a musical alphabet for sophia
girl - beck
“and I know I’m gonna steal her eye, she doesn’t even know whats wrong. and i know i’m gonna make her die, take her where her soul belongs. and i know i’m gonna steal her eye, nothing that i wouldn’t try. hey! my sun-eyed girl.”
your mama spent many amazing summers in her teens listening to this song. it doesn’t have much meaning but it’s still a happy, bright one.
a musical alphabet for sophia
forever young - bob dylan & the band
“May god bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every run
May you stay, forever young
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
And may you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
And may you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young”
a musical alphabet for sophia
enough’s enough - jamie lidell
“enough is enough, your more than enough. so much more than enough for me.”
simple, fun, words, a happy tune, and an amazing artist. jamie lidell is one of your mama’s favorite vocalists and favorite faces aka huge crushes….
a musical alphabet for sophia
danny’s song - loggins & messina
“even though we ain’t got money, i’m so in love with you honey”
this letter’s pick is a little cheesy. nonetheless, it is one of your mama’s favorites. i grew up on this song and it still seems to soothe me. it’s a simple love song about the joys of creating a family. your dad and i almost used this as the song for our first dance, but instead chose another song that i will share later on down the list.
a musical alphabet for sophia
california stars - billy bragg & wilco
“i’d like to rest my heavy head, tonight, on a bed of california stars. i’d love to lay my weary bones, tonight, on a bed of california stars. i’d love to feel your head touching mine and tell me why i must keep working on, yes, i’d give my life just to lay my head, tonight, on a bed of california stars”
this song is one of mama’s favorite songs from one of her all time favorite bands. it’s a simple, sleepy, dance with me, love song.
- honorable mention: changes - david bowie
One of the few performances/pieces of art that gives me the chills every time I watch it.
A lot of memories are soundtracked to The Last Waltz. I watched the film, listened to the album, read about the concert so much that it became mythical; I researched every detail that was available: production notes, rumors, camera movements, commentary, what guests did just before and just after they were on stage.
I remember reading a column, Rolling Stone used to have a Revisits section at the end of their reviews that it might have been from, that expressed the urgency of all the performances during The Last Waltz. The Band was breaking up, there was a lot of inner turmoil around it, Levon Helm maybe being the most vocal and adamant about not breaking up. The writer describes being in the ballroom, watching The Band perform, seeing them put absolutely everything they had into these songs, because they know it would be the last time they performed them together.
It leaves you with an almost unsettling mixture of feelings. The excitement you feel of watching a band perform so cohesively is intercut with feelings of longing or sadness. And the ability to see it all in Levon Helm’s performance. I don’t think you have to do all the research and obsessing to notice it. Helm’s performance is just so good.
It’s the type of feeling that takes a tremendous amount of talent to describe, and I certainly don’t possess it.
R.I.P. Levon.
RIP LEVON.
a musical alphabet for sophia
blowin’ in the wind - bob dylan
“yes how many years can a mountain exist before it’s washed to the sea? yes, how many years can some people exist before they’re allowed to be free? yes, how many times can a man turn his head pretending he just doesn’t see? the answer my friend is blown’ in the wind. the answer is blown’ in the wind.”
sophia, this was your daddy’s pick. this is a song you’ll hear frequently at home. it’s a little heavy but still beautiful. it’s also a song you’ll hear your dad sing at the top of his lungs if he hears it playing out in public.
- honorable mention: born to run via the boss - (you can ask him about that one…)
punkdad did a musical alphabet project dedicated to his child and i thought it was an interesting idea. i’d been thinking about my daughter sophia and about how much i want music to be apart of her life. it’s always been a huge part of my life, especially growing up. my dad would have his record player on at any hour of the day and i want sophia to experience that joy as well. this is in no way a replacement of that, but it will be a database of the songs i want to share with her. i find myself listening to songs on repeat on my way to work hoping she can hear it and understand the words from my womb…
—
ageless beauty - stars
“ageless beauty, cruelty makes it’s holes. but on the shoreline, time will hold it’s promise. we will always be a light. you can see it from the surface. tattered fingers lingering on the warm and foolish hardened faces, graceless, we’ll lose the battle…oceans won’t freeze so loosen your heart. underestimated, undefeated in this love. we will always be a light. you can see it from the surface”
sophia, this song is a comeback song for your mama. this is a hopeful song. i’d tell you to listen to the whole album, but you do not have permission to do so until you’re about…21.
new : beach house - “myth”
oldie but so goodie
SING
ive loved these girls for a long time and am happy to see they are gaining momentum!
blue - first aid kit
Good morning!
good morning!
