Hey guys, I need some help, and I figured everyone here comes up with great ideas...

Anyway, I'm planning on making a lullaby cd for my sisters-in-law, both of whom are expecting in the next few months. I'm coming up short on song ideas, though. So far, I have "Stay Awake" from Mary Poppins, "Baby Mine" by Bette Midler (that's the version I have), and "A Final Dream" by Trans-Siberian Orchestra. I'm also thinking of including Brahms Lullaby, if I can find it. This, of course, doesn't fill up a whole cd.

So, can anyone think of some really good lullabies to include on the cd?

This might not be quite what you have in mind, but there's a song by the Barenaked Ladies called "When You Dream" and it has the feel of a lullaby (a slow song; music-box chords going in the background) and the lyrics suggest its a song that a new parent would sing to a newborn. It's really pretty and even a little haunting, but I love it.

Ems

I'm not entirely sure what you're looking for. If you are looking for traditional lullabies like The Itsy Bitsy Spider or Rockabye Baby, I could give you a huge list. But I think what you're looking for are more mainstream songs, ballads, that are about children. If that's the case, I Hope You Dance (by LeeAnn Womack) was hugely popular for awhile. Good morning, Beautiful (by Steve Holy) isn't necessarily about a child, but I like that interpretation (and used it as the basis for the final story in my New Krypton series.) Also I have a soft spot for Kenny Loggins' song Back to Pooh Corner.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head. I'll let you know if I think of any others.

Annie

If you choose to go multicultural, there are lots of choices.

What about "Feed the Birds" from Mary Poppins? That was sung as a lullaby too.

Julie

'Summertime... and the livin' is easy...'

I just love 'Summertime' from 'Porgy and Bess'!

'Your daddy is rich and your momma's good-lookin'
'Hush, little baby, don't you cry...'

In my next fanfic (yes, I'm writing again!) this is Lois's favorite lullaby to sing her baby daughter to sleep.

What a great idea to make a lullaby CD.

Ursie

Mahalia Jackson does one of the best covers of "Summertime" that I have ever heard. Anyone who hasn't heard it yet should check it out.

I always liked "The Last Rose of Summer" as a soothing lullaby song but it's really sad.

The Dixie Chicks do a song Godspeed, Sweet Dreams (I think that's the title, someone correct me if I'm wrong?) that's a lullabye to a little boy.

Also, Billy Joel has a song called Goodnight, My Angel (Lullabye).

Hope that helps a little!
Kaylle

been thinking about this one for a bit, karen. i don't know too many lullabies other than the one my mom used to sing to us, and i don't know if it has a name (other than "lullaby") or was ever recorded.

you know what? i hadn't thought to do this until i actually started posting, but i'm going to write the lyrics here, see if anyone recognizes it.
you can sing it in rounds, and sometimes i like to change "mommy" and "daddy" each round, so as to include the whole family.

wish i could add in the tune. it's a really great lullaby. works like a charm.

anyone know it?

other than that, i have two suggestions.

first, never make an angry face when looking for a lullaby.

second, i'm not sure if this is exactly what you're looking for, but have you considered "as i lay me down to sleep" by sophie b hawkins? it's a really cool song, and it's soothing, but it's also got a very complex, multi-layered melody.

hope some of this helps. good luck.

Paul

Thank you, so much, for all of your suggestions. I've pretty much got the cd full now, so all I have to do is make copies and the cd inserts for them. I've been acquiring and listening the past few days, and I'm about to fall asleep after hearing all of these songs. I just hope both Moms and babies will like them.

LOL, Karen!

Are you kidding? After all the effort and hard work you put into this project? Trust me, you'll be their favorite auntie!

PS

Birdie, I totally agree!

How about John Lennon's....ack what's it called?! Baby Boy... sorry the name just ran out of my head.

I don't think this one was mentioned, but it's so pretty. Charlotte Church sang a version of it.

All the Pretty Little Horses

Roo, I think you mean Beautiful Boy . It is a lovely song.

EM, that site you linked to has great songs! The House At Pooh Corner is a favorite of mine.

AH yes! Thanks.

I used to sing 'Through the Eyes of Love' to my babies.

Missy

Brady really liked Amazing Grace (?!? I know) and biplane evermore by the Irish Rovers and The Circle Game which was originally by Joni Mitchell but I had a cover done by a personal friend which was better I thought.

Whew! Again, thank you thank you thank you all for your suggestions. The first CD is made and given out. It was sent along to a baby shower yesterday, but I couldn't attend since I was at work. The Mom-In-Law called today and said that everyone thought it was a great idea, and they loved it. They were looking at the song list that I put on the back of the case and agreeing they were great. She and the Mommy couldn't wait to actually listen to the songs. I've got the warm and fuzzlies now.

For the curious, here's what I ended up with:
1. Stay Away - Mary Poppins
2. Feed the Birds - Mary Poppins
3. The Prince of Egypt (River Lullaby) - Amy Grant
4. When You Dream - Barenaked Ladies
5. Baby Mine - Bette Midler
6. Goodnight, My Angel - Billy Joel
7. Brahm's Lullaby
8. Claire de Lune - Debussy
9. Sleepytime Skies - Disney Lullabies
10 Someone to Watch Over Me - Disney Lullabies
11. Godspeed (Sweet Dream) - Dixie Chicks
12. Lullaby - Fourth Avenue
13. Rainsong (fortune's Lullaby) - George Winston
14. Winken, Blinken, and Nod - Joanie Bartels
15. Back to Pooh Corner - Kenny Loggins
16. Caoineadh Cu Chulainn - Riverdance
17. When She Loved Me - Sarah McLachlan
18. As I Lay Me Down To Sleep - Sophie B. Hawkins
19. A Final Dream - Trans-Siberian Orchestra
20. Never Alone (Eeyore's Lullaby) - Tyler Collins
21. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

I had to delete a few songs, since only 80 minutes will fit on a cd. I'm pondering doing a second cd for variety, but the first one almost put me to sleep.

Oh, BTW, I almost thought of Beatles songs, but the MIL is a big Beatles fan, buying the John Lennon baby collection left and right... so I figured it might be nice to have something not-quite Beatles related. *grin*

Thanks again!!