SongInvention Blog: Behind the Songs

Dusty's Song

2/7/2017

music and lyrics by Kristi McGarity, vocals by Maygen Lacey

At age 3 my son was obsessed with Disney/Pixar’s Planes. He'd “fly” around the house pretending to be Dusty Crophopper, and I had to pretend to be the other planes. Over and over. And over. And over.

From the millions of times we’ve seen this movie, it must have gotten into my head, because “Dusty’s Song” appeared fully formed in one night. The lyrics are the culmination of sleepless nights thinking about parenthood, mortality, complicated pregnancy and traumatic birth.

Song for Dear Daughter

2/7/2017

music by Kristi McGarity, lyrics by Heather Armstrong

Well-known blogger Heather Armstrong (dooce.com) tells the story of her daughter’s toddlerhood in her book Dear Daughter: The Best of the Dear Leta Letters.

William's First Year Time Lapse

11/21/2016

It was my husband’s idea: Take pictures of the baby every day on the same playmat, then edit them together into a time-lapse video.

The Dare

11/16/2016

This song is a commission dedicated to Carolyn Pinet, poet and retired adjunct professor of Spanish at Montana State University. Dr. Pinet wrote the poem for her granddaughter Naomi Rose, born in the summer of 2011.

Running Song

11/16/2013
Running Song - SongInvention

This song was written for Brendan, the kindergarten-age son of a labor attorney and a Presbyterian minister who works with the homeless. Brendan’s parents are avid runners who have finished marathons together. Running Song is a musical portrait of Brendan’s family, a message of love and encouragement from parents to their son. It’s also an explanation for a young child about why his parents’ jobs are important, why they get up at dawn and go to work every day. This song is about families looking out for each other and working together to make the world a better place.

Rockin'

10/19/2013

music by Kristi McGarity, lyrics by Sally Bacchetta

Singing my baby to sleep in his room, I would often end up in the same key as the electrical hum in the background. This song is a lullaby featuring a baby's room soundscape, complete with humidifier drone and baby toys.