<p>If songs were gifts and you could bestow one song upon someone, what would it be? Any song at all because you enjoy it, because it means something to you, because it makes you laugh, because it makes you cry. If you’d care to share a story, that’d be wonderful.</p>
<p>I would gift someone with “Lovin You” by Minnie Ripperton because as a very little girl I can remember my sister singing that to me before she died. That’s the only specific memory that I have of her.</p>
<p>I don’t know if it qualifies as “song” but the Laudate Dominum aria from Mozart’s Vesperae Solemnes de Confessore is the most comforting “song” I know. It saw me through some difficult times; perhaps it would do the same to my many friends who love classical music.</p>
<p>My suggestions are not as elevated as marite’s, but I will make them anyway.</p>
<p>One is “For Baby (for Bobbie)” by John Denver. I first heard it sung by Mary Travers (of Peter, Paul, and Mary) on a video, and I sang it every night for years to my sons when they were young. There is now a version on youtube sung by John Denver and the Chad Mitchell Trio.</p>
<p>The other I just discovered today, also on youtube. It’s “Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World” by the late Israel Kamakawiwo’ole (Brudder IZ), a musician/singer from Hawaii. I’ve never heard of him before, but I love his voice.</p>
<p>I would give my D “Extraordinary” by Liz Phair. During a rough patch in MS we played it on the drive to school every morning. I just kept telling her to repeat the words to herself when she felt shy or out of place. Not the exact words I would use, but it hits the high points. </p>
<p>My son…hmm…have to think about it a bit.</p>
<p>NYMom–I was bored one day last winter and playing with youtube. I discovered the song at that time. I still have it on my iphone. It makes me happy.</p>
<p>Right at the moment, perhaps in part because I was listening to some terrific gospel music earlier today, I think that my “one song” for someone else - a song to lift their spirits - would be Rev. James Cleveland’s “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired,” which can be accessed at YouTube. Believe me, you don’t have to be religious in any orthodox sense - I’m not - to be moved by this music. </p>
<p>P.P.S. For another taste of gospel music, you might try “Last Mile of the Way” by the Soul Stirrers - featuring Sam Cooke (!!!) before he turned to popular music - which can also be accessed at YouTube.</p>
<p>Oh zoos, I’ll really have to think about this one, but that story about your sister singing to you is one of the sweetest things I’ve ever heard. Like you, she must have been special. Thanks for sharing.</p>
<p>Gounod’s Ave Maria.
it was always sung at life changing events in my life. When my brother died (NYU junior 1983) his funeral.
Sung at my wedding, my mother’s and father’s funeral. </p>
<p>Also, Amazing Grace. I love this song because of the story behind it.</p>
<p>The best version of IZ singing “Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World” is in the movie “50 First Dates”. It’s not on the soundtrack, so I bought one of his albums. But, it is even better in the movie.</p>
<p>The first song I thought of was Over The Rainbow, but the Judy Garland version. I also like It’s a Wonderful World, thought of the Louis Armstrong version. Ave Maria is beautiful too.</p>
<p>I can’t choose 1 song. I have to go with 3 more. My wife and I have our 2 songs from our courting days. Lush Life by Ella Fitzgerald and The Girl From Ipanema…The Stan Getz-Jobim-Gilberto version. </p>
<p>The Girl From Ipanema played in the background the first time my wife cooked me dinner (before she was my wife). I can’t explain Lush Life. We just like it.</p>
<p>I have to include to Nessun-Dorma by Pavarotti too.</p>
<p>Zoosermom, I’m really sorry to read about your sister. Milkandsugar, sorry to read about your brother.</p>
<p>I find “Stand” by Rascal Flatts very comforting and it comes to my mind a lot. As a runner, the “race” line is especially relevant. </p>
<p>"On your knees you look up
Decide you’ve had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you stand (then you stand)
Yea, then you stand (then you stand)</p>
<p>Everytime you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place"</p>
<p>I was in a Leadership Training recently and we were all asked to pick a theme song for ourselves and share it with the group. It was a very interesting exercise and revealed a lot about people.</p>
<p>When in Rome’s “The Promise”…the “sometimes I shout” line has come to mind recently during heated chats with my stressed out senior…</p>
<p>If you need a friend, don’t look to a stranger,
You know in the end, I’ll always be there.
But when you’re in doubt, and when you’re in danger,
Take a look all around, and I’ll be there.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but I’m just thinking of the right words to say.
I know they don’t sound the way I planned them to be.
But if you’ll wait around awhile, I’ll make you fall for me,
I promise you, I promise you I will.</p>
<p>When your day is through, and so is your temper,
You know what to do, I’m gonna always be there.
Sometimes if I shout, it’s not what’s intended.
These words just come out, with no gripe to bear.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, but I’m just thinking of the right words to say.
I know they don’t sound the way I planned them to be.
But if you’ll wait around awhile, I’ll make you fall for me,
I promise you, I promise you…</p>
<p>This summer I discovered the song “Johnny Appleseed” by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros.</p>
<p>It was sung at the dedication of a park in my SIL’s name by people who had known and loved her, and the song just knocked me over. Bought the JS version and have been listening to it constantly since then.</p>
<p>“If you’re after getting the honey - hey
Then you don’t go killing all the bees”</p>
<p>Oh, ZM, what a wonderful memory to have of your sister! The last memory I have of my brother is hearing “Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John blasting from his room on the day he died.</p>
<p>(Whenever I’m feeling low, I listen to “Hallelujah” by Jeff Buckley. It never fails to lift my spirits.)</p>
<p>The songs I connect with some of my dearest:
my daughter: Bach’s “Jesu Joy of Man’s Desire”
my husband: “You Go to my Head” (Sinatra version)
my mother: Stevie Wonder’s “You are the Sunshine of my Life”</p>
<p>For my wife it would have to be “Beautiful” by Gordon Lightfoot. We had the song at our wedding. For myself the song that helps me get back on track and not take life to seriously and remind me life is short and precious is Joni Mitchell’s “Free Man in Paris”. I remember having this on a cassette and listening on my Walkman back in '83 and walking alone late at night in St-Germaine seeing Cafe De Flore where Sartre and de Beauvoire used to hang out. Being free to oneself and true to oneself rushed over me. I sometimes need a refresher course and this song helps me.</p>
<p>Bedtimes songs I used to sing to and with my older daughter-- You Are My Sunshine and Red River Valley. She used to LOVE to sing along to My Bonnie. I can still hear her little voice. She’s 13 now, and looks about 18…</p>
<p>And ditto, Orchestramom-- You Are the Sunshine of my Life. </p>
<p>And about life in general, looking back, moving on-- Green Day’s Good Riddance (Time of Your Life). Overplayed, but a great song.</p>