The List
For reasons more complicated than the enigma code and ultimately more depressing than an Eastenders all-set-in-one-room-with-only-two-characters special I hadn’t seen my son for quite a few years. That’s right I have a son, he’s quite the young chap about town too. But thankfully this situation has been rectified over the past few months and small but not inconsiderable steps have been made forward. It’s all very exciting I must say. We were sitting having coffee recently talking about this and that and football, as you do, when it struck me just how little we really knew about each other in terms of likes and dislikes. Obviously he likes Manchester United and dislikes all things Liverpudlian, which is a comfort to me.
So to help him understand what kind of chap I am and what kind of things I am into I got him an iPod. I got him an iPod and stuffed it full of my favourite albums. In retrospect I should have got him a larger iPod as there were a few albums I couldn’t get onto it, forty seven to be precise. But there are 143 on it and that’s a good start. I suppose I would be delighted if he loved them all but I’m not sure a fourteen year kid is quite gonna get the folksy Americana of Bonnie Prince Billy or the dramatically weird and wonderful reinterpretations of gems on Cat Power’s, The Covers Record.” But then again I don’t think it’s important that he does like it. The playlist was designed to show him what I like, what I’m into what makes me get up and shake my booty. Okay strike that last bit. I haven’t so much as twitched my booty in the last ten years let alone shook it. Frightful thought.
Anyhoo I showed the playlist to The Cousin and explained the reasoning behind it.
“Hmmmm”, mused The Cousin as he peered at it, “….so you want your son to think you are a fruity indie boy who used to like some metal. Odd”, and off he walked.
Arsehole.
I’m gonna repeat this again but with books.
Here’s the full list. It’s quality…
22 Comments → “The List”
My father (slightly estranged) once bought me a Celine Dion album for Christmas.
From now on, I’m pretending that you’re my da.
"you are a fruity indie boy who used to like some metal". Teh Cousin is an insightful chap.
Gimme: you’re still not getting a present for xmas though….heh
Phil: no, no he’s not….he’s a very fat boy….who listens to the killers….sooooo
No Roy Orbisson, no Simply Red, no Baby bird. The lad has no chance of learning! Bad dad
Vernon: Thursday….must be vodka and irn bru night then
Some decent stuff there. What’s with the Joy Division though, you do want him to make it through his teens don’t you?
So your Girls Aloud back catalogue didn’t make the cut then?
Lost Souls by Doves is one of my top 10 albums. Discovered that in 2001 after the break up and it represents my journey back to "living". Most of the other stuff I don’t know but I shall have a mooch and see what works for me. How exciting! I hope your son finds some stuff that works for him, what an education, mind you I’m glad my Dad didn’t ever make me a playlist, Jim Reeves and Patsy Cline don’t do it for me.
way cool, sugar! xoxoxoox
You forgot this one.
this is beautiful. one of the best bonding moments with my daughter? i was in a funk as i was sorting through divorce. she (at 20) did an ‘iPod intervention’, looking at my 25 most played… "Jesus, Mom! No wonder you’re depressed! Natalie Merchant? Indigo Girls? Listen to some Scissor Sisters, P!nk and Flaming Lips for a few weeks and then let me know how you feel…"
hope he shares his list with you…
shit. i must be hormonal/mental. this is making me all mushy…
My heart is well warmed now. I hope he enjoys the music, or at least some of it- a few of those I used to love, but I hardly ever listen to music these days.
Bet you’d like some of his favourites too.
I say more about The Son!
Wow, what a fab prezzie. Although, if I was given such a thing from my father when I was a kid, I’d probably delete most of it, replace it with the contents of Now whatever, get intrigued by some of it and later regret having deleted the good stuff. (Or be totally oblivious as I bopped around to the Thompson Twins).
(PS: You have a *son*……!? This is like Eastenders….)
This is great news, Manuel. Best of everything to you both.
Nice touch, but no Daydream nation??
That’s actually a really touching post. Especially considering my recent bereavement. I honestly and sincerely hope you both manage to cultivate a truly wonderful relationship. I’m pleased for you big man.
You and Mr. Boxer would have a grand time together. He’s a music freak and I’m going to show him your list. (btw, I need your input…. can you come on over?)
awwww bless that’s such a lovely idea, I’m sure he will really appreciate it. A fine selection of music too, apart from guns’n'roses obv.
the book list is a similarly awesome plan…
While I have to applaud you for some genuine classics here (Ministry, the National, Led Zep, Beirut..), Goldfrapp? Really? Over-rated much?
It’s a great idea though. When my (now) wife and I first started seeing each other – we traded our three most defining books for our first Christmas together.
daisyfae – brilliant. A mate of mine in an absolute trough of depression played Five’s ‘Get on Up’ as her alarm tune for three months – sorted her right out
Hella cool, Crikey.
Can’t wait to see what books you choose.
That’s a very cool gift. And my ipod contents look very similar.