These are songs I associate with various members of my family, and why. Not a whole lot of rhyme or reason to them, but there are family stories with each, and they seem worth relating.
America, West Side Story. Dad played this soundtrack a lot and the exuberance, wordplay and eventually the cynicism of this song caught me.
I Feel Pretty, West Side Story. A family favorite from my youth, especially of my three sisters. Never saw my sisters perform it, but I can imagine it. “What mirror where?”
If I Were A Rich Man, Fiddler on the Roof. This in particular is a song that reminds me of Dad. He also used to play this soundtrack a lot, and used to whistle this one.
Camelot
Autumn Leaves, Doris Day. I hardly associate any music with my Mom, but there was a time in Hong Kong where we both took lessons on the organ (that I agitated for them to get for me). This song was the one she wanted to learn to play. I imagine it was this Doris Day version she had in mind since it was a hit in the ’50s. I think it was the sentiment of the words more than the song overall that caught her since she was herself in her 50’s at the time. I’ve always loved the instrumental version by Jim Hall and Ron Carter. The Eva Cassidy version is also a knockout and I’m glad there’s a video of her performance. But I don’t think Mom ever heard either of those.
Your Feets Too Big, Fats Waller
Guantanamera, Lecuonda
Mack the Knife
Mexican ???, John Prine
Dixie Chicken, Little Feat. Memories of being drunk and singing it with Joe for Fred (and his delight) one warm night on the deck of North Carolina beach house.