Is Bob Dylan the entrepreneur's soundtrack?

by Matthew Rock - Wednesday, 20th August 2008 - (4) comments - Business comment

The chief executive of property developer Brixton yesterday quoted Bob Dylan's "All along the watchtower" lyrics to sum up the state of the property market. So which songs best sum up the life of the entrepreneur? Here are our suggestions.

It must have been one of the strangest results presentations, but Tim Wheeler certainly captured the imagination when, yesterday, he not only included an image of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse but also quoted Bob Dylan's famously grim opening to the song made famous by Jimi Hendrix. In case any of you don't actually know the Dylan lyrics (and if not, haven't you even watched Withnail & I?), here's a reminder:

"There must be some kind of way out of here / Said the joker to the thief / There's too much confusion / I can't get no relief."

It prompted us to wonder how entrepreneurs might encapsulate their business outlook at the moment. Something like these, perhaps...

* "All by myself" by Eric Carmen.
* "Taxman" by the Beatles ("Should five percent appear too small / Be thankful I don't take it all")
* "Old England is dying" by the Waterboys.

Or, on a more upbeat note (and we're not doing too badly out at the Olympics, are we?), how about we all join in a version of "Advance Australia Fair".

Go on, join in the fun with us.

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4 Comments

August 20, 2008 5:03pm
Bex Says:

FYI: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article4568243.ece

August 20, 2008 4:59pm
Stuart Says:

Randy Newmans' "Lonely at the top"

The Beatles' song about negotiating with VCs: "You never give me your money"

For the dodgier member of the species, Stevie Wonder's "He's Misstra know-it-all"

For the business builder, Eric Clapton's "Let it grow"

And surely the Pretenders' "Brass in pocket"?

August 20, 2008 12:18pm
Rebecca Burn-Callander Says:

Sour grapes much, Aussies? Are you accusing the British nation of being overrun with drug-guzzling, cheating, mentally unstable... Oh. i see your point.

August 20, 2008 11:55am
Catherine Woods & Aimee Surtenich Says:

Back to said Dylan lyrics, “there’s too much confusion” seems appropriate for both the UK’s entrepreneurs and also the Olympics.

We, too, are a little baffled by the strong performance of the Brits and await the drug testing results (should your medal-winning athletes take part, of course).

In the meantime, let us offer you our heartfelt congratulations, Team GB. Sixteen gold medals (and counting!)… Well done! It’s only taken you since 1908 to bag a gold medal haul this good.

;)

Catherine & Aimee
Real Business resident Australians