10 Songs Inspired By Children That Are Better Than Jay-Z’s “Glory”
Newly minted supermom Beyoncé Knowles gave birth to baby girl Blue Ivy Carter last weekend, and a mere two days later proud papa Jay-Z posted a new song celebrating her arrival, “Glory.” Maybe you like the song. Maybe you think it sounds exactly like a song Jay threw together in 48 hours while riding an ecstatic New Daddy High. But in either case, based on artistic merit alone, I’d argue that there most certainly are better songs inspired by kids out there.
And ladies and gentlemen, I’m here to prove it.
So without further ado, here are my own personal Top 10 picks for great songs inspired by children. Agree? Disagree? Demand a recount? Hit me in comments with your thoughts!
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Isn't She Lovely - Stevie Wonder
Joyful and exuberant, this "Songs In The Key Of Life" highlight was Inspired by his daughter, Aisha.
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Hey Jude - The Beatles
Written by Paul McCartney for bandmate John Lennon's son, Julian.
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Sail To The Moon - Radiohead
Radiohead front man Yorke has said that 2003's 'Hail to the Thief' was largely inspired by children's stories. This haunting lullaby was written for son, Noah.
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In Metal - Low
Written by two of the band's members - Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker - soon after the birth of their child in 2003.
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To Zion - Lauryn Hill
Composed following the birth of Hill's first child - fathered by Bob Marley’s son Rohan Marley - a child Hill had been counseled to abort by people close to her who were concerned about her career and the impact a child might have on it.
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Wonder - Colin Meloy
Decemberist Meloy recorded this upon the birth of his son Hank in February of 2006.
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Wildflower Soul - Sonic Youth
SY's Thurston Moore wrote this tune about Coco, the daughter he shares with Kim Gordon.
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Gracie - Ben Folds
Folds wrote this for his daughter, after writing another song - "Still Fighting It" - for Gracie's twin brother Louis (thereby bypassing any accusations of favoritism. Smart man).
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Mockingbird - Eminem
Inspired by Eminem's relationship with his daughter, Hailie Jade.
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Daughter - Loudon Wainwright III
Made popular by the movie "Knocked Up" and inspired, obviously, by his daughter, truer lyrics were perhaps never penned: "I lost everytime I fought her / Yeah I lost everytime" I feel you, big L.
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Read more from Tracey Gaughran-Perez at her personal blog Sweetney.com
“To Zion” is one of my all-time favorites, even if the messianic undertones are a little over the top at times. But then, doesn’t everyone feel like their new bundles of joy are the second coming?
Loudon Wainwright’s “Daughter” brings tears to my eyes every single time I hear it. In fact, just thinking about it has be all misty. It’s that beautiful.
Can we have a list of bad songs inspired by their children, and start the list with Motley Crue’s “Brandon”? It includes such heartfelt and well-written lyrics as:
Your mother gave birth to
You with love inside
She had candlelight and
Songs of life
Brandon I love you, I love her
She is your mom
No one writes ‘em like that Tommy Lee.
Laurie Ann – That is the best (and by best I mean WORST) (and funniest) thing I’ve heard all day. I definitely think a Worst Songs Inspired By Kids list is in order!
Laurie Ann and Sweetney,
Or Beth, but KISS. The gist of the song? “Oh, sorry I can’t spend quality time with you kid, but the band and I are busy laying down tracks of terrible glam rock ballads.”
“by Kiss,” not “but Kiss”.
Radio Ga Ga – Queen