Jessica Hopper (episode #2) makes a living writing about music. But there are only a handful of songs that represent her transformation from woman to MOTHER. Listen, and feel the triumph.
Notes from Jessica
1. Song for The Baby Kelis
I listened to this song probably 10 times a day for the entire end of my first pregnancy, while working on a piece about Kelis. I’d just dance and cry. Those Chicago-style horns are undeniable, but really, maternal disco is just my favorite genre.
2. Dancing on My Own Robyn
My labor with my son William started while I was watching Robyn sing this song at Pitchfork festival, standing by myself, thinking “one day when I am not pregnant, I will dress cool like that.”
3. Metal Masks Key Losers
When I was pregnant, I only wanted to hear gentle music, I couldn’t listen to rap or punk or hardcore—I started listening to a lot of hippie jams and California seventies music. I listened to Key Loser’s California Lite non-stop for months. It’s about driving through California and is really evocative.
4. All I Could Do Kimya Dawson
One of her great songs about being transformed by parenthood, all the fear and excitement and changes that change you.
5. Sleepless Nights Chapin Sisters
Mourning for that lost sleep, via this Everlys cover.
6. Blackbird Crosby, Stills & Nash
I don’t really like the Beatles (I like them each better solo!), so I default to this version. “You were only waiting for this moment to arise” makes me always think about being given the purpose of parenthood, life being dark until it is illuminated by my children.
7. Hungry Heart The Boss
It’s a song about being a terrible parent to re-assure you—you could be doing it worse. Also, I caught my son singing this while pooping behind the couch last week.
8. Foreign Installation DIANA
When my kids were both sleeping through the night, and I could get it together to go out for a night and see friends or go to shows, this is the record I had on repeat in the car. I think of the Diana record as a tunnel to another part of my life.
Follow Playlists for Parents & Make Your Own
Since our last Playlist for Parents, we have switched from Spotify to 8tracks. You can follow our playlists here from now on. Playlists will be a regular feature on the site. I’d love to feature some soundtracks by listeners. If you’d like me to consider yours, send me your soundtrack idea (i.e. Take off the Baby Weight Soundtrack; Mama Karaoke Soundtrack; Trying to Keep My Eyelids Open Soundtrack) and a few song titles that you’d include in the mix.
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