smash ups

Like every other mother in the universe, I spend a large percentage of my life driving around with my children. This is a mixed blessing, often a wonderful time to listen in on their conversations and catch a glimpse into the dementia wonder that is them. Other times, it’s a study in frustration as I find myself tangled in awkward conversations that I want no part of.

When it gets to be too much for me, I turn on the music. Anyone who knows me knows that I sing along. My girl does, too. But a while ago, my boy entered a phase in which all singing became embarrassing and offensive to his delicate sensibility. I try to ignore him, but I am no match for the surly übergrouch that my boy has inside of him. It can suck the joy out of your song faster than you can do-re-mi.

We were in standoff mode, negotiation and compromise with a side of selfish assholery. It’s the American way.

A few weeks ago, one of my coworkers burned a CD for me. We’re the same age and our kids are the same age, and she told me that this cd played music that the whole family was listening to – together! I was skeptical. The CD is labeled with a sharpie: “smash ups by a new San Diego DJ”. So I popped it in. And people? It’s magic.

Now when we get in the car, we each pick a track. I usually choose track 11, were songs from the musical Grease are mashed with Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre… can you dig it? “better shape up, cause I need a man…. Snoooop Dawwwwwwwwwwwggggg! Da na na na nah”

My boy likes the one where the Bob Marley tune Could you be love is mashed with Lupe Fiasco’s Kick, Push

My girl digs the one where Madonna’s Like a Prayer meets Low, as in Apple Bottom Jeans low. I kid you not. "Oh God I think I’m falling… low, low, low, low, low, low, low, low”

I love the Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin, George Michael, and Pour Some Sugar on Me. They love the various and sundry hip hop legends whose names I do not know, but whose songs have now become familiar. It’s a very cool win-win, a generational mash up of the music that defines us. Genius.

There must be a way for me to play this for you… I don't have time to figure it out, though... it's almost like I lost an hour somewhere!