The sweetest songs
July 22, 2018 2:52 AM   Subscribe

What are the sweetest songs you know? The kind you might sing to a newborn while puppies nuzzle your toes underneath fluffy pastel clouds? Sometimes at work, I snuggle newborn babies (including ones who are detoxing and otherwise uncomfortable) and the sort of song I'm thinking of encapsulates the feelings I'd like to give the baby, if that makes sense.

A perfect example is Love is Like a Butterfly. This song hits the spot for sweet lyrics and tinkly music, and of course, Dolly's gentle voice. There's also no irony or bitterness (to me, at least), minor chords or dark swings, and seems to capture that blissed-out purity of true love (despite how simple and almost childish the lyrics are). It's a love song but almost a lullaby, too, I think. Some of James Taylor might fit, too, but I'm not tied to the folk/country genre.

Can be about love or anything else, and non-English is welcome (though would be nice to have translation available). Not looking especially for lullabies or kid's songs, and would actually prefer not-kids songs, if possible. Thanks!
posted by stillmoving to Media & Arts (65 answers total) 49 users marked this as a favorite
 
Shine - Benjamin Francis Leftwich

You are my sunshine is another favourite for singing to babies in the Ziggy family.
posted by Ziggy500 at 2:56 AM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]


In similar situations, I often find myself singing the Mountain Goats's California Song, which turns out to be very gentle and tender in live performance.
posted by praemunire at 3:33 AM on July 22, 2018


I've often thought Frank Mills from the musical Hair would be perfect for this purpose.
posted by trotzdem_kunst at 4:01 AM on July 22, 2018


Renee & Jeremy excel at this. Night Mantra is my favorite.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 4:10 AM on July 22, 2018


Renee and Jeremy have some incredibly sweet songs. It's a Big World and Welcome to this World are two that I think you and the babies might connect with.
posted by a22lamia at 4:13 AM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]


Wonderful Baby by Don McLean. Lyrics.
posted by essexjan at 4:18 AM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]


Simon and Garfunkel, "Feeling Groovy"?
posted by huimangm at 4:37 AM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]






Golden Slumbers, by the Beatles. It's short, but you can just repeat it (and I would skip the two songs that follow it in the medley).

Hallelujah, by Jeff Buckley. The melody is great, and luckily babies won't understand the words.
posted by alex1965 at 5:14 AM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]


First Day of My Life by Bright Eyes is so so sweet.
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 5:52 AM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]


Dixie Chicks' "How Long Do You Want To Be Loved" is a beautiful lullaby.
posted by pseudostrabismus at 5:58 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]


The song my daughter asked for over and over was Everything's Alright from Jesus Christ Superstar (she called it "fire in your head and feet"). Stop before Judas comes in.

John Lennon's Beautiful Boy

Simon and Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Simon and Garfunkel's For Emily Wherever I May Find Her is just stunningly beautiful.
posted by FencingGal at 5:59 AM on July 22, 2018 [10 favorites]


Oh - and how about Somewhere Over the Rainbow?

And The Roches, Everyone is Good, though it might be hard for normal people to hit the high notes.
posted by FencingGal at 6:08 AM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]


I always liked to sing Bring me sunshine to my baby.
posted by threetwentytwo at 6:44 AM on July 22, 2018


Nicolette Larson's album
posted by JimN2TAW at 6:57 AM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]


James Taylor, Close Your Eyes
posted by mcbeth at 7:02 AM on July 22, 2018


If You Listen - I know it from Elizabeth Mitchell’s album “You Are My Little Bird”, and she is great for this kind of thing in general.
posted by songs about trains at 7:37 AM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]


Baby's Boat was a favorite lullaby of my childhood that my grandma sang to dozens of babies over the years. This is a lovely youtube video of someone's mom singing it.

David LaMotte's New Lullaby takes out the scary stuff in a lot of the classic lullabies

Somos El Barco is a lovely one that my dad used to sing to me. This is the Peter, Paul, and Mary version, which is probably where my dad got it. The Spanish words in the refrain are translated in the next lines.
posted by hydropsyche at 7:51 AM on July 22, 2018


Louis Armstrong's "What a wonderful world"
posted by belladonna at 7:56 AM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]


All Through The Night.

And I’m wondering about Puff the Magic Dragon, speaking of Peter, Paul, and Mary. Maybe skip the bittersweet verses at the end.
posted by FencingGal at 8:02 AM on July 22, 2018


My Brightest Diamond, "I Have Never Loved Someone" — the rest of the line quoted in the title is "the way I love you," btw ;)
posted by valrus at 8:02 AM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]


The songs on this album are all really sweet. My favorite is Little Potato.
posted by bunderful at 8:08 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]


"Not a Lullaby" - The Weepies
"My Little Love" - The Weepies
"Dog and Butterfly" - Heart
"I Will" - The Beatles
posted by jzb at 8:16 AM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]


What about some Donovan? Wear Your Love Like Heaven and maybe There is a Mountain? Colours, too.

Maybe a tad religious, but I've always loved Arlo Guthrie's version of Valley to Pray.

Also, sticking with Dolly, I absolutely love River of Happiness and Highlight of my Life.

This is such a wonderful thread, by the way (said as I snuggle my one-month-old....).
posted by Mrs. Rattery at 8:24 AM on July 22, 2018 [4 favorites]


It's a sad song in context, but both my kids love "Baby Mine", from Dumbo.
posted by potrzebie at 9:28 AM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]


Billy Joel's Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel. The song was inspired by his daughter.
posted by Constance Mirabella at 9:33 AM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]


The Honey Tree
posted by ilovewinter at 9:53 AM on July 22, 2018


“Rainbow” by Sia might be too fast, but it’s my go-to feel-good song.
“Gabriel” by Lamb is a love song, but a hopeful sort of one.
“Don’t Cry” by Seal is very lullaby for me.
posted by Nyx at 10:25 AM on July 22, 2018


"Father and Dauther" - Paul Simon
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COQPSoRFdwg
posted by wps98 at 10:54 AM on July 22, 2018


I sang John Lennon’s Beautiful Boy to my son every night when he was an infant.
posted by telepanda at 12:10 PM on July 22, 2018


The Beatles-- Goodnight
Jellyfish-- Hush
Lemonheads-- Into Your Arms
Harry Nilsson-- The Puppy Song
posted by kimota at 1:19 PM on July 22, 2018


Sleepy Puppies, by Rebecca Sugar, from Adventure Time.
posted by the Real Dan at 1:35 PM on July 22, 2018 [1 favorite]


Keren Ann - Greatest You Can Find
posted by 4ster at 1:53 PM on July 22, 2018


Think of the Moon, by Adam Gwon, sung here by Brian d'Arcy James is so lovely and sweet.
posted by still_wears_a_hat at 2:29 PM on July 22, 2018


Chocolate by Jesse y Joy (Spanish). There are translated lyrics on YouTube as well, but the chorus is very easy to sing even if you don't speak Spanish. Its so sweet, and the video is adorable too.
posted by Youremyworld at 5:03 PM on July 22, 2018


Morningtown Ride - The Seekers
Dear Jessie - Madonna
Matchmaker, Matchmaker - Fiddler on the Roof
Bridges and balloons - Joanna Newsome
posted by freya_lamb at 6:50 PM on July 22, 2018




Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do
I'm half crazy all for the love of you
It won't be a stylish marriage
I can't afford a carriage
But you'll look sweet
On the seat
Of a bicycle built for two.
posted by serena15221 at 7:33 PM on July 22, 2018 [3 favorites]


Babies looove Bowie’s “Starman” , in my experience. I sing it to myself when I’m in need of a lullaby too :)
posted by zinful at 7:44 PM on July 22, 2018 [2 favorites]


This version of Edelweiss by the Innocence Mission. Or any version.
posted by mulcahy at 9:10 PM on July 22, 2018


I Love, Tom T. Hall.
posted by Tuba Toothpaste at 10:14 PM on July 22, 2018


Came in to shout about the greatness and sweetness of Sleepy Puppies from Adventure Time and I was beaten to the punch. So good.
posted by fairlynearlyready at 11:42 PM on July 22, 2018


For some reason I immediately thought of Norah Jones.
posted by like_neon at 1:59 AM on July 23, 2018


Annie's Song - John Denver
posted by genesta at 3:13 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]


Oh... and

Morningtown Ride - The Seekers

Judith Durham - what a voice.
posted by genesta at 3:16 AM on July 23, 2018


My mom used to sing us When You Wish Upon a Star, and I really like Somewhere Out There.
posted by miaou at 5:33 AM on July 23, 2018 [3 favorites]


Three Little Birds by Bob Marley is one of my favorites.
Mockingbird was a favorite of my son.
posted by maxg94 at 6:29 AM on July 23, 2018


Seconding "I Will" by The Beatles.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 7:17 AM on July 23, 2018


Songbird, originally by Fleetwood Mac (with Christine McVie's lovely vocals) but also beautifully covered by Eva Cassidy.

Two very sweet songs about babies:

"Dear Theodosia" from Hamilton

Luna's mellow, indie rock cover of "Sweet Child of Mine"
posted by lunasol at 9:50 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]


3rding I Will, have tested on actual babies.
Beatles - Blackbird
Stephin Merritt-Book of Love
James Taylor - Sarah Maria, and on Sesame Street, singing Jellyman Kelly with kids, which is pure magic. Maybe someday, you and me friends, we can have tea with him.
Also from Sesame Street, Feist sings 1 2 3 4 with The Count
The Iz mashup of "What a wonderful world" and "Over the Rainbow" - Israel Kamakawiwo'ole may be the very best of all.

I feel better already.
posted by theora55 at 10:25 AM on July 23, 2018 [1 favorite]


Bonny at Morn is nice. Pretty melody and lyrics that are very sweet at first listen, it's also about how exhausted the bairn's parents are.
posted by rhamphorhynchus at 11:43 AM on July 23, 2018


The one-minute song at the beginning of She's a Good Skate, Charlie Brown encapsulates that love song/lullaby combo feel to me.
posted by lampoil at 1:21 PM on July 23, 2018


Smashing Pumpkins, Farewell and Goodnight
posted by SinAesthetic at 1:55 PM on July 23, 2018


Sade - The Sweetest Gift
Quietly while you were asleep
The moon and I were talking
I asked that she´d always keep you protected
She promised you her light
That you so gracefully carry
You bring your light and shine like morning
And then the wind pulls the clouds across the moon
Your light fills the darkest room
And I can see the miracle
That keeps us from falling
She promised all the sweetest gifts
That only the heaven´s could bestow
You bring your light and shine like morning
And as you so gracefully give
Her light as long as you live
I´ll always remember this moment

Michael Franti - Never Too Late

Don't fear your best friends,
Because a best friend would never try to do you wrong.
And don't fear your worst friends,
Because a worst friend is just a best friend that's done you wrong.
And don't fear the night time,
Because the monsters know you're divine.
And don't fear the sunshine,
Because everything is better in the summertime.
But it's never too late to start the day over,
It's never to late to pick up the phone.
You know it's never too late to lay your head down on my shoulders,
It's never too late just come on home.
Don't fear the water,
Because you can swim inside you within your skin.
And don't fear your father,
Because a father's just a boy without a friend.
And don't fear to walk slow,
Don't be a horse race, be a marathon.
And don't fear the long road,
Because on the long road you got a long time to sing a simple song.
But it's never too late to start the day over,
It's never too late to pick up the phone.
You know it's never too late to lay your head down on my shoulders,
It's never too late just come on home.
Don't fear your teachers,
Because if you listen you can hear music in a school bell.
And don't fear your preacher,
If you can't find heaven in a prison cell.
And don't fear your own self,
Paying money to justify your worth.
And don't fear your family,
Because you chose them along time before your birth.
But it's never too late to start the day over,
It's never too late to pick up the phone.
You know it's never too late to lay your head down on my shoulders,
It's never too late just come on home.
Hold to your children, hold to your children, hold to your children, let them know.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes - Home

This is just the beginning of the lyrics. Also the link is to the best cover of the song that ever existed.

Alabama, Arkansas
I do love my ma and pa
Not that way that I do love you
Holy moley, me oh my
You're the apple of my eye
Girl, I've never loved one like you
Man, oh man, you're my best friend
I scream it to the nothingness
There ain't nothing that I need
Well, hot and heavy, pumpkin pie
Chocolate candy, Jesus Christ
Ain't nothing please me more than you
Ah, home, let me go home
Home is wherever I'm with you
Ah, home, let me go home
Home is wherever I'm with you
La, la, la, la, take me home
Mommy, I'm coming home
I'll follow you into the park
Through the jungle, through the dark
Girl, I never loved one like you
posted by janey47 at 5:31 PM on July 23, 2018


Hang on Little Tomato by Pink Martini. Very encouraging, sung to a little kid, and all about how the bad times will be over soon.
posted by marylucycraft at 6:18 PM on July 23, 2018






My mum used to sing me When I Need You as a lullaby.
posted by divabat at 9:02 PM on July 23, 2018


Kisses sweeter than wine is about imagining your own family in the future - this is a good song to sing to a baby from a broken home because if you come from a crappy family that does not mean you can't imagine and create your own loving family when you grow up.
posted by cda at 1:35 PM on July 24, 2018


I particularly like Elizabeth Mitchell's rendition of Three Little Birds. I would have said You Are My Sunshine as well, except that the lyrics are intensely dark. A few stanzas come to mind:

I'll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me and love another
You'll regret it all some day

You told me once, dear, you really loved me
And no one else could come between
But now you've left me and love another
You have shattered all of my dreams

In all my dreams, dear, you seem to leave me
When I awake my poor heart pains
So when you come back and make me happy
I'll forgive you dear, I'll take all the blame
posted by orange_square at 2:10 PM on July 24, 2018 [1 favorite]


"Sea of Love" by Cat Power is so sweet I've considered learning a couple chords on the guitar because I think it would be so neat to serenade someone with. I'll definitely be singing it to my future kiddo.
posted by rubster at 7:33 PM on July 24, 2018


Sade's "By Your Side" is wonderful, as well.
posted by soundofsuburbia at 7:30 AM on July 25, 2018


Make you feel my love by Bob Dylan!
posted by Bacon Bit at 12:44 PM on July 25, 2018 [1 favorite]


Response by poster: Thanks for all of the suggestions! Can't wait to give them all a good listen.
posted by stillmoving at 3:21 PM on July 25, 2018


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