Destroy scampered toward me the moment I walked in the door. “Mommy! Let’s play music!” Because, when you’re three, you dance to the music in your own head – but sometimes it’s fun to rock out to the DJ spinning at the Lego table, too.
Don’t we all wish our life had a soundtrack?
I’ve realized that everyone does. Music is the memory that takes us back to the moments of our past. So really, the soundtrack of our life is made up of the songs that create those little reminders.
I thought I’d give the muppets a head start on compiling their list.
(Now, before you stop reading because you’re terrified of getting some sort of Kidz Bop stuck in your head, relax – I’m purposely omitting the theme song to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse from the record.)
“I think maybe we need Arctic Monkeys,” Destroy instructed.
So as we rocked out to “Do I Wanna Know,” I thought about the songs that so far signify the phases of my sons’ young lives. (Well, they at least take ME back.)
Muppet Show Theme
It was the welcome to the world heard round web (or at least from Jon’s Facebook page). GrammaJ took a peek at her page between meetings and said, “Oh shit” to her staff. Jon had just posted, “It’s time to play the music/It’s time to light the lights/It’s time to meet the Muppets on the Muppet Show tonight!” after suiting up in the stifling operating room bunny hazmat suit.
If I Die Young
I don’t love this song. Released in June 2010, this song owned the charts the same summer months the muppets held court in the NICU. “The sharp knife a short life” from the chorus stabbed in the heart on a repetitive count of eight as my tiny children fought for life. But it was the verse “Life ain’t always what you think it ought to be, no/Ain’t even grey, but she buries her baby” that struck fear into my heart – willing myself never to speak of homecoming in terms of if vs. when.
Mumford and Sons – Little Lion Man
“You’re not as brave as you were at the start” is pretty obvious considering what the tiny men went through, but really this was our first introduction to our own little lion man’s love of music. This was the song that would perk him up or calm him down. Then I dressed Destroy up as a lion for his first Halloween.
Foster the People – Color on Walls
The boys still love Foster the People. But this song is indicative 2011. The song was written about what a four-year-old would do if they ruled the world; the muppets turned one. Same difference.
Joe Bonamassa
Nana introduced the boys to Bonamassa’s blues rock. More often than not, Search or Destroy will request “Joe” on the radio (and they know if you’re trying to pull one over on them). Joe lives on Nana’s iPad, but Destroy has made it *very* clear that once he hits the ripe old age of 4, he will be considered a big boy and be able to go see Joe.
Ellie Goulding – Lights
At its most basic level, this is just a seriously catchy tune. Upon deeper reflection, this song is loosely based on Goulding’s childhood fear of the dark. The muppets can relate to this fear; it’s where the really big announcement comes from.
Daft Punk – Get Lucky
The boys can rock out. Destroy may be my wild child, but Search will grab his guitar or bounce along to the beat with the best of them. There’s nothing quite like putting your toddlers down for a nap and hearing, “I’m up all night to get lucky!” beat-boxing down from the kids’ room.
Arctic Monkeys – Do I Wanna Know
“Cause there’s this tune I found that makes me think of you somehow and I play it on repeat.” And these days, apparently, I think maybe we need more. Dance party in the living room.
What songs are on the soundtrack of your life?
Young music lovers =)