I’ve mentioned before that I’ve never yet made a CD for my dad that he liked. Because I’m a glutton for punishment, though, and because Poppy is taking a superlong nap today, I thought I’d give it another shot.
- Walken, Wilco.
“Honey, I think you’re just right.”
The first time I heard this song, Jeff Tweedy said it was the first of his songs that his dad liked. I’m hoping it will also be the first Wilco song my dad likes, too.- Sunny Sunday Mill Valley Groove Day, Frank Black.
“When it’s over and the clover has left the mountainside, you’ll be king of what you’ve survived.”
I put this on a lot of my playlists. Because I like it a lot. Poppy and I dance to it whenever it comes on the shuffle.- City of New Orleans, Arlo Guthrie.
“Good morning, America. How are ya?”
The first time I heard this song was on an episode of “Alf.” Alf and that bespeckled guy hopped on a boxcar, and Alf started singing “City of New Orleans.” I think I would’ve liked the song even without that, though. It has great imagery and cadence.- Anywhere Like Heaven, James Taylor.
“I’ve come a long way from anywhere like Heaven to this town.”
James Taylor seems like ideal Dad Music.- Not California, Hem.
“And I’m not strong, and you’re not rich, and we’re not lost where we don’t live.””
Hem is one of the few groups I’ve included on a Dad CD that he’s actually liked. He says Sally Ellyson sounds just like Nora Jones. I’m not so sure about that, but I hope he likes this song anyway.- Danny’s Song, Loggins & Messina.
“Even though we ain’t got money, I’m so in love with you, honey.”
My dad tends to like the easy-listening hits. This certainly fills that bill, and its chorus is imminently singable.- Out on the Weekend, Neil Young.
“I think I’ll pack it in and buy a pickup.”
Rockford put this on multiple mix tapes for me when we were in high school. It was one of the few Neil Young songs I appreciated then. My appreciation has grown, but this is still one of my favorites.- Lay Lady Lay, Bob Dylan.
“Why wait any longer for the one you love when he’s standing in front of you?”
I don’t actively dislike this song, but I don’t love it, either. But I think Dad likes Dylan. So there you go.- Right Down the Line, Gerry Rafferty.
“Yeah, this is my way of telling you that ever day I’m loving you so much more.”
My introduction to Gerry Rafferty was in “Reservoir Dogs.” This is no Steeler’s Wheel, but it’s not bad. If I were a lounge singer, this would definitely be part of my set list.- I’ll Have to Say I Love You in a Song, Jim Croce.
“Every time I tried to tell you the words just came out wrong.”
I also don’t love Jim Croce. Rockford does, though, and I think my dad likes him, too.- 16 Days, Whiskeytown.
“Can’t sleep when the bed sheet fights its way back to your side.”
I’m a sucker for a good storytelling song. And this is one.- The Only Living Boy in New York, Simon & Garfunkel.
“Half of the time we’re gone but we don’t know where.”
I went through a major Simon & Garfunkel phase in high school. It’s hard lyrics that better describe angst and aimlessness. Maybe that’s why I can’t bring myself to appreciate all this new-fangled young-folks’ music. Or maybe I’m just a curmudgeon. That’s probably it.- The World (Will Soon Turn Our Way), The Autumn Defense.
“And I know it’s a lot of time, and I’m not leaving you behind.”
The Autumn Defense has a definite Simon & Garfunkel sound, which is why I liked the group in the first place. I always hope that John and Pat will play a few Autumn Defense songs when I’m at a Wilco show.- Porchlight, Neko Case and Her Boyfriends.
“I can’t turn around because I long to be forgiven.”
I’m pretty sure Dad won’t like this one. But I have to include something he won’t like or he might forget where the CD came from.- Return of the Grievous Angel, Gram Parsons.
“I headed west to grow up with the country, across those prairies with those waves of grain.”
This one’s also great for singing along with. That’s one of the top criteria for making it into my list of favorite songs.