This simple little Randy Sparks tune was written for a movie but became part of the folk singers’ catalogue in the 60’s. It’s in the “carpe diem” genre, which has been popular forever with poets (especially when trying to convince a reluctant lover to “seize the day”). Hope it brings a little sunshine into your day–Today.

This Peter Yarrow song about the end of childhood innocence was made famous by Peter, Paul and Mary. (Notwithstanding rumors to the contrary, Yarrow was adamant that it was NOT about you-know-what.) I used to sing this to my children and they couldn’t stand the ending, so I wrote an additional verse for them. If you’ve always hated the image of Puff slinking off to his cave, hang around for the last verse.

In the 60’s all the counterculture musicians considered California the promised land, so they were all Dreaming about it. (For good reason, too. Places like Laurel Canyon became a collaborative showcase for much of the rising musical talent of the day.) This classic by the Mamas and the Papas captures that idea.

This Bob Dylan tune was recorded by The Band, who accompanied Dylan on his first electric tour. It’s been interpreted in many ways, but for me it’s just about a prisoner trying to hang on to hope.

Another great Jimmy Webb ballad. This song was Art Garfunkel’s first post-S&G hit and has since been covered by many other artists. As typical with a Webb composition, lots of interesting chords and quick changes and straightforward lyrics that go right to the core of a relationship: “I bruise you, you bruise me. We both bruise too easily.”

This song is from Let It Be, the last of the Beatle’s albums, and is really a piano song, but I think it works as a simple guitar ballad. (I know Sir Paul wasn’t crazy about the Phil Spector treatment it originally got.) Hope it works for you, too. (HINT: If you’re getting no audio through your phone speaker, try headphones!)

This Richard Rogers/Lorenz Hart song dates back to 1934 and has been recorded by–well, everybody. A simple chord progression with a memorable melody is usually the right formula for an enduring song. Here’s my instrumental take on “Blue Moon.” Hope it connects you to some fun memories.

Here’s another great song from the early 70’s that’s from the “beaten by the big city” genre that seemed to be pretty popular. This was written and performed by Albert Hammond. It was his only real hit as a performer, but he had a successful career as a songwriter, writing or cowriting a number of songs you’d probably recognize. Here’s “It Never Rains in Southern California.”

I wrote this song as a young man with dreams of quitting the harbor and slipping away over the horizon. Never made that epic sea journey, but I think the words also work as a pretty good metaphor for how we choose to live our lives. We all have our ships, whatever form they may take. No matter what your vessel may look like, take the helm and sail on!

p.s. If you’re interested in a full studio production of this song, complete with penny whistle, ship’s bells, and nautical scenes, check it out here: https://youtu.be/AdfAzIeYsIQ

There’s a big harvest moon out there, so I figured it was time for this fun Van Morrison classic. Hope you like it!