15 Playlist Additions for Public Relations Professionals

Everybody’s working for the weekend, but these songs will help PR Pros power through the work week.

The right musical inspiration for a public relations pro can mean the difference between crafting a killer pitch and botching a client’s chance at high-profile publicity. Our team of musicologists, who are in no way affiliated with Pandora’s Genome Project, have spent the past 17 minutes crafting the best list of PR songs you’ll see today. Now it’s up to you to either rip out your ear buds in horror or crank up the volume. Either way, we’d welcome your suggestions for songs that capture the joys and heartbreak of being a PR pro.

1. Every Breath You Take- The Police

“Every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take, I’ll be watching you.”

Listening is the new mantra for any professional communicator. We pity the fool who calls, emails or tweets an influential blogger or journo without first doing their fair share of watching.

2. Whip It- Devo

“When a problem comes along, you must whip it; before the cream sets out too long, you must whip it; when something’s goin’ wrong, you must whip it.”

If you substitute “whip” with “pitch,” this song fits perfectly. Well, maybe not the cream part. But the rest of Devo’s lyrics are an anthem for today’s media professionals.

3. Stronger- Kanye West

“Make it better, do it faster, makes us stronger, more than ever, hour after, our work is never over.”

Any PR agency worker bee who bills 137 hours for a 40-hour work week can relate.

4. Help!- The Beatles

“Help, I need somebody; Help, not just anybody”

John Lennon’s 1965 reaction to fame works on so many levels. PR pros have to deal with constituencies of all shapes, sizes and temperaments. Handling this alone is not even an option, if you want to get it right. You need help – or least a good therapist.

5. Is There Anybody Out There?- Pink Floyd

“Is There Anybody Out There?”

Sure, you’ve got thousands of friends and followers on social, and an expensive media database subscription. This tune reminds us of those days when every call seems to go to voicemail and you can’t even get one damn retweet. (Alternate song, Lonely Days by the Bee Gees.)

6. Public Relations- from Smash

“Dealing with one man can lead to frustrations, but public relations I have never declined, cause we’re the guys who’ll never leave ya behind”

Our glamorous profession even got a song on NBC’s short-lived musical drama Smash. When you start second-guessing your job choice, watch this clip and remember there are appreciative clients out there who know the value of PR, though few look like Marilyn Monroe.

7. Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad- Meatloaf

“Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad”

This one is here for the young PR pros. Mistakes build you professionally, and provide you with experience for how to handle future mistakes quickly and efficiently. Stay calm and know that everything is a learning experience.

8. The Man- Aloe Blacc

“Go ahead and tell everybody I’m the man, I’m the man, I’m the man”

Can’t you just see Richard Edelman, Harold Burson and Al Golin looking over their gigantic client lists and humming this tune?

9. It Ain’t Hard To Tell- Nas

“It ain’t hard to tell, I excel, then prevail; The mic is contacted, I attract clientele”

Clients rely on PR pros to be expert storytellers. When the creative juices stop flowing, Nas will remind you there are key messages just waiting to spew out via mainstream and social media. It just ain’t that hard

10. Word Crimes- Weird Al Yankovic

“You’ll learn the definitions of nouns and prepositions; literacy’s your mission, and that’s why I think it’s a good time to learn some grammar”

PR is all about the use of language, and people won’t take you seriously if YOU’RE not using it correctly. The AP Stylebook is your bible – along with a little texting vernacular for the Twitterverse. LOL.

11. Hit Me With Your Best Shot- Pat Benetar

“Hit me with your best shot”

Chances are a reporter who picks up the phone is probably expecting the Seamless guy to say he’s in the lobby with a sushi delivery. So don’t squander those rare interactions with someone who might actually cover your story.

12. Another One Bites The Dust- Queen

“Another one bites the dust”

There’s no better feeling than checking things off a seemingly endless to do list. When that list is conquered, tune in to Queen’s other anthem, We are the Champions.

13. Telephone- Lady Gaga

“I am sick and tired of my phone r-ringing (stop telephonin’ me) I’m busy”

Any PR professional knows the daily grind of phones “r-ringing” off the hook, and that the day doesn’t just end at 5 o’clock.

14. Never Gonna Give You Up- Rick Astley

“Never gonna give you up, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you.”

Loyalty actually does exist in PR. It takes a long time to build rapport, both inside client organizations and externally with key audiences. Commitment isn’t taught in business school, but it’s a strong trait among leaders in PR.

15. Public Relations- Jimmy Buffett

The chorus “public relations, public relations, boozing and schmoozing, that’s what I’ll do” is probably a PR pro’s secret dream, but it completely discredits the hard work they do every day. Truth is, the only reason this train wreck of a song appears on this list is because it has public relations in the title.

Read more: My First Pitch To A Journalist – And Why I Cried