Data Rock Stars: The Rolling Forecasts

As is often the case with these sorts of things, it all started with a tweet, based on an online magazine article about rock stars.

The tweet (shown above) was sent by Jill Dyché in regards to the article Are You a Data Rock Star? by Elizabeth Glagowski.

The Rolling Forecasts

After the original tweet went viral, our group had very little choice other than to get the band back together and prepare for our Data Rock Star World Tour 2010.  Jean-Michel Franco named us The Rolling Forecasts.  You can follow us on Twitter:

Jill Dyché – @JillDyche	Elizabeth Glagowski – @1to1MediaEditor
Jean-Michel Franco – @jmichel_franco	Giedre Aleknonyte – @googlea
Michael W Cristiani – @mcristia	Phil Simon – @PhilSimon
Jill Wanless – @sheezaredhead	Jim Harris – @ocdqblog

We are currently working through some “creative differences” while recording our latest studio album, which is scheduled to drop sometime this summer.  For now, please enjoy the following lyrics from one of our greatest hits of all time.  Rock On!

You Can’t Always Get the Data You Want *

I saw her looking for business direction
A document of requirements in her hand
I knew she would find a database connection
And search for the business value they demand

No, you can’t always get the data you want
You can’t always get the data you want
You can’t always get the data you want
But if you try sometimes, you might find
You get the insight you need

I saw her struggle with data’s imperfection
When at the cursor she declared her command
I knew she questioned her SQL selection
Because the result set wasn’t what she planned

You can’t always get the data you want
You can’t always get the data you want
You can’t always get the data you want
But if you try sometimes, well you might find
You get the insight you need

Oh yeah, hey hey hey, oh...

And I went down to the vendor’s product demonstration
To listen to the salesman’s fair share of lies and abuse
Singing: “Now we’re gonna vent our customer frustration
Because we are sick of hearing your sorry ass excuse”
Sing it to me now...

You can’t always get the data you want
You can’t always get the data you want
You can’t always get the data you want
But if you try sometimes, well you just might find
You get the insight you need
Oh baby, yeah, yeah!

I went down to the operational datastore
To get your source data request fulfilled
I was standing in the cubicle of DBA Jimmy
And man, did his data look pretty ill

We decided that we should talk about data quality
Master data management and data governance too
I sung my song to DBA Jimmy
Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was “Screw!”
I said to him

You can’t always get the data you want, no!
You can’t always get the data you want, I’m telling ya baby
You can’t always get the data you want, oh no
But if you try sometimes, you just might find
You get the insight you need
Oh yes!  Woo!

You get the business insight you need
Yeah baby!
Oh, yeah!

I saw her today at the executive presentation
She knew telling the truth would not win her any fans
But she was tired of practicing the art of deception
And I could tell she finally understands
Sing it!

You can’t always get the data you want
You can’t always get the data you want
You can’t always get the data you want
But if you try sometimes, you just might find
Oh, you just might find
You get the insight you need

Oh, yeah!
Oh, baby!
Woo!

Ah, you can’t always get the data you want
No, no baby

You can’t always get the data you want
Telling you right now

You can’t always get the data you want, oh no!
But if you try sometimes, you just might find
You just might find, that yeah!
You get the business insight you need!
Oh, yeah!

I’m telling the truth about data...

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

* In 1969, The Rolling Stones released a similar song called “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” on their album Let It Bleed.

Comments

[Phil Simon]

Now, if you guys only let me bring in my prog rock influences, this would have been a 20 minute song with odd time signatures, long instrumentals, and sparse words.

[Jill Wanless]

Brilliantly perfect and perfectly brilliant lyrics Jim!

[Liz Glagowski]

This is brilliant! Like Rock and Roll Hall of Fame quality!

Thanks for "rolling" with my article to bring it to a whole new level! Can I link to this on our site as well?

[Jim Harris]

Thanks for your comments Data Rock Stars!

@Phil — That would be one of those “creative differences” over our latest studio album. Couldn't we just do a cover of the Rush-inspired song: Data Quality is such a Rush?

@Jill — Thanks Jill! Everyone be sure to read Jill's blog post: Attributes of a Data Rock Star

@Liz — Thanks Liz! Yes, please feel free to add a link to your site.

Rock on, The Rolling Forecasts, Rock on!

[Databroker]

Hi Jim,

We have been producing the finest data songs this side of the pond for 2 years, feel free to check them out on our blog:

Data Songs on the Databroker Blog

Maybe we could guest data song blog swap?

Thanks,

John