This playlist was not inspired by Martina McBride, Celine Dion or Taylor Swift. These songs aren’t about the precious, snuggle-time, tender moments with your sweet squishy little newborn. Nope. This is for when you’re lonely, angry, tired, and covered in someone else’s boogery, slobbery, vomity poop. Let these songs remind you that you will get through the exhaustion, the major life changes, the grossness of it all.
During your kiddo’s first year of life, you’re in the trenches. Sometimes it’s less about cherishing every single snot-covered moment of motherhood than it is remembering to survive every moment. Let this playlist encourage you, make you laugh and maybe even dance in the car.
A quick preview of the playlist:
For when you need a quick cry fest: First Day Of My Life — Bright Eyes
Yours was the first face that I saw
I think I was blind before I met you
This one is for when you’re numb (presumably from that sleep deprivation): Be OK — Ingrid Michaelson
I just want to be okay, be okay, be okay
I just want to be okay todayI just want to feel today, feel today, feel today
I just want to feel something today
When you need to toughen up and laugh, and be reminded that you’ll make it through the first year: This Year — The Mountain Goats
I down-shifted as I pulled into the driveway
The motor screaming out, stuck in second gear
The scene ends badly, as you might imagine
In a cavalcade of anger and fear
There will be feasting and dancing in Jerusalem next year
I am going to make it through this year
If it kills me
For when you might be suffering from an identify crisis and having existential inner monologues while standing in the shower at 2 a.m. because you’re too tired to sleep: Hey Life — tUnE-yArDs
Hey life, I am calling your name
But all I hear is an echo
Unless your voice and mine sound the same
But hey life, I love you so much I scream and shout
But I’m one foot in, one foot out
Just kinda like running on a roundabout, you know
When you’re awake in the middle of the night with your tiny little insomniac, this song can help calm your nerves: Stay Alive — José González
And I will wait for you tonight
You’re here forever and you’re by my side
I’ve been waiting all my life
To feel your heart as it’s keeping time
We’ll do whatever just to stay alive
- First Day Of My Life — Bright Eyes
- I Will Survive — Cake
- Dog Days Are Over (Yeasayer Remix) — Florence + The Machine
- Never Give Up — Sia
- Be OK — Ingrid Michaelson
- Help I’m Alive — Metric
- This Year — The Mountain Goats
- Hey Life — tUnE-yArDs
- Gotta Get Thru This — Daniel Bedingfield
- It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) — REM
- This Too Shall Pass — OK Go
- Stay Alive — José González
This playlist is the first of a series of parenting-themed lists. Stay tuned for more.
