Business journalists and singing = A bad combination

At the Society of American Business Editors and Writers annual conference Sunday evening, the Best in Business Awards were handed out.

The highlight, however, was when business editors from papers from the former Knight Ridder chain were joined on stage by business editors from Tribune Co., Pulitzer Co. and other recently sold chains to sing the business journalism version of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”

Part of the lyrics, written by Baltimore Sun assistant managing editor of business Bernie Kohn, follow:

“First I was afraid, I’d be Gannett-ized;

Kept thinking I was just an asset to be monetized.

I spent so many nights thinking what I’d done so wrong.

I grew strong; I learned how to carry on.”

And then, the final chorus:

“It took all the strength I had not to fall apart,

When my section was cut down to just a single chart.

And I got oh so many calls screaming “I don’t use the Web!”

I used to sigh; And now I hold my head up high.

And you see me getting the hint;

I’m not that agate focused person still in love with print.”

At least they weren’t singing to Right Said Fred’s “I’m Too Sexy.”