That Song Is Driving Me Crazy

As parents of a young child, Jennifer and I have experienced our fair share of songs from television shows and movies. We have "Set It All Free". We put that sunshine in our pockets so that we "Can't Stop the Feeling." Of course, we also "Let It Go." Times and moments, pardon the pin, frozen in time. Sometimes, we have seen these movies and shows so many times that the songs seem to play in an endless loop in our brains.

And, that is the true downside to all this. These songs are so catchy. These tunes are such delicious ear candy that one cannot simply hear them once then forget them. Risk devoting time coupled with the least bit of energy and soon you will find the song playing over and over in your head.

Now and then though, you win one.

I drove Hannah to school recently. During the ride, she and I mostly talked. This was great as I love hearing her carry a conversation. As we drew nearer to school, the conversation grew quieter. Maybe Hannah sensed we were near the school. Maybe we had exhausted what we had to say.

In the background, I had on the car radio. At any given time, that radio could be set to any type of station. Mostly though, the radio is set to some type of music from back in my day. It could the "hits of the 70s, 80s and 90s". It could be classic rock. Some days it is classic country.

This particular morning, the station was a classic country music station. Softly, in the background, the early 1980s hit, "You're The Reason God Made Oklahoma." was playing. As the silence continued, I slowly increased the volume of the radio.

Looking in the rearview mirror, I could see Hannah eyeing me

realizing the music was becoming louder. Then, at just the right moment I began singing along with the song. Glancing back in the mirror, I could see Hannah laughing.

As the song continued to play, Hannah began singing along with the radio. We laughed as we finished the song. As the song ended, I turned down the radio. From the backseat, Hannah spoke up, "Great, now that song will be in my head the rest of the day."

Her spoken realization made me laugh. For all the Disney songs that have infiltrated my brain during the last decade I felt like I had won one for all the mom and dads who find themselves during some quiet moment mindlessly humming something from "Beauty and the Beast", "Toy Story" or "The Lion King". For all of you who have endured such moments, "You're Welcome." Sorry, I know, that's from "Moana".