April 1: Let ’em laugh while they can… “The Joke” by Brandi Carlile. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 2: If you go chasing them rainbows… “Anywhere” by Passenger. Happy Birthday to my sister, Caroline Sherman, with whom I’ll go anywhere, anytime…xoxoxo (thanks to her bro-in-law, Peter Propp for the suggestion). LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
April 3: We didn’t light it, but we’re trying to fight it… “We Didn’t Start The Fire” by Billy Joel. Happy Birthday to my wonderful nephew, Jeremy Sherman, who makes the world a brighter place. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 4: Keeping versed and on my feet… “Steal My Sunshine” by Len. Thanks to Choir!Choir!Choir! for the inspiration. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 5: I wait for delivery, each day until 3… “Mercedes Benz” by Janis Joplin. Thanks to Luke Rosenberg & birthday girl Sharyn Taymor for the song suggestion. Happy birthday, also, to Barbara Balaban & Drew Kanter. xoxo LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 6: There’s a pretty blue sky somewhere…“Joy” by David Poe. There is no lyric video today, but there is a karaoke track, so sing along with that. Happy Birthday (and thanks for the song suggestion) to Emily Mikesell who brings joy to all who see her act, hear her sing and receive the gift of her friendship. xoxo LYRICS SPOTIFY
April 7: You’re welcome here, kind stranger… “The Lakes of Pontchartrain” sung by Paul Brady. LYRICS & CHORDS SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY
April 8: How can words express the feel of sunlight? “Castles In The Air” by Don McLean. Happy Birthday (and thanks for the song suggestion) to Ted Aldrich! LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 9: Amen… “Someday We’ll Be Together” written by Jackey Beavers and Johnny Bristol by Diana Ross and the Supremes. Happy Birthday and thanks for the great song suggestion to Jen Kanter! Next year in Birmingham (or anywhere outside with friends and family, actually). LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 10: Now you don’t need that money when you look like that, do ya, honey… “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” by Jet. Happy Birthday to my fun, funny, talented, smart son; thanks for so many things, including introducing me to this song. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 11: Ain’t the afterlife grand? “When I Get To Heaven” by John Prine. I learned “Hello In There” when I was about 12 (Joan Baez sang it on her “Diamonds & Rust” album), Peter and I listened incessantly to his “In Spite of Ourselves” album, and when I had a chance to see him at Newport in 2017 I thought I would faint from excitement. He was every bit as good live as you’d think he’d have been. Only now, he’s not. 🙁 LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 12: If you need a friend… “Lean On Me” by Bill Withers (RIP). Happy Birthday to Stacy Fowle; if you have the privilege of knowing her, you know this is the perfect song for her. You also know that she’d do anything she can to help anybody at anytime. And my thinking is that YOU are exactly the same way, which is why I’m sharing a link to a group that needs your help during this crisis. My nephew Jeremy Sherman volunteers at Mount Sinai’s Student-Run free clinic, the East Harlem Health Outreach Partnership (EHHOP) which serves residents of East Harlem who are ineligible for health insurance. These patients have been particularly hard hit during the crisis: currently they know over 10% of their patients have tested positive for COVID-19. Most have lost their hourly jobs, and with little savings they face real food and housing insecurity. If you would like to donate to the EHHOP COVID-19 fund, please visit their GoFundMe page:
April 13: Yes, it’s Monday again and the world must come together as one… “We Are The World” by Michael Jackson & Lionel Richie & produced by Quincy Jones. 35 years ago on this day this was a #1 hit; I love how humans come together and make music in times of need. Stay safe & well, everybody. xo LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 14: Today is Tuesday and on Tuesdays, Mrs. Theiss’ class has music. A few months ago, one of our students, Autumn, chose this song as her “DJ of the Week” song choice. I miss Mrs. Theiss’ class and all of the kids at GFS but I’m glad to have this song to sing and the memories of being with my amazing students that go along with hearing it… “Alrighty Aphrodite” by Passion Pit. LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
April 15: It’s time to come together… “Celebration” by Kool & The Gang for the kool Kuroghlians, Gerry & Ellen! Thanks for the suggestion and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Dr. K. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 16: A miracle is not something to ignore… “Born To Be Yours” by Imagine Dragons and Kygo. Thanks to Truman for the suggestion. SONG HISTORY LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
April 17: Y’know two heads are better than one….“Twisted”, sung here by Joni Mitchell on her 1974 album Court and Spark, featuring Cheech & Chong. The lyrics to the song were written in 1952 by Annie Ross; she set the melody of the song to a tenor saxophone solo of the same name by Wardell Gray. Happy Birthday to Susan Bornstein Blonstein, Dana Benfer White & Liz Errico Sloan. xoxo SONG HISTORY LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
April 18: Find the whole meaning of life… “You Matter To Me” from Waitress by Sara Bareilles & Jason Mraz. Thanks for the song suggestion (and the generous support) to the birthday boy, Greg White and also to Richard Botton, cantor extraordinaire. LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
April 19: Wake up in the morning with the sunshine in your eyes… “Love Can Make You Happy” by Mercy. (thanks to Sharyn Taymor for another great song suggestion)! LYRICS & CHORDS SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY
April 20: You are the light that’s guiding me…. “Gravity” by Leo Stannard featuring Frances. Thanks to Ann Wriedt Sisto for the song suggestion. ILY. LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
April 21: Beautiful is the dream that makes you mine… “Rock Me Gently” by Andy Kim. Happy belated birthday and thanks for the song suggestion to Scott. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 22: It’s Earth Day! No lyric video, but it’s easy to echo and sing-along with Sally Rogers on her song “Plant Me A Garden”. Enjoy!
April 23: Come on out singing… “Sugar Magnolias” written by Robert Hunter & Bob Weir and sung here in Europe in 1972 by The Grateful Dead. Happy Birthday and thanks for the song suggestion to our brother from another mother, Jay Schmalholz! xo LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 24: So, one of my favorite movie scenes ever is from “The Sound of Music” but this, by New Zealand School Principal Shirley Serban, is one of the funny videos that’s made me laugh and sing at the same time during this crisis. I so appreciate all the hard work people are doing to make this world a better place.
April 25: Take stock of the new day… “Life’s A Long Song” by Jethro Tull. Happy Birthday to Lynne Walder, Lauran Walder & Tom Borden. xoxo LYRICS SPOTIFY
April 26: You forgive us & we’ll forgive you “Fish & Whistle” by John Prine. LYRICS & CHORDS SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY
April 27: I can’t wait till I see you again… “Boogie Shoes” by K.C. & The Sunshine Band; a belated birthday wish & dance party for Angela Borregine. xo LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 28: Sing and don’t feel alone anymore… “Watching The River Run” by Loggins & Messina. LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
April 29: Sing and be sharp as a tack… Short Skirt/Long Jacket by CAKE. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
April 30: I’ll sing myself to you… “When We Can’t Hold Each Other” by Morgan Morse.