The Evolution of a Lullaby
Hoping this article doesn’t make you fall asleep.
When I was a little girl, my Dad used to sing me to sleep at night. After dressing up in my Sleeping Beauty nightgown, meticulously brushing my teeth in a circular motion, and sliding under the covers with my teddy bear, I was all set for the performance. While there were quite a few songs that became bedtime regulars, one has always stuck with me: “Patience,” by Guns N’ Roses.
I don’t mean to take credit away from Mom; I have so many happy memories of her singing voice as well. Yet, “Patience” will always remain my go-to lullaby tune, in a somewhat inexplicable way. Well, if you know me, you know that I am still going to try and explain. Here it goes.
Something about the way my Dad whistled the opening tune and softly whispered the lyrics instantly transported me to dreamland. He’d always attempt to hit the high-pitched note at the end, and little Julia would always giggle. It wasn’t so much the sleep quality of the lullaby, but rather the mood it put me in that did the trick. Who doesn’t want to fall asleep happy and warm in the company of someone that loves them?
You might guess that it has become less common to find my Dad sitting on the edge of my bed singing to me, and you would be right. Although, I bet if I asked him to do this, he’d be there in a heartbeat. All jokes aside, as the years go by, I have had to find new ways to create my own lullabies, as I am sleeping apart from my family most nights. When I was a child, sleep was simple — it was just a given. Now that I am a stress-filled college senior, my days are filled with schoolwork, job searching, and avoiding COVID-19, so sleep is far from simple.
Restful sleep has been particularly difficult for me, as I have lived the last two plus years of my life with chronic TMJ pain. For those who are lucky enough to be unfamiliar with the term, it’s basically just a shitty, misaligned jaw that gives me constant headaches and makes life way too difficult. The headaches frequently keep me up at night, and I’m unable to focus on anything but the pulsing pain. I’ve gone to specialists. I’ve participated in physical therapy, acupuncture therapy, you name it. I’ve even had a large Botox needle stuck into my face. Apologies to all the needle-haters out there.
Nothing provided much relief, but I knew one thing for sure: I absolutely needed to figure out how to sleep better. The rest that I was missing out on at night was certainly taking a toll in other ways, including my stress levels and physical appearance. So, I got my tonsils removed (not kidding). I tested out CBD oil under my tongue in the evenings. I began to use a humidifier beside my bed. I downloaded a meditation app, which has been an interesting experience. Yet, nothing gives me the ability to drift into a weightless sleep quite like the power of music.
What’s the one thing Julia always does in the face of a problem? That’s right — she makes a playlist. So that’s precisely what I did. Titled “goodnight moon,” this playlist has been crafted almost scientifically, providing exactly the right elements to make sleep happen.
If I could sleep all night with AirPods in my ears, I definitely would, but I imagine doing so may cause some medical issues. The songs I’ve complied in this playlist are transportive, beautiful, and blissfully calming. Staples include “Hero” by Family of the Year, “Tenerife Sea” by Ed Sheeran, “Midnight” by Coldplay, the entire Sleeping At Last discography, and, of course, “Patience.” It simply would not be right without the OG lullaby.
I would like to take a moment to give thanks to Sleeping at Last in particular. This artist has certainly earned his overwhelming representation on my playlist, as he has completely redefined my sense of relaxation. He released an album titled “Atlas:Space” in 2017, crafting a song inspired by each planet in the solar system. This album is without a doubt the most beautiful and inspiring music I have ever heard.
I’ve said it in previous articles, and I’ll say it again — music is one of the most powerful forces we know of. It can bring out the entire spectrum of emotions in me, some that I never even knew I could feel. Music, to me, is better than any therapy, any drug. When I transition into sleep each night with my modern-day lullabies playing, I can let go of everything and focus solely on the beauty of the music. As silly as it sounds, this is a magical experience that I hope everyone can feel.
No, music playing from my AirPods is definitely not the same as having a loved one sing to me in the flesh. But, in a way, these songs have become like loved ones to me, each with their own special place in my heart. It gives me a sense of comfort to feel as if I am still falling asleep with a loved one to soothe me, despite being physically alone. Until the day I can get Chris Martin or Ed Sheeran to come sing by my bedside, this playlist will have to do.
Tonight, I will be harnessing the power of Spotify playlists, and the artists I love, in order to sleep. Many years ago, I would’ve been dozing off to the sound of my Dad’s voice. What makes me happiest is that the joy of sharing music with Dad never ends, it just keeps getting better. Nowadays, when I visit home during my school vacations, I get to hear him screaming Led Zeppelin and The Red Hot Chili Peppers as I clean off the dinner table. Like I’ve said, music is cool.
Wishing everyone the best of luck in their sleep endeavours. As always, happy listening.
