Playlists and Playthings.

It’s funny how Friday nights have become, over the last few years, my very best time of quiet and focus. While it seems the rest of the world either settle in for a movie, or head out to rage until sunrise, this is my time, to think, write and invest fully focused energy into my work.

It is this time of the week that I save up songs for. It’s during this time that I savour the tunes that my friend Dylan spins up and weaves together (you should listen to his sweet mixes…they’re like pages from my own diaries, sometimes).

Aside from that, I have been saving up songs this week, for this time. When I woke up this morning, early, feeling refreshed…I promptly fell back asleep and had a gigantic nightmare about apocalyptic happenings. Fun. But, after the mental madness had subsided once I’d got my eyes open and was walking towards our dearly beloved coffee machine…

A quickfire mental jukebox started playing. These were the songs that popped into my head throughout today. I’m glad I saved them up for tonight’s twilight. They’re little capsules of things that have gone past, and tiny reminders of moments I will never, ever let go of.

I’ve never, ever been a fan of diamonds or gold, because I know that these are mined from the ground in wholly awful situations, by people paid minute salaries…I don’t agree with it, and I probably never will. But, these songs…these songs are some of the jewels of life for me.

This is a pretty slow tempo playlist, but it suits me today. I’m not in a rush this evening.

Because I own this album on cassette. I remember finding it in a store in the 90s, and dancing around excitedly. It was, somehow, portent for someone that would happen in my life. I haven’t listened to this song in years. I’m glad I am today.

And then, well.

By now, you’ve probably heard this. I think Eddie does it justice. It’s a gigantic song, no matter how it’s sung but, Eddie has an incredible way of bringing it to life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wv9PpUMnuig

Because this is the very best version of this song you will ever hear. 

I realise you might roll your eyes at this one but, someone very special to me did something incredible recently and, well, it was this.

Because she did a very, very brave thing.

And, really, so should we all. 

 

A very special playlist.

 

Growing up, there were a variety of songs that stuck with me, that I hang on to, as they remind me of my folks. Specifically, though, I have a strong memory of why Vanessa Williams’ Save the Best for Last will always remind me of my mom.

But I’m not here to talk about that. I’m here to talk about the songs that have woven themselves into my life with my daughter. Each of these ones have memories attached to them, and I love them for the way that I can, on any bad day, hit play on them and they will instantly bring a smile to her little face. Here are some of them:

Katy Perry’s Hot ‘n Cold.  Many, many years ago (feels like an entirely different lifetime ago), I got dumped. A friend of mine suggested this song to me as “therapeutic” and I adopted it as my “gotta do some housework and feel chipper” song. It, very quickly, took on a whole new meaning for me, as my kid and I would dance around the house, with our own specially engineered dance moves, and sing it at the top of our voices. It is now, and forever, the song that brought a smile to our faces, on a bad day.

Three Little Birds by Bob Marley. This one dates back to when she was an infant. I will admit, I was one of those “rock the baby to sleep, do whatever it takes, even if it takes an hour” type of moms. I did not let her “cry it out”; “self soothe” or anything like that. I was a ferociously devoted co-sleeper too, and, honestly, still am. I’d have her sleep next to me any day. Anyone who knows me, knows that I’m not exactly a great singer *understatement* and she, once, lifted her arm out of her swaddled blanket and clapped it over my mouth when I attempted to sing her a lullaby once. But there was always one song she’d let me sing, and this was it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGYAAsHT4QE

Another Bob Marley tune, Buffalo Soldier, was something she heard at playschool, and came home singing one night. I treasure the video I have of her, singing this like she was made for it.

When she was about three (which, guys, is the best-most-difficult-continuous-conversation-and-questions age), she decided she’d like to be a dancer. Again, I have a little home video of her singing this and waving her hands around in the air like she just didn’t care. Heh.

More recently, she had an awful day at school earlier this year. When she got home, I tucked her into my bed and spun up a few tunes that I thought would cheer her up. The one she loved the most that day? Katy Perry’s Firework. This is the song I will sing to her, every day, for the rest of her life, whenever she needs it.

And, I have left a few off this playlist but, I’ll end it off with the silliest song we enjoy. It’s during this song that we come up with the very funniest mondegreens and end up flailing about the place in giggles (ridiculous Canadian enunciation included).

Sweet child, I love the soundtrack to our life. You’re the best song that ever played.

A playlist

 

Happy long weekend, folks!

Here’s a playlist that got me through this week.

1. If you haven’t watched the movie yet, do so immediately. Do not even think about it.

2. Because it’s been stuck in my head this week, and I think it was even in a dream I had.

3. Because Tuesday was kak…

4. But the rest of the week turned out to be fantastic, so we can get a little silly…

Make a little silliness this weekend, peeps.

 

Playlist.

My playlist for this week is pretty telling. Sometimes I just hit “shuffle” or “random” and iTunes does the rest (often scarily accurately). Other times, I make them up as I go along. Sometimes I’ll just listen to one album all day.

Today’s the first option. Here’s a little selection…and I think iTunes knows me well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJwLAxlio9w

today’s playlist…

just because…occasionally very silly…

 

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[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOgpT5rEKIU]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR_qa3Ohwls&ob=av2n]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhOXkDANjQA&feature=related]

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7K72X4eo_s&ob=av2n]

Have a happy weekend!