With several countries worldwide celebrating their independence in July including Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, France, and the United States, it got us thinking a lot about anthems.
An anthem is defined as “a rousing or uplifting song identified with a particular group, body, or cause.” Traditional anthems can be written specifically for a purpose, such as a national anthem, march, or school song. However, many times anthems become so without intention. How do these songs become so meaningful? And how do they resonate over time?
Based in the US, National Public Radio (NPR) features shows covering worldwide news, life, and the arts. And their music channel — NPR Music — is one not to be missed. It’s full of goodies like live concert feeds, album reviews, and artist interviews from around the world. One series in particular that has captured our attention is NPR Music’s American Anthem.
This NPR series is part- musical journey and part- history lesson as it seeks to identify historical moments that led to the birth of various songs we now consider anthems. The series adds clarity to how these songs become so powerful. In essence, they cut through the clutter and deliver meaning when we need it most. Examples include Nirvana’s ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ and ‘Dancing in the Street’ by Martha Reeves & The Vandellas.
Perhaps most impressive is the ability of these anthems to resonate over time as new generations apply the music to events in their lives. At the end of the day, it all comes down to shared experiences and storytelling.
Music has the ability to unite us because it can concisely capture ideas and emotions, tie them together with rhythm, and apply feeling through melody. Once our brains make a connection between the song and the moment, one listen and we’re automatically transported.
That same science can be readily applied to your company and teams. You are already bound by a common purpose and core values. SongDivision’s Team Anthem provides a shared musical experience allowing your teams to collectively express those values through a song they create. The result is a an anthem that engages your teams and unites them on an emotional level. Did we mention it’s also a heck of a lot of fun!
Unite your teams with your very own Team Anthem.
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