Me, Music & My Nephew

My oldest nephew is 9 years old, he seems to have hit his teen years early. Teen age angst has come early; Green Day seems to be the cause; they are what he listens to, along with a slew of other groups aided by his father. Sometimes I just laugh at him and remind him that he IS only 9 and not to worry about what the world does or doesn't think about him. He just looks at me and goes on with his mood.

I am trying to get him and my other nephew, 7 years old, to listen to other music, although the little guy does listen to Crazy Frog and other music on that cd. I am trying to introduce them to world music. (have alook at www.putumayo.com) Its been a bit of a task to get them to even listen, nevermind like the music.

This past weekend I bought myself the Curious George soundtrack by Jack Johnson because I wanted 1 song; Upside Down. Well, my older nephew is a fan of jack Johnson too!! I finally found something we have in common without either of us forcing anything. Of course I made him a copy of the cd (don't tell anyone, ok) I am looking forward to listening to the cd while we read the lyrics together.

The cd is mostly easy for parents and children to listen to together.

Faced with the task of giving a voice to a central character that does not speak, Universal Pictures turned to Jack Johnson to craft songs that could provide a voice for Curious George.

I haven't seen the movie yet, but listening to and reading the lyrics give me the same impression.

Upside down seems to describe the world from the perspective of Crious George, the monkey, confused but sure he can do or try whatever he wants.

Who’s to say I can’t do everything
Well I can try, and as I roll along I begin to find
Things aren’t always just what they seem

What would it take to make the children we're around feel the same way? Feel that even though things are not always easy, thay can and should try whatever thay want.

Think about it.