You know, every now and then I think you might like to hear something from us. Nice and easy. There's just one thing... You see, we never ever do nothing nice. And Easy.
Ms. Tina Turner was on to something, and so were all the other divas that have inspired me. You see, I've always wanted to be more than someone's b**ch (i. e. employee). No offense to those who are employed, but I don't think being at the bottom of the food chain is for me, or in any middle position of the food chain is for me. I've always felt I was destined for greatness. I was born to be a boss.
I've always been quite musical and I have always enjoyed singing. Singing these songs has made me realize my destiny, my greatness, my ambitions for the future. Music has the power to make or break you and the songs I will be breaking down for you today have made me want to become the best version of myself, the boss I was born to be.
Whether it is in accountancy, dog grooming, or whatever business venture, I know I am destined to become a great businessperson and entrepreneur. Without further ado, here are 5 songs that have inspired me to chase my dreams for the future.
1. Proud Mary - Tina Turner
Left a good job in the city, working for the man every night and day, and I never lost one minute of sleep, worrying 'bout the way things might have been...
Originally written by John Fogerty and performed by country music band Creedence Clearwater Revival in the late 60's, Ike Turner (former husband of the famed Ms. Tina Turner) took this relatively unknown country song and remastered it into a Rock n' Roll jam, for which he provided the background vocals. Ike & Tina Turner catapulted this song to fame in the 70's, and Tina re-mastered it (sans Ike) in 1993. She gave us vocals, she gave us legs, but more than that, she gave us a dream and a drive to leave everything behind to start a new life.
I like listening to this song when I'm fed up with my job and my life, because it reminds me of the greatness I want to achieve once I am financially able to leave my good job in the city and stop working for the man every night and day, to become the man who people work for (not night and day tho, do unto others as you would have others do unto you...)💅🏻
You can listen to "Proud Mary" by the iconic late great Tina Turner here:
And you can also watch Tina Turner perform "Proud Mary" alongside Elton John and Cher at VH1 Divas Live (1999) here:
2. 9 to 5 - Dolly Parton
9 to 5, for service and devotion, you would think that I would deserve a fair promotion. Want to move ahead but the boss won't seem to let me, I swear sometimes that man is out to get me...
Dolly's classic, for which she provided instrumental enhancement with her acrylic nails, follows the typical corporate b**ch: burnt out, overworked, fed up with their job. Dolly provides hope for all of us corporate b**ches. She paints the picture of a better life beyond office walls. The truth is there is a better life out there. Being your own boss, having your own business is the ultimate goal in life, and even though at the beginning you have to work even harder than when you had your steady 9 to 5, the benefits are worth it.
Dolly really said "down with the grey suits at the top" with this one. You guys can jam out to one of Ms. Dolly's most famous songs and greatest hits here:
3. Make It Happen - Mariah Carey
If you believe in yourself enough and know what you want, you're gonna make it happen (make it happen)
Released in 1991, as part of her second studio album Emotions, Mariah Carey's gospel-infused power jam recounts the story of her rise to fame: how not more than three short years before she was abandoned and alone without a penny to her name. She had so little and she knew how to keep on going, how to "make it through the night", by holding on to her faith and putting her life in the hands of God. Her faith ultimately lead her to "Make It Happen". And she did. The Songbird Supreme, as she is sometimes known, is the only female artist to have at least one song chart at #1 in four consecutive decades. With 19 #1 hits, she is one of the most successful singers and songwriters of all time.
I personally relate to this song. After several years of personal and economic hardships, I genuinely thought I was not going to make it through life, that I came to a low point and that I was to stay at rock bottom for the rest of my life. Thanks to some hard work and some faith, I've since gotten through the worse part. I may not be at my peak, but I am striving to get there. I will "Make It Happen". I am making it happen.
Watch Mariah Carey perform "Make It Happen" live at Madison Square Garden in 1995 below. This is one of my favourite performances, because her introduction to the song was a very inspirational speech: This is for all of you out there reaching for a dream, don't ever give up...
But also that "Don't let go, don't ever, ever let go" gospel interlude, on point! Thank you for making me believe in my dreams, Mimi!
4. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross
No wind, no rain, or winter's cold can stop me baby, if you're my goal.
Written by Nicholas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, this song was made famous in 1967 by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, and was remastered in 1970 by the one and only Ms. Diana Ross. Ms. Ross' version of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" features gospel influences and classical instruments, as well as spoken-word passages by Ms. Ross.
Even though this song is about how there are no obstacles when love is on the line, it does have a naturally inspirational tone, it's like Diana Ross is whispering in my ear for me to pursue my dreams, and that there is nothing than can keep me from getting to where I want to be in the future. She's empowering me to chase after my ambitions, to fulfill my dreams.
You can listen to Ms. Ross' sweet, sweet voice here:
5. Money, Money, Money - ABBA
I work all night, I work all day to pay the bills I have to pay, ain't it sad? And still there never seems to be a single penny left for me...
Written by Benny Anderson and Björn Ulvaeus, the song's lead vocals are provided by Anni-Frid Lyngstad (who we'll circle back to in a minute), with back-up by Agnetha Fältskog. It was released in 1976 as part of the group's fourth studio album "Arrival", and re-released in their 1992 Greatest Hits album titled "Gold".
The song follows the dreary life of the female protagonist and how she works endlessly, basically living paycheck-to-paycheck. Her life struggles would be over if she was to find a wealthy man who could take care of her, and lessen her burdens. While we all dream of being taken care of, I personally relate to this song in the opening line "I work all night, I work all day to pay the bills I have to pay, ain't it sad?"
Remember how I said we'd get back to Anni-Frid? Well, she's the epitome of "Money, Money, Money". She found herself a wealthy man. Her third husband was Prince Heinrich Reuss, Count of Plauen. Prince Reuss came from the Princely House of Reuss that ruled the Counties and later Principalities of Reuss-Gera, Reuss-Ebersdorf (from which Queen Victoria's maternal grandmother hailed), Reuss-Köstritz, Reuss-Greiz (the line of the family that provided Kaiser Wilhelm II's second wife) and Reuss-Schleiz. Specifically, Prince Reuss came from the Reuss-Gera line of the family, scions of which also held the title of Count of Plauen.
Anni-Frid, Princess Heinrich Reuss and Countess of Plauen became a widow in 1999, if you thought she struggled financially after that, she did not. In 2007, she started a relationship with Henry Smith, 5th Viscount Hambleden, whose grandmother had been a Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth (The Queen Mother). They currently live together in Switzerland.
If you too want to become a Dowager Princess of a small defunct German principality and find your second (or fourth) act with a divorced British Viscount, with all the riches you can imagine, you can listen to ABBA's "Money, Money, Money" here:
Music has the power to, and I'm being redundant here, empower you to go after your dreams, be it in a very personal level or even in your profession or craft. I hope these five songs also inspire you to become your own people and manage your own time, by becoming an entrepreneur. Or a widowed Princess of a small defunct German principality whose current life partner is a British Viscount, who knows what life has in store for all of us🤷🏻♂️
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