Start-up Summer Playlist

IMAG0064I’ve been noticing lines from certain songs that seem strangely applicable to entrepreneurship. Call this list a kind of distillation of rock insights into the world of the start-up. Not too great of a leap when you think about it. Rock is about audacity, freedom, individuality and a few other things not suitable for this PG-rated blog. So too, the art of the start.  I trust the embedded pearl of rock wisdom in each song will make up for any perceived deficiencies in taste.

  1. On choosing to be different—“Chose not a life of imitation”  (Can’t Stop)—Red Hot Chili Peppers
  2. On being tenacious—“But I’ll stand my ground and I won’t back down.”  ( I Won’t Back Down) and “Runnin’ down a dream” (Runnin’ Down a Dream)—Tom Petty
  3. On wearing many hats—“I’m a million different people from one day to the next” (Bittersweet Symphony)—The Verve
  4. Note to my VC and Angel friends–“Won’t you come see about me?” (Don’t You Forget About Me)—Simple Minds
  5. For my sister entrepreneurs—“Women of the future hold the big revelations” (Get On Your Boots)— U2
  6. On being up and being down—One minute I held the key next the walls were closed on me” (Viva La Vida)—Cold Play
  7. On the day before pitching—“24 hours to go, I wanna be sedated” (I Wanna Be Sedated)—Ramones
  8. On making valuable contacts—“If they got thunder appeal let them be on your side” (Good Times Roll)—The Cars
  9. On taking much needed breaks—“I want to get away I want to fly away”( Fly Away)—Lenny Kravitz