A Boy's Playlist

The Fresh Prince rapped that "Parents Just Don't Understand," but a few years later as Will Smith he sang some of the most applicable parenting wisdom on "Just the Two of Us." His earnest, poignant memories of the birth of his first child are the perfect opening track on the #lilmill playlist.

Track 1: Just the Two of Us, Will Smith

Touched your head gently, felt my heart melt
Cause I knew I loved you more than life itself 

Everytime I look at you I think man, a little me
Just like me

I pledge to you, I will always do
Everything I can
Show you how to be a man
Dignity, integrity, honor and
I don't mind if you lose, long as you came with it
And you can cry, ain't no shame in it

So if the world attacked, and you slide off track
Remember one fact, I got your back

That's exactly how I feel.

Track 2: May We All, Florida Georgia Line

May we all do a little bit better than the first time
Learn a little something from the worst times
Get a little stronger from the hurt times
May we all get to have a chance to ride the fast one
Walk away wiser when we crashed one
Keep hoping that the best one is the last one

The aforementioned lyrics aren't heard until the end of the song, but they are my favorite. Don't expect perfection; when you make a mistake learn from it, adjust and come back stronger. These are words to live by.

Plus, it is true that something is not cool until it's not new anymore.

Track 3: Three Little Birds, Bob Marley & The Wailers

Don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing
Every little thing gonna be all right. Don't worry!
Don't worry about a thing - I won't worry!
Cause every little thing gonna be all right

The song's title is appropriately childish and the lyrics are simple. Like every song on the legend's Legend album, it has the incredible ability to transport the listener away from reality and onto a Caribbean beach, or in my case to the porch of Bunk 12 in 1992.

When I'm in traffic, when I'm frustrated, Three Little Birds and the entire Legend album are my deep breath, my meditation, my escape.

Track 4: Walk On, U2

And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off
And if your glass heart should crack
And for a second you turn back
Oh no, be strong

And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on, walk on

When the band I've seen more than any other performed Walk On in June of 2001 at Boston's FleetCenter, it was indeed a terrific song and welcome addition to the set list. U2 paired it with my all-time favorite, One, in its encores for all four shows, three of which I attended in the balcony.

 In October 2001, the band played the Providence Civic Center. This was my first show with GA tickets, which deposited me in the second row from the stage. As One ended and Walk On began to ring through the arena, lights began to scroll ... it was the names of those who died in the 9/11 attacks. An incredible song became the first illustration of inspiration amidst despair.

Paul, David, Adam and Larry helped a nation heal. They helped it Walk On.

Track 5: I Hope You Dance, Leeann Womack

I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance.
I hope you dance

I think subconsciously, every time I've ever heard this song I feel it speaks directly to me and directly to my children. The song is inspiring and rewarding, the musical equivalent of jumping off a 75-foot waterfall. No wonder it won a Grammy and a host of other major awards.

I dance. And I am sure my son will dance, too.

Track 6: Teach (Your Children), Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young

You who are on the road
Must have a code, that you can live by
And so become yourself
Because the past is just a good-bye

Teach your children well
Their father's hell, did slowly go by
And feed, them on your dreams
The one they picks, the one you'll know by

My parents taught me by word, deed and osmosis. I have always closely related the CSNY song with their impact on my life. This song always creates great feelings of being young and spending time with my parents, and I look forward to their doing the same with their grandson.

Track 7: Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Once in a lullaby

Somewhere over the rainbow
Blue birds fly
And the dreams that you dreamed of
Dreams really do come true

It may have won an Academy Award for Judy Garland in 1939, but the Hawaiian crooner's soothing voice is a must-listen for all who dream.

Track 8: A New Day Has Come, Celine Dion

I see a light in your eyes
All in the eyes of the boy

I can't believe
I've been touched by an angel with love

The story of a parent bringing a child to life, and the change to the life of a the parent and the joy and excitement of becoming a parent. It's all in the eyes.

 

Track 9: Ooh La La, Faces

I wish that I knew what I know now
When I was younger
I wish that I knew what I know now
When I was stronger

Poor young grandson, there's nothing I can say
You'll have to learn, just like me
And that's the hardest way

The introspection of every boy who grows up thinking his progenitors know nothing, but later learns that his father and grandfather really are quite wise. I will share with my son, but he will undoubtedly learn for himself.

I certainly wish someone had told me a bunch of things, especially about girls and women. My boy won't lack for wisdom.

 
Track: 10: Peaceful Journey, Heavy D & The Boyz

Hills were nothing neither, 'cause I had my man to climb 'em with

This one's for you and I truly hope you hear me
And through all your travels, I'm wishing you a peaceful journey

Great beat, great message, great wisdom. Soulful and enticingly singable, Heavy D hits on the realities and rigors of life  but reminds the listener than tranquility is possible.

I hope my son has a peaceful journey.

Track 11: Smile, Uncle Kracker

Don't know how I lived without you
'Cause every time that I get around you
I see the best of me inside your eyes
You make me smile

One of the happiest songs a person can sign about another. It works for a lover, a best friend, a relative, a dog or a child. Heck, there are more kids -- and one very happy dog -- in the video, than there anything else.


For me it's about the precious daily moments that simple make another person smile. I can't wait for my son to smile at me. I know he will definitely make me smile a lot!

 

Track 12: Talladega, Eric Church

Here's to turning up
Slowing down, and cars that go real fast
Like a storm, time rolls on
You can't hit pause as we just did
Most days in life don't stand out
But life's about those days that we all like

This is the song that over the past five years has been played more than all but two others on my iTunes account. The "summer before the real world started" has always spoken to me about a trip my college buddies and I never took after graduation. We were all busy starting jobs and didn't honor our agreement to rent an RV and drive across the country.

It was a missed opportunity that might easily have happened, but we didn't take the time to slow down and share an experience before moving on and moving apart. I hope that never happens to my son.

I'm not one for car racing, nor do I know anything about fixing up an old RV, but Talladega is absolutely a place I want to be and a mindset I hope my son shares.

Fourth in a series about the upcoming birth of #lilmill