A musical tribute to my mom – Shairi L Edwards

This playlist will be a different one. Today, July 21st, 2018 would have been my mom’s (Shairi L Edwards) 69th birthday. If you do not already know, my mom passed away last November after a long illness. The healing process has been long and difficult for both my dad and I, but this week has been particularly hard. This will, of course be the first birthday of hers since her death.

Anyways – ever since her passing, I wondered what a tribute to her in writing might look like. I decided, that, as she greatly influenced my love for music – as music was also her passion, what better way than to share a playlist of songs that remind me of her. These songs are not necessarily her favorites. In fact, some of these songs she really didn’t like at all. However, there’s a special memory involving her in all of these songs.

Some of these memories might be sad, most of them are humorous, or at least lighthearted. I invite you to share these memories with me.

These Boots Are Made for Walking – Nancy Sinatra

When my mom first got sick, I met her best friend from high school. This friend told us that their group of friends liked to lock arms and walk down the high school stairs in their boots and late 60s mini skirts, singing this song. While I obviously was not there, the picture in my head really makes me laugh.

Always There For You – Stryper

Where do I start with this song? She loved this song. Yes, my mom loved a Stryper song. I remember winning a contest at a Christian music festival, and I got to choose between a few cassettes. There was not much selection – really nothing that I wanted. So – I picked a cover album called “Always there for you.” I have no idea who the artist was, but the song was surprisingly well done. I ended up giving the tape to my mom. Regardless of the version – I will always think about my mom when I hear this song.

Mary’s Boy Child / Oh My Lord – Boney M.

This was my mom’s favorite Christmas song. I always tried to make sure she heard it at least once during the holidays. I will always probably listen to it once every year even now that she is gone. It just feels right.

During her last Christmas – she was in a nursing home. We had no idea it would be her last Christmas, but it certainly was a hard Christmas for her as she couldn’t go home. I played this song for her. She didn’t expect to hear this song at all that year, so she loved the gesture. I am so glad I got to play the song for her one last time.

I’m Not Afraid – Fleming and John

My mom did not like this song. Mostly, she did not care for the lead vocalists’ shrilling, high  voice. My mom’s dislike of the song became an inside joke between us. Whenever I would play this song – or really, anything from this band, my mom would say jokingly, “Are you playing that lady again?”

A few years ago, I met John Mark Painter, the “John” in Fleming and John. I told him about this little inside joke –  how my mom referred to his wife and musical partner as “that lady.” He seemed amused.

A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles

My mom had a bad case of Beatlemania circa 1965. She went to their only Portland concert, and probably annoyed my grandparent with songs such as “I want to hold your hand,” and “Help!” I picked “A Hard Day’s Night” to represent her teenage Beatlemania, because she loved the movie named after the song. She probably felt a connection to her younger years when she watched this film.

Back to the Beatles concert, My mom told me a story about how she gave a roadie her scarf with a note (and her number) for Paul Mccartney (her favorite Beatle). Later on that night, she got a phone call asking her to come party with the band. I have no idea if it was a real phone call – she thinks it was, my grandpa did not. Regardless – My grandpa wouldn’t let her go.

I will admit – I’m a bit jealous she got to see the Beatles live.

Twistin’ the Night Away – Sam Cooke

There was a movie in the 80s called “Inner Space.” “Twistin’ the Night Away” played during the ending credits. For whatever reason, I loved this movie and by association, I loved this song.

One summer day, my mom picks me up from wherever I might have been that day. She excitedly said: “They just played your song on the radio!” It cracked me up then – it cracks me up now. That was just the type of person she was though – she got excited about things that she thought would excite me.

Wishing You Were Here – Chicago

If there’s one band that my mom and I both enjoy(ed) equally, it’s Chicago. One Easter Sunday, my parents and I went to brunch with my now partner. It was kind of a meet the parents sort of thing – and I was kind of nervous. My girlfriend had to work later that night – so I rode back with my parents. In the car ride home – my mom played A Best of Chicago album, and I remember hearing “Wishing You Were Here” and I felt mesmerized. This was probably the last Easter Sunday that my mom was healthy.

Him or Me – What’s it Gonna Be? – Paul Revere and the Raiders

For several consecutive years, my mom and I went to the free day of the Clark County Fair. A couple years, Paul Revere and the Raiders played the main stage (I guess they were actually from the area). There’s really not much of a story here – but we both had a lot of fun.

Back to the Street – Petra

In 1986, my mom got a settlement from a car accident. She took me so many christian concerts that year – the first of which was Petra’s “Back to the Streets” concert.

I remember Petra playing this song, I also remember thinking my mom would want to leave at any time because of the “hard” rock music. She later told me she was indeed tempted to leave, but she also saw how much I was getting into the music so she didn’t want to pull me away. By the end of the show, she was enjoying the music herself. She even bought the album.

867-5309 / Jenny – Tommy Tutone

As my mom continued to get sicker and sicker, I knew one day I would get a call saying to get to the hospital for her final moments. When I did get the call, 867-5309/Jenny was my ringtone. I knew the nature of the call as soon as my phone blurted out this song. I have a lot of good memories of this song, but that one memory means I’ll probably never listen to this song again.

The Roar of Love – The 2nd Chapter of Acts.

In the early 80s, we had a fire and had to move out of our house for a few months. The house we stayed in had a copy of “The Roar of Love,” an album based on The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. My mom played the album a lot – specifically the title track. 

While most of the album has not aged well – the title track specific song still really sounds amazing (perhaps that has to do with Phil Keaggy’s guitars).

Back to 1983, I remember looking at one of my mom’s scribbles, and seeing the words “Fly away” (part of the chorus) stylized with a fun, artsy font complete with wings.

Sherry – Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons

Sometimes when this song came on the radio, my dad would lip sync it to my mom. Sure, my mom spelled her name a totally different way, but it was still cute.

Wear Your Colors – Rick Cua

When I was in eighth grade, I was riding in the car and “Wear Your Colors” popped in my head. I told my mom what a great song it was, and that I’d play it as soon as we got home.

At home, I fast forwarded and rewound the tape, trying to find this song, my mom asks, “Is it cued yet?” I heard “Is he cute?” and figured she was making a joke about the artist’s last name (Cua – cute). I was an adolescent male. This was the 80s – most people viewed homosexuality as a negative thing. I knew I was straight, but being called “gay” or any implication of homosexuality was something to avoid. I answered her in a very bashful, very embarrassed, “I don’t know.”

Alone – Heart

One Memorial day weekend, my family went camping. On the way, we stopped at Fred Meyer and my mom bought me the coolest sunglasses I’ve ever owned. They were your typical 80’s Blue Diamond style glasses, but they had flames on the sides. I loved those sunglasses. I felt validated of their “radness” even more while visiting another kid at the campground. He really liked the sunglasses as well. What does this song have anything to do with this story? While I’m not sure what song was playing on his portable stereo at the time, I do remember it was this album.

Thanks mom, I wish I still had those sunglasses.

She Says Electric – The Violet Burning

I have no idea if my mom liked this song, or even knew this song existed. She liked The Violet Burning though, and I feel like if she knew this song, she would relate to the woman in this song. My mom was a firm believer in the power, the electricity, of God.

Kokomo – The Beach Boys

My mom loved the Beach Boys. In the 90s, when this song was all the rage, she won tickets to a Beach Boys concert. She took a friend of hers, and they had a great time. I’m glad she got to go, and I’m glad her friend had fun too – but I will admit I am a bit jealous she didn’t take me. With that said, I probably wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much, so my mom probably made the best choice.

Find a Way – Amy Grant

When the KMart on 82nd closed (now part of PCC-Southeast), we went to the closeout sale. Amy Grant’s “Unguarded” album was marked down and so it joined our family’s record collection, along with a few other records.

I feel like my mom played this album a lot. Unguarded obviously held a special significance to her. One memory I have, she sang “Find a Way” several times as she went about her day. I kind of wish I had asked her what made this album so special to her.

I Heard it through the Grapevine – The California Raisins

In the mid 80s, everyone was obsessed with the California Raisins. My mom bought me the tape of the supposed anamorphic raisins singing a bunch of Motown classics, including this song. I have no idea why this craze so special to everyone alive in that timeframe, but I did enjoy the tape.

(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes

My mom, as I already implied and mentioned, was very religious. Our church in the 80s was a bit prudish and maybe a bit controlling. So – I have no idea how I got my mom to let me watch the movie Dirty Dancing, but she let me watch it several times. Maybe it was because I was probably fourteen at the time, and she figured I was old enough to make my own decisions. Maybe she just wanted to watch it herself. I actually watched this movie with my dad the other night. So – maybe it was just one of those things. They both like(d) dancing. I do remember during the final dance scene (while this song played) my mom said “Umm! You can see that girl’s underwear!”

Pineapple Princess – Annette Funicello

My mom really, REALLY liked Frankie and Annette beach movies. I mean she REALLY liked them. Most likely it was a nostalgia thing. I remember spending hours in the living room, wanting to watch something, anything, but a beach movie. I have no idea if this song appeared in any of these movies, but the persona seems to be the same. In any case, if I ever have kids I’m sure I’ll bore them with some of my nostalgia movies, and they’ll bore their kids with their nostalgia movies. This is the way of the world!

I also hope, if I have kids, that they have as many fond musical memories as I have of my mom. Maybe they’ll write a list like this about me when I am no longer around. Hopefully that’s a very long time from now.