Mother Lode Playlist

The list opens with “Seasons of Love:” 525,600 minutes” . . . you’ll understand when you read the book. Some of the songs are from the 1940s, when Stellajoe and George were separated during WWII. Simon & Garfunkel’s “For Emily” was playing on the mid-century-era stereo early one morning when I was reading letters he wrote to her and it still brings me to tears. My dad always said “Begin the Beguine” was their song; this instrumental version is by Artie Shaw, leader of one of the most popular big bands of their courting years. And they were obsessed with the 1943 Broadway musical Oklahoma in their letters. As I took “One Day at a Time,” Mama and I argued about who could do everything better, and I tried to learn to just “Smile.” Self-care saved me as I explored this “Wonderful World.” I learned to see my mother more clearly as the years went on, and after she died, and I had the view-blocking fir branches cut, I opened the blinds and welcomed the sun. Enjoy!

Seasons of Love — Pentatonix

The Glory of Love — Jimmy Durante

Oh, What a Beautiful Morning — The Sign Posters

Que Sera, Sera — Doris Day, Frank DeVol & His Orchestra

Mairzy Doats — The Merry Macs

Begin the Beguine — Artie Shaw

I’ll Be Seeing You — Billie Holiday

For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her — Simon & Garfunkel

Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better — The Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby

I Live One Day At a Time — Joan Baez, Jeffrey Shurtleff

I Can See Clearly Now — Anne Murray

Take Me to the Mountain — Great Peacock

Over the Rainbow — Frank Sinatra

What a Wonderful World — Louis Armstrong

Smile — Nat King Cole

This Time Tomorrow — Brandi Carlile

Flowers Never Bend with the Rainfall — Simon & Garfunkel

When You Are Old — Gretchen Peters

Here Comes the Sun — The Beatles

The Mother Lode Playlist (On Spotify)