Songs About Guys Named Jo[h]n/ny

Not too long ago we made the family trek to Nickelodeon Universe, and I observed that being the youngest of three kids must … well, kind of suck sometimes.  Our little guy was about an inch too short for most of the rides his siblings could go on.  This led to choruses of “Sorry, buddy, you’re too little for this.”  Followed by huge tantrums.  Followed by choruses of “You are WAY too big to act like that.”  Talk about a confusing message.

Anyway, it’s only a little something, but I decided that next week we’d do another, long overdue Mixtape Monday, only this time we’d focus on my number 3, with songs all about guys named Jo[h]nny, a project I’ve been thinking of, but haven’t been able to complete.  I tried to do a quick lyrics search, but this one is a little tricky because most of the lyrics sites include writing credit with the lyrics, so I get a lot of hits on songs BY people named Johnny.

A quick review of my own iTunes turned up: Mysterious Ways, Johnny B. Goode, and Bad Company’s Shooting Star, and, of course, no list of Johnnys would be complete without the famous fiddler from The Devil Went Down to Georgia.    So, help a mommy out … can you add some?

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Mom’s Mixtape: Imagination

I did finish the Imagination Mix. It’s available as an iMix here. We’ve actually been listening to it for a few days, and it’s gone over well. (Well enough that I, for one, am desperate for the next one!) It’s crazy which songs end up being their favorites.

1. Imagination – Bert and Ernie
2. Just My Imagination – The Temptations
3. Imagination – Erasure
4. With Imagination (I’ll Get There) – Harry Connick, Jr.
5. Imagine – Jack Johnson cover
6. Can You Imagine – Laurie Berkner
7. Pure Imagination – Lou Rawls
8. Surfin’ in My Imagination – Ralph Covert
9. I’ve Got to Use My Imagination – Gladys Knight and The Pips

As promised, we’ve also been doing some “Imagination”-related activities. 6 did a crossword puzzle based on the lyrics of the songs, 5 did a word search, and everybody colored a picture of things that start with the letter ‘I’. I wanted to share the puzzle input, but my favorite create your own crossword puzzle/wordsearch site doesn’t save the data. (I’ll keep working on that). We also brainstormed ways we use our imagination and played picnic dress-up.

Since Imagination was a big hit with the older 2, the next theme is for my little guy. He’s rather obsessed right now with both airplanes and songs about them. From my iTunes, I’ve got Gary Allan watching the airplanes, Train counting them, and John Denver leaving on one. What can you add?

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You know that I’m a sucker for anything acoustic.

Oh, how I do love a good mixtape.

Modern technology has simplified the process (whether that’s good or bad is arguable), but I have had fewer occasions for creation in recent years.

With summer upon us, the kids and I have been barreling through songs on my iPod, borrowing new CDs from the library and blaring the radio in the car, and I realized I have a reason once again to design perfect playlists for some fresh, new, occasionally-appreciative listeners.

Now I need your assistance with my latest new plan for content: Mom’s Mixtapes, which, of course, I intend to post on Mondays (see what I did there!).

In an effort to start this summer off with a creative focus, this week’s topic: Imagination. Imagination appears as the subject of plenty of popular songs, among them a few that I already own:

• With Imagination (I’ll Get There), Harry Connick Jr.
• Imagination, Erasure
• Surfin’ in My Imagination, Ralph Covert

Brainstorming time – any additions from your archives? Imagination need not be in the title, but should be in the lyrics, and while the subject matter need not be kid-cognizable, it should be kid-friendly. (For those of you who might be so inclined to offer it (and you know who you are), I’ll probably skip this one.)

I have considered grabbing Pure Imagination from the Willy Wonka movie. Gene Wilder’s presentation disturbs me slightly less than the Kenny Loggins cover, but I think I lean toward the Maroon 5 version as the least terrifying. (Can someone tell me how a song with such lovely lyrics manages to creep me out so badly?)

Tune in Monday for a final list, an iMix and related summer activities.

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