Today’s song of the day is a tribute to one of the people most responsible for my diverse taste in music: my father. It’s his birthday, and I couldn’t resist giving him a shout out, because he has amazing taste and is generally made of awesome (I employ this word with the full meaning: awe-inspiring). Many of my early music memories relate back to this man: long road trips with classic rock or bluegrass on the radio, sitting in the kitchen taking turns playing our latest finds for each other, listening to him practice banjo, and long chats about bluegrass or practicing techniques over cups of coffee. But perhaps my favorite (and certainly vaguest) is the memory of him singing to me when I was very small before tucking me in. What did he sing? Why Frank Sinatra love songs, of course. And the Barny song because I made him…no accounting for taste at two.

Possibly my favorite of all of these songs (I’ve since been told) was “Too Marvelous for Words,” and I used to ask for it regularly. Interestingly, it’s not one I hear played quite as frequently, and it’s been years since I listened to it. But I will say, every time I hear it, I associate it with him and I get a little bit teary (emotions go to 11 here, people). It’s also just a fantastic song…I love how Sinatra always switches things up just a bit so it feels fresh and innovative when he sings.

Happy birthday, Dad. I love you always. And, in case you were wondering, this will be the father-daughter dance, should I ever get married.