A Musical Message to My Son
 

Lately, as I've been working, nutman jr. aka the inchling, will hear a song I'm listening to and say "that's great. Will you burn me a cd of that?"

I've been compiling a playlist for him of his favorites and some classics that I think should be a part of everyone's musical upbringing.

So far he's chosen

Ravel's Bolero
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
Oliver Nelson's Hoe Down
The Wreck of the Ella Fitzgerald (family joke)

I've put in
Embryonic Journey
I Have the Touch

But it got me to thinking of what 100 songs do you think are essential if you were to make a list.

It would be great if this thread could be added to as you think of songs over time rather than trying to come up with a top 100 list right away. Or even a top 40. I think some things are slow to be revealed.

Wait now, are these the songs we want them to take some sort of important cultural impact from, or the songs that they choose?

Because right now Minifob is choosing "I Gotta Feeling" about 15 times a day.

I think every compilation Ive ever made has had this in it.

fly on..... little jinx

This list is what we want them to know, the classics, if you will.

Putting together such a list for your son is a great idea.

Here are two that have been important in my life.

My 1st suggestion is: "Malaguena"...
Almost any artist will do... even Liberace's was almost bearable.


My 2nd suggestion "Strange Fruit", may need some parental guidance.
But it was an important and classic piece of the civil rights movement.
I heard Josh White perform it in a tiny St Louis bar in 1962.

"Strange Fruit"... No other performer can do it justice.

I can think of two reasons for nominating a song. Either it is an awesome piece of music that they're bound to like, or the song is a significant cultural icon that every well-educated person should be aware of because it is frequently referenced in other creative works.
I'll throw Stairway to Heaven in as one that passes both reasons.

Right you are, Zen.

Roy Orbison - Crying
Paul Simon - Graceland
The Holllies - He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
Beatles - Please Please Me
Beatles - Let It Be
Beatles - Hey Jude
Beatles - Something
Beatles - Hello Goodbye
Talking Heads - Once In A Lifetime
Cat Stevens - Father and Son
James Brown - I Feel Good
Pink Floyd - Money
Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here
Radiohead - Subterranean Homesick Alien
Simon and Garfunkle - Bridge Over Troubled Water
U2 - Pride (In the Name of Love)

Once again, UT our musical tastes run on the same track. I just burned a copy of Abbey Road for him the other day. Found him mesmerized by Joan Armatrading's first album.

I'd add (because he requested it when we were discussing "call and response") James Brown 'I'm a Greedy Man'

@ Lamp, I've heard Nina Simone's version of Strange Fruit, but I really like the one you posted.

@agreeing w/ Zen

He loves the Blackeyed peas doing "Pump IT"

Hendrix might need his own subset, it's hard to choose.

There might be consideration given to jazz and blues standards, if you want the kid to be deep.

I was just about to post this:

He was named after Louis Armstrong, though people think he was named after Lance Armstrong.

At the very least you should have Take 5, So What, and Night in Tunisia for Jazz.

For the most part, I've let my kids go with whatever they like. But there are some movies and songs that I insist they see/listen to at least once. People will assume that by the time you get to a certain age, you will be aware of certain works.

Metallica Fade to Black
Joni Mitchell - Circle game
Soft Cell- Tainted Love
Violent Femmes- Blister in the Sun
Led Zeppelin- full body of work
Jimi Hendrix- Red House


....I could easily do all 100