Wrapped Around Her Finger: The Non-Kids Kids Playlist

 Music has always been a form of social currency for many Gen X’ers like myself. Whether way back when I was dating or in college meeting people, talking about music and what bands people liked was a fast way to sort out who was probably worth a second date or hanging out. My wife as a musician, while differing taste in music than me also agreed on its importance and respect. So the music my daughter would learn about was a very serious matter. To give you a glimpse to how far I took this, when she was born via c-section the doctor’s had a radio going and I made them change the station and fortunately Radiohead was playing (its was Kenny Loggin’s Danger zone and I just didn’t think coming into the world with weight of losing Goose was fair.)

To put it simply the idea of just giving in and playing “kids” music all the time was one of those compromises I wasn’t ever going to make. Plus I saw no reason to. Why shouldn’t my daughter learn as soon as possible the genius that is U2’s Acthung Baby or the immortal Johnny Cash and Live from Folsom Prison. While my wife diligently played my ipod play list during her pregnancy, when my little person arrived I did accept as much as I love Nirvana its not exactly soothing.

Well, I discovered the Rockabye Baby Music line and I honestly think they made them just for me. Its baby friendly lullabye’s played by xyolophone and piano set to modern music from Black Sabbath, Radiohead, U2, Coldplay, Cure and even Kanye West and tons of other artists. There is a wonderful irony rocking your newborn to sleep under the soothing sounds of Nirvana’s All Apologies when the same song once was an outlet for your teenage angst. You can find them online but if you are like me and enjoy actually going to the store to buy a CD, Newbury Comics carries a great mix of them.

So while I’ve thankfully avoided the kids bopz and other horrifically watered down “kids’ music she does enjoy music from some of her favorite Disney movies or kids shows. But I just can’t help but smile and when I catch her bobbing her head when the first few beats of a song by the Roots or Gorillaz comes on. So for all you soon to be dad’s worrying if you will be resigned to listening to an endless loop of Barney sing alongs, you don’t need to. Your daughter will love music because you do. And that is all its about, just finding more ways that you really can make being Dad rock.