Art That Strikes a Chord: A Playlist Inspired by George Tooker's Government Bureau

Former High School Intern Jason viewing George Tooker's Government Bureau. George Tooker (American, 1920–2011). Government Bureau, 1956. Egg tempera on wood; 19 5/8 x 29 5/8 in. (49.8 x 75.2 cm). The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, George A. Hearn Fund, 1956 (56.78). © Estate of George Tooker

«As both a classical musician and an art aficionado, I have always been fascinated with the connection between music and visual art. Both encompass universal themes that can be found in works made across centuries. We might not paint with egg tempera or play the harpsichord anymore, but we still fall in love, feel pain and grief, desire wealth and success, and feel frustrated by injustice. So, I chose to search for songs that share the universal themes found in George Tooker's Government Bureau.»

Painted in 1956, Government Bureau offers a dark look into a stark, sterile government office. The tired eyes of the employees, who peer out of small peepholes at faceless forms, create a sense of homogeneity and gloom that conveys a certain cynicism about government and a frustration with the drudgery of daily life. With this in mind, I came up with a playlist of songs that explores routine, conformity, and repetition, among other things.

"Once in a Lifetime" by Talking Heads

"Once in a Lifetime" by seminal '80s new wave band Talking Heads wastes no time humorously jabbing at the never-ending path to material success. Through the repetition of the phrases "a beautiful house," "a beautiful wife," and "a large automobile," lead singer David Byrne points out stereotypical symbols of success while hinting at how meaningless and disorienting life can be in pursuit of these "prizes." Byrne warns the listener, "You may ask yourself, 'Well, how did I get here?'" He repeats over and over that something—perhaps the idea that people can find fulfillment through material gain—is the "same as it ever was." "Once in a Lifetime" takes on a surreal quality that is present in the muted color palette, formless figures, and cheerless eyes framed by peepholes in Tooker's piece.

"Super Rich Kids" by Frank Ocean featuring Earl Sweatshirt

Upon first listen, what struck me about this song was the slow, plodding rhythm of the bass and guitars and the lazy, slurred speech of R&B crooner Frank Ocean and rapper Earl Sweatshirt. In their lyrics, Earl Sweatshirt and Frank Ocean tell a story of wealthy children who are bored and overwhelmed by the luxuries and advantages afforded to them. Like "Once in a Lifetime," "Super Rich Kids" is laden with a repetition of certain phrases and similar voice inflection—an effective tool in establishing a monotonous quality that is similar to what Tooker captured in Government Bureau.

Allegretto from Dmitri Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8 in C minor (Op. 110)

Composed in 1960, Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich's eighth string quartet was written as a sort of personal obituary following his reluctant joining of the Communist Party. In fact, he embedded his initials, DSCH, into the piece using the theme, D, E flat, C, B, which translates to DSCH in German notation. The third movement in particular, Allegretto, almost sounds like a demented waltz through the repetition and layering of this musical motif and the "oom-pah-pah" of the lower voices. With its connection to pessimism surrounding government and its surreal and twisted qualities brought about by the mix of festivity and doom, Allegretto from Shostakovich's eighth string quartet is a perfect companion to Tooker's Government Bureau.

"Electable (Give It Up)" by Jimmy Eat World

Although it may be less of a linear connection to Government Bureau, rock band Jimmy Eat World's "Electable (Give It Up)" struck me as an anthem that took the messages in Tooker's piece one step further. Instead of just being pessimistic about or frustrated with those "talking points from talking heads with automated smiles," Jimmy Eat World wants you to throw them out the window. While it isn't immediately clear in the piece, this sentiment seems like something Tooker could have felt while creating this work.

"The Mask" by The Fugees

"The Mask" by '90s rap group the Fugees explores the idea that everyone, no matter where they are from, has to conform and wear a "mask" to get through the day, fit in, and stay out of trouble. Members Lauryn Hill, Pras, and Wyclef Jean paint the world as a twisted place with the lyrics "the Feds . . . have me working underground building missiles for World War III" and "tell me who's baggin my fries and getting high on company time." "The Mask" clearly conveys the themes of uniformity and frustration with daily life that are present in Tooker's piece and also brings the concept of corruption into the mix, which is similar to the pessimism about government that Government Bureau expresses.

"The Peacocks" by Esperanza Spalding

Repetition is at the center of jazz-bass sensation Esperanza Spalding's "The Peacocks." Whether it's in the piano or the upright bass, there is almost always a three-note ascending theme cutting through and over it some type of dissonant chaos in the other instruments, which can be considered an interesting parallel to Government Bureau.

Whether it be an R&B song about bored rich kids or a string quartet written in reaction to joining the Communist Party, it is clear that all of these songs have commonalities with Government Bureau by George Tooker. Through thoughtful lyrics, striking instrumentation, and inventive solos, these musical artists succeeded in capturing the deep frustration, mind-numbing repetition, and hopeless pessimism that encapsulate Tooker's fascinating work.