When you’ve got a young baby, rocking, and singing are sort of expected. Being the person that I am, I knew with my first that I didn’t just want to do traditional nursery rhymes, but rather songs that meant something to me, or our relationship. And I feel it’s been a lovely decision.
Last year, I compiled a playlist for Gwendolyn of the songs I had been singing her her entire life—she had never heard the recordings before—and her reaction was amazing. Truly, the look on her face when she first heard these special songs, “Gwendolyn Songs”, was something I’ve not forgotten. She started requesting them all the time. If I didn’t have song from her list on my phone, I got it. When she heard the newest one, she was thrilled. Finally, for Christmas, we got her a CD player, and one of the CDs has just her songs on it, and she loves playing them. That was such hit for her; I’ve already created Harry’s playlist, and we play it in the car regularly.
In fact, since her songs are so special to her, I made sure to really curate for Harry, since Gwendolyn’s were more spontaneous. That hasn’t made them less impactful for her, though, as she always wants to listen to them when she feels upset.
My goal with these short lullaby playlists is to give them a musical vignette of my feelings for them, specifically. To have music that reminds them of being with me, and have songs that feel like them. I also have 1 song for each of them that was from Todd and my wedding playlist, because they’re each a part of us.
Gwendolyn’s Songs:
Here Comes the Sun, The Beatles – my mom sang You are my Sunshine to me, and I thought this seemed like an appropriate ‘related’ song. Technically we listen to the version from The Parent Trap soundtrack, but youtube doesn’t have that, apparently.
L.O.V.E., Nat King Cole – this is one from our wedding playlist. It’s sweet, and not romantic-love specific.
Hotel on a Hill, McFly – McFly is my very favourite band, and so they make lots of appearances. This song was an unreleased leak from around 2010, but I’ve sung it to other babies before, too. It’s simple, and short, and calm.
My Girl – I mean, she’s my girl, I gotta sing it, right? It was the first thing to consistently make her smile as a baby, too.
Because You Live, Jesse McCartney – definitely cheesy as a teen love song, but perfect for a parent-to-child song. If I had to pick one song that was the most from me to her, this would be it. She knows it too, and I believe it’s her favourite one.
All About You, McFly – she was everything for a time, and this song says it. Sweet, and simple, and perfect for nighttime lulling.
Room on the Third Floor, McFly – completely non-romantic and about recognizing that things don’t ways go how you want and that’s fine, I thought this was a nice addition to a plethora of love songs, especially with it’s laid back vibe.
Dream Away, Zumbini – we got this on a Zumbini CD, but it’s a nice lullaby about staying with your child while they sleep, and since we co-sleep, I enjoy it. It’s also a nice finale to the other songs, especially since the goal is to end and have her be asleep. (not on youtube)
Harry’s Songs:
I’ve Got You, McFly – one of my first favourites from my favourite band, I like it because life is better now that I’ve got him. Plus, the bridge makes more sense when you consider it through the lense of co-sleeping with a baby!
Love is Easy, McFly – this is his song from our wedding playlist, and it’s the song I feel is the most me to him song. He’s always been easy, and loved, and just right.
Is This Still Love, Danny Jones – maybe you’re like: oh, finally, not McFly! Well, Danny is a main vocalist in McFly, this is just his own solo stuff. The mellow tune just seemed to fit right.
12:59 Lullaby, Bedouin Soundclash – I mean, it’s literally a lullaby. And I have sung it at 12:59 before! It’s made for late-night soothing.
Everything, Michael Bublé – captures the feeling of having a new baby; plus I can replace “I’m your man” with “I’m your mom”.
Do Ya, McFly – asking a bunch of rhetorical questions, because of course baby dreams about me when he’s sleeping on his own.
Better Place, Rachel Plattern – pretty self-explanatory. But gets the message across to Harry about how his presence in our family makes me feel.
If you like this idea and are wanting to give it a go, try scrolling through your entire music library (you may find gems you forgot about), and just write up all tunes that strike you. From there, you can create your final lineup.
I personally like a mix of romantic songs that are actually better to sing in a parent-child relationship, and other songs. But you want to be sure you pick songs your know all the words to (or practice).
I hope that my children can always have their lullabies on hand, and use them to feel my love for them, or to feel relaxed, or calm when they need it.
Here are my playlists, if you want to hear the vibe I have for each child:
