My Change Playlist

When I conduct the three-day Prosci® Certified Practitioner Course, I greet people arriving each morning and returning from breaks with music. This creates more of an event environment than just a long training.

Most people don’t notice but inevitably someone will point out that all the music has something to do with change. This will often lead to a discussion about what are the best “change” songs. Of course, everyone has their favourites. I thought I would share a few of mine with the hope that readers will weigh in with theirs.

So here is my list for the 13 best songs about change:

1) Here Comes the Sun – the Beatles

Growing up on Guam, every morning started with this song when the TV station began its daily broadcast. We had to wake up at 5:30am to catch the bus to school, so here comes the sun was literal to us. While not a “change” song technically, it speaks of hope on the horizon. I now start and end my playlist with it because hope is what change is all about.

2) Changes – David Bowie

In this song, David Bowie reflects on the pressure an artist feels to continuously change and evolve. In a volatile and uncertain world, leaders and organizations also feel pressure to stay ahead, to be different, and to be obsessively focused on progress whether it is daily, incremental change or radical, disruptive change.

3) How Can I Be Sure of You? - Harry Nilsson

I discovered this song in the movie A Good Year and like it because it reminds me of Provence. Still, as a song about change, it expresses the confusion we can all feel when presented with another perspective. Here, the narrator feels overwhelmed and out of control because what he knows to be true is being challenged. While the challenges all make sense (the sun is red, not yellow; the earth is blue, not green; etc.), when being presented even a slightly different perspective to his reality, he feels off balance. We can all feel that way at times.

4) Changes – Ziggy Marley

The message I get from this song is that change should and must benefit everyone, not just the few elites. This is a key lesson in that organizational change is individual and every individual needs to know how a change will benefit them in order to buy in. Of course reggae also creates a Caribbean vacation feel for my listeners.

5) Change the World – Eric Clapton

Ostensibly, this is a love song. Still, it provides a sense of what we would do if were the change makers, the deciders. The intent of change is usually about improving the world for the people we care about, but sometimes we do not feel we have the power over it.

6) Change – Tracy Chapman

“If you knew you would die today, saw the face of God and love, would you change?” What does it take for people to finally make the change that is necessary, to stop resisting, to stop fearing, and to take the actions that will make things better? I am often surprised to learn the level urgency required before people will act and do what is best for themselves and for others.

7) Landslide – Fleetwood Mac

This song makes me think of what it feels like to finally overcome our fears and make the necessary changes. It is a good companion piece to Tracy Chapman’s song above. Once we make a personal choice to accept change, we can pursue it with optimism.

8) River of Dreams – Billy Joel

Another song that is not directly about change, I like River of Dreams because (too me) it describes feelings that come when leading change. Certainly, the restless nights and anxiety are true but also the hope you feel when you believe something better is coming, and the stress you experience when you are working hard, but not yet seeing the results.

9) Roll with the Changes – REO Speedwagon

The message? Change is constant, rapid, and increasing. We have to be adaptive and roll with the changes (or get run over by them). Otherwise, it is just a good, upbeat song.

10) Winds of Change – Scorpions

Being an 80’s child, this song is here because a hairband is required. The song is actually about the end of the Cold War. Having spent a fair amount of time in Russia and now having friends and family living there, I am thankful for this change. At the same time, this song can be about how good change can feels when it takes affect and is (hopefully) successful.

11) A Change Would Do You Good – Sheryl Crow

Let’s just say, Sheryl tells it like it is. She is straight and to the point. She would make a good change consultant.

12) Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes – Jimmy Buffett

Sometimes taking time off to get a different perspective helps. Jimmy Buffett is a great advocate for this point of view. It does not necessarily mean escaping to a new place but simply taking a breather and looking at things differently. The song can also work to advocate cultural change.

13) Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwo’ole version

We all know this song is about dreaming of a better life. This version of the song, played on a ukulele, makes it feel possible.

Music provides us inspiration, expresses our fears, and allows us to share our experiences with change. If people like this, I will do a part 2. I would also like to hear from people what their favourite change song is to get the ultimate list.