Good Day Sunshine Songs - My Top Four

Flower and Sun by Idea Go on Freedigitalphotos.net

In New England we're in the thick of winter cold, sunless days, freezing nights, icy sidewalks, snow-covered windshields and canceled events.  To counteract all that I give you my top four songs about sunshine. They make me happy - maybe you'll find they help keep you warm and smiling, too, wherever you are.

"Let the Sunshine In" from the musical "Hair"- my favorite version is from the original cast recording and includes "Aquarius" and "The Flesh Failures (Let the Sunshine In)" from 1969. Starts with a single voice and builds to a chill-inducing chorus. My second favorite of version of this song can be found at the end of the movie "40-Year-Old Virgin" starring Steve Carell.

"Good Day Sunshine" - The Beatles, from "Revolver"*

"Here Comes the Sun" - The Beatles, from "Abbey Road"*

"The Warmth of the Sun" - Beach Boys, from "The Warmth of the Sun"*

For more song ideas, see Coolrain44's list of top 100 mainstream "Songs About Sun and Sunshine"

The days are getting longer.... 

*Affiliate link

Music to Remember By

I've been singing all my life. Both of my parents have lovely singing voices; all of my siblings and I have sung casually or professionally pretty much our entire lives. We were likened to the Von Trapp Family in our parish growing up (that's still a little embarrassing for some reason) and there was always music in our house. And sing-alongs in the car on any trip longer than 20 minutes, especially at Christmastime. We listened to the Singing Nun, crooner John Gary, Herb Alpert, PDQ Bach, Linda Ronstadt, the Gatlin Brothers - we were all over the map in terms of musical taste. We all still remember many of those songs we sang together 40 years ago, like "The Hearth Song". And I know for sure that my Mom and Dad remember lyrics and melodies that are even older, but it wouldn't be polite for me to say how old!

This longevity of musical memory brings to mind the idea of music as mnemonic device. I've often thought, when trying to recall a name or place or even the outline of a presentation, that if it was set to music I'd have an easier time remembering. According to Think Quest "A Mnemonic device is a method for enhancing memory. When using the term mnemonic device, most people are referring to a trick that one uses to help memorize something." You probably use mnemonic devices without even thinking about them. Here's one I use regularly: "thirty days hath September, April, June and November ...etc." It's not a song, but the meter is reminiscent of music or poetry until you reach this part: "February, which has 28 or sometimes 29". That's a bit awkward, but it works every time.

About.com: Secondary Education has a list of mnemonic devices for students (aren't we all students?) that you may find helpful if, for instance, you cannot recall the names of the five great lakes or the order of operations in math. Or you can create your own memory devices, which you may find easier.

I could take the names of the planets or the recipe for "Madeline's Brownies" and set them to a familiar melody like "Running on Empty" from Jackson Browne or "As Time Goes By" (yes, the song from "Casablanca") or anything from Jesus Christ Superstar, and I'd remember them readily. It's an interesting idea, but I guess I find it easier still to use Google, a cookbook or phone a knowledgeable friend to get my facts straight, rather than attempt to re-lyricize a song.

The picture above is the band I've been fortunate to be a part of for the past ten years (and still going strong), The Tom LaMark Orchestra. Great musicians and true gentlemen, who must have a catalog of a million songs if you tally up all they know collectively.
Photo credit: Susan Wilson.

Remarkable Dreams at Age 80

My Dad turned 80 this past summer and of course we threw a big party to celebrate with him. It was a wonderful backyard BBQ with family and friends; just the kind of celebration he relishes. Simple, low key and all about the people. And the hamburgers, too, but mostly about the people.

Frank's been a gifted singer pretty much all of his life - an accountant by trade, a really good athlete for fun, but always a singer by choice. He passed his love of music on to all five of us kids; we've each performed in one way or another, professionally or casually, since we were little kids. He probably still has reel-to-reel tapes of us singing around the Christmas tree back in 1966. Dad, Mom and all of us sang in the church choir at varying times; you'll still find my Dad there on Saturdays and Sundays. He sings for funerals as well - people request him because they love his ever powerful, beautiful tenor voice.

You might think of an 80-year-old man as one who sits in a chair, watching TV and talking about his various ailments, but that's not my Dad. He recently purchased a bicycle and still plays a mean game of ping-pong. The only beings he loves more than family and friends would be horses, and he'll go riding whenever there is an opportunity. But music is really his passion.

The remarkable project Dad's completing now is an album of love songs (and others) -mostly music from the 1940s. It's remarkable because he still sounds great at age 80 and still wants so much to share his music. It's remarkable to see the tender loving care he's putting into this project and the great cooperation between him and my son, Greg, as the recording engineer.

Dad has also sent his vocal demo of the National Anthem to the Red Sox, hopeful that they'll choose him for the line up for next season. He's positive and passionate about music - in his quiet way he's the perfect role model. Here's why: it's a powerful lesson to realize that an 80-year-old person can still possess the talent, the will, and the passion to make his dreams reality.