The soundtrack to fatherhood is far more than just your favorite songs, it’s a collection of tunes that speak to the experience of being a dad, whether through on-the-nose lyrics, a spot-in title, or a deep emotional connection to a child and/or childhood.
We recently asked our amazing Life of Dad Facebook community to share with us the song(s) they’d put on a soundtrack if fatherhood had one. The result is a mixed tape we’d spin in the minivan loud and proud (because where else could KoRn and Luther Vandross sit side by side?)
Devin Vosburgh: “Cats in the Cradle” by Harry Chapin. My dad gave me that song when my first born was born… Impactful.
Alan Liesse: “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” by R.E.M. The title is singularly appropriate to the destruction in your home, and the song’s tempo feels like chasing a threenager.
Brandon Jagers: “Beautiful Boy” by John Lennon. We did not know if a boy or girl, and I shared the Lennon song with our families to let them know the good news.
Ellen Munk’s husband: “Upside Down” by Jack Johnson from the Curious George soundtrack. Our son was having trouble in kindergarten and Curious George helped him.
Kenny Baguio: “I Will Protect You” by KoRn .
“…everything we make, the cells we generate, are both of us.
Please be aware that I am you, nothing could be more certain.
This ain’t the time, the place for us to understand this life….”
John Joshua Hunt: “Dance with My Father” by Luther Vandross.
David Morataya: “A Love Without End, Amen” by George Strait.
Simon J Mercer: “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Kgosi Edmond: “Just The Two Us “ by Will Smith. That’s the daddy anthem right there!
Jon Elliott: “Welcome to the Jungle” by Guns n Roses.
Jason Madden: “Anything Like Me” by Brad Paisley.
Gregory Milunich: “Who Needs Sleep” by the Barenaked Ladies.
Matt Sorenson: “Growing Up” by Macklemore ft. Ed Sheeran.
Jamie Warner: “Daughters” by Loudon Wainwright III.
Sammy Claphan: “Retrospect For Life” Common ft. Lauryn Hill.
And there’s always this fine idea from Mark Yurgil: I’d call John Williams to compose an original score to serve as my life soundtrack.
Finally, this seems appropriate from Brandon Harper: The Frozen soundtrack on repeat for 6 hours followed by “We’re not gonna take it”.
What song would you add to this soundtrack to fatherhood? Maybe the theme from “Jaws” by Mr. John Williams as recommended hilariously by Jeff Barnes? Share your pick with us on Facebook!
*original photo by Jeff Bogle of the Philly band Good Old War finishing a hometown concert in the crowd, unplugged, with their babies in their arms.