Despite what you see in the large type above and below, this isn’t about weddings and playlists. Not really. It’s more about growth and generations and curiosity.
Oh, and stealing. Definitely stealing.
Our grandest theft involves this New York Times story, comprising 22 songs that readers loved for weddings or receptions. The Times didn’t actually put them into a playlist, so I did, which you’ll find at the bottom of today’s ramble, just above the Slaw.
A few of my loved ones involved in weddings these days — stars, supporting cast, bit players — and I sure as hell wouldn’t recommend the playlist to any of them. (“Hey! Why don’t you play Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ at your reception?!”) But I’d want them to hear it, because one song or another will lead to one memory or another that will lead to one emotion or another that just might lead to something special for them and their loved ones.
Maybe you’ll listen to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and it’ll remind you of Kina Grannis’ version in “Crazy Rich Asians.” Or you’ll hear Toploader’s “Dancing in the Moonlight” and remind any young’un within earshot that King Harvest had a hit with it in 1972.
This is not to be confused with “Dancing in the Moonlight (It’s Caught Me in Its Spotlight)” by alt-J. Or was that Thin Lizzy?
Weddings celebrate love, but marriages celebrate connection. And you can find that whether you have a soulmate or a stalemate. One of my favorite Chronicle columns involved asking friends to tell me a song that mattered to them and why, which led to tales of growing up and fitting in, finding moments of Zen and flashes of inspiration. (It has a playlist, too.)
These were the most popular wedding songs of each year since 1960, according to the Brides website. I’ll bet there’s at least one you’ve haven’t heard of. Listen to it. Maybe you’ll waste five minutes, maybe it’ll touch your soul. Seems like a decent gamble.
One of my favorite podcast series was “10 Songs That Made Me,” letting artists share the music that not only influenced their careers, but changed their lives, sometimes helping them cope with angst or sadness. Even strangers can share something special.
When you enrich your soul, your mind will come along for the ride. If our playlists challenge you with something in Spanish or another generation’s lyrics that might as well be Klingon, translate with Google or get context from Genius. It’ll keep your mind humming along.
Maybe a little musical magic will push you to learn more about different generations or find out about Black Twitter or appreciate how bilingualism might help you fight dementia. Eclecticity gives your mind electricity and elasticity.
It’s Ben Franklin with a key and a kite! You see it, right?
Yeah, that line is stolen, too. From a wedding song, of course.
Murphy Slaw
Something old: If your mother was just the teensiest bit smarter than you thought she was, you might appreciate this New York Times story. If she’s around, so will she.
Something new: I’ve added four sections to my homepage: Dave’s Faves, Friendships, Generations and Mental Health, putting around 10 old columns in each. So if you haven’t been with me from the beginning and want to sample my least-repugnant stuff, that’s where to look.
Something borrowed: Derick Hall was born four months premature, with a 1% chance of survival and one wonderful mother. I’ll let ESPN tell you the rest.
Something blue: If you’re vehemently opposed to assisted suicide, ignore the rest of this. Otherwise, check out this woman’s story about her mother-in-law. It might offer an option you didn’t think you had — way off in the future, I hope.