One of the many lists I’ve written over the years was a list of songs I would have sung to my child. Even though I didn’t intend to have one. For a long time I carried it around, written longhand on a notepad, wherever I went. I went to quite a few places. Running to or from? Texas. France. Oklahoma. Oregon. I think it may have even gone to England and Germany. I started it when I was in my twenties. Maybe after Texas. Definitely after Eugene. I don’t quite remember when “I don’t think I really want to have kids” became “I definitely do not want to.” After a wedding, probably. Not mine. After my first one, before the second. <\/p>\n
The original list was torn and stained. Falling apart. Coffee, beer, tears. I wonder what happened to it? I know I had it in the late 90’s. The last time I looked for it was to put a Nirvana song on it. <\/p>\n
Polly. <\/p>\n
Or was it Ben Harper?<\/p>\n
I couldn’t find the list. I never saw it again. Every once in a while, I hear a song I’d like to add, but it’s too late. I’d never be able to put it entirely back together. It was several pages long. Doodles in the margins. <\/p>\n
Sometimes I think there are probably doodles in my brain. If my brain had margins, there would definitely be doodles. <\/p>\n
Doodles and cobwebs.
\nPiles of dust and old bones…
\nThe ghosts of discarded lovers.
\nOh, wait–wrong list. <\/p>\n
Ben Harper:
\nForever
\nWaiting On An Angel
\nWelcome To The Cruel World<\/p>\n
Francis Cabrel:
\nPetite sir\u00e8ne
\nJe t’aimais, je t’aime et je t’aimerai <\/p>\n
Don McLean:
\nVincent
\nAmerican Pie (and I’d stop singing half through because it’s too long)<\/p>\n
Cat Stevens:
\nMoon Shadow<\/p>\n
Elton John:
\nLove song
\nAll the Nasties
\nWho am I kidding, let’s just say large swaths of Honky Chateau, Yellow Brick Road and Elton John, all of Tumbleweed Connection, Madman Across The Water and Captain Fantastic.
\nBut especially Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, Levon, and Where To Now St. Peter. <\/p>\n
Elvis. The One True Elvis. Costello:
\nAlison
\nAngels Wanna Wear My Red Shoes
\nMystery Dance
\nTown Cryer
\nLittle Triggers<\/p>\n
Peter Frampton:
\nBaby I Love Your Way<\/p>\n
CCR:
\nLooking Out My Back Door<\/p>\n
CSNY:
\nOur House<\/p>\n
Rolling Stones:
\nBeast of Burden
\nPaint It Black<\/p>\n
Talking Heads:
\nOnce in a Lifetime
\nAnd She Was<\/p>\n
Heart:
\nDog and Butterfly<\/p>\n
Billie Holiday:
\nGood Morning Heartache<\/p>\n
Bob Marley:
\nThree Little Birds
\nNo Woman No Cry<\/p>\n
The Beatles:
\nLet It Be
\nHey Jude
\nIn My Life
\nHere Comes The Sun
\nThere was a very long list of Beatles songs. Very. <\/p>\n
Stevie Wonder:
\nKnocks Me Off My Feet<\/p>\n
What would I add now? The Lumineers. Someone should sing Stubborn Love and Morning Song to a baby. P!nk, profanity and all. Noir D\u00e9sir and D\u00e9troit. <\/p>\n
Storm Large– a baby needs to know that big girls are not built to walk the straight and narrow. Especially a baby girl. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"