songs my father loved

Remembering through music with songs my father loved.

After the funeral service for my father, there was a reception at which we played some of his favourite music. I had a number of people tell me that they thought it was a great idea, and that they really enjoyed hearing those songs and learned more about my dad through them.

Putting the playlist together also helped me a lot. I listened to a lot of stuff from my childhood, and was reintroduced to artists I hadn’t listened to in decades. Listening to my dad’s music made me feel closer to him. And it made me realize that the reason my taste in music is so eclectic is probably because my dad’s taste was just as varied.

A lot of the songs my dad liked best were war songs. I don’t know if it was because of his military background or because of his interest in history. Or maybe it was just because such songs often portray the strongest emotions. My dad’s musical preferences also ran to the singer-songwriter folk musicians; the storytellers who spoke their truths simply, weaving their timeless magic with words and melodies and speaking from the heart.

My father was always thought of as “Mr. Math-Science-and-Engineering”, and upon first meeting him, some thought him abrupt. But once you actually knew him, once you touched his soul, you immediately understood that he was the kindest, warmest and most loving individual you could ever hope to meet. I think you can really get a sense of this through the music he loved best.

So, without further ado, here is a small subset of the playlist I put together for my dad’s reception. It’s called “Songs My Father Loved”…

Weekend Playlist #4: Songs My Father Loved

  1. Seven Daffodils – The Brothers Four
  2. Bang the Drum Slowly – Emmylou Harris
  3. Song for the Mira — Anne Murray
  4. City of New Orleans – Willie Nelson
  5. Lodi – Creedence Clearwater Revival
  6. Starwalker – Buffy Sainte-Marie
  7. Ring of Fire – Johhny Cash
  8. Ramblin’ Rose – Nat King Cole
  9. The Rose – Nana Mouskouri
  10. Blowin’ In the Wind – Joan Baez

Do you have any songs that you associate with your father or your childhood; songs that still make you smile when you hear them today? Please share them in the comments section below!

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