The Parenting Playlist: Songs by Musicians for their Kids
My kids inspire me all the time, and as a parent, they make me want to be better. That’s an attribute for many artists who have kids. This week’s list is dedicated to the musicians who wrote song dedicated to and for their kids.
The Beatles - “Hey Jude”
This song was written by Paul McCartney for Julian Lennon after John Lennon and his first wife, Cynthia, separated due to his affair with Yoko Ono. It’s a song of comfort and support.
2. Stevie Wonder - “Isn’t She Lovely”
This song was written for Stevie’s daughter Aisha to celebrate her birth. It’s sweet and always puts a smile on my face.
3. John Lennon - “Beautiful Boy”
This song was a tribute to Sean Lennon, John’s son with Yoko. What makes this song so emotional is that it was released a month before John was murdered. He sings “I can hardly wait/To see you come of age/But I guess we'll both just have to be patient." Talk about a gut punch.
4. Annie Lennox - “Precious”
“Precious” was written after the birth of her daughter Lola and dedicated to her after she lost her son two years earlier (stillborn).
5. Lenny Kravitz - “Flowers for Zoe”
I’ve always been a fan of Lenny and this song only makes me love him all the more. This was written as a lullaby for Zoe Kravitz and originally called “Lullaby for Zoe.” I love the violin in this song. It’s truly tantalizing.
6. Billy Joel - “Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)”
Billy Joel wrote this song for his daughter Alexa Ray Joel when she was young. It’s a beautiful piano song that melts your heart.
7. Beyonce - “God Made You Beautiful”
This song was written in Dedication to Blue Ivy Carter. “You make everything right” perfectly depicts the feeling of being a parent.
8. Billy Ray Cyrus - “Ready, Set, Don’t Go”
This was, of course, written about Miley Cyrus as she went to Los Angeles to audition for Hannah Montana. The rest is history. “Ready, Set, Don’t Go” depicts her coming of age and how proud he is of her.
9. Led Zeppelin - “All My Love”
Unfortunately, this song was written under sadder circumstances. Robert Plant wrote this song with John Paul Jones after the death of his son Karac. It’s an ode to him in his memory.
10. Neil Young - “Here for You”
“Here For You” was written for his daughter Amber Jean when she was college bound. It’s a beautiful folk ballad that’s full of hope and love for his daughter and wishes her the absolute best.