The State of the Union address happened this week. As I watched President Obama it occurred to me that part of the swagger, in addition to being one of the most powerful people in the world, is that he has a theme song. Interestingly, they didn’t play Hail to the Chief as he walked into the House chamber–guess they figured all eyes were already on him.
Hail to the Chief – A Brief History
There’s some fun history behind Hail to the Chief. First Lady Sarah Childress Polk is most often credited with encouraging the playing of Hail to the Chief whenever her husband, President James Polk, entered a room. “Polk was not an impressive figure, so some announcement was necessary to avoid the embarrassment of his entering a crowded room unnoticed. At large affairs the band…rolled the drums as they played the march…and a way was cleared for the President.” http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.natlib.ihas.200000009/default.html
God love a short man that needs to make an entrance (you know my affinity for the short man). Polk wasn’t even the shortest president: at 5 ft. 8 inches President Polk would have towered over our shortest president–James Madison who measured in at 5 ft. 4 inches tall.
This all got me to thinking: what would I want playing when I enter a room??
Everyone, especially those of us hanging out in the middle-aged cheap seats, deserves an anthem. For a little inspiration, I reached out to my gal pals with this query: what would you choose as your theme music?
Their answers were awesome–here are a few of my faves:
“You Dropped A Bomb on Me” by the Gap Band – been my theme song forever – long story, LOL.
Mary Anne Payne, Forever 51
“You Gotta Be” by Des’ree. “You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser.”
Barbara K. (You, my friend, are absolutely already there)
I actually imagine a theme song in my head when I have to go into a big roomful of people. It’s “Brick House.”
Anne Parris, Midlife Boulevard
“Galileo” by the Indigo Girls. How long ’til my soul gets it right!’
“Best Day of My Life” by American Authors. It’s fun and catchy, and reflects my optimistic outlook on life. The band’s lead singer Zachary Barnett notes: “We wanted to tell this story of how no matter what’s going on–whether you’re stuck at your job or having a bad day–there’s always an escape from that, and there’s always a way to make any day the best day of your life.”
Elizabeth Flora Ross, The Writer Revived
My grandkids and kids know my fave is “Old Time Rock And Roll” by Bob Seger. For years they’ve played it whenever we’re celebrating holidays or birthdays or gatherings. It’s Gramma’s theme sing they say. Going to play at my funeral too!
Joan Bickley Stommen, Gramcracker Crumbs
“Both Sides Now” came to mind today, since I’ve looked at life from both sides (of the US) now.
Mindy Klapper Trotta, BetterAfter50
Wish I could list all the great anthems that were suggested. A solution: Jacqueline Wolven was inspired to create a playlist on Spotify with all the recommended theme songs – THX Jacqueline! http://spoti.fi/1KKcwei
As for moi, from this day forward please ensure that the following is playing each time I enter a room, office, bar, store, coffee shop, boardroom, outhouse, etc. Thank you for your support.
How about you: what’s your anthem?
Cheers,
Kimba
Jill @ Do Try This at Home says
February 3, 2015 at 11:58 pmOh fun idea! We’ve always played, “You can’t always get what you want” every New Year’s Eve at the strok of midnight, but I’m not sure I’d want it as a theme song. And my two favorite songs are both kind of too depressing to want any attention paid to me while listening to them. I’m going to think on it.
Kim Dalferes says
February 4, 2015 at 11:47 amYour NYE tradition is awesome. You’ve got me thinking about a NYE song for moi – “1999” by Prince comes to mind.
Erika Mohssen - Beyk says
January 28, 2015 at 6:26 pmHi Kim ,
I saw this post and liked it 🙂
I would like to have “Popcorn”
for me . Interesting to read
all the others 🙂
Thank you
Erika
Kimba says
January 29, 2015 at 12:47 pmHi Erika. Love the popcorn song – great entrance music!
Emi says
January 27, 2015 at 8:54 pmHi Kim,
Really fun post.
For mine I will say Metallica – Nothing Else Matters.
Thank you for the fun post 🙂
Have a fantastic day!
Emi
Kimba says
January 28, 2015 at 1:53 pmMetallica! Gotta say I didn’t except them to show up in the Middle-Aged Cheap Seats! You, my dear, definitely rock out!
Kocolate Avante says
January 26, 2015 at 1:53 pmA great suggestion that they play “Hail to the Chief” for President Obama, however the Republicans especially John Boehner would have fell out his Chair!!
Kim Dalferes says
January 26, 2015 at 2:55 pmBoehner – bless his heart, he just about chewed off his own lips during the SOTU!
Jacs Henderson says
January 24, 2015 at 5:56 pmWell there’s a question!
Not something I’ve thought much about, but there is a song I related to in my younger days (!)
which is Billy Joel… She’s Always a woman to me… and I still l kind of like that
one!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpUEqWHEt68
I will give this some ‘Grown Up’ thought Kimba 🙂
Jacs
Kim Dalferes says
January 24, 2015 at 6:48 pmOh, that’s such a pretty Billy Joel song. It fits you Jacs. The guys in college once serenaded me with “Only the Good Die Young.” “Catholic girls start much too late…” Ahem… well, if the school uniform fits…
SHELLEY R ZUREK says
January 24, 2015 at 12:28 pmWhen you asked this originally I thought “I got nothing” and as I read this I still have the same answer. But now I am going to be on the look as I am always quoting music lyrics.
One of my favorite music Quotes is “What a fool Believes” but I don’t see that as my entrance song LOL!
Kimba says
January 24, 2015 at 5:14 pmHaha, that might not be a good making-an-entrance anthem, but I do love that song. My favorite of Michael McDonald is “I Keep Forgettin.”
Tam Warner Minton says
January 23, 2015 at 10:43 pmMine would be Sheryl Crow’s “Every day is a winding road”. And it is!
Kimba says
January 24, 2015 at 10:44 amSheryl Crow is awesome! There are days when “All I Want to Do Is Have Some Fun” is definitely my anthem of the day.
Lois Alter Mark says
January 23, 2015 at 10:29 pmLove this and found it fascinating to read about the history of Hail to the Chief. For me, I love the lyrics of Joni Mitchell’s “Woman of Heart and Mind” but they need to put to the empowering sound of the theme from “Rocky!”
Kimba says
January 24, 2015 at 10:43 amOh, combining two songs into one anthem – well done Lois!!
Suzie Cheel says
January 23, 2015 at 7:21 pmKimba love this post and my theme today is We are the world- have it playing as I write this
thanks for the distractions 🙂
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 7:25 pm“We Are the World” – the perfect anthem for you Suzie!!
Marquita Herald says
January 23, 2015 at 6:52 pmHope this doesn’t come up twice Kimba because I tried to submit it once and got a “server error message” – so here goes.
When I was in travel my theme song was “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson and I used to drive everyone crazy playing it to the point of distraction before every trip.
These days my theme song could be Jumpin Jack Flash or Celebration of Life – just depends on how sassy I’m feeling. 🙂
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 7:17 pmI absolutely see you as a Jumpin Jack Flash kinda gal. But if you do get on the road again please head my way!
Vicki says
January 23, 2015 at 6:28 pmWhat a fun post. Guess if I wanted an anthem, it would be “Heard it thru the Grapevine”, but only by Marvin Gaye. Loved Greg’s post..poor baby!
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 7:14 pmLOL – I KNEW that was your anthem!!
Lana says
January 23, 2015 at 5:31 pmThis is so much fun. I’m completely drawing a blank on what my theme song would be, but I know i’ll be thinking about it all day!
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 5:39 pmLOL, sorry about the distraction Lana. If you find the perfect song, pls come back and share!
Diane says
January 23, 2015 at 4:11 pmYou are my Sunshine. My Mama sang it to me every day. And occasionally, husby does as well. I love it!
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 5:38 pmOh, my Grandma used to sing that song all the time – you just made me smile!
Mary Buchan says
January 23, 2015 at 2:17 pmThis post made me smile on a rainy Friday here in Charlotte North Carolina! One of my anthems is CHARIOTS of FIRE theme song. – YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RY3XiM7oGj0
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 7:35 pmThat is an EXCELLENT life anthem song.
Jessica Sweet says
January 23, 2015 at 1:20 pmWhat an awesome idea!
Talk about finding a way to psych yourself up for life! I’m going to have to think about my song, but for now I’m going with Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” That will get you motivated for whatever you need to do!
Jess
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 5:42 pmJess, I am with you – that is a rockin song!
Risa says
January 23, 2015 at 12:06 pmTickled to be included in this post! At various times in my life, my song has made me laugh and cry. It’s interesting to see how everyone else responded–thanks!
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 5:51 pmThx for offering up your input for the post Risa!
Marla says
January 23, 2015 at 11:09 amYou’ve got me smiling as always, thanks Kimba. Love how your mind works 🙂
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 5:54 pmLOL Marla, most of the time how my minds works scares people. 🙂
Carol Cassara says
January 23, 2015 at 10:53 amI came back to say that I DO know my husband and my anthem as a couple–Moon River! I have to think further about my own. Yeah, I know, I am now obsessed with this.
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 6:02 pmSorry about the ear worm Carol, love that you came back to add your song! I always think of Audrey Hepburn when I hear Moon River.
Rena McDaniel says
January 23, 2015 at 10:32 amI remember this and it was so fun seeing what my other favorite midlifers consider their own theme songs! Anne’s just cracked me up because I could picture her so clearly! Loved this!
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 6:04 pmI know right – Anne’s is a favorite of mine as well. We are all brick houses!
Carolann says
January 23, 2015 at 10:02 amOh my I have never ever thought about a theme song for me lol too funny. I guess I will have to think about that one for sure! Thanks for sharing this I learned a few things I didn’t know and I always love that!
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 6:07 pmCome on back and share a song if you like!
Greg says
January 23, 2015 at 9:39 amIs there a song out there titled “Not the Short Man” ? 🙂
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 7:01 pmHAHAHA – can I get back to you on that?! 🙂
Tina Ward says
January 23, 2015 at 9:01 amOK, I have no idea what MY anthem is/would be, but I do recall (many years ago) Paul Riser doing a bit about how the president is the only one with his own theme song. He then sang the following to the tune of “Hail to the Chief”: “I am the dentist, I’m gonna pull your tooth out.” To this day, I cannot hear “HTTC” and not hear Paul Riser’s version in my head.
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 7:02 pmOMG, you have ruined “Hail to the Chief” for me forever!!
Joan Stommen says
January 23, 2015 at 8:59 amLove this! The way you’ve connected the President entering a room to fabulous women walking in anywhere…..hell yeah, heads should turn! Thanks for including my comment. I forgot about this Risky Business clip….back when we still liked Tom Cruise! LOL It’s def an oldie from late 60’s/early 70’s like Bob and I…..but “still damn good” he says. Well done, Kimba!
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 7:04 pmI do love me some Seger!!
Carol Cassara says
January 23, 2015 at 8:59 amIt’s too early for me to think of what mine might be, but I do love reading others’!
Kim Dalferes says
January 23, 2015 at 7:02 pmThx Carol – and for coming back later in the comments!