This weekend, some friends and I are co-hosting a baby shower for a good friend of mine. My friend is a dancer and avid music listener, and we frequently share music. Recently, she jokingly suggested that I should make her a mix to listen to when she’s in labor, and I was reminded of The Period Mix that Ashton Kutcher makes for Natalie Portman in No Strings Attached. (Because I’m among friends, I’ll admit to watching this with Mr. Royale—it had been a long week, we needed some mindless entertainment, and wanted to see what Ms. Portman had been up to after Black Swan.) While the movie is pretty dumb, it does have some funny moments, and we laughed at this take on the oh-so-earnest, trying-to-woo-the-girl love mixes that appear in movies such as High Fidelity.
I think that you all can help me create a mix for my friend who will soon be giving birth to a baby girl. Could you provide some suggestions, from the most sincere (cut to scene of gazing at cute baby clothes while a single tear rolls down my friend’s face) to completely ludicrous (the mothers in the audience know what’s ahead and all need a really good laugh)? Thanks.
Pull out your K-Tels, lmkr, and cue up “Heartbeat, It’s a Lovebeat” by the Defranco Family and, with vomit receptacle nearby, “You’re Having My Baby” by Paul Anka. Maybe they’re on the same album.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gggcZvvZLeo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja4iuus8X4o
That Anka clip is really, uh, something.
Unfortunately, I too recall both of those songs. I was wondering how long it would take for someone to recall that Paul Anka classic. A light post for women in love everywhere.
I made a mixed tape for my sister when her triplets were born and I don’t recall many of the songs but I know that Ruby My Dear by Thelonious Monk was on there just because it’s mellow and beautiful.
I like that the “recognition” applause erupts after the second line. Does Mr. Anka have another less popular number with “You’re havin’ my baby” as the first line.
Did you ever hear The Replacements version of Heartbeat, It’s a Love Beat? It’s kind of funny.
The first thing that came to my mind was You Left Me Sore by Todd Rundgren.
http://youtu.be/-3ywTNYauoE
I’ve got two kids, and I was there for both of their births and I’m pretty sure my wife wouldn’t have let me pick ANY music for that!
I’m assuming the father is a good man and the old song “Daddy’s Home” won’t resonate deeply.
Let me think about this. There are monents when PiL’s “Bad Baby” may come to mind, but only the briefest moments!
Actually, Mod, I would deeply question whether he is a good man. (Mr. Royale suggested “Daddy Don’t You Walk So Fast” as a possible inclusion.) Let’s just say that my friend could use all the kindness and support of her friends and virtual community can provide.
Mr. Royale has once again suggested a classic: “The Weight.”
“Papa Was A Rolling Stone” for sure.
Excellent suggestions.
XTC’s “Then She Appeared” is quite moving and exuberant.
Talking Heads seem to have a few possible contributions but I’ll go with “Stay Up Late”.
I thought of that one, too! Daddy Don’t You Walk so Fast is SO cheesy. And the birth of a child is pretty emotional, so I think you need to manipulate the new dad and make him cry to that awful, awful song.
I think when I got home after the first kid was born, and I was all by myself, I listened to Patti Smith’s Wave album. I don’t know why, but it sounded great at the time. It’s kind of weird that I didn’t play some Stones or something. I slept like a rock after it, too.
Guys, these are great! Keep the suggestions coming, please. I’ve liked hearing your own stories about the birth of your children.
What a great choice Wave must have been. That dad alone after leaving the hospital experience is still burned in my brain.
I was just listening to the Modern Lovers’ “Old World” at the end of a long. Late-night drive to the shore, thinking it would be cool if my boys can feel that “still love my parents” vibe when they’re rocking out.
I feel for your friend, especially witnessing a similar situation close up.
My suggestion would be B.J. Thomas’ “Rock & Roll Lullabye”, a song that I remember listening to & liking when I was 10 & which I still enjoy, even though it’s a bit sappy.
My Darling by Wilco maybe. The Jay Bennett version is too overwrought for me.
“I Got The Feelin'” – James Brown
Key West Intermezzo by John Mellencamp with the line “I saw you first . . . ” came to mind when I was in the delivery room during my son’s birth.
Elana James of the previously mentioned revialist group “Hot Club of Cow Town” has a song called “Oh Baby” that I put on a CD for my wife’s baby shower guests. It’s on her solo album, but here’s a fan video of Hot Club doing it. They’re old-timey in a good way.
http://youtu.be/OpXiNv91FX8
Yeah, isn’t that weird? Now you’ve got family and the first thing you do is go home where your new family isn’t. That was weird, and I remember it really well.
Love that song and I’m still wondering how she could play the violin with that necklace on.
Oh god, I just remembered “Isn’t She Lovely” Wasn’t that Stevie Wonder’s gift for his daughter?
Maybe to counteract that, Underworld’s “Pearls Girl”
One of his greatest sapphire sings, featuring sounds by his daughter! Not to be confused with Lou Reed’s “The Kids”!
Here’s one to play during labor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCadcBR95oU
Ha!
In case of a c-section, it would be important to have the “best, finest surgeon”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjZgiv2F1QY
Roberta Flack’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Fave’ could effectively be set to scenes of newborns being placed on their mothers’ breasts. I’m getting misty just thinking of it.