May 1: And I feel fine… “It’s The End of the World As We Know It” written by Michael Stipe and R.E.M. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 2: For every kiss you give me, I will give you three… “Be My Baby” by Jeff Barry & Ellie Greenwich and sung by The Ronettes. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 3: Sing and set your old heart free… “Hello My Old Heart” by The Oh Hellos (sibling duo Maggie & Tyler Heath). LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
May 4: Sing and know that you matter… “Good Job” by Alicia Keys. LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
May 5: Sing and have another glass… “Mexican Wine” performed by Fountains of Wayne. LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
May 6: We’re delighted and think they’re just great… “Potato” by Cheryl Wheeler. LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
May 7: Got me hoping about the future… “Help Me” by Joni Mitchell. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 8: Wake up to the sound of music… “Let It Be” by Paul McCartney and performed by The Beatles. Happy birthday (and thanks for the song suggestion) to Lori Gazerro and Beth Heroux. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 9: I’ve been missing the elements…“Six Feet Apart” by Alec Benjamin. Thanks to Lisa Weitzman for the suggestion; I woke up sad today and this helped. LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
May 10: Ease your mind… “Rescue Me” by Sabrina Carpenter. Happy Birthday to Helen Rauh (here’s a new ukulele song for your repertoire) and HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY to moms all over the world who rescue their kids every day from dangers, big and small. A special shout-out to my mom, Ruthie Sherman, who is my “voice for calling”; I love you so much. (Thanks to Scarlett for the song suggestion!) LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
May 11: You got to do some dancin’… “In The Mood” written by Wingy Manone, Andy Razaf, Joe Garland and sung here by The Andrews Sisters. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 12: Loving you forever… “Spending All My Time” by Yasutaka Nakata and performed by Perfume. LYRICS & GUITAR CHORDS SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY
May 13: And we’re all of us coming to see you again… “Blow The Man Down” an old sea shanty dating back to 1860 sung by the Midshipman Glee Club. LYRICS & CHORDS SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY
May 14: We were living a time meant for us… “Pieces of April” by Dave Loggins and performed by Three Dog Night on their album Seven Separate Fools which came with playing cards (I remember loving that when I was little). Thanks to the wonderful Dr. Kimberly Dean for the song suggestion. LYRICS & CHORDS SONG HISTORY SPOTIFY
May 15: Who punched that tune? “Jive” by Michael Franks. Thanks to the birthday girl, Megan McConaughy Lucier, for introducing me to Michael Franks way-back-when. (I couldn’t find a lyric video for “Popsicle Toes”, which is really my favorite.) xoxo LYRICS SPOTIFY
May 16: You have that effect on me… “SuperHero” by Jane’s Addiction. Happy Birthday to our very own superhero Owen Sherman. LYRICS SPOTIFY
May 17: Let me hear your love, sing… “Melody” by Lost Frequencies featuring James Blunt. Happy Birthday to two people who’ve brought beautiful music into my life: Claudia Robaina and Josh Margolis (and thanks to Michael Winston for the song suggestion). xo LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 18: Sit by my side, come as close as the air… “Changes” by Phil Ochs and sung here by Gordon Lightfoot. Thanks to Jud for introducing me to this song 40+ years ago at Camp Pembroke. Camp isn’t opening this summer and my heart breaks for all who cherish their days there. The only thing constant is change…(apologies to Heraclitus) LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
May 19: A song in the back of my soul… “Queen of California” by John Mayer. Thanks for the suggestion to the queen of our home and the birthday girl, Rose Propp. Also a loving shout-out to her soul-sister and my roommate/big sister Alison King. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 20: Take the day off and do whatever you want… Bugler’s Holiday written by Leroy Anderson and played by the Boston Pops. Yeah, there’s no singing but when the birthday boy asks for a song, you don’t quibble over technicalities (and this birthday boy and his twin brother deserve anything they want today and always). To my father and Uncle Kenny: I LOVE YOU! (If you want to see a group sing the song, watch THIS.) SPOTIFY
May 21: The songbirds keep singing like they know the score… “Songbird” written by Christine McVie and sung here by Eva Cassidy. Happy Anniversary to Donna & Vinny. xo LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 22: And somewhere on the way, you might find out who you are… “Living In America” written by Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight and performed by James Brown. Happy Birthday to Josefina Blavia! xoxo LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 23: Love will come set me free… “Ain’t No Reason” by Brett Dennen. Thanks to BEP for the suggestion. LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
May 24: Hush, my darlin’, don’t cry my darlin’…. “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” a traditional Zulu song sung here by The Tokens. My new favorite version of this song is by Anne Reburn; check it out. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 25: Now I remember what it feels like to fly… “Butterflies” by Kacey Musgraves. Happy Birthday to Estelle Mackenzie and thanks to all who’ve served our country to ensure our safety and freedom. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 26: Stare out at the stars up in the sky… “Lyin’ Eyes” by the Eagles. Happy Birthday to Mannasses “Manny” Ogutu. We miss you! xoxo LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 27: Hello, beautiful thing… “Girls In Their Summer Clothes” by Bruce Springsteen. Thanks to Amy Koppe Murtagh for the suggestion; I hope you had a wonderful birthday! LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 28: I’m alright… “My Life” by Billy Joel. Thanks for the song suggestion (and happy belated birthday) to Carey Leonard. LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 29: Heartbreak overload… “Missing You” by John Waite (we’re supposed to be up at Colgate for our 35th Reunion but, alas, the world had other plans…) LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY
May 30: Ride out the storms… “The Voyage” by Johnny Duhan and sung by Christy Moore. Happy Birthday to Susan Terry Patrick, Happy Anniversary (and bon voyage) to Greg & Dana Benfer White and missing Betsy Morris Rosen. I’m glad to be on this voyage with all of you… LYRICS & CHORDS SPOTIFY
May 31: Looking for a two ply Hefty bag to hold my love… “Drive By” by Train. One of my students told me this was her favorite song (Thanks, AF!) and then I was reminded that my nephew Owen suggested it years ago. Thanks, guys! LYRICS & SONGFACTS SPOTIFY