack White, “Archbishop Harold Holmes”

Another Jack White song made my Excel Spreadsheet — which is called “Song Database of Fire” — but this one, also off the “No Name” album, is even more “Classic Jack White” than the other “Classic Jack White” song.

Behold, “Archbishop Harold Holmes.”

HM(d): Tunde Adebimpe, “Magnetic”

Solo stuff from TV on the Radio frontman Tunde Adebimpe *just* dropped; gotta say I really LOVED the video, if for no other reason than I’m jealous of Tunde’s ability to grow a beard, and a gray one at that.

HM(e): The Wombats, “Blood on the Hospital Floor”

The Wombats — remember them? — are back! This song, too, just dropped within the last few weeks. It’s gold, Jerry, gold.

HM(f)*: Out Come the Wolves, “One in the Same”

This falls into my “Snoop On The Voice” category: I hit the subscribe button after the first couple chords.

The reason for the asterisk: this is completely under the radar. Like 79 subscribers to the band. 1000 views of the video.

I have a couple guesses as to why: the guys look middle-aged, the video looks lower-budget, and the song — to me — says Alt-Rock-But-Harder-Than-Usual.

I got it after the first view, and I still get it after the first dozen views. This is a good song.

HM(g): Squid, “Crispy Skin”

I’ve heard this song at least a half-dozen times in the three weeks since it dropped. I still have no idea if I’m listening to experimental prog rock from 1976 or a commercial for a Japanese furniture superstore.

Thanks?

HM(h): Katrina Ford, “World on a Wire”

This, our final Honorable Mention, falls into the category of “foreshadowing.” You will hear from Ms. Ford again in our year-end posts.

Stay tuned for the next two posts.

On Gender Differences, Being Dispassionate, and Meeting The Steel Man

“Facts don’t care about your feelings.” — Ben Shapiro

Gotta be honest with ya, I love a good debate. It’s great to see two really smart people go toe-to-toe, each presenting facts and packaging them into convincing arguments that lead me to see both sides of an issue, and think differently about it when they’re done.

Realizing that I haven’t seen one of those since the Internet was invented, I have to accept what passes as a debate these days: Twitter threads, or memes about political candidates, ad hominem attacks, or dripping condescension. (With a nod to the late, great Bob Newhart, condescension is when we need to lower ourselves to your level to explain something.)

Guilty As Charged

I lifted that meme from the Internet. If you’re following this particular thread, apparently, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance, who is Donald Trump’s running mate, may have made some positive comments about Diet Mountain Dew at one point, thus drawing the ire of anyone who (1) leans Left and (2) likes a good meme.

To prove we’re equal-opportunity here, let’s share something from the Right: Vice President Kamala Harris, speaking with reporters after the release of hostages a couple nights back.

Neither of these above memes are arguments. They’re both…just…things. One’s a meme, the other’s a tweet. Neither are gonna help you do anything other than cement the thinking of BOTH your argument — “Vance is a douche!” “Harris can’t speak on her feet!” — and your opponent’s — “Vance is cool, not a douche.” “Harris brings the calmness the moment demands.”

So now that the “Both Sides” presentation is out of the way, time for the point behind this here article: you have tools at your disposal to be really REALLY good at winning your argument. We’ll share two of our favorites here, and we’ll use a current controversy to do so.

Let’s get to work.

Tool #1: Being Dispassionate

“What are you passionate about?” Heck, I don’t know. And I’m not sure that’s your business, anyway.

If faced with an issue to dissect, and an argument to win, maybe it’s time to channel your inner Ron Swanson, remove any feelings, and figure out what’s going on in the most laissez-faire manner possible.

In other words, become “dispassionate.”

So our example is ripped from the headlines:

A boxer from Algeria, Imane Khelif, won a preliminary boxing match in the Women’s Olympic boxing competition against an Italian boxer named Angela Carini. The match ended abruptly after Carini withdrew from the fight at the 43-second mark.

Carini claimed later that she had never been hit so hard in her life; the reason was that Khelif had previously been banned from competition for “failure to meet eligibility criteria for participating in the women’s competition.”

If you’re not familiar with the rest of the back story from the Olympic boxing controversy, you can read up at this link from a site called Reduxx. Also worth reading is the statement from the International Boxing Association. Some careful study of the issue is necessary and, to borrow from the line above, find some facts that don’t care about your feelings.

Using logic, here’s our best Occam’s Razor explanation.

First, how did we get to this week:

  • The Algerian Boxer was banned from competition because testing by the IBA revealed that the boxer had male sex characteristics
  • The boxer in question was raised as a female by her family, but
  • Algeria, being an Islamic country, would not have allowed for a transgender individual to compete
  • Therefore, the boxer, while raised as a female, has enough of something (either testosterone or XY chromosome or actual genitalia) to be technically biologically male.

Having been declared “male” by a governing body (the IBA) that is charged with protecting competitors, the International Olympic Committee, bowing to PR pressure, decided to reframe the argument:

  • The boxer was raised as a female
  • The boxer’s passport reads “female”
  • The IBA is not qualified to make a determination; or, more accurately, we are deemed more qualified to make a determination
  • And we cannot keep females from competition against other females.

It’s then possible to draw a dispassionate conclusion:

The Algerian Olympic Boxing Team went along with the assumption that, despite testing from a recognized governing body, they had a potential medalist on their team. The IOC went along with the assumption that keeping people from competing — despite compelling reasons to do so — is not right.

The blowback from this decision has been…severe.

That particular “tweet” (which is what we used to call a post on X, now it’s a…”post on X”) has nearly 300 million views. (Or, accurately, some people are really passionate about the issue.)

Removing Empathy, Replacing it with Logic

One explanation of a dispassionate argument is this: take out any and all empathy, replace it with logic.

Empathy, here, may ask you to feel bad for the Algerian boxer — how must she feel to be subject to this negative publicity? — and the Algerian team and the IOC for having to deal with all the scrutiny.

Logic, though, can still have you feeling bad for *at most* the Algerian boxer; it is highly likely — based on the available evidence and the recent testing from the IBA — that Khelif has something called “Differences in Sexual Development,” or DSD. Khelif should not have been allowed to proceed to the Olympics if it was determined that rules for qualification could not be met.

Tool #2: The Steel Man

The Steel Man

You’ve heard of “Straw Man” arguments — where one side completely misrepresents what the other is arguing, or refutes a different argument from the one being presented — but you may not have heard of “Steel Man” arguments.

The easiest way to explain is this: if a “Straw Man” is flimsy, think of a “Steel Man” as the opposite of flimsy. Try to find the strongest case on the opposing side of your argument, and see what holes you can poke into that case.

Using our current events example, a Steel Man argument for the Algerian boxer might go like this:

  • Khelif has been female from birth, as evidenced by photos of Khelif as a youngster wearing female clothes and presenting as a female
  • Khelif’s passport identifies her as female
  • The IBA test has remained secret and, despite the IBA ruling against Khelif’s eligibility, the IBA has since been discredited by the IOC
  • The IOC, as the governing body behind the Olympics, should be the final arbiter of fairness
  • Any perceived differences in fast-twitch muscles, strength, or stamina should be attributed to superior athletic ability and better training.

The important thing here is to use the Steel Man to try to figure out whether the other side has a good argument, and to use what you learn to potentially bolster your own.

Where To Next?

My goal here is not to tip my hand too much about how I feel about this particular situation — though you can probably guess where I fall on this issue; it’s a shame that Olympians have lost out on opportunities to compete when the IOC has failed to recognize the IBA testing, especially in a situation that logically looks like they’re letting a male compete against females — but to ask you to do two things with the next argument:

  1. Become Dispassionate. If you remove feelings — knowing that someone’s will always be hurt — and thing logically, you’ll likely have more clarity around your own point of view.
  2. Consider the Steel Man. The other side has to have some benefits to their argument, right? If you poke around and look for them, you’re likely going to find out why the other side thinks like they do. And you may even find ways to beef up your own argument.

Here’s to some clarity for us all.

Price’s Law; Or, Make Yourself Indispensable At Work

Remember Pareto’s Principle? He’s So 2006.

If you’ve been anywhere around business or business books or hustle culture or anything related to GSD (“Getting Stuff Done”) at work, you’ve heard of the Pareto Principle.

The 80/20 Rule.

80 percent of [THING] will come from 20 percent of [GROUP]. Simple, really: if you sell something, 80 percent of sales will come from 20 percent of your customers. If you take a category — like, for instance, music — you’ll find that 20 percent of the artists produce 80 percent of the songs that actually get listened to.

For a while, this was canon in business and you couldn’t go into a work meeting without trying to use that to sound smart. “Boss, why don’t we fire 80 percent of our clients so we can just sell to the 20 percent that we spend all our time with?”

This ignores…well…EVERYTHING about whatever business you’re in, but points scored for simplification!

Introducing Price’s Law

THE ECONOMY is in weird shape; Note that your job might be at risk if you aren’t deemed to be productive. However you slice that at work — look busy! be at your desk! — at some point you’re gonna start looking around and asking the question: Am I Getting Stuff Done?

Price’s Law is “stupid simple:”

The square root of the number of people in any enterprise will produce 50 percent of the productivity.

Let’s apply this to your (hypothetical) team at work and figure out what that means for you.

If it’s a small team, it of course makes sense: in a team of 4, the square root of 4 — which is 2 — will do half the work. (I was told there would be no math.)

But in a bigger team Price’s law starts to have…bigger impact.

Raising Your Hand At Work

In a (hypothetical) team of 50, let’s call the square root 7. 7 People are getting stuff done, the other 43 are working at roughly 50% capacity. In a sales-driven organization, that doesn’t bode well for the other 43.

Now start to look around: are you one of the 7?

Probably pretty easy to answer that question in a lot of organizations. You have a little success on a project and then you have another project assigned to you. You open the door to sell something to a company and all of a sudden that company asks you to help them solve a different problem. You write a piece for the company blog and it clicks and then management realizes you should do more blog writing.

You are pretty obviously one of the 7.

Making Sure Your Department Is Productive, Too

Your job as “one of the 7” is pretty important when management starts to look to…well, how do we say this…cut the dead weight. These are sometimes the “get me the low performers” discussions, but they, too, are sometimes the “which departments can we do without?” discussions.

Yeah, that’s right. If marketing isn’t producing, marketing can easily be cut. Well, let me edit that: If marketing isn’t seen to be producing, marketing can easily be cut.

Your goal, then, as one of the 7 is to make sure that your department works on — and ONLY on — high-impact projects. If 20 of the other 43 are assigned to the Penske File and all they’re doing is moving the contents to an accordion-style file folder, that’s a low-impact project. If the other 23 are working on monthly TPS reports that don’t go anywhere, that’s a low-impact project.

Your Book of Business

It’s an insurance industry thing: the Book of Business. Or your portfolio. You should have a sense at all times of what that means for your personal situation: what are the clients you’re bringing in and/or responsible for? What are the projects that you are working on and how are they tied to the business and its bottom line?

What is your department doing on those days when they’re not planning or navel-gazing or working on Penske Files and TPS reports?

Your Book of Business should actually be yours. You should be able to discern where you have the most impact, and, if they show you the door, you should be able to say “hey, I was one of the 7 and here’s how.”

Or you should be able to say “here’s what the other 43 were working on, it added no value, I helped with the things over here that did add value, and I’m indispensable.”

You can thank Mr. Price.

Editor’s Note: This post originally appeared on Dave’s Substack on March 3, 2024.

The Top Ten Songs of 2023

We’re counting them down, just like Casey Kasem. We’ve done this before — here’s a link to last year’s post: Top Ten Songs of 2022 — and we like to think we keep up with the trends, within reason.

Please note a couple things from your friendly wannabe music critic:

  1. I rarely listen to terrestrial radio for music. When I do, since I’m in suburban Chicago, it’s either the alternative station or the rock station or the…whatever that other combination alternative and rock station is. (That reminds me of a song from a band called Das Racist.)
  2. I get most of my new music from a SiriusXM channel called “SiriusXMU,” with “Alt Nation” coming in second. (Yes, Pearl Jam Radio is one of the presets, too.) Shout out to Josiah.
  3. I trend away from anything related to Taylor Swift. Nothing against those who love Taylor, but…I really can’t get into her music.
  4. I listen to a good chunk of what I find on YouTube and what I see on Twitter.
  5. Finally, I get music recommendations from a chap I call “Canadian Steve;” he’s the one who broke down Oasis for the blog. Sometimes it’s an email that should be a Substack, and sometimes it’s a WhatsApp message. Probably the guy more of a sense of what’s going on with the combination of Alternative, Rock, Pop Rock, Indie, and Everything Else than anyone I know.

Before we hit the Top Ten, here are the Honorable Mentions, ranked (a), (b), (c), (d), and (e) for no reason.

HM(a). Queens of the Stone Age, “Emotion Sickness”

On my list of all-time favorite bands, QOTSA is up there. But, as we’ve pointed out before — notably in our piece on Rolling Stone’s list of 500 songs — “favorite” and “best” are often two different things. And that’s where I land on this particular QOTSA piece: one of my favorite bands hasn’t done its best work here. It’s a song that’s…fine. It sounds a little too much like other QOTSA stuff, and now they’re on the fine line between “Distinctive Sound” and “Every Song Sounds the Same.” But…well, we’re gonna keep listening to the album and here’s the track in question.

HM(b). Nilufer Yanya, “L/R”

This one gets an Honorable Mention mostly because I didn’t discover this song until 2023, but it was released in 2022. Nilufer Yanya is from England and of Turkish, Irish, and Barbadian descent. This song is pretty darn good and would have made last year’s Top Ten had I known it existed. (Shame on me.)

HM(c). Vacations, “Midwest”

For a band that calls its kind of music “Woozy guitar pop,” and is from Australia, why are they singing about places like Colorado? Dunno. Nice song here.

HM(d). Men I Trust, “Billie Toppy”

We like Canadians. You’ll see that below. In this case, a French Canadian band that released a song in September of 2022. It became an earworm for this reporter late last year and throughout a good portion of this year, too. Can’t chart it due to a technicality because it was last year, but oh well. We have our principles here. It’s a darn good tune.

HM(e). Maneskin, “Honey (Are You Coming?)”

What’s NOT to love about an Italian band with a Scandinavian name? This song is brand-spanking new…to me at least. But the radio station and Alt Nation are both giving it the “here’s the brand new song from Maneskin” treatment at the end of November, so let’s go with that. It’s a hoot. Big fun. Had to make the list as an Honorable Mention.

That’s enough of the Honorable Mentions, especially if we want to hit our December 1 publish date. Let’s go…Top Ten time!

10. Little Dragon, “Slugs of Love”

Clever dance-ish pop/alternative track from a band called Little Dragon. I dig, you may as well. Enjoy.

9. The Beaches, “Blame Brett”

Dave, what is it with you and Canadians? This all-female outfit from Toronto is back with its fourth album, Blame My Ex, and this particular track has picked up steam in the US, ending up on the playlist of at least one of the Chicago stations (and reaching 35 on the US Alt charts).

8. Noah Kahan, “Dial Drunk”

This song got some major airplay in 2023, and I’ll admit to being late to the party. But the lyrics! Dangit, this is a tragic story. Watch the lyric video and feel for the guy.

7. Lovejoy, “Call Me What You Like”

This song is pure fun. Lovejoy probably has the second-most mainstream success (or maybe third-most) of any song on this particular list — you’ll see when we talk up number one — and this song got all the way to number 5 on three charts, including LTU, which is “Lithuania.” There’s a joke there, possibly from the movie “Singles.”

6. Suede, “The Sadness in You, The Sadness in Me”

Pretty much every year I’ve been doing this, a song drops late in the year, stops me in my tracks, and makes the list. (Happened last year, take a look here: 2022 Top Ten.) Suede did the trick and I heard this song for the first time right before Thanksgiving and Oh. My. Goodness.

5. Brigitte Calls Me Baby, “Impressively Average”

There’s a band from Chicago channeling The Smiths? IN THIS ECONOMY?

4. Depeche Mode, “Ghosts Again”

What amazes me about Depeche Mode is how they can release something that sounds simultaneously like it’s fresh AND from 1990. Stunning in its beauty and its pain, this song is downright phenomenal.

Now…time for a female-dominated Top Three.

3. Cherry Glazerr, “Ready for You”

This song went into heavy rotation as soon as I heard it. It shall stay in heavy rotation likely for the next couple years.

2. Blondshell, “Salad”

I spent most of 2023 thinking it would be impossible to hear a better song this year. And, were it not for the top song (according to me), this could have been the year for Blondshell.

But let’s face it, this probably WAS the year for Blondshell. For instance, a network television debut on Jimmy Fallon’s program (below). Criminally underwatched — only 45K views? WHAT? — but a slick live performance. A tour (that I missed because I was traveling). A debut album that clocked in at Number 11 on Rolling Stone’s list of the Top 100 Albums of 2023. And freaking moxie, people.

“Look what you did, you’ll make a killer of a Jewish girl” is the line that caused the multiple rewinds of this song (thanks, SiriusXMU).

TBH, the lyric video is preferred in my book because you can see how good a songwriter Ms. Teitelbaum is. Three links below (Fallon, official video, lyric video).

https://youtu.be/nUiFV1v674Q?si=37_49w6ZCe2h3MPG

Also, before we get to the Number One Song (According to Dave) of 2023, might make sense to give you the last couple years’ picks. Eh? (Because everyone should have a ten-year plan, I’m already charting “Top Songs of the 2020s.” Set a calendar item for 12/1/2029.)

The Top Song of 2022: Hemlocke Springs, “Girlfriend”

Yeah, this was the Top Song of 2022. Now, 2.9 Million Views Later…Still slaps.

The Top Song of 2021: Glass Animals, “Space Ghost Coast to Coast”

Before “Heat Waves” became a hit but actually after “Heat Waves” was released…

The Top Song of 2020: The Districts, “Cheap Regrets”

If pressed, this is the Best Song of the Decade (So Far). Released during the height of the pandemic — a pandemic that robbed us of so many live music experiences — were I to check my YouTube stats, this would no doubt be my most played since 1/1/2020. The video is awesome, the vibe is off the charts, the guitar is crazy good, the lyrics stick with you — “Didn’t know what a mirror was til I went to LA/Jacuzzis, an Uzi, a Land Rover ride/That’s what the money’s for/Bikinis, Bellinis, and pate” — and if any song cost-justified SiriusXM and my ability to rewind and hit play over and over in my Kia, this was the song.

Now, without further ado…

1. The Last Dinner Party, “Nothing Matters”

A debut single off a forthcoming album from a band that just launched getting this much street cred? Something MUST be amiss. The Guardian breaks down the brouhaha here.

But they toured, they opened for — Brits like to say “supported,” but that reminds me a little too much of David Brent supporting Texas (the band, not the state; IYKYK) — Florence and the Machine, and they’ve been really REALLY busy on that side of the pond. And the hype is, indeed, warranted.

The Last Dinner Party’s single, “Nothing Matters,” has everything you were looking for in a launch into the stratosphere. Justin Hawkins — who, we assume, STILL believes in a thing called love — hilariously breaks it all down (video below).

To wit, the video is macbre enough, and goofy enough, to work.

The song might be the catchiest thing you’ll hear this year. It’s already getting airplay in Chicago — edited, of course — and it’s just this band’s FIRST SINGLE.

Below, enjoy Justin Hawkins’ video (NSFW: Blue Language), then the band’s official video (NSFW: Blue Language), followed by a SFW performance for the BBC.

It’s the Song of the Year. At least, according to me.

There you have it. Let the debate begin!

A Holiday Blog Post About AI Strategy for Marketers

Your holiday season would not be complete without an obligatory blog post that tells you how artificial intelligence can make your holiday marketing and PR content better. That’s right, there’s no sense in doing everything yourself. Automate! Use AI!

For instance, you could go to Bard, like I just did, and type in a prompt like this:

Oh my, this is gonna be brilliant. Here’s suggestion 1 of 7 — SEVEN!!! — to help you along:

1. Embrace nostalgia and evoke emotions

Taylor Swift is known for her ability to tap into nostalgia, and her holiday campaigns are no exception. She often references holiday traditions and classic Christmas songs, which resonates with her fans and makes them feel connected to her.

For your own holiday content, consider using nostalgic imagery and language to evoke emotions in your audience. You can also use storytelling to create a sense of warmth and connection.

Disclaimer: The above was written by AI. I couldn’t come up with something so banal by myself. I need inspiration.

But wait, it gets better…here’s item number 5. Because you can always shoehorn SOCIAL MEDIA into your holiday content!

5. Leverage social media to reach a wider audience

Taylor Swift is a social media pro, and she uses her platforms effectively to promote her holiday campaigns. She often shares photos, videos, and exclusive content on her social media channels, which helps her reach a wider audience and generate buzz.

To maximize the reach of your holiday content, make sure you’re promoting it on your social media channels. Use relevant hashtags, share engaging content, and run contests and giveaways to attract attention.

Disclaimer: Okay, enough already. Seriously.

Another Tip: Become the Master of Absurdity

Yes, you should try to weave in as much absurdity in your Holiday Marketing. Is it absurd to consider the Bing AI Generator to…

Well, first you need to start with Thanksgiving, and Football, and the old phrase “Stick a Fork in [INSERT TEAM NAME], they’re done!].” Ask AI to create an image like this…

And the winner is…

Thanksgiving’s Over, Move on to Black Friday

Oh, this is gonna get good.

If you follow our Substack, you might have seen that we’ve played around enough with AI to figure out that the image maker thing can’t spell. In this case, you spot it “Black” and “Friday” and it somehow finds a way to fail.

Or it drops a couple letters.

But at least the ad looks sorta modern.

What’s The Point?

Everywhere you turn, you seem to see something or someone telling you that generative AI is going to change your life for the better, immediately. And sure, being able to run tons of options through a machine is great, or asking for a machine to create a bunch of words that you can then turn around and make mad bank from is also great.

Until it’s not great. Until you outsource the thinking. Until you just phone it in.

My Absurdity Playground of AI Imagery — I should consider trademarking the phrase “Absurdity Playground” — hasn’t been done for any other reason than amusement. I’m trying to push the limits of absurdity and using AI to do that and it’s semi-clever, but I never plan on “going pro” at it.

So there’s the point: if you want to really make things happen at work — especially as a professional marketer, PR person, or communicator — you need to focus on asking this question:

What Business Problem Are We Trying to Solve?

Are you trying to churn out better content? Great. What problem will that solve? Do you need to book more appointments, or 10x your sales?

Oh, it’s about “Thought Leadership!” That’s the business problem you’re trying to solve, right? Being “out there” as a “thought leader!” Great. Are your thoughts original? If not, are they researched? Do they have a point of view? Or are they just…banal, trying to leverage the next big thing?

Here’s the Advice: Blocking and Tackling

Table stakes for the communicator: there needs to be a reason to do what you do, or else you’re just an order taker, filling out forms, generating words and images to make the bosses happy.

Figure out why you’re doing what you’re doing and things will go a lot more smoothly.

Also, be sure to know how to spell and use punctuation.

Breaking Down the Band: Three Fans Talk About The Best Shows, Albums, and Songs from Oasis, Radiohead, and Pearl Jam

As I was getting ready for Pearl Jam Week in Chicago, a couple things dawned on me. One: I’ve seen this band more often than any other band (north of ten times, lost count). Two: I have opinions.

So I thought I would take to the keyboard and throw down a few opinions. Then I thought of a couple other friends and their most-seen bands and I asked them to do the same. John Puccio will break down Radiohead and Stephen Barrigar does the same with Oasis.

Here goes. First up, Stephen with Oasis.

Stephen Barrigar

Artist – Oasis

Number of Times Seen in Concert

I’d have to guess 7. I saw them on the Definitely Maybe tour, when they didn’t know anything and couldn’t give a shit about the crowd. I saw them 3 times on the Morning Glory tour, when they were becoming rock gods and couldn’t give a shit about the crowd. I saw them once on the Be Here Now tour when they were rock gods and didn’t give a shit about the crowd. And then a couple times over the next ten-ish years. Noel Gallagher just had a tour this summer and while a bunch of my friends went, I’m of the mind I’m good. I’m too old and too grumpy and don’t really give a shit about the band anymore.

Here’s a link to them playing Glastonbury in 1994 before the debut album. 

Best Song

I don’t know but sake of argument let’s say “Supersonic.” There’s something about it that is so confident. The video was made for 10 bucks, with all members of the band needing an eyebrow tweezing, some buddy who had access to a roof of a building and some stock footage… but at its core it’s great. . 

(Although It’s basically a rip off of Marc Bolan at the height of his powers.)

Who am I kidding, their best song is “Acquiesce.” The B-side to the not-as-excellent “Some Might Say.” The video for “Acquiesce” is another fine example of Oasis not giving a shit about their fans. But if I had to describe Oasis with a song, it would be “Acquiesce.”   

Best Album

Definitely Maybe (1994) by a nose over (What’s the Story) Morning Glory? (1995). Both albums are amazing, 5 stars, and must-owns if you enjoyed music in the mid-90s, but the top seven of DM:

“Supersonic”
“Live Forever”
“Slide Away”
“Rock n Roll Star”
“Cigarettes and Alcohol”
“Columbia”
“Shakermaker” 

Are slightly better than MG:
“Champagne Supernova”
“Don’t Look Back in Anger”
“Some Might Say”
“Wonderwall”
“Roll With It”
“She’s Electric”
“Morning Glory”

Most Cliched Song (Or Overplayed Or Overrated)

“Wonderwall.” Good song, yes, but considering what was available, really, this is the song that broke them in America? His voice is super nasally, it’s just not great. Here’s a test I like to do: try listening to anyone sing it in karaoke. Even the most crap song is fun karaoke; except everyone tries to sing “Wonderwal”l like Liam sings “Wonderwall.” It’s unbearable. “Said maybeeeeeee, gonna be the one that saves meeeeeeeee.” 

Not that I’m saying ugh, but I’m kinda saying ugh. And it’s definitely overplayed and overrated compared to the rest of the album. 

Most Underrated Song

“Fade Away,” the unappreciated B-Side to “Cigarettes and Alcohol,” remains an excellent mix of noise, guitars, and messed up drumming. Honestly, listen to the speed of the drumming, it’s like he’s purposely trying to go faster than the lyrics. 

Most Underrated Album

Definitely Maybe only went to #58 in the US and eventually would sell 1 million copies – what? That’s crazy. Get your shit together America, were you too busy buying “Bad Dog” t-shirts and listening to Deadeye Dick? 

Best Song Released in the Past Ten Years

Well the band broke up 15 years ago, so we’re still waiting on the will they or won’t they, but here’s something from High Flying Birds that is good. What a Life. 

Best Song from Their Worst Album

“D’you Know What I Mean.” In a collection of ridiculous coke-filled (supposedly) 5+ minute songs, “D’You Know What I Mean” remains a superb wall of guitars and swagger that the summer of 1997 needed. What a banger! This is the kind of video you release if you believe you are the biggest band in the world. 

Be Here Now (1997) remains a perfect music example of being surrounded by “yes” men. Noone said, hey Noel, maybe not so many 7+ minute songs. “Hey Noel, everything is great and all, but where are the singles?” It actually makes me a little mad, because they released D’You Know What I Mean and I couldn’t be more excited. Radiohead had just released OK Computer and now here is another UK band about to release a juggernaut third album and it ended up being a turd. 

Song of Theirs You Need to Hear Live

Winter 1995, they came out in a club of about 300 people and hit us with “Rock n Roll Star.” And my friends and I lost our shit. 

Best Cover Version of One of Their Songs

After me shitting on “Wonderwall” above and saying it’s meh, it’s kinda funny that I come back with a cover of “Wonderwall” as the cover. Ryan Adams’s version of “Wonderwall” is significantly stripped down and, dare I say, superior to the original. 

Best Song That They Cover Live

I don’t know of any song they cover live, but isn’t “Whatever” just a ripoff of any Beatles song.? I do love this sound bite from George Harrison about Liam. 

Best Concert

For me nothing will beat the first show, but I would assume that people who went to see them at Knebworth in 1996 are pretty happy about that decision. 

John Puccio

Artist – Radiohead

Number of Times Seen in Concert

Eight, including the last time Radiohead performed live, five years ago in Philadelphia. 

Best Song

Bodysnatchers is a song I described in ranking the Ten Greatest Songs of All-time. I stand by what I wrote in this space two years ago: 

It begins with a sustained hard rhythm. The tempo steadily increases as the cacophony builds, the beat shifts, shifts again until it reaches a frenetic climax that leaves you exhausted. It’s then you realize, this song is the sonic equivalent to the greatest fuck you ever had.

Honorable mention: Fake Plastic Trees. For a band not known for their lyrics, this song is a haunting, poetic gutpunch. Gravity always wins.

Best Album

Why not ask me which is Bernini’s best sculpture!?!? 

Difficult to say definitively, but you can narrow it down to four: 

  • The Bends (1995) the perfect rock album; 
  • OK Computer (1997) the perfect concept album; 
  • Kid A (2000) their most important/influential album and: 
  • In Rainbows (2007) the quintessential Radiohead album. The LP where the band reached the peak of their powers and brought everything together. 

So for that reason, I’d say In Rainbows is Radiohead’s ‘best’ album. There is not one weak track on the LP and its 2nd disc is also full of some amazing songs. 

But there is no wrong answer among these four. They are differently exceptional. It all depends on your taste and what you value most. The first two are far more “accessible” to the masses. 

The sonic complexity of the later two require multiple listens to be fully appreciated. Many people can’t get past the clicks, blips and squishes. Radiohead can sound weird to the uninitiated. But that’s their loss. Having a Radiohead song unlock and reveal itself on that 3rd or 4th listen is a pretty remarkable thing to experience. And yes, I realize that sounds strange, but it happens! I digress…

PS: Apollo & Daphne is probably Bernini’s greatest work.

Most Cliched Song (Or Overplayed Or Overrated)

Karma Police is easily the most cliche Radiohead song. But it is an excellent track, so I wouldn’t say it’s overrated. Definitely was overplayed back in the day.

Most Underrated Song

Another easy one for me: Palo Alto. If this song was included on OK Computer (as it should have been) and/or released as a single with a video, it could have been a late-90s rock anthem. But it wasn’t, so few people know it. Thanks for asking, thanks for asking…

Most Underrated Album

Amnesiac. Unfairly overshadowed by Kid A. At its heart, it’s really a jazz album more than anything else. This band has no boundaries. Don’t believe me? Listen to Life In a Glass House.

Best Song Released in the Past Ten Years

Present Tense. A song that can actually be classified as ‘hopeful’ – a rarity in the catalog. 

Best Song from Their Worst Album

Creep is universally loved, even by philistines who hate Radiohead. If in 150 years Radiohead is remembered, it will be for this song. Ironically, it’s on their first and worst album Pablo Honey. 

Song of Theirs You Need to Hear Live

The National Anthem and Paranoid Android are borderline religious experiences.

Best Cover Version of One of Their Songs

Creep has been covered countless times in countless ways. I like the Postmodern Jukebox version. But what if Frank Sinatra sang it???

https://youtu.be/U4FjlynlHaI?si=M4Lt0XazaVlRqTUT

Best Song That They Cover Live

I’m not sure I have ever heard Radiohead cover another artist live. But they did cover Carly Simon’s Nobody Does It Better back in the 90s, and it’s really good. 

Best Concert

The next one. If there is a next one. 

Dave Van de Walle

Artist – Pearl Jam

Number of Times Seen in Concert

I guess 10, but that might be an exaggeration. There was Chicago at (The Stadium Formerly Known As) Soldier Field (more on that below), and United Center (maybe just once before 2023). 4 of 5 Wrigley Field shows. Once in Troy, Wisconsin. Once in the outskirts of Indianapolis – great show, traffic management makes Burning Man look okay by comparison – and once in Saint Louis. Oh and Summerfest in Milwaukee.

Okay, maybe it is 10. Fitting, right? (But that was before this week. So now it’s 12.)

Best Song

This will surprise no one who knows me: the list starts and finishes with “Corduroy.” I wrote about it when we did our bit on Rolling Stone’s list of the best songs ever. I stand by my decision. But I respect those who have other opinions: tons of iconic songs could be considered their best-ever.

(If you have a few hours to invest, here’s the complete Rolling Stone list.)

Best Album

Vitalogy (1994) gets mentioned as their best – I see the argument – but for my money it’s a tie between Ten (1991) and Vs. (1993). And those two are up there for a cross between sentimentality – Ten dropped my Senior year of college; Vs. was released on the very day I started my first-ever Chicago gig – and pure numbers, as Ten had six singles that charted in the Top 40 on the US Mainstream Rock charts while Vs. had five.

Most Cliched Song (Or Overplayed Or Overrated)

This is a tough one for me. The only song of theirs that I truly, truly dislike is “Last Kiss,” and that’s not even their song. So I run to the bathroom if they play that live.

Overrated? Not sure. Cliched? Not sure there, either; “Alive” kinda became a cliché right after the death of Kurt Cobain, but it’s actually my “gateway” PJ song and takes me back to college.

So I’m going to go with “Overplayed.” And not in a bad way: “Even Flow” has been played more often in concert, according to stats from setlist.fm, than any other PJ song.

This video remains cool as heck. I’ll go with “Even Flow.”

Most Underrated Song

In 2006, the band released the self-titled “Avocado” album and the sublime “Army Reserve” never gets radio airplay, it seems, but it’s outstanding.

Most Underrated Album

Yield (1998) is a sentimental hit for me because it was one of the cassettes that was in the car when we brought our eldest daughter home. But it’s also an album that is top-to-bottom rock-freaking-solid. (Enjoy “Do the Evolution.” “Admire me, admire my home/Admire my son, he’s my clone.”)

Best Song Released in the Past Ten Years

Gigaton (2020) won the Bad Timing Award for 2020 – tying with every NCAA basketball program – as it was released on March 27, 2020. “Dance of the Clairvoyants” is a great, dance-ish, rock-and-roll tune.

Best Song from Their Worst Album

No Code (1996) is considered their worst album and it’s…not bad. And, to be honest, I would actually consider “Hail Hail” one of their most underrated songs. (But it’s not completely underrated, as evidenced by the fact that David Letterman had the band perform it during his “commercial-free” program in the 90s. (British folks would respond with “oh, so a typical BBC program.”)

It’s darn amazing in the 21st century, too, here’s a version from a concert in Vienna.  

Song of theirs You Need to Hear Live

“Better Man.” Not really because I like the song, but because there’s something about the crowd singing most of the first couple verses while Eddie lets them take center stage.

Best Cover Version of One of Their Songs

Did you know that Aaron Lewis from Staind once covered Black? It’s darn good. And it happened ages ago, during something called The Family Values Tour.

Best Song That They Cover Live

The band loves The Who. Baba O’Riley, live, often when the lights are up and it’s just about time to go home, is an experience.

Best Concert

This one is a tie: (1a) Soldier Field, July 11, 1995 (!). Before Soldier Field became That Spaceship from V That Landed On Top of Soldier Field. Cure Stefon from Saturday Night Live.

“This show had everything.

  • The stage from the last show Jerry Garcia ever did, complete with discarded joints
  • Security shooting water from water cannons at spectators because it was 100 degrees
  • Eddie telling the crowd that the billboards for the Alternative station that read ‘This Is Not For You’ were ironic because the song ‘Not For You’ was ‘not for them.’”

(1b) Wrigley Field, August 20, 2016. The first of two sold-out shows in a stadium that would become Eddie’s home away from home during the Cubs’ World Series run that Fall. Again, here’s Stefon. “This show had everything:

  • Me getting a fist bump from Tom Ricketts (after seeing him come up the aisle and saying ‘Hey, Tom, how bout a fist bump?’)
  • Me bawling while superfan Steve Gleason takes the stage to tell us ‘I feel fucking awesome’
  • Dennis Rodman.”

Also, the winners of the Great Timing Award for 2016 would be absolutely everyone associated with this show and the Just Play Two movie that came out, documenting the shows and the Cubs’ World Series Championship (which, we need to remind you, definitely happened).

Humblebrag: my wife and I were at Game Five (our view for part of the game is below). So was Eddie, who didn’t really sing the 7th Inning Stretch, but turned it over to a tape of Harry Caray singing the 7th Inning Stretch.

There You Have It…

Three iconic bands. Two experts and…well, me. Your thoughts are welcome.

Your Top Ten Songs of 2022

There used to be a record store on the North Side of Chicago — and we’re talking actual “North Side” in that it was on Ridge Avenue and not far from a neighborhood called West Ridge and in an uber-ethnic area that was next to another uber-ethnic area — that never changed the letters in the sign on its billboard. It was a not a marketing message, not even really a request; it was a mandate.

“PULL OVER AND GET NEW MUSIC.”

So we issue this request, nay mandate, that you should stop everything you’re doing, pull over, and enjoy these…ten songs that made our list in 2022.

First, A Couple Caveats

I can’t hear everything. Lord knows I’ve tried; I can, however, thank the fine folks at SiriusXMU, Q101 (which is FINALLY back), and my dear friend “Canadian Steve” for their consistent presence in my ears.

Also, I’m just a middle-aged guy who grew up on Top 40, got into some random “alternative” stuff in college, and really hasn’t slowed in my search for the next new thing. This list will be more rock/pop/indie/alternative than “OMG Taylor’s Midnights is AMAZING.”

And, Before We Start The List…The ‘2022 Payola Prize’ Goes To…

Anyone else remember the band “fun.”? What struck me as obvious then was how often fun. got played, how incredibly average their “Tonight, We Are Young” song was, and how the radio people fawned all over their every move. It was obvious that there was some sort of “payola” going on.

Spinning through the channels of SiriusXM, it’s obvious to me that we have a new monosyllabic recipient of…well, if it isn’t payola it sure is a sense of over-hyped-ness that reminds this reporter of fun.

Here’s the band “TALK” with a song called “Run Away to Mars.” I said what I said.

Now, the list.

10. Foals, “2am”

Yannis remains dreamy. Not their best song, actually, but the best of theirs that was released in 2022. Fans (or followers or friends) might recall that their “Mountain at My Gates” made my best songs ever list.

Catch them live, will ya?

9. Maneskin, “Supermodel”

A decent amount of fun slammed together with a dose of “what the heck did I just hear?” seems to be the formula for Maneskin, an Italian (?!) band that was formed in 2016 and is up for a GRAMMY for Best New Artist (of course, because it’s the GRAMMYs).

8. Interpol, “Something Changed”

Interpol is back, baby.

One of the seminal acts of the early 2000s, the mysterious Paul Banks and his cohorts — but let’s face it, Interpol takes the lead from its lead singer and its lead singer is a rather befuddling combination of good looks, charm and gravitas — still have it.

7. Lord Huron, “Your Other Life”

This song is chilling, haunting, a little sad, and maybe matches my 2022 mood. Lord Huron is an acquired taste, granted; but it works in an alt-country way. Thumbs up to the song, thumbs down to the general 2022 mood.

BONUS TRACK: Pinar Toprak, “Prime Video Sports Theme”

Sorry not sorry: now number 2 or 3 in the rankings of all-time football theme music. (Though the games have mostly been duds.)

6. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, “Burning”

Speaking of alternative darlings and comebacks (see Interpol above), Yeah Yeah Yeahs are back and there was no question a song would crack our Top Ten. The winner is this one, but see the Honorable Mentions below for another great tune.

5. Yot Club, “u dont know me”

This song has to be from 1992, right? I found it on a collection of CD singles with the name of “Stanley, Son of Theodore” or on one of those Warner collections that was colloquially called a “Bugs Bunny CD?”

Nope. 2022. Dang. Fun song with enough of a throwback vibe.

4. Beach Bunny, “Oxygen”

I feel like we might be cheating a little here, as this song was released in late 2021. But — and again, pals over at Q101 gave this heavy airplay this year — if it charted this year and it’s darn awesome, maybe we cut it some slack.

3. Gorillaz f/Thundercat, “Cracker Island”

If you want to feel old, these guys (Gorillaz) have been around since 1998.

Thundercat adds the bass here. Catchy as any Gorillaz song.

2. Bartees Strange, “Heavy Heart”

Thanks to SiriusXMU for this one; Bartees is a favorite of theirs and rightly so. Great mix of rock, soul, and funk and a random nod to one of my favorite towns (“We should go to Toronto more often”). This song got played and replayed on YouTube by me perhaps more than any other 2022 ditty.

SONG OF THE YEAR:

1. Hemlocke Springs, “Girlfriend”

So you’re telling me that the Song of the Year dropped a video 11 days ago?

Here’s the thing: If you hear a song for the first time while you’re driving and you immediately need to pull over and stop the car, then you hustle inside and Google the artist and find the video on YouTube and play it over and over all afternoon…you don’t care if the song just dropped. It’s my Song of the Year.

Hemlocke Springs gives me the impression that she is simultaneously a college student (true: here’s a biographical piece from Rolling Stone) and was listening to pop tracks in 1987 (like, Pebbles, or NuShooz, or Pretty Poison). The lyrics are nuts — in a good way, as the bonus lyric video below tells us; “You say I want to be your girlfriend/It wasn’t really in my plans/When you’re around I got arrhythmia/So in the end I play pretend” — and the synthesizer and her voice and everything about this song tells me this is not the last we’ll hear of Hemlocke Springs.

Honorable Mention Bonus Tracks:

Rosa Linn, “Snap”

Rema & Selena Gomez, “Calm Down”

Smashing Pumpkins, “Beguiled” (good, but not good enough to make the Top Ten)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs f/Perfume Genius, “Spitting Off the Edge of the World”

Why Rolling Stone’s List of Greatest Songs Ever Doesn’t Suck

One of the great maxims of my life has been the following: “Trust your gut, but DON’T conflate your initial reaction with your gut reaction.” E.g. you meet someone at first and you’re thrown off by something; then you realize that your initial reaction — “hey, this dude is over the top crazy!” — morphs over time into “this dude knows his stuff.”

Thus, a few weeks back, when Rolling Stone came out with its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, the first reaction of shock and awe was replaced, in my book, with a gut feel that…well, if you asked 50 different people (which Rolling Stone did) what their 50 greatest songs were, you’d get a pretty random list.

So with this post we thought we’d set out to show how random a list you could get, and how objective musical tastes can be across the board.

Top Ten Songs of All Time

We reached out to some fellow music lovers and ended up with a few completely different Top Ten All-Time Greatest Songs lists. We even created a hashtag, #TopTenSongs.

So here we go:

John Puccio, Communications Consultant

10. Everclear, ‘Santa Monica‘

The lyrics describe many people’s attitudes about the current state of affairs in this country. Especially mine. I, too, want to live beside the ocean and watch the world die. Is it timeless or just timely? No idea. Do I overvalue songs that change tempo, start slow and build momentum? Do I pose too many questions? Perhaps, but if you don’t like this song, we can’t be friends.

9. Blondie, ‘Heart of Glass‘

Is it disco? Is it new wave? Does it matter? It’s Debbie Harry, and she is perfect. As the kids say, this song slaps. Also, Debbie Harry.

8. INXS, ‘New Sensation‘ 

Does it have killer guitar riffs? Check. Drum machine? Check. A saxophone? Check. Semi-androgynous lead singer with a Jim Morrison vibe? You’re goddamn right it does!  It’s 1987 and INXS rules. People forget, but this band was ubiquitous for about 2 1/2 years in the late 80s and this song captures the zeitgeist of that time like no other. This despite sounding as if it were recorded yesterday.  

7. U2, ‘Sunday Bloody Sunday‘

Is that an electric fiddle being played under the driving military drum beat? Brilliant nuance to a song describing war-torn Northern Ireland during the Troubles. How long must we sing this song? If anyone remembers U2 one-hundred years from now, it will be for this track. Bonus points for it being recorded before Bono became an insufferable douchebag.

6. Radiohead, ‘Bodysnatchers‘

It begins with a sustained hard rhythm. The tempo steadily increases as the cacophony builds, the beat shifts, shifts again until it reaches a frenetic climax that leaves you exhausted. It’s then you realize, this song is the sonic equivalent to the greatest fuck you ever had.

5. Pearl Jam, ‘Black‘

It is the summer of 1993. It’s 2am in the kitchen of a beach house full of college kids. This song comes on and a few start singing along. They are quickly joined by others and soon everyone in the house is belting this song out in unison. A communal experience that no one present will ever forget. Black is the greatest song of the grunge era, It was, is, and forever shall be, the anthem of Generation X. 

4. Audioslave, ‘Like A Stone‘

Truly great songs can be rearranged drastically and still be brilliant. This is such a song. As arranged originally by the hard rock supergroup, it delivers perfectly with Rage Against the Machine supporting lead singer Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, the greatest voice of 90s hard rock (RIP). Tom Morello does Tom Morello things and the song rocks hard until the end of the bridge – where it breaks into a slow acoustic ballad of melancholic regret. Of all the great songs Soundgarden and RATM individually produced, they never surpassed the achievement of this collaborative track.

3. Bob Dylan, ‘Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright‘

This song is the first of two in a row that are poetry set to music, but you could say that about every song Bob Dylan ever wrote. The Nobel Prize committee agrees. But of all of his brilliant work, none cut quite to the bone like this song about the end of a relationship. Covered countless times but never delivered better than the version he originally recorded. People think breaking up with Taylor Swift is dangerous, but if Dylan ever wrote a song about you (Positively 4th Street, Idiot Wind, etc.), you’d need actual stitches for all the phrases that drew blood.

2. The Shirelles, ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow‘

Written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin and perfectly delivered by the Shirelles with the help of swelling strings, this song is as beautiful as it is heart-wrenching. Besides the raw emotion of a young woman’s vulnerability and the listener’s knowledge that she is about to be lied to and have her heart broken, the song was downright subversive for America in 1960. Good girls were not even supposed to contemplate such things, let alone ask the question. This song is, also, poetry set to gorgeous music.  

1. The Beach Boys, ‘God Only Knows‘

Produced by musical savant Brian Wilson, lyrics written by the indispensable Tony Asher, sung by the Wilson/Love clan, and backed by the legendary studio musicians known as the Wrecking Crew – God Only Knows is the closest thing that exists to a perfect pop song. It takes balls to start a love song with the line “I may not always love you” but the irony works in a song where the protagonist is trying to convince himself that his existence is not hopeless without her. Of course, he knows that is not true. From the album that inspired the Beatles to make Sergeant Pepper – Pet Sounds was the last great work by the Beach Boys. The transatlantic competition between the two groups was never a fair fight: Lennon, McCarthy and producer George Martin versus an outnumbered Brian Wilson. If Mike Love were your sounding board, you’d have a nervous breakdown too.

Honorable Mentions:

“February Seven” – Avett Brothers; “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” – Tears For Fears; “Brilliant Disguise” – Bruce Springsteen; “Sultans of Swing” – Dire Straits; “Cathy’s Clown” – Everly Brothers; “Dancing Queen” – ABBA; “Psycho Killer” – Talking Heads; “Australia” – The Shins; “Heroes” – David Bowie; “Father and Son” – Cat Stevens; “Thunderclouds” – Sia, Diplo & Labrinth; “The Way” – Fastball

Anonymous Bob

Note that Anonymous Bob is a pseudonym for someone who chose to remain anonymous.

10. Fitz and The Tantrums, Don’t Gotta Work It Out

These guys had precisely ONE good album and it was a doozy.

9. The Producers, ‘Operation‘

The Producers Obligatory Atlanta shoutout – pick your own favorite Producers song – fine with me. Drummer Bryan Holmes is a monster. He’s bringing Neal Peart chops to three minute pop songs.

8. Failure, ‘Sergeant Politeness‘

7. Bleu, ‘Feet Don’t Fail‘

Acceptable substitutes include anything Jellyfish ever did. Throwing this one out there because his album “Redhead” is perfect. Skip everything he did after.

6. Metallica Damage, Inc.

Metallica Track down some raw board tapes of Hetfield playing live in his prime and you’ll be reminded he is a different breed.

5. Steely Dan, ‘The Fez‘

Sex hat song. Yessir.

4. Joni Mitchell, ‘All I Want‘

I didn’t figure out Joni until I was 35 and that’s a lot of missed time.

3. Mase, Feel So Good

2. The Beatles,’Blackbird‘

Picking the best Beatles tune is stupid but this one has a unique vibe…also, I can play this particularly well and it’s scored me some tail.

1. George Gershwin, ‘Rhapsody in Blue‘

America’s best song.

John Simley, Communications Executive

10. Blue Oyster Cult, ‘(Don’t Fear) The Reaper‘

This could make the list purely on the strength of the production, especially the miking of the drums. Add to that the great guitar riff that runs all through the song.

9. Jethro Tull, ‘Living in the Past‘

A very sophisticated sleeper hit in 5/4 time and with a gorgeous flute accompaniment.

8. David Bowie, ‘Golden Years‘

An excellent showcase for Bowie’s voice, built over a hypnotic F# to E riff and even a B diminished in the bridge. Plus, he whistles a great counter melody at the end.

7. Elton John, ‘Blue Eyes‘

Elton sings in an unusually low register here, with his piano accompanied by vibraphone on a song with at least 16 chord changes. It all resolves beautifully. Arguably, this is his best song.

6. Gordon Lightfoot, ‘The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald‘

Probably the most perfectly constructed story of a real event, complete with a conclusion and denouement (“Lake Huron rolls, Superior Sings…”). All the more amazing, it was recorded on the first take.

5. Simon and Garfunkel, ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water‘

This one makes the list just for its poetry and Art Garfunkel’s beautiful voice. The only thing keeping it from perfection is the overworked orchestration at the end, so better to listen to a live version.

Bonus link to the Central Park Concert version:

4. Marvin Gaye, ‘Inner City Blues‘

No list is complete without Marvin Gaye, and this is his best: a jazz-inflected reading of economic despair.

3. Roberta Flack, ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face‘

Roberta Flack has one of the most beautiful voices in music, and this song is just gorgeous – led by her stunning vocal.

2. The Beach Boys, ‘Good Vibrations‘

This is a story about chasing a girl stitched together from several sections. The harmonies are perfect and the instrumentation is exceeded only by Strawberry Fields.

1. The Beatles, ‘Strawberry Fields Forever‘

Bruce Springsteen said songs are just dreams you can share, and this one is John Lennon’s recollection of his childhood. It has a great melody, sophisticated chord changes, and a lot of psychedelic instrumentation – particularly on the fadeout. It’s perfectly executed.

Stephen Barrigar, Marketing Executive

10. M83, ‘Midnight City’

The perfect start to the new decade that sounded fresh throughout, despite the 80s sax solo that completes the song. Brought together with a superb video, this song is just amazing. 

9. Arcade Fire, ‘Wake Up‘

Out of nowhere they came and before you knew it, Canadian music was back to being relevant. 5 members, 7 members, 11 members, it didn’t matter how many were on stage, there is nothing better live than the chorus of Wake Up. 

8. Pulp, ‘Common People‘

You had to be there. There was Blur, there was Oasis, there was Brit Pop, but the true definition of the Brit Pop sound is “Common People” by Pulp. Infectious, relevant, timely – the perfect song to sum up a generational moment. 

7. Prince & The Revolution, ‘Let’s Go Crazy‘

Considered the little sibling to “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy” kicks off Purple Rain the movie and the soundtrack and there is no 24 consecutive weeks at number 1 for the album without this song. This song helped change Prince from a singer to a musician.

6. The Beatles, ‘A Day in the Life‘

Basically put an end to any debate over who was the greatest band of the time. A wonderful blend of two songs and the greatest band’s great song. 

5. MGMT, ‘Time to Pretend‘

Lightning in a bottle. 

4. Depeche Mode, ‘Enjoy the Silence‘

Never in my life have a heard a song once and thought – yup, that’s the best song that’s going to be released this year. In February 1990, Depeche Mode achieved that. 

3. The Verve, ‘Bitter Sweet Symphony‘

There was always promise with the Verve and their previous album had two legit anthems with History and On Your Own, but in 1997 with that “borrowed” Rolling Stone background, they achieved perfection. To this day, sounds fresh and outstanding. 

2. The Waterboys, ‘The Whole of the Moon‘


There are two types of people in this world, those who love “The Whole of the Moon,” and those who have never heard “The Whole of the Moon.” Released to little fanfare except for preppies who made their own mixed tapes and John Hughes movie soundtrack hunters, “The Whole of the Moon” is a wonderful poem to the sound of the 80s. 

1. New Order, ‘Bizarre Love Triangle‘

You can tell the age of anyone who makes their best of list, because the number 1 song will have been released between the ages of 15-24. This is the perfect song. And my kids hate it. 

Honorable Mentions:

Journey, “Don’t Stop Believin’” — this song will be remembered in 100 years

The Beach Boys, “God Only Knows” – the perfect love song

Marvin Gaye, “What’s Going On” – basically sums up a whole moment in time

Aretha Franklin, “Respect” – I’m not saying Rolling Stone is wrong, I’m just saying it’s not my number one

Queen and David Bowie, “Under Pressure” — the greatest bassline of all time

Jerry Beach, Sportswriter

10. Bruce Springsteen, ‘Queen of the Supermarket‘

There’s literally hundreds of Bruce songs most people would choose before this off his much-maligned “Workin’ On A Dream” album. But of all his songs about blue collar life, there’s something special in how he finds flashes of beauty from an anonymous woman working the supermarket. And there’s a wonderful suddenness to the final verse: “As I lift my groceries into my car, I turn back for a moment and catch a smile that blows this whole fucking place apart.” (It also helps my first true love worked at the local supermarket after we broke up; I tried wooing her back–unsuccessfully, I should note…)

9. U2, ‘Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses?‘

I’m perfectly content with “One” going down as U2’s greatest song and a candidate for a top-10 song all-time. But this is one of the best bitter post-breakup songs of all-time. “Well you lied to me, cause I asked you to. Baby, can we still be friends?”

8. Bob Seger, ‘The Fire Inside‘

There’s no shortage of timeless and iconic Seger songs about growing up. This one, about what happens between growing up and growing old and when one’s investments in his or her passions are no longer guaranteed to be returned, hits in a different way. “And it comes to you how it all slips away, youth and beauty are gone one day, no matter what you dream or feel or say, it all ends in dust and disarray.”

7. Alanis Morrissette, ‘Hand In My Pocket‘

In the moment, I HATED “You Oughta Know” with the passion of a thousand suns (don’t mind it now). But this song, coming out my last year of college, nailed the uncertainty and melancholy of trekking out into the real world. It’s not a great sign for me or Generation X it still does so a quarter-century later. “And what it boils down to is nobody’s got it figured out quite yet.”

6. Led Zeppelin, ‘Rock & Roll‘

There is a point in every young man’s life when driving around in his parents’ car with this blasting out of the speakers is the coolest fucking thing he can do. 

5. Night Ranger, ‘When You Close Your Eyes‘

A simple, feel-good mid-tempo, harmony-filled hard rock song, until you get to that point in life when the line “Ain’t no good for an old memory to mean so much today” hits you right in the solar plexus.

4. Billy Joel, ‘Keeping The Faith‘

I won’t argue if anyone wants to declare “Scenes From An Italian Restaurant” is not just Billy’s best song but the greatest song ever written about life in America, or that “Goodnight Saigon” is a more important work (especially the last 20 years, with 9/11 first responders singing the chorus live). But this, too, is a perfect song and deceptively simple. “The good ol’ days weren’t always good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems” is a pretty great way to go thru life.

3. Pearl Jam, ‘Elderly Woman Behind The Counter In A Small Town‘

This song was on Vs., which came out my first semester away at college and as I sensed a growing disconnect–unwanted but inevitable–with some of my hometown friends. “I’ve changed by not changing at all, small town predicts my fate.”

2. Extreme, ‘Hole Hearted‘

A great songwriter creates songs that mean entirely different things to his or her listeners. As a writer, the final line of this song — “Should’ve known I’d fall short with the things I’d do”– motivates me. A good friend of mine, who sadly died in 2018, saw this song as a symbol of the constant effort and failure associated with trying to be a good Catholic. The song was the final track on a concept album about an impressionable boy trying to make his way in a world drenched in decadence. What does it really mean? Whatever you want it to mean.

1. Gerry Rafferty, ‘Baker Street‘

Just my favorite song of all-time. Great story-telling enhanced by that haunting, evocative sax solo. The Foo Fighters’ cover of this might be better than the original.

Dave Van de Walle, Area 224

10*. Constantines, ‘Working Full-Time’

I put this tenth on my top ten and guarantee that no one else voted for it; it’s from a pretty obscure Canadian band called Constantines. These guys are up there with bands like The Bravery and Del Amitri in my book: acts that should have been much much bigger than they turned out to be.

This particular ditty is off their “Tournament of Hearts” album, released in 2005.

The video is an outstanding stop-motion animation piece that needs to be seen, but the song itself has the right mix of catchy guitar riffs and psychotic drums to sneak into my list. I overplay this video, when you see it, you’ll see why.*

*That’s a nod to erstwhile Toronto Blue Jays First Baseman Fred McGriff, who gave us this classic:

10*. Urge Overkill, ‘The Break‘

First of all, it’s my website, so, after oscillating between this song and the song above for the number 10 slot, I called a draw and both get listed.

I maintain this is the perfect 90s rock song. Impeccably crafted, with an unheard of “verse-chorus-chorus-verse-chorus” structure, this song even tells the story of the band itself: UO could not get a break in the 90s. Despite getting tons of street cred from another song (“Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon,” originally sung by Neil Diamond, featured in the movie Pulp Fiction), this Chicago band was never as ubiquitous in the 90s on Chicago radio as Smashing Pumpkins.

The video, too, is pure UO-level hubris. Eddie “The King” Roeser and Nash Kato were over-the-top in love with the whole scene, man. “Everything ends in a heartache.” They, too, couldn’t get a break; like the other occupant of my number ten slot, Urge Overkill could have sold out stadiums if they had played their cards right and maybe ended up in a few more Tarantino movies.

This song makes me want a cigarette and I don’t even smoke.

9. Adele, ‘Rolling in the Deep‘

This song is an instant freaking classic that sounds as good today as it sounded the first 150 times you heard it. Adele seemed to come out of nowhere and, well, then she was everywhere and it was tough to get away from hearing this song. But you didn’t mind because she was ADELE and gosh darnit this sounded better than any soul song you heard from the 60s or any Motown ditty.

Here’s a bonus link to a cover of the song by Linkin Park.

8. Queens of the Stone Age, ‘Little Sister‘

Mark Twain is credited with the line “I apologize for writing a long letter, as I didn’t have the time to write a shorter one.” This song is the short letter Twain meant to write, tells a story of an illicit love affair, and succeeds in melting faces with its guitar solo.

7. Foals, ‘Mountain at My Gates‘

When pressed by “Canadian Steve” for my “Songs of the Decade” list for the 2010s, this song came in number 1. Guitar and bass and keyboards and the voice range of the uber-cool Yiannis Phillippakis melded together and it’s absolute dynamite.

6. Geto Boys, ‘Mind Playing Tricks on Me‘

When the late, great Bushwick Bill drops lyrics like “It was dark as fuck on the street/My hands were all bloody from punching on the concrete,” and it’s, maybe, the fifth-best line in the song?

This is, simply, the greatest rap song ever created.

5. Led Zeppelin, ‘Fool in the Rain‘

We’re not going for a list of “favorite” songs here, we’re going for “greatest” songs. Sure, “Stairway” is phenomenal, and you could list dozens of spectacular pieces from Zep, but oh my gosh, this one? The whistle leading to the abrupt tempo shift in the middle? John Bonham, whose drum kit must have included extra appendages? Robert Plant’s voice range? That guitar toward the end? I applaud the frenetic song structure here and this is (IMHO) this band’s greatest work.

(Bonus link: isolated John Bonham drum track.)

4. Michael Jackson, ‘Beat It‘

See above for the relative difficulty of picking the greatest song from one of the greatest artists of all time.

For me, the combination of Michael being Michael plus EDDIE VAN HALEN on the guitar gets this into the top ten.

3. Yes, ‘Roundabout‘

If 70s prog-rock chose a fight song, this would be it. This song, to channel SNL’s Stefon, has everything: psychedelic keyboards, lyrics that make you ask if the mushrooms were that good while reading Walden, guitar solos that suggest you it’s time to drag race in your ’72 Cutlass Supreme.

2. The Who, ‘Won’t Get Fooled Again‘

Before it became the scream that launched a thousand memes — thanks, David Caruso — this 1971 track provides one of the greatest synthesizer solos ever, right before the line “Meet the new boss/Same as the old boss.” Then the sunglasses go on.

(Bonus link: Pussy Riot covered this song.)

1 Pearl Jam, ‘Corduroy‘

If the true meaning of the song — that Pearl Jam lead singer Eddie Vedder wrote it as a lamentation to the fact that a knockoff of a corduroy jacket that he wore was being sold for hundreds of dollars — is true, then it’s quite the story. If not, “Everything has chains/absolutely nothing’s changed” remains a heck of a line. Are famous people like Eddie chained down by fame? Or is it just a jacket at Spencer’s in the mall?

Vitalogy is Pearl Jam’s last great album; this song is the band’s finest hour, and, oddly (though probably on purpose) the lyrics aren’t in the book jacket that came with the CD. The song leaves you with the feeling — one that’s confirmed if you see the band live — that, as the song fades, the band would rather it kept on going.

Honorable Mentions:

Ellie Goulding, “Lights” (An absolutely amazing pop/dance/trance number; bonus points for playing as the credits rolled in the movie “Spring Breakers.”)

Eric B and Rakim, “Paid in Full” (The soundtrack of early hip hop and Rakim drops rhymes like nobody’s business. “Thinking of a master plan…” Bonus points for including Ofra Haza in the tune; Eric B’s ability to drop tracks on top of tracks on top of other tracks turns a minute-or-so of Rakim rhyming into HOLY CRAP OH MY DEAR LORD!!!)

The Smiths, “The Queen Is Dead” (Cancel Morrissey all you want; this band owned the mid-80s and this leads off a top-to-bottom staggeringly good album.)

Rush, “Subdivisions” (I’ll admit to having switched from mildly acknowledging the existence of Rush to appreciating how insane a three-piece they were; Neil Peart is on the short list of greatest drummers ever.)

AWOLNATION, “Sail“

So…What Do You Think?

Feel free to weigh in on Twitter with the hashtag #TopTenSongs. Would love to read your own lists!

Why This Blog Came Back

“In These Uncertain Times…”

That, it seems, is how just about every brand ad begins during the coronavirus slowdown. “The Great Pause” is what some pundits are starting to call it; as opposed to being “The Pause That Refreshes,” it’s “The Pause That’s Uncertain.” Nobody knows what’s next, nobody knows where it’s going, nobody knows if we’ll ever be allowed in a restaurant or arena ever again. It’s uncertain.

Let Uncertainty Be Your Friend

I’ve had this blog for longer than I care to admit — a quick check shows posts that date back to September 2009; jogging my blogging memory and I realize the site was rebuilt after a pretty bad hack around Labor Day of that year — and I decided to jump back into the fray after a nearly four-year hiatus. Why?

Content + Communications Consulting

So yeah, I’m like millions of others: the end of a content and communications contract in early March has left me looking for the next thing, while trying to launch the next thing, and also maintaining productivity levels and continuing to try to do what I do well. You know, in the face of…uncertainty.

The focus? “Content” and “Communications Consulting.”

Content can mean many things to many people; your definition of content could include a really deep 2000-word treatise on what you deem to be important. Delivered without a plan and it’s likely to fall flat.

Communications Consulting means making sure that that content plan only includes the 2000-word treatise if it’s going to resonate with your intended audiences.

This Can Mean Advice You’re Not Ready to Hear

Bringing us back to “In These Uncertain Times…” No, brand managers, we don’t want to hear that phrase ever again. “Optics” are interesting things. What you thought was a good brand message during your Zoom strategy session is not resonating with folks the way that you want it to; I think it sounds kinda dumb. (I’m not alone; I blogged about this phenomenon and what an economic comeback might look like over at Metacoin, one of the other sites under the Area 224 Ltd. aegis.)

I mention that because I’ve never been afraid to actually call a company, a brand, or a leader onto the carpet if the idea is bad. Or if the time isn’t right. Or if the optics just won’t be any good.

How Can I Help?

I’ve been part of Fortune 300 Public Relations teams that managed messages during crises and leadership changes. I’ve been a staff communicator for energy industry product launches. I’ve served in roles with global financial services consultancies and with not-for-profit clients. I’ve seen a few things, but I’m always delivering more than what’s asked and working to see around blind corners with a combination of strategic consulting and tactical delivery.

I’ll keep blogging at Metacoin — where I cover emerging crypto projects and the role of Bitcoin — and promise to do more wine, beer, and spirits reviews at Metasip, too.

But expect to see more here at Area 224, where I stand ready to help you and your company achieve your business goals through content and communications that, together, drive results.

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