- “Centerfield,” John Fogerty, 1985—This hit evokes the joy of springtime baseball. “I got a beat-up glove, a homemade bat, and a brand-new pair of shoes…” Baseball players will feel the urge to go out and get back on the field when they hear this tune.
- “Mr. Tambourine Man,” Bob Dylan, 1964—Was Dylan the troubadour of the Beat Generation? Most likely, but close your eyes and listen to this cut from the Newport Folk Festival and you’ll have no doubts.
- “Jambalaya,” Hank Williams, 1952—Good cooks won’t begin to create a dinner without a serious menu in mind. You could do worse than picking the dishes Hank Williams conjures up.
- “Ya Got Trouble,” Meredith Wilson, 1962—Well, pool is a wonderful pastime for adults, but for kids? Professor Harold Hill suggests it’s not! “Right here in River City” has become the slogan for real problems.
- “The Hunting Song,” Tom Lehrer, 1953—Many lawyers like to pick up their rifles and take target practice on denizens of the forest. This tongue-in-cheek song reminds us to hunt safely (or perhaps to eschew the forests during hunting season).
- “Kodachrome,” Paul Simon, 1973—We might not have Nikon cameras or Kodachrome film any more; today, we get instant gratification by pointing and clicking with our cell phones. But the joy of photography remains.
- “Paperback Writer,” The Beatles, 1966—As the legend goes, Paul McCartney was asked not to write a song about love. When he saw Ringo Starr reading a book, he decided to write a song about a journalist who wanted to be a paperback writer instead.
- “Fishin’ Blues,” Taj Mahal, 1969—The simple pleasure of sitting at your favorite fishing hole, enjoying the companionship of family and friends.
- “I’m Just a Singer (In a Rock and Roll Band),” The Moody Blues, 1973—Often attorneys are creative outside the legal world and sometimes write, play, and sing music. Some have even found success in their musical endeavors and perform for their fellow lawyers in venues outside courtrooms.
- “Wings,” Jimmy Buffett, 2009—Whether to get away or to get to the next court appearance, piloting a plane can lead to a sense of freedom and purpose. Co-written with Will Kimbrough, who started the hit as a song of encouragement for his children, we can all hope to have wheels on our feet.
- “Pinball Wizard,” The Who, 1969—The heart of perseverance—overcoming personal barriers to find success, whether in the corner arcade shop or in the courtroom, this tune certainly reverberated.
- “Surfin’ U.S.A.,” The Beach Boys, 1963—Nothin’ better than hitting the waves. This number-one song speaks to the allure of the sand and sea heading to the promised land.
Join the conversation. Email us ([email protected], [email protected], and [email protected]) by July 22 to tell us the songs about hobbies you’d add to our playlist and why they’re fitting contributions. Then watch the next issue of Voice of Experience for an updated list.
