Posts Tagged ‘song discussion’
Song Spotlight: “Sloop John B”
Mood: Upbeat Themes: Sailing, Caribbean Travel, Wanting to Go Home Tempo: Brisk Genre/style: 1960s Surf Rock During the recent heat wave in our part of the world, I have been integrating the recording of “Sloop John B” by the Beach Boys into group music therapy sessions centered on the ocean and boating. Not only does this song provide beach-y musical…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini”
Mood: Silly Themes: Swimming, Summer, Trips to the Beach, Wardrobe Selection Tempo: Walking speed Genre/style: 1960s Novelty song Ahhh, summertime. For many people, the hot days of July go hand in hand with trips to the beach (or, here in Kansas City, the swimming pool). This is certainly true for many of my younger music therapy clients. Perhaps…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “That Silver-Haired Daddy of Mine”
Mood: Wistful, Thoughtful Themes: Parenting, Mistakes, Forgiveness/Atonement Tempo: Moderate Genre/style: Country With Father’s Day coming up this Sunday, I wanted to share my favorite song for this holiday. “That Silver Haired Daddy Of Mine” was a song I learned in my first year as a music therapist on the special request of a client in hospice care. It…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “June is Bustin’ Out All Over”
Mood: Ornery, Cheerful Themes: Early summer, young love Tempo: Upbeat Genre/Style: Showtune June is here! The kids are (mostly) out of school, the swimming pools are open, the trees are all green now, and my dear husband is not yet tired of mowing the lawn. These early signs of summer are a perfect topic for…
Read MoreLyric sheets: Yes or no?
Song Spotlight: “Que Sera Sera”
Mood: Carefree Themes: Parenting, Advice, Anticipating the Future Tempo: Easy waltz Genre/style: 1950s popular Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday, so I wanted to share with you one of my favorite songs for encouraging discussion about mothers and motherly advice: “Que Sera, Sera.” Made famous by the inimitable Doris Day (see her version on YouTube…
Read MorePlay Ball! Musical Baseball Activity for Elders
Song Spotlight: “Tiptoe Through the Tulips”
Mood: Light (Humorous? Creepy?) Themes: Romance, Flowers (Parody? Evil?) Tempo: Walking speed (Tiptoe speed?) Genre/Style: Vaudeville, 1920s A couple of days ago, I posted a song spotlight on the song “When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Big Red Rose.” I promised another spotlight on a flower-themed song, and here it is: “Tiptoe Through The Tulips.” I…
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “When You Wore a Tulip and I Wore a Big Red Rose”
Mood: Light Themes: Romance, Flowers Tempo: Medium Genre/Style: Vaudeville, 1920s Spring has arrived here in the Midwest, and I have enjoyed spotting tulips blooming around the city. In introducing spring-themed songs in one of my groups last week, one of the nursing staff said she had never heard the song
Read MoreSong Spotlight: “Mairzy Doats”
Mood: Light Theme: Humor Tempo: Medium Style/Genre: 1940s popular With April Fool’s Day coming up, I am in the mood for silly songs, and my very favorite lighthearted song that is appropriate for older adult audiences is “Mairzy Doats.” “Mairzy Doats” was a novelty song that was popular in the early 1940s. The chorus goes…
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