Abby

On March 30, 2005 I became a father for the first time when my daughter Abby was born. Today, she turns 21. How did we get here?

She’ll always be my little girl. There's been so much we've done and I continue to be amazed and proud at who she was, who she is and I know, who she'll become.

Some of my best memories were bedtime. However, I found myself struggling to find the right songs to sing. Regular "lullabies" just didn't do it for me.

A study conducted by a doctoral student from the Université de Montréal found that lullabies help lull babies to sleep for three reasons: they help regulate the emotions of the baby or child, they work to foster a stronger bond between child and parent, and lullabies help establish a routine.

So I set out to create nighttime playlists for Abby. Something I could sing along with, and later, play for them when I left the room.

Like any playlist, you don't want to peak too soon (even with babies) or get bored by it a few songs into it. With a lullaby playlist, you'll also need to be ready and mix it up at some point. Your child may grow weary of what you've picked. So, in honor of Abby, here's my ultimate (ever changing) Goodnight Abby Playlist.

• U2 - MLK - The first word in the song is “sleep” and while it’s a very deep meaning song from U2, it was a good one to sing to Abby because its soft melody and gentle, hopeful lyrics create a peaceful feeling.

• Nickel Creek - Out of the Woods - The beautiful acoustics and lush, gorgeous harmonies are a perfect song to sing to your child. “I might as well be dreaming”.

• Billy Bragg and Natalie Merchant - Birds And Ships - Taken from the Bragg/Wilco Woody Guthrie album, the theme of ships just seems to click when it comes to lullabye’s - “My sweetheart rides a ship on the sea”. 

• Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold - Eva’s take on Sting’s song is stunning. Her soft, soothing voice and the song’s slow, gentle melody create a calm, comforting atmosphere.

• Barenaked Ladies - Light Up My Room - A tender acoustic ballad with a simple melody and heartfelt lyrics give it a comforting, almost lullaby-like quality.

• Ben Folds - Gracie - A quirky, pretty song about Folds’ daughter. As she got a bit older, Abby and I loved singing this one together. The sweet line of “You nodded off in my arms watching tv…I won’t move you an inch even though my arm’s asleep” is perfect.

• Mat Kearney - City of Black and White - A warm, hopeful number about navigating life and searching for meaning. 

• Valerie June - On My Way - June’s voice has a throwback feel and the blend of folk and soul with the gentle guitars has a real late-night vibe.

• Dan Zanes - Loch Lomond - Zanes is one of the best singers who focuses on kids music. This song is gentle and was one of the very first songs Abby and I would sing along to.

• Billy Joel - Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel) - Joel’s song, as he describes it, “reassures children that they are not alone”, whether they’re two-years old or 21 years old.

• Joshua Radin - Everything’ll Be Alright (Will’s Lullabye) - Written by Radin for a friend’s newborn, it’s a song of reassurance and love. I’m a sucker for the lines “But I look at you, warm in your dreams. While your mobile dances above.”

• Chris Trapper - Avalanche - A beautiful acoustic song about knowing that things could all fall apart, yet I’m going to live life fully anyway. Not a bad message for your kid.

• The Decemberists - January Hymn - This one feels almost hypnotic and Colin Meloy’s voice is cozy singing about the cold of winter and snow.

• Yusuf/Cat Stevens - The Wind - It just feels like this acoustic gem was written for bedtime. The sparseness of the song gives a calm, gentle feeling.

• A Great Big World - Already Home - I would travel a lot for work back when Abby was young and this was our song. I’d change some of the lyrics switching “If only New York wasn’t so far away” to “If only DC wasn’t so far away”. It was a reassuring song that I’d be home soon.

• Iron & Wine - Each Coming Night - It soothes you with its whisper vocals and gentle banjo and Sam Beam’s whisper voice is perfect as your little one drifts off to sleep.

• Carbon Leaf - Grey Sky Eyes - Abby and I have seen Carbon Leaf every year since 2014, so I could have picked a number of songs. This one blends gentle emotions, soft textures and a sense of quiet reassurance. Plus, it’s a great singalong with Abby.

• Mary Chapin Carpenter - Dreamland - C’mon, it’s a perfect lullaby. The lyrics describe a magical journey through the stars and the night sky. See what I mean?

• Beth Orton - Ooh Child - Orton’s remake is beautiful. The lift in the song and her voice when she gets to the lyrics “Someday…We’ll walk in the rays of a beautiful sun” makes you feel warm and safe.

• Cassandra Wilson - Harvest Moon - Another cover by one of the greatest singers ever. Wilson’s take on Neil Young’s classic has been a favorite of mine for years. I threw it on an early playlist for Abby and it just took. She loved it and still does.

• Audra Mae - Forever Young - Bob Dyland wrote it as a lullaby for his son Jesse, Audra Mae’s spin takes it to another level. As parents we want to hold onto our children’s youth and innocence. We know it won’t last, but may they stay forever young.

• Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Shine - Written as a song that serves as a hopeful message for a loved one to find happiness, true love and fulfillment. Isn’t that what we wish and hope for our kids?

• The Chicks - Landslide - One of Abby’s favorite songs, this version or the original from Fleetwood Mac. It’s about unexpected changes, overcoming fear, and personal growth and while young kids may not get that yet, it’s an important message for parents to remember as well.

What do you listen to when you're falling asleep? What do you sing to your child? Let me know and your favorite may end up on the mixtape - because isn't that what is all about? Sharing music we love with each other.

Goodnight - Sleep tight!