We were listening to The Beatles in the car yesterday. First time Arthur had let us listen to 'grown-up music'. Anne was saying how there's a bunch of stuff it would be good if Arthur just knew. The stuff that she and I picked up just by cultural osmosis and that helped us get pleasure from the world, but which he very well might not. Like The Beatles. Or the book of common prayer. Neither of us are Christians but we've both spent lots of time in Church and are therefore familiar with the rhythms and phrases of the CofE. Which means you get much more out of some things - like 40 Years On, for example, our favourite play ever.
I guess we want him to understand some of the same reference points as us, as he grows up in a completely different world.
So I thought I'd start by trying to make a CD for the car which we can all listen to, which won't bore a 4-year old. It's bound to be incredibly personal, preserving some of things that Anne and I grew up with and value, but it'll be interesting.
Here's a starting list. Anyone got any suggestions?
The Beatles Octopus's Garden and Yellow Submarine
The Lord's Prayer
Sailng By - the music of the shipping forecast
Winnie The Pooh - both some AA Milne and some songs from the original Disney stuff
Onward Christian Soliders - top hymn
Thunderbirds theme
Spike Milligan - Ning Nang Nong
Nellie The Elephant - The Toy Dolls
Psalm 23
The Floral Dance - Brighouse and Rastrick Band