‘When All Else Fails, Sing’: IBM Exec Cheers Up Co-workers With Blues Parody
As the coronavirus crisis dispersed and isolated IBMers, Big Blue marketing leader Rich Michos wrote and recorded a parody song to lift spirits and foster unity in strange times.
Tech industry leaders are doing what they can to lift the spirits of employees dispersed and isolated by the coronavirus crisis, and for one IBM executive, that meant turning to talents well beyond tech.
Rich Michos, IBM’s global marketing head for the communications sector, picked up his guitar over the weekend and performed a song that resonated with many colleagues feeling a little stir-crazy after weeks of social distancing.
Michos’ parody of the 1959 Bo Diddley ditty “Crackin’ Up” was an instant hit on LinkedIn, with many commenters from Big Blue’s ranks and beyond thanking him for bringing a smile to their faces.
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In a post tagged: “when all else fails, sing…”, Michos belted out, “I used to dread commuting, especially in the rain, I must be going batty because I miss the train … what’s wrong with me ... I’m cracking up …”
“The entire point was to lift people’s spirits,” he told CRN. “I really do believe we’re all in this together. Any weak link will hurt everybody. At the same time, you have to have a sense of humor.”
Michos said he’s pleased the song brought some cheer to cooped-up colleagues, and was amused that previous, more-serious posts never garnered as many positive comments on social media.
“We’re all starving to stay connected. You do it with a little humor, it will resonate,” he told CRN.
Michos’ small New York-based team, which he has watched everyday enduring greater distress, was an inspiration in his song writing. Several of those young professionals, following Michos’ advice, went back to their home states at the start of the outbreak to be closer to family.
“You’re back with your mom and dad,” Michos sings in their honor. “Nowhere to dine, you just polished off your mother’s wine.”
Michos has long written and performed parody songs—entertaining everyone from family members at parties to an incoming IBM CMO.
A few days ago, he started fooling around with his guitar, writing verse upon verse spoofing the blues classic.
Some of his irreverent lyrics were left on the cutting-room floor to pare the final song down to five minutes, including riffs he felt a little “too easy,” he said, like, “nothing to lose, drinking all the booze.”
A verse near the end of the song advised people to get outside while still practicing good social distancing. Then Michos wrapped up with a heart-felt message.
“We need each other, I know we can do it. Remember IBMer, we will get through it …” he crooned, before dropping his guitar and somberly telling his audience: “we, absolutely we, can do this, together, and we will.”