LAYING DOWN TRACKS

Music appreciation must have been a passive thing for me growing up. I remember that sitting still and listening were hard. Making music well was hard. And I found singing for an audience embarrassing! Yet, throughout my childhood and continuing into my teen years, when I closed my bedroom door, with record jacket and lyrics in hand, music would keep me busy for hours.

Classical music was prevalent growing up, so I think it makes sense to start there. I found that learning about the instruments in an orchestra -- how they sounded, how they were played and how they were performed alongside each other – made music more structured for me; something to be broken down into parts. Likewise, harmonizing was like figuring out a puzzle. And I enjoyed that!

These two selections are a tribute to my classical upbringings. I must have listened to them a lot since I still remember the words and in the case of Peter and the Wolf, which instruments belong to which characters.

1949 Rusty in Orchestraville

1960 Peter and the Wolf

Walt Disney’s Merriest Songs was probably the most-played children’s album we had growing up and an indication of the influence Disney had on my musical upbringing. This song was my favorite from that album. I can’t help but bounce and sing along when I listen to it.

1968 I Wan’na Be Like You

I Wan'na Be Like You Lyrics

Now I'm the king of the swingers

Oh, the jungle VIP

I've reached the top and had to stop

And that's what botherin' me

I wanna be a man, mancub

And stroll right into town

And be just like the other men

I'm tired of monkeyin' around!

Oh, oobee doo

I wanna be like you

I wanna walk like you

Talk like you, too

You'll see it's true

An ape like me

Can learn to be humen too

( Gee, cousin Louie

You're doin' real good

Now here's your part of the deal, cuz

Lay the secret on me of man's red fire

But I don't know how to make fire )

Now don't try to kid me, mancub

I made a deal with you

What I desire is man's red fire

To make my dream come true

Give me the secret, mancub

Clue me what to do

Give me the power of man's red flower

So I can be like you

You!

I wanna be like you

I wanna talk like you

Walk like you, too

You'll see it's true

Someone like me

Can learn to be

Like someone like me

Can learn to be

Like someone like you

Can learn to be

Like someone like me!

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