Music matters. I see little girls singing and shaking their hips to Lady Gaga and Nickie Manaj around my town and it makes me sad. What are these songs teaching our young children?My early childhood was spent listening mostly to classical, jazz, and easy-listening instrumental music. I didn't even know Beatle songs had words until I was in my preteens. However, my grandparents were big fans of folk music and they introduced me to the records of Harry Chapin when I was about eight or nine. My favorite song was Cat's in the Cradle and I wore that record down playing it over and over again and I memorized every word.
when I was about eight or nine. My favorite song was Cat's in the Cradle and I wore that record down playing it over and over again and I memorized every word.This song is one of the main reasons I became a stay-at-home mom. Our children aren't parrots, they actually listen to music lyrics and these lyrics help shape them as future adults. Please take some time and listen to your children's music, even it it makes you want to throw up. ;-)
I would love to know which songs that you listened to as a child that helped shape your adult self, so please leave a comment below!
By the way, one of my other favorite songs from Harry Chapin was 30,000 Pounds of Bananas (Warning, you might not want to watch this if you are easily offended or if there are kids in the room!). Based on a true story and not inspiring, a bit disgusting, and not child appropriate in any way; this song had us rolling around on the floor cracking up. To this day when I see a pile of ripe bananas I can't stop myself from singing "all those 30,000 pounds of mashed bananas".
No parent or grandparent is perfect (I just told my kids to get out of my face right now because I am trying to finish this post!) and I suppose everyone needs some comic relief after listening to "Let it Be" without any lyrics. ;-)
I would love to know which songs that you listened to as a child that helped shape your adult self, so please leave a comment below!
By the way, one of my other favorite songs from Harry Chapin was 30,000 Pounds of Bananas (Warning, you might not want to watch this if you are easily offended or if there are kids in the room!). Based on a true story and not inspiring, a bit disgusting, and not child appropriate in any way; this song had us rolling around on the floor cracking up. To this day when I see a pile of ripe bananas I can't stop myself from singing "all those 30,000 pounds of mashed bananas".
No parent or grandparent is perfect (I just told my kids to get out of my face right now because I am trying to finish this post!) and I suppose everyone needs some comic relief after listening to "Let it Be" without any lyrics. ;-)
Cat's in the Cradle, Harry Chapin
My child arrived just the other day
He came to the world in the usual way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away
And he was talkin' 'fore I knew it, and as he grew
He'd say "I'm gonna be like you dad
You know I'm gonna be like you"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
My son turned ten just the other day
He said, "Thanks for the ball, Dad, come on let's play
Can you teach me to throw", I said "Not today
I got a lot to do", he said, "That's ok"
And he walked away but his smile never dimmed
And said, "I'm gonna be like him, yeah
You know I'm gonna be like him"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
Well, he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
"Son, I'm proud of you, can you sit for a while?"
He shook his head and said with a smile
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
See you later, can I have them please?"
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
I've long since retired, my son's moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said, "I'd like to see you if you don't mind"
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I can find the time
You see my new job's a hassle and kids have the flu
But it's sure nice talking to you, Dad
It's been sure nice talking to you"
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me
He'd grown up just like me
My boy was just like me
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home son?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then
