Lil' Mix-A-Lot

We do quite a bit of singing in our house. And by "singing", I really mean "bastardizing popular song lyrics to include a Lili reference". The theme song to COPS, for instance, has been revamped as "Baby Lil, baby Lil, whatchyou gonna do, whatchyou gonna do when Mommy comes for you...baby Lil, baby Lil". For all the singing and dancing, though, Lili has never really had any music of her own to rock out to. Unless you count Putumayo's Animal Playground or Simon and Garfunkel's Greatest Hits...which no one does. Enter playlist.com, and my attempt to rescue Lili from Mama's iPod and the wealth of Eminem and Snoop Dogg contained therein.

1. Lollipop by the Chordettes. I remember this song fondly from my own childhood and the classic Stand by Me soundtrack, and was pleased as punch to discover that "Lollipop" could easily be adapted to "Lilipop". The lyrics are also quite fitting..."she tastes sweeter than an apple pie"..."I love to kiss her 'til I can't see straight". Gee...my Lilipop IS great.

2. Coconut by Harry Nilsson. This song is a perennial favorite on Wonderground Radio, and apparently a real crowd pleaser among the toddler set. I suspect Lili already has a genuine appreciation for Coconut's lounge stylings.

3. No Woman, No Cry by Bob Marley. Mama. Bed Time. Rock. Sway. Pace. Bounce. Sleep. Zzzzz.

4. Single Ladies by Beyonce. Lili never met a booty she didn't like. The first time I hammed it up to this song and shook my shimmy around the kitchen she just about lost her cookies. Ever since then, she cocks and ear and kicks a little leg whenever she hears Beyonce come over the airwaves.

5. The Littlest Birds by The Be Good Tanyas. As any one who has ever read Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? night after night can attest, babies are all about the repetition. The Littlest Birds is perfect for it's oft repeated chorus and kid friendly jingle. Plus, my littlest bird really does sing the prettiest song.

6. Lilly by Pink Martini. The spelling may be all wrong, but the lyrics of this little gem (originally introduced by GK) are so, so right. "Lilly comes when you stop to call her...Lilly runs when you look away...Lilly leaves kisses on your collar...Lilly, Lilly, Lilly, Lilly, stay"! You stay too, Lili. Please and thanks.

7. Cosmic Girl by Jamiroquai. This song lands somewhere between Coconut and Single Ladies on the grooveability scale. A little less lounge, but not quite as much funk, this tune is best enjoyed while sashaying across the living room in the arms of a mom.

8. Dedicated to the One I Love by the Mamas and the Papas. The Mamas and the Papas get me every time. Blame it on California Dreamin', but the haunting tenor of Mama Cass' voice inevitably takes me back to the salty chill of a San Francisco beach. And naturally, if I could, I would dedicate every song to Lili.

9. 652 Say Hey (I Love You) by Michael Franti and Spearhead. The unofficial anthem of summer 2009. Light, danceable, and full of ample opportunities to sing my favorite words to Lili..."I love you...I love you...".

10. Movin' Right Along featuring Kermit the Frog. I mean...obviously.

11. We Are Family by Sister Sledge. Not only is this classic Sister Sledge song applicable to our everyday lives, but Lili will be getting a jump start on all the other gaybies with her knowledge of gay culture. She will undoubtedly be the only 14-month old air pumping her fist along to We Are Family in the corner of the 19 Bar come next Pride.

12. We're Going To Be Friends by The White Stripes. The song that will be played on Lili's first day of kindergarten. While I sob uncontrollably in the bathroom. Thankfully, we still have 4 1/2 years to prepare for that emotional train wreck.