Song Spotlights

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…

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…

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…

  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…

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…

  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…

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…

Mood: Relaxed Theme: Dance Music Tempo: Moderate, Relaxed Genre/Style: Easy listening Here’s an easy listening song that hit #1 on the charts even as rock and roll was dominating the music industry. Yes, while Motown was cranking out hits, Lawrence Welk was holding his own, with his light and bubbly arrangements of popular tunes. Lawrence…

Mood: Cheerful, Wistful Themes: Wishes, Dreams, Candy Tempo: Medium Genre/Style: Folk “Big Rock Candy Mountain” was written in 1928 by Harry McClintock, whose hobo name was Haywire Mac. It was said he likely drew inspiration for the song from other songs of similar subject matter: a dream world made of treats and food. He began…