Theme Songs

At different points over the years I have associated certain songs with my loved ones. In addition to the music that I associate with my husband, the seriously lofty and celebratory wedding march (despite my humble introduction to it) and the wistful first dance music (wistful, because we regret not having used it, realizing only later how perfect it was), I have what I would I call theme songs for each one of my children.

For my son, who has always been more sensitive than he likes to let on, it’s I’ll Stand by You by the Pretenders.

For my teenage daughter whose ebullience from a very early age was practically infectious, Wonder by Natalie Merchant makes me think of her spinning and dancing.

For my youngest child, it’s Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring by Bach which played by her crib every night when I checked on her sleeping. It was like her personal soundtrack. Sadly we didn’t have the choral version, but like her, the melody is so beautiful, sometimes it hurts.

While there are certainly some passages in the two pop songs which are contradictory to my values, these songs still capture the essence of each of my children for me.

Do you have any theme songs for your children? If so, let me know.

Comments

Deb said…
We played a guitar version of Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring as my wedding walk-down-the-aisle-on-my-back-deck. I haven't thought about theme songs for the kids. Will think!
Lynne said…
It's really a beautiful piece of music.

We brought sound technology into the "oldest family home in America" for the occasion. We had great success jamming the big sound of a pipe organ into a teeny-weeny space.
Amy said…
I love this idea of theme songs. The closest thing we have for our Samantha is "Shama Lama Ding Dong" from Animal House. Of course we say, "Sama Lama Ding Dong" and that has become one of her most enduring nicknames: Samalama. The lyrics are actually quite appropriate, especially for her dad to sing:

If I searched,
This whole wide world,
I'd never never never,
find me a girl,
Who'd love me,
The way that you do.

And then there are a lot of "ooo bop bop" noises that are perfect to sing to a baby. I think we'll be embarrassing her in front of her friends with it when she is a teenager.
Lynne said…
That is why.
That is wh-hy,
You are my shoobe doobe doo.
Yeah.

That's perfect for teenage embarrassment material - you guys can make it a duet.
Jenn Casey said…
First of all--Bach is my favorite. Love "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." Actually, love it all. "Air on a G String" (snicker*) was my first choice to walk down the aisle at our wedding, but we ended up having no music during the ceremony (for many reasons).

Second, you KNOW we have theme songs. All three kids heard "Here Comes the Sun" shortly after birth, and that song will always be really special for that reason alone.

For Ryan, I associate "Blackbird Singing" (his lullabye for a long time) and "Love Me Do" because he used to sing it.

For Morgan, she has "Brown-Eyed Girl," of course, and "Apple Blossom" by The White Stripes. And "Martha, My Dear" because you know she had to have a Beatles song.

Alas, we have no true theme song for Sean just yet. We make up lots of songs with his name ("O Seanie Boy,") but there is no theme song just yet. Sometimes it takes a while to decide on it (them) because it needs to reflect their personality just a bit and Sean is still letting us get to know him. He's a cheerful thing, so I suspect his future song(s) will be upbeat.


*I'm sorry to have to inform you that my sense of humor has yet to fully mature.
Lynne said…
Yes! "Brown-Eyed Girl" most defintely makes me think of both girls, and "Hush-a-bye" the lullaby will always make me think of my oldest daughter. The Jeopardy theme song was an early match for my son - I needed to watch it in labor to keep me distracted (that didn't work well) and he used to hum it in his high chair!

"Here Comes the Sun" is a very sweet theme song for them all to share.

*I'm sorry to have to inform you that I think your sense of humor has fully matured - and I love it!

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