Song Spotlight: “Let’s Start The New Year Right”

Blue fireworks on a night sky. Label reads Holiday/Show Tune

  Mood: Hopeful  Themes: New Year, Celebration Tempo: Relaxed, Slow Genre/Style: Holiday/Show Tune Another year has zipped by and it is time to usher in the New Year. The time of resolutions and reflection has arrived, and whether you are a fan of setting a goal for the new year, this song beautifully states an…

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Song Spotlight: “White Christmas”

Mood: Hopeful  Themes: Snow, Holidays Tempo: Relaxed, Slow Genre/Style: Holiday Popular Tune Written by Irving Berlin, the song “White Christmas” was first recorded in 1942. The song includes a wistful reminiscence about a traditional, snowy, holiday setting. Most famously, Bing Crosby sang this song in the film, “White Christmas,” which premiered in 1954. In the…

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Song Spotlight: “Tiny Bubbles”

Mood: Light Themes: Enjoying the Little things, Hawaii Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: 60s popular standard In this spotlight we explore “Tiny Bubbles,” as performed by Don Ho, a sweet tune that arrived on the music scene in the 60s that has since become a beloved standard. Try out some of the ideas for ways to use and share…

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Song Spotlight: “Blue Monday”

Mood: Hopeful, Reluctant Themes: Days of the Week, Rhythm & Blues Tempo: Walking speed, relaxed Genre/Style: Rhythm & Blues Sometimes just making it through the week is a big achievement. The week’s end may bring with it a chance to get some well deserved rest. In this spotlight we explore “Blue Monday,” as performed by…

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Song Spotlight: “Wind Beneath My Wings”

Song Spotlight: Wind Beneath My Wings

Mood: Sincere Themes: Support, Gratitude  Tempo: Slow, relaxed Genre/Style: Pop During a season of change, Bette Midler’s iconic song, “Wind Beneath My Wings” can be a strong musical container for processing the changes in life, while leading to a discussion of ways you can receive and offer support. Originally written in 1982 by Jeff Silbar…

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Song Spotlight: “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”

Song spotlight for The Lion Sleeps Tonight

  Mood: Calm, relaxed Themes: Animals Tempo: Slow, relaxed Genre/Style: Doo-Wop, 1960s Popular song What do you think of the nighttime sounds where you live? Especially in warmer weather, we can hear sounds of all sorts of wild night time critters, while some are fast asleep. In this song spotlight, we will explore the music…

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Song Spotlight: “Lean on Me”

Genre: Soul

Bill Withers wrote and recorded the song “Lean On Me” for his second album in 1972. Not surprisingly, this uplifting song made number one on both the Soul Singles and the Billboard Hot 100. The song recalls Bill Withers’s childhood hometown of Slab Fork, West Virginia and the strong community bonds he experienced there. When…

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Song Spotlight: “Humours of Bandon”

Genre: Traditional Irish Jig

  Mood: Light  Theme: Irish Music, Styles of Dance Tempo: Moderate Genre/Style: Traditional Irish Jig Whether it’s St. Patrick’s Day or not, you can always find joy in a traditional Irish Jig such as “Humours of Bandon.” Named after a town in County Cork, Ireland, “Humours of Bandon” is a traditional tune not attributed to…

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Song Spotlight: “Lazybones”

Genre: 1930s Popular Song

Mood: Light-hearted Themes: Rest, Relaxation, Lazy days Tempo: Slow Genre/Style: 1930s Popular Song In 1933, Hoagy Carmichael wrote the melody to this catchy tune and Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics. Not only was “Lazybones” popular during the 30s, it has been sung by artists as diverse as Hank Snow, the Supremes, Harry Connick Jr., and the…

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Song Spotlight: “You’re The Reason Our Kids Are Ugly”

Country Duet genre

Mood: Comedic Themes: Comedy, Duets Tempo: Upbeat Genre/Style: Country Duet Early in the 1970s, Loretta Lynn decided to team up with fellow country star Conway Twitty. Loretta Lynn showed the country music world that she was not only a strong solo artist, but also a fabulous duet singer. From 1971 to 1988, Lynn and Twitty…

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