The two older children are in a funny place right now. They absolutely do not want to listen to any music with a male singer. And I get it! They’re little girls and trying to figure out what being a little girl means, what it means about them, and how they fit into the world as little girls. They couldn’t tell you all that because they are just on the edge of turning five, but their actions, what they talk about, and what they ask me and mom reveal this sort of childhood quest for understanding of self.
It will get more complicated, I’m sure. Right now, though, we’re stuck on disliking music where men sing.
In response to this preference, I have compiled a playlist of songs featuring female singers. With a catch.
I do not want to just fill it with contemporary pop junk. That can be some of it, no doubt. Just not all of it. Instead, I want to be sure they are listening to a broad spectrum of things so they can develop a more nuanced taste in music. I am under no illusion that they will grow up listening to the same things Sarah and I like. I don’t want that! What I want is for them to listen to music that interests them in expanding their musical horizons when they are old enough to search out music for themselves.
I don’t want them to get stuck and complacent listening to the next generation of corporate, generic, totally interchangeable pop music garbage. I’d like them to find something that really resonates with their lives, even if it’s weird or niche or maligned by their peers. And the most important way to help them down that road is to lay the groundwork now.
So this is all cool and heady and aspirational and whatever, but what does the playlist actually look like? Good question! You can check it out for yourself.
Sorry for the Qobuz link. I know it’s not the most popular option, but I prefer it. I ditched Spotify after something like 15 years because of the insane amount of evil they are doing to both the community of musical artists that feeds them and to the world in general. Spotify can get bent. Try Qobuz! They pay their artists fairly! (This is not an ad).
Listen to the playlist and let me know what I am missing. It’s got a huge variety. Sure, we’ve got K-pop Demon Hunters and Celine Dion, but we’ve also got Lambrini Girls and Unleash the Archers. Linda Ronstadt! Röyksopp! Whitney fucking Houston!
I’m open to suggestions. What else should we be listening to?
