6:04 Mixtape #15: Mother's Day! Curated by Chaya Morgan Glaser (Glaser Drive)

Mixtape Notes by Chaya Morgan Glaser (Glaser Drive)

Today is Mother’s Day!

Some have been given Mothers.

Others have chosen their Mothers. 

Mothers have chosen who they want to mother.

What about those of us who don’t have a Mother?  

What about those among us who want to be Mothers but cannot be?  

There are those who don’t want to be Mothers.  

Maybe your Mother’s name is coupled with Cass, Thornton or Maybelle.

Every day should be Mother’s Day. 

Every day should be Father’s Day.  

Every day should be Human’s Day.  

These hallmarked (or Hallmarked) designated days mean different things to different people, and “Mother” means different things to different people in return.  That variety is what makes us special — as long as we can respect that in each other.  Every day should be a day for humans to embrace each other.  

During this time of uncertainty, we turn to those who securely sustain us both spiritually and otherwise and, for me, that nucleus is family.  My family makes music together...it’s the glue that binds our home.  So today, I traditionally embrace Mother’s Day in honor of my mother who, along with my father, says that “The family that sings together stays together”.   Among her many accolades, she embodies strength, raised four daughters, gave me life and helped make music our fifth sister.

I find it fascinating to explore artists’ varied imparted interpretations of the same word or concept.  So, in taking the literal route of the day, here are songs centered around — you guessed it — “Mother”.  (And, these are also songs that I think are just pretty awesome!)  They and their artists inspire me and I hope they reach you too.  

Maybe a mother is one who…

...represents internal or external nature. 

“No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature”, The Guess Who

(“No Sugar Tonight” was decidedly too short so TGW added another almost finished song and enter, “New Mother Nature”.)

...you call out and confess to.

“Mama, I Don’t Believe”, The Avett Brothers

...cares for you through every lyric of life.

“The Mother”, Brandi Carlile

(BC wrote this for her daughter, Evangeline...included in the song lyrics.)

...makes sacrifices to support you.

“Hey Mama”, Kanye West

...is open to interpretation.

“Have You Seen Your Mother, Baby, Standing in the Shadow”, The Rolling Stones

(“You must listen to it and place your own interpretation on [this] lyric,” Mick Jagger)

...is a euphemism.

“Mother Popcorn”, James Brown

...is a moral compass who holds you accountable.

“Mother”, Pink Floyd

...you will forever care about and who will always care for you.

“Mother” , Kacey Musgraves