Want a 3-Minute Master’s Degree in Communication?

Posted on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 by Frank Roche

Hook, by Blues Traveler, is one of my favorite songs all time. I like the tune, but the hook…brings me back. It’s a 3-minute master’s degree in communication.

In HR communication, getting the hook right makes the difference between mediocre communication and great communication. And as I’ve mentioned a few times lately, it’s not about the single words, it’s about the essence, or the “hook.”

Check out these lyrics:

It doesn’t matter what I say
So long as I sing with inflection
That makes you feel I’ll convey
Some inner truth or vast reflection
But I’ve said nothing so far
And I can keep it up for as long as it takes
And it don’t matter who you are
If I’m doing my job then it’s your resolve that breaks

Because the hook brings you back
I ain’t tellin’ you no lie
The hook brings you back
On that you can rely

There is something amiss
I am being insincere
In fact I don’t mean any of this
Still my confession draws you near
To confuse the issue I refer
To familiar heroes from long ago
No matter how much Peter loved her
What made the Pan refuse to grow

Was that the hook brings you back
I ain’t tellin’ you no lie
The hook brings you back
On that you can rely

[For RSS readers, click here if you can't see the embedded video.]

User Comments

John Windsor

Aug 14th, 2007

Nice post, Frank. And what a great peek behind the curtain in those lyrics.

Regards,
John
Frank Roche

Aug 14th, 2007

John, thanks much. I am just crazy about that song, and there’s really something embedded in those lyrics. It’s so true. I like communication to do good, but it can go the other way just as fast. John Popper is one really brilliant musician…and lyricist. Music is communication!
Scott McArthur

Aug 14th, 2007

Music is a unique and powerful form of communication for sure. I have tried to come up with some ways of using it with my clients but as yet I don’t seem to have managed to get it right. I have used it as a way to remember stuff – chapters in a book, key points from a lecture etc but I’m still not able to hit the spot with using music as a “technique”.

Any ideas or experience?

Oh and I like the song – Blues Traveler have never really made it over here in the UK and although I had heard of them I must confess I’m new to their music!
Frank Roche

Aug 15th, 2007

Hi Scott. I’ve tried music as well with clients with varying success. In the past, it was that it’s hard to get a sound system that works adequately. Often what sounds great on the computer doesn’t do so great on speakers in a large room. I have use Baroque music as part of accelerated learning to great effect.

Glad you liked Blues Traveler. I’m sure I’ve missed a lot of UK artists in parallel.

Say, one big outcome from my KnowHR survey was that readers want more of an international flavor. I would love it if you would be willing to contribute an article here and there or to cross-post the really great stuff that you write.

Cheers
Scott McArthur

Aug 15th, 2007

Love to Frank – I’m on holiday right now but will be back and blogging from the 27th. Lets catch up on the email?

As far as UK artists – where to start? I love the song Tank Park Salute by Billy Bragg – I will post it on my blog for you and your readers to hear. the words are simply stunning.
pili

Aug 20th, 2007

My name is Pili and I’m a Spanish girl. I’m 20 years old and I’m studing Fine Arts at the University of Salamanca. I’d like to be a painter. I like to go to “tapear” (to a Spanish bar, you know) go to some parties, but specially I like to travel around the world. Last year I studied in USA, when I met my friend Lucy. She is studing Spanish there. I write a spoken diary for her and for all of you. You can visit me every week in http://www.dpili.com and download a free podcast. ¡Learning Spanish is easy with me!

I recommend you to listen the first podcast to understand the diary.

http://www.dpili.com

see you!!