Whistle while you work

[ailbhe]

OK, we've already worked on the pregnancy playlist.

Now I need a c-section playlist. The poor confused midwife today did mention that we can bring our own music or they often play muzak at one unless one objects.

I really want "I've got you under my skin," of course, but I don't have a copy.

And I do somewhere have "Alive and Kicking," thanks to the inimitable Simon Barrett when I was pregnant with Linnea. I wonder where it is?

I think Bill Hicks' "Little Miracle" sketch might get us actually thrown out of theatre, so perhaps I'd better skip it.

I like Vega's "Small Blue Thing" because it has always seemed to me to be about a child, or by a child, and it would remind me of Linnea, which would be nice.

Dominion/Mother Russia seems temptingly inappropriate. Also Frenzy with Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Mother's Little Helper (Stones). I will NOT take anything from RHPS however much I want to.

"You're my best friend" by Queen, and the waltz we had at our wedding, are definite possibilities, mind you.

I also like "Fat Bottomed Girls" but think I'd like it less half-naked in a room full of strangers.

Guns'N'Roses Sweet Child of Mine?

I should stop now. What do you think?

ETA: Mack the Knife - Eartha Kitt version? we have another but I forget who.

Comments

[pocketnaomi.livejournal.com]

I love Bob Dylan's "Forever Young" for a newborn (by whatever method). Like most Dylan, however, best performed by someone -- anyone -- other than Dylan. :)

[cangetmad.livejournal.com]

I think there's a Pretenders version, which I like in an determinedly unironic way. Can upload if wished.

[rosefox]

I have at least one version of "I've Got You Under My Skin"; shall I send it?

[ailbhe]

Yes please! How badly does that break copyright laws?

[rivka.livejournal.com]

I had a couple of songs on my labor playlist that wound up feeling really significant for me, during the experience. One is a chant from the Unitarian hymnal:

I know this rose will open
I know my fears will burn away
I know my soul will unfurl its wings
I know this rose will open.

Is that perfect for birth - I mean, complete with a metaphor for cervical dilation and/or opening of the uterus - or what? Looks like you can hear a sample of that one here. (My speakers fried when my computer was electrocuted, so I can't listen to it myself.)

The other one is Jill Sobule, "Rock Me to Sleep." At one point in my labor, I started crying when it got to the line "I wish I had my baby" - but it still really worked for me. You can download it at the link.

a comparison...

[squishsplash.livejournal.com]

Labouring Playlist
+ like planning a really long road trip (on bicycle, obviously)
+ ambient music that allows you to "be in your body" yet also encourages relaxation
+ might include a dozen or more albums, to provide adequate length and choice

Caesarean Playlist
+ kinda like trying to put together a "losing my virginity" playlist. That is, the event itself is going to short, unpredictable, intense, and any attempt to match the event perfectly with songs is just doomed to make you laugh or cringe.
+ music to distract you from your body
+ may only need a dozen songs

[murphymom.livejournal.com]

The first thing the BK heard when he finally popped out was "I Am Your Child", by Barry Manilow. You might want to check it out, even though it is pretty far afield from anything else you've listed.

[radegund.livejournal.com]

I think emerging into the world to the strains of the guitar riff at the beginning of "Sweet Child of Mine" would be pretty damn cool, actually :-)

We forgot to bring any music on 22/8/04, so they went off and found us a Beatles compilation CD. Oisín was born to "Hey, Jude".

[lalajia.livejournal.com]

Okay, not entirely appropriate, but all I can think of:

It's alright (Baby's coming back) by the Eurythmics?

[feetnotes.livejournal.com]

has anyone with the set-up to turn lp track into mp3 for ailbhe got the harvest records sampler, _Picnic: A Breath of Fresh Air_?

this [a] has the Pink Floyd track, "Embryo", which would appear to be appropriate - and is a good, and a generally peaceful track of some power.

[a] - and only this