For our first staff playlist of the year, we thought it would be nice to think of some songs we would have all liked to be born to. Try to imagine yourself leaving the womb with any of these songs playing.
Mateo
“(They Long To Be) Close To You” by The Cranberries
This is a cover of the original song Close to You by the carpenters, on the tribute Album to the Carpenters “If I Were a Carpenter”. The idea of being birthed to a cover might sound a little weird, but the idea of a tribute could be better. Does it being a cover make it worse, or just different? Does something have to be original to still have value? food for thought.
“Waltz (Better Than Fine)” by Fiona Apple
A song about appreciating yourself for who you are and your life for what it is, while enjoying yourself in the process, seems like a good vibe to be sent into the world into. The piano is also quite good.
Josh
“The Creator Has A Master Plan” by Pharoah Sanders
The first two minutes of the song are so incredibly full and luscious that it feels like a fully embracing hug is enveloping you which would very much be a comfortable way to enter the world. Plus its overall joyous theme and hopeful message of “the creator” having a master plan that could be referring to you would also be a very comforting and reassuring message to enter the world to.
“Built Then Burnt [Hurrah! Hurrah!]” by Silver Mt. Zion
The first section of this song is a spoken-word motivational speech accompanied by some really gentle strings that take over the song fully after the speech. The spoken-word section has really grown on me and would be an incredibly moving message to enter the world to. The instrumental afterwards wouldn’t exactly pump up the newborn me, but they would instill this feeling of comfort that further solidifies the idea of “it’s going to be alright”.
“Starless” by King Crimson
I had trouble deciding on a third pick so instead of picking something that makes sense and has a direct connection to being fitting to be born to, I just picked something hype. The song is so complete and thrilling that, at birth, it would set the bar incredibly high for the rest of my life.
Alice
“Home Among The Swinging Stars” by Mapache
I think this song truly encapsulates a cozy, comfortable feeling that would be ideal to be birthed into the world. The song is instrumental, with a calm flute playing as the main focal point, and I believe this combination, as well as a funky guitar, provides ample ambiance for a superb birth.
“Love Takes Miles” by Cameron Winter
This song would also be an optimal birthing song for me. I would love to enter the world with a solemn reminder that everything good takes time and effort, and oftentimes, the most love is found in the process, in the hardships that come alongside a relationship.
“Both Sides Now” by Joni Mitchell
I picked this song as the last song I would want to be birthed to because I think it is an important introspective idea that, regardless of age and experience, we never truly know everything.
Dan
“Fell in Love (At the Water)” by Candy Claws
The loud shoegazy instrumentals with the layered vocals would be sick to come out the womb to. This song is also very awey if that’s a word.
“Empire Ants” by Gorillaz, Little Dragon
This song sounds gorgeous and the oceanic instrumental reminds me of the wonder that is life as a baby. Lyrics such as “your little feet working the machine / will it spin? will it soar”, reminds me of the uncertainty of life.
“Lava Lamp” by Thundercat
“Drunks” album cover reminds me of what birth probably feels like. Bruner’s look of terror seems to be what a baby probably feels like coming out the womb; the song itself is incredibly soothing however.
Lucy
“Starburned and Unkissed” by Caroline Polachek
I really resonate with the first lyric I hear on Earth being “wake up / distorted to the bone”, and the song just builds from there. The distorted guitar that moves the chorus reminds me of some sort of opening, and I feel like it would really encapsulate the birthing experience.
Olivia
“American Teenager” by Ethel Cain
Seems appropriate to set my expectations for being born into America’s current climate or whatever.
“Wildfire” by Wasia Project
Idk it’s just beautiful I don’t have any niche takes rn bc this is last minute.
“Love Takes Miles – Live at Carnegie Hall” by Cameron Winter
I love love. I’d love to come into the world to the message that love will not always be easy and convenient that sounds cool.
Ron
“Blue Dress” by Depeche Mode
Such a beautifully written song about how the simplest of things can render such a beautiful, desirable image. Plus the Interlude #3 outro actually feels like an otherworldly calling; the choral vocals from Martin Gore and Dave Gahan elevate this already phenomenal song into what I can only describe as a religious experience.
“Pretty Boy” by The Neighborhood
Once again very beautifully written and the depicted undying love for someone even through the most catastrophic events just feels perfect for someone to enter this world in. the love expressed here feels simultaneously naive and aware; the narrator has this almost parent-like insistence of protecting the one they love.
“Yurameki in the Air” by Fishmans
This is genuinely the most beautiful song I’ve heard in my entire life, especially the live version performed at Akasaka Blitz. Somehow, the instrumentation is reverb-ed such that it just feels aerial and once again the lyricism contains this undying devotion for thr narrator’s passion. Hell, if aliens ever came down to earth, I’d show them all 16 minutes of this song to convince them not to colonize us.
Mia
“Blue Sunday” by The Doors
Blue Sunday, with Jim Morrison’s distinctly swooning vocals and Ray Manzarek’s churchly organ, may very well be the most gentle song by The Doors. This song directly follows the claustrophobic “Peace Frog,” detailing chaos, blood, and violence, serving to further intensify the open, dreamlike atmosphere of “Blue Sunday.” As I’d be born, I’d hope to be perceived as the breath of fresh air this song is, and to be cherished just as Jim sings of having found his girl.
Victor
“Slow” by Kylie Minogue
I come out full 2003-does-Brigitte-Bardot the way Kylie looks on the single cover except instead of stripes it’s probably an umbilical cord wrapped around me.
“Standing in the Way of Control” by Gossip
Kylie choreo ends…First of all because what happened to lesbian dance-punk. My birth could wake that up. Second of all because when I was younger I was all up on my iPad on YouTube watching the promo for Skins UK that uses the Soulwax remix of this song. I have still never seen a single episode of the show to this day.
“スポーツマン” by Haruomi Hosono
Because I’m hitting the ground running.
Anna
“Head and Heart” by John Martyn
When I think “comforting,” I think of this song. John Martyn’s soothing voice and loving lyrics would communicate to any newly-entered person that the world is a friendly and kind place.
“M.O.R.” by Blur
With this song playing, our world-enterer would quickly go from muddled confusion to jumping up and down with fervor. Damon Albarn’s unbridled enthusiasm and obvious thrill of life would set a very optimistic tone for the beginning of a new life.
“Floating” by Julee Cruise
On a different note, this song’s calming, ethereal ambiance would soothe our world-enterer. Its peaceful, if eerie, vocals and instrumentals would ease our new arrival into the world.
Sam
“I Wish You Love” by Sam Cooke
It’s such a wholesome song that talks all about love, and Sam Cooke’s voice is one of the best things the world has to offer. If I heard this song right out of the womb, I don’t even think I’d be able to start crying. It would just be a better experience for everyone.
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