Explaining Songs to my Toddler

L is 3. She often asks "Mama, what is this song about?" (Actually, she's 5 now.)

[explainingsongs]

Mama, have you ever heard this song before?

Um... yes?

ROCK AND ROLL! ROCK AND ROLL! ROCK AND ROLL!

[explainingsongs]

Mama, what’s a Boba Mackee?

Bobby Magee. It’s someone’s name.

oooooohhhhh

[explainingsongs]

L has a new partner in crime, H! Look for H’s questions in a year or so, when she gets words. 

[explainingsongs]

L sings: 🎶 So I put my hands up, they're playin' my song The butterflies fly away I'm noddin' my head like Yeah! Movin' my hips like Yeah!Got my hands up, they're playin' my song And now I'm gonna be okay Yeah! It's a party in the USA!🎶

Wait, Mama, what’s the USA?

It’s the country we live in.

No, we live in America!

Let me explain acronyms... 

[explainingsongs]

Mama, will you please turn this off? Otherwise I can’t stop singing along and I’ll never finish eating my dinner.

[explainingsongs]

Mama, I think this song is about how she has 3 ghosts haunting her. OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[explainingsongs]

L: (shivers)

Me: Are you cold?

L: No, this song is just too scary!

Me: It’s too scary? Is it because of his voice?

L: (nods)

Me: (tries not to laugh too loudly)

[explainingsongs]

Mama, who are the Maccabbees?

Uh, the Jews who were fighting against whomever was oppressing us at the time. It’s kinda the story of Hanukkah.

I thought Hanukkah was to celebrate when we left Egypt and got away from evil Pharoah.

Um... that’s Passover.

[explainingsongs]

Mama, what’s this song about?

Wassailling. It’s like trick-or-treating, except instead of candy, you get a grown-up drink made with apple cider. And instead of saying “trick-or-treat” you have sing a song.

[explainingsongs]

Is this Sebastian on the radio?

What?!

Is this Sebastian? Because he keeps singing “Under the Sea, sha la la la la la la la”

Umm... no.

[explainingsongs]

When Pharaoh’s army got drown-ded, is that when the Jews were free from Egypt?

Yep.

Oh. When did Pharaoh have us?

Thousands and thousands and thousands of years ago.

So, like, when you were a tiny little baby?

[explainingsongs]

Mama, what’s this song about?

About how she has some new roller skates and wants to play with them with her friend

But her friend doesn’t?

No.

Oh, that’s not nice. She should get nicer friends.

[explainingsongs]

Mama, this music sounds scary.

It does?

Yes, is it scary?

That’s the best part about music without words, whatever it makes you feel is right.

It’s good music, but it’s also bad. It’s goodbad.

Good bad?

Yes, because it’s good, but it’s also scary.

[explainingsongs]

Mama, is this Fantasia Music?

I don’t think so (looks it up) No, but you know that part the fighting toys (in Fantasia 2000)? That’s not this music, but it was written by the same guy.

Oh, because I was thinking it sounds like the part with the flying whales?

Pines of Rome? I can hear that.

[explainingsongs]

What’s this song about?

About three sisters who are looking for smart boys. Because you should only date smart people. You need a mind at werk.

[explainingsongs]

(during a standoff about bedtime)

L: MY NAME IS ALEXANDER HAMILTON!

Daddy: in that case, my name is Aaron Burr

Me: Sir

[explainingsongs]

What’s up with those girls Mama?

Well, the guy works too hard, and they’re trying to get him to take a vacation with them.

Like Daddy!