What's on your family playlist?

Now that my early Mother's Day gift has been sent to my siblings, and my secret project is out, I can do some explaining...

I was playing around on iTunes the other day and got in a sentimental mood thinking of the songs that used to play in the house I grew up in, in the family van on road trips, and in general all through my childhood. We had plenty of Mormon Tabernacle Choir and instrumental music, but I was thinking of a less reverent mix. I made a playlist labeled "Remembering Mom" because like most families, my dad was at work all day, so we were most influenced by mom's musical taste (we'll make one with you in mind, dad:)).  I love the memories that come to mind when I blast this playlist and go about doing what otherwise would be mundane housework. My kids get a kick out of some of these songs too.

Wayne had some printable CD's on hand, and had crafted a CD holder out of a Cheerios box to hold the CD in when it went to print.  I used this classic picture of my mom on the top of the CD's.
For posterity I'm posting the thoughts that come to mind with each song. 

1.  "Hooked on Classics"

2. "Top of the World"- this was a favorite Carpenters song in our family. We memorized it and sang it at the top of our lungs on road trips. Think 8 track tape and a VW van.  This very well may have been playing when we swerved to miss an oncoming car and my brother Dan flipped from the back of the van to the front.  This was before buckle up laws.  It was probably Dan's best acrobatic move to date.

3. "Little old Lady from Pasadena"- favorite Beach Boys song. I'm sure we only knew the line "She's the little old lady from Pasadena!" I especially remember singing this at our grandparents' house when we were there on many occasions to swim on hot So. Cal summer days.  Grandma brought out lemonade or popsicles and in season we'd eat fresh blackberries from their yard.

4. "Time Stand Still"- My brother, Dan was an incredible drummer and a huge Rush fan through his teenage years. He also went into minimal conversation mode through those years. My mom, seeking to somehow bond with him, went with him and my dad to a Rush concert to see what the fuss was all about. As you read through this playlist you'll realize just how far from her comfort zone (or my dad's really) Rush was, but that's the beauty of the story. She had a great time and was impressed with the drummer. We were all impressed with our parents, and that outing has become a beloved parenting moment.

5. "Sweet Caroline"- Mom, along with all her friends, loved Neil Diamond's voice. If she were alive today she'd have his voice on her GPS.  This was a favorite song.

6. "Sing"- Another Carpenters favorite. My mom taught this song to the primary kids in our ward and it was a hit with them too.

7. "America"- More Neil Diamond. This played a lot at our house, especially when we were in the So. Cal dance festival and this song was the big group number.

8. "We Got the Beat"- the Go-Go's. Mom was in a girl band for a church talent show. They lipsynced this song and had one of the best acts of the show. This is on my to-do list....it looked like a blast!

9. "Part of the Plan"- Dan Fogelberg.  This song reminds me of when my mom taught the older teenage girls in our ward.  They adored her and called her "mom." She saved their wedding announcements and kept in touch with them over the years. She was a good leader and friend.

10. "It Takes Two"- Donny & Marie Osmond.  We were faithful watchers of the Donny & Marie Show. We'd throw down our big mexican blanket from Tj, add a huge bowl of air-popped popcorn, and gather to sing along and enjoy the show.

11. "Teach your Children Well"- Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. I loved hearing this song and still do.

12. "The Golden Rule"- Carol Lynn Pearson (My Turn on Earth). This song is hilarious, and we sang it so loud and often you'd think it would sink in.

13. "My Story"- Carol Lynn Pearson (My Turn on Earth).  We sang this tune a million times as well.

14. "What One Man Can Do"- John Denver. We listened to a lot of John Denver. I especially remember these songs on road trips and camping trips.

15. "Annie's Song"- another John Denver favorite.

16. "I am your Child"- Barry Manilow. Mom loved Barry Manilow. We had nicknames for him that I won't mention, but at least us girls had fun learning some of his songs and singing out with mom.  

17. "We've Only Just Begun"- Yet another Carpenter's favorite. Did I mention that we loved the Carpenters? We did.

18. "Greatest Love of All"- I probably need to apologize to my brothers for putting Whitney Houston on the playlist, but we all remember mom making an amazing slideshow (pre-you could do this via computer days) for her RS class. The stars of the slideshow were the kids from church, so she was essentially showing this to their moms. She set the slideshow to this Whitney Houston song as well as "I am a Child of God." It was beautiful.

19. "Moon River"- We loved old movies and Breakfast at Tiffany's was one of our favorites. Audrey Hepburn sings this in the movie and on this recording. We memorized it and sang along.

20. "You Are So Beautiful"- Joe Cocker. Mom wanted us all to feel like we were beautiful inside and out. She didn't remember that being an important message in her childhood home, and so she tried to offer us self confidence. This song reminds me of her desire to get this message across to her daughters.

21. "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"- Phantom of the Opera. Mom LOVED Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables. She blasted these soundtracks over and over and over and over. I always think of mom when I hear this song.

22. "End Title (Karen's Song)"- from one of mom's favorite movies, "Out of Africa." 

Project in the works....The Beantown Menzies' playlist.  What's on yours?