A few months ago I popped a morning news show on the television while I finished getting my son ready to go to my parents’ house for the day.

The Talking Heads version of Take Me To The River played for exit music before a commercial. My son began bopping his head and doing his little toddler dance, loving what he heard.

When the show went to commercial Jamie looked disappointed, showing me his lip. But as dad, I had this one. I whipped out my phone, and sure enough I had Take Me To The River. He smiled and danced on.

Jamie’s always had a thing for music, and it’s really been awesome to watch. He used to kick to a couple Straight No Chaser songs when he was in the womb. I even joked with my wife that one of daddy’s favorites, Wilco, was his first show, since he “witnessed” it from the womb. I have no anecdotal evidence on what he thought of that show, however.

It makes me so happy that he is into music, and I want to do everything I can to cultivate his interest.  The other day I had Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon on in the car, and he tried to harmonize with the background vocalists on Great Gig in the Sky. This was truly priceless to hear. 

Personally, I love music, but couldn’t carry a tune to save my life. I’m sitting listening to some old time jazz records in the basement while I write this. Right now, these records have been dad’s way to unwind at the end of a day. Once Jamie overcomes his need to feel, touch and destroy everything that he comes in contact with, maybe I’ll start playing some of these records for him at night. I am sure he would enjoy them.

Music has a way to make your whole body move, and toddlers don’t hide it. At least mine doesn’t. Who knows, maybe Jamie will be able to take this love for music and turn it into playing an instrument, and maybe not. But that love and appreciation for it is something I hope sticks with him for the rest of his life.