It came as no surprise to me that, out of the 3 people I asked to suggest 10 songs for me listen to, Dad got there first. If there is one thing my Dad loves as much as his family, it would have to be his music. He adores it. He arrived this weekend with his CD for me, all prepared and literally bursting to put it on, apparently having already made my Mum listen to it repeatedly on the journey over, and having a bit of a grumble that I had limited it to just the 10! So put it on we did…..and I LOVED it. Thanks Dad. Here is how it went…click on images to listen in at YouTube…
1. Bob Dylan: The Highlands.
Dad says “It is about Dylan feeling his age and I wanted to open with this and finish with ‘Forever Young’, which he wrote for his children when he was so much younger. Both great songs and thought it was a good way to book-end the CD.”
2. Sinead O’Connor: Nothing compares.
“A great song sung with such emotion…and much better than Prince.”
3. Janis Joplin: Me and Bobby McGee.
“Another great song and it’s writer, Kris Kristofferson once said, “I wrote it about somebody I knew. Janis sings as if it is about somebody she loves”.”
4. Patty Griffen: Mary.
“Every time I play it I realise how much I miss Mary.”
Mary was my Dad’s sister, my Aunt, who we sadly lost to cancer too young. I cannot get through this song without bursting into tears. It really is hauntingly beautiful. If you only click on one image to listen pick THIS ONE. It is just gorgeous.
5. Ben Harper: Walk away.
“Tremendous song made more powerful by the simplicity of the stark acoustic guitar.”
6. Peter Gabriel: Don’t give up.
“One of the best protest songs about Thatcher’s Britain”
7. Jeff Buckley: Hallelujah.
“A classic Cohen song but sung with such feeling that makes it the only Cohen song which is better than the original”
8. Steve Earle: Christmas in Washington.
“Again, another political song but this time about Bush in The Whitehouse”
9. Tom Waits: Come on up to the house.
“A great spiritual blues song which I would like played at my own funeral.”
…mmmmmm cheery thought Dad?!
10. Bob Dylan: Forever young.
“When you and your sister were young I wished this for you as you no doubt do for W”
Told you he was a big softy.
Thanks Dad, I love this little lot.
Another task ticked off my list.
This post is dedicated to the loving memory of my Aunty Mary, a courageous lady.
Images sourced at wikipedia.org.
Lovely post, so sweet that you and your dad were able to sit together and listen to his song choices. I love that you have added his quotes to each song. Listening to “Mary” right now~ simply beautiful xx
It really is isn’t it? I had not heard it before…have been weeping here for the last hour! 🙂
How lovely, your Dad is such a sweety! x
Thanks honey…it’s a nice little mix isn’t it…and THANKFULLY no Leonard Cohen, PHEW….apologies Cohen fans
Hi J, Loved the list even some I would have picked myself. Your Dad I agreeing on music… theres a first.
Think I may well have put big Lenny about Jeff Buckley though. I do have both versions on my Ipod, and Im not a Cohen fan myself, but living with one for the past 35+ years something must be rubbbing off.
A lovely tribute to Mary.
Thanks Gail xxx