This morning, driving back from dropping the kids at summer camp, my husband I had a great conversation about music. We’re huge music lovers at our house and we see that permeating our kids lives as well. We were noticing that one of the greatest joys of our international lifestyle is the complicated and diverse fabric of music we have come to love. My husband and I can understand the lyrics to songs in English, French, Spanish and even a bit of Japanese. Our kids on the other hand (despite once being bilingual in English and Spanish and having a smattering of French), really don’t understand the lyrics most of the time…frankly, even if it’s in English, their native language.
But, they’re so moved by the rhythm and the energy that comes from the things they hear. Some of their favorite songs they simply request by reproducing the beat or other times they approximate the lyrics by giving a go at what they believe they’re hearing (as you can imagine, this is especially adorable).
As we were talking this morning, I was thinking about this and the way in which it’s another unexpected positive consequence to this mobile lifestyle. Their flexibility with experiences, with language and with culture is being formed in so many complex ways we never even really think of.
And, it’s yet another thing that reminds me how little actually needs to be “done” in order to make this lifestyle work. We kind of just nestle down into living, having fun and making our best go of it without overcomplicating things. Then out the other side comes a simple, unencumbered ability to dance to a rhythm that moves us – even if we never really understand each and every detail.
For the music lovers out there – here are a few favorites that we never get tired of hearing.
We love Stromae and he actually gave a really great NPR interview with Eleanor Beardsley this morning.
Such a fun and addictive song! This was a real hit of the elementary school birthday party set when we were living in Madagascar.
Ok – we LOVE this one, but be warned – the video is horribly sexist…I also can’t promise that none of the lyrics aren’t offensive….but, on dance beat alone, this song is hands down a favorite.
And here – just a simple, never-gets-old classic. I have to admit too – I love the fact that my kids only really recognize the Spanish one.
