lesson # 7: i believe the children are our future

i'm going to philly this summer to see a friend. he's got kids and wants us to grab the guitars and play a few for his little girls.

now, contrary to public opinion, i love kids. i just don't like what they grow up to be. and this has alot to do with how they're raised. parents don't expose their kids to anything beautiful. they take them to disney movies, sit them in front of a tv radiating them with mindless drivel. and worst of all they play them childrens music. as if kids couldn't handle the ugly truth of a capt. beefheart song, or the sublime beauty of the beach boys. so they get songs about tying their shoes. how is a kid not going to grow up to be a thug without these songs? so here are the songs uncle feeb chooses:

1: bike-pink floyd. bikes, mice, gingerbread men! this song has everything kids love! and it ends with a reference to the joy of music making, which is the one and only lesson a kid needs. that and hygiene.

2. love and mercy-brian wilson. besides having one of the most gorgeous melodies ever imagined, the song shows how a person can be compassionate, empathetic, caring, loving, and selfless. seems like something useful.

3. end of the rainbow-richard thompson. off of the fantastic 'i want to see the bright lights tonight'.

Life seems so rosy in the cradle

But I'll be a friend I'll tell you what's in store

There's nothing at the end of the rainbow

There's nothing to grow up for anymore

yea, i know it's a little harsh but, really, don't you wish someone had told you?

4. goodnight, my love-i'm referring to the alex chilton version. no dark message here kids, just a beautiful, comforting lullaby. and that's good for kids of all ages!

5. better things-the kinks. i listened to this song on my brothers ipod the other day while on a long drive and nearly cried. a song that acknowledges the sadness of life while offering hope. and that's one of the greatest things music can do.

so, yeah, i'll run these by my friend and see what he thinks. he's a good man. i think he'll approve.