Birthday

Did you know that the "Happy Birthday" song took two people to write? No, I'm not kidding, it actually took two people to come up with the simplest song on the planet. Also, arguably, the most awkward song on the planet.

When a group sings "Happy Birthday" to someone, there is inevitably that one person who is completely off-key, and that one person who holds the last note just a little too long. Or try fitting in someone's name that is not evenly two-syllables and things get really funky with different emphases. How about when it's an older member of a family and everyone is singing "grandma/mom/aunt/insert name" all at the same time? And of course there's the ever-fun "cha cha cha" insert between each line, or as my dad likes to sing instead, "you you you." There's even the classic spin to sing to your enemies: happy birthday to you, you live in a zoo, you look like a monkey, and you smell like one too.

So many options, so much variety, such a small song.

This song may not be long, exciting, or even pleasant at some times, but it is special. It makes people feel attended to and loved on their birthday, the one day a year that revolves around them and excuses are encouraged: excused from calories, an excuse to have a party, etc.

My excuse for my birthday this year is to take a little vacation. I'm out of the city, going to the beach, reading a book in the sun, and holding a daiquiri in my hand while Weezer's "Island in the Sun" plays in the background... well not exactly, but something like that. This birthday I am excusing myself from life and just enjoying the relaxation that comes with a getaway.

Now, relaxing the day away doesn't mean I don't want a little celebration too. Here's a medley of birthday/party songs I purposefully compiled as a present to myself to say, happy birthday to me!


Can you name them all?