Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Lily's top 10 songs she likes me to play for her

Having a baby has brought guitar playing back into my home life. For years I've only really played at rehearsals and gigs. Lily has changed that, and I've really enjoyed relearning and playing these great songs for her. These are rated on a scale that is a mix of how Lily responds to the songs and how much I like to play them.

1. "If I Needed You" Townes Van Zandt
She recognizes and responds to this one the most. It's one I feel I'm really singing to her. Even has her name in it.
2. "The Water is Wide" traditional
Rather bleak, but beautiful. Have memories of my parents singing this.
3. "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?" Joan Baez
Sort of hippy-ish, but hypnotic and clever.
4. "True Love Will Find You in the End" Daniel Johnston
The line, "Don't be sad. I know you will." has a dichotomy that chills me every time I sing it to her. I don't know if it means "I know you will- be sad" or "I know you will- find love." Both are true and both are incredibly hard to sing to a little girl.
5. "East Virginia Blues" Carter Family
I've been playing both the Damien Jurado and Gob Iron versions of this one.
6. "Motor Away" Guided by Voices
I've made my own arrangement that's slow and sleepy.
7. "Froggy Went a Courtin'/Crawdad Song" traditional
pretty standard. Adapted a verse about her nickname: Chapperoo.
8. "Game of Pricks" Guided by Voices
This was the song that first made her "crazy head dance" start. Punkrock power chords.
9. Murder Ballads like "Waitin' Round to Die" by Townes Van Zandt or "Silo" by Scud Mtn. Boys
Jill prefers I don't play these, but they're sort of upbeat in rhythm and fun to play.
10. "Sweet Baby James" James Taylor
I like this one more than Lily. Reminds me of growing up, learning to play bar chords to this song when I was 16/17 out of my dad's James Taylor songbook.