X/Z Song Trader: "Better Together"
A Gen X Rocker Discusses Music With His Gen Z Daughter
About X/Z Song Trader: Steve is a music journalist, author and musician. Lucy is a diehard music fan and college student. They have always enjoyed a father/daughter bond over music. Each week one of them picks a song and they both share their perspectives. These are casual conversations based on musical connections. Opinions are their own. Keeping it positive.
Check out the whole X/Z Song Trader series.
Lucy’s Perspective
My first instinct when selecting a song for this series is to pick a track that is either a good representation of my current music tastes or a representation of memories.
In this case, though, I am picking a song which applies to both. I think that like a lot of people my age, I heard Jack Johnson’s music for the first time very young. The first song of his that I knew and loved was “Upside Down,” as featured in Curious George.
My earliest memories with his music are all bubbly and positive, revolving around sitting in the living room watching television. For a long time I knew only that one song and eventually “Banana Pancakes,” “Better Together” …and that was about it.
I knew I wanted to write about a Jack Johnson song for this installment of our series, but it took me a while to figure out which one it should be.
Although I have cycled through phases where my favorites were “Home,” “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing,” and “Good People,” “Better Together” is the song that has consistently stayed in rotation.
When I was six and listening to this song the lyrics held no real meaning to me, it was just a series of fun sounds and the cadence of his voice that drew me in. But now, as I continue to listen to and love this song, there is a sweet, hopelessly romantic vibe that draws me in even more:
It's not always easy and
Sometimes life can be deceiving
I'll tell you one thing, it's always better when we're together
There is something beautifully innocent about his words here as they express the feeling of wanting to be with someone through hard moments and knowing that no matter what, life will be easier if you’re with one-another. His chill, sweet energy is exactly what continues to draw me into his music and what has done so throughout my life.
It feels rare for me to find music that I can carry with me throughout the duration of my life, but Jack Johnson is really truly one of those artists.
When I was young his music was exciting and silly, but as I write this—the day before my 20th birthday (eek!)—I still love and appreciate his music just as much. Although I have fond memories of songs I loved in childhood from artists like Raffi, they didn’t stay with me through my life the way Jack Johnson has. The ability for an artist to appeal to children and adults is rare and he does it with ease.
I am curious to know what kind of memories you associate with Jack Johnson or any other artists I loved as a child. Similarly I am interested to know if his music speaks to people your age as well. Whether or not Jack Johnson is somebody I continue to listen to for the rest of my life, I am glad to have grown up with his music, and grateful to be able to love a song for such a long time.
Steve’s Perspective
I honestly really only know Jack Johnson’s music because of you and a handful of songs that come on the radio sometimes.
I feel like this laidback, beach-y sound—which includes artists like Jason Mraz, John Mayer, and Vance Joy in my mind—got really popular during a period when I wasn’t really keeping up with pop music. But, in general, this is a sound that doesn’t really draw me in (unless it’s punked up, like some Sublime).
Even though I grew up near the beach in SoCal and listened to my fair share of Bob Marley in high school and college, chill folk rock never really caught my ear. For whatever reason (probably because I’m a loud rock guy at heart), if I was listening to somebody strum an acoustic guitar it was Neil Young, Billy Bragg, or Paul Westerberg.
So, I definitely equate Jack Johnson with your childhood—which allows me to enjoy it more than I would on my own.
I think we’ve talked about it in this series before, but I’m constantly fascinated by how important context is when it comes to music. Personal tastes and artistic merit can matter too, of course, but I’ve found that the specific circumstances, scenarios, and connected memories in which we first discover artists and songs matter just as much.
It’s funny that you mentioned Raffi because I actually listened to a few of his songs recently. I was curious to see what they sound like 15 years later and while I agree with you that his music seems to perpetually inhabit a universe specifically designed for young kids, it still brought a smile to may face. Or maybe it was the memories of you singing along from your car booster seat that made me smile.
A few other artists that remind me of when you and your sibling were little are Woody Guthrie, Sarah Lee Guthrie, The Hollow Trees…and, of course, Melissa Green—your favorite artist in early elementary school, until you discovered Taylor Swift.
And as for you turning 20…
I’m typing this after a long weekend of celebrations and posting it the day after you left for college for the third time. I find it impossible to explain, but there’s no feeling quite like watching the two of you grow into such amazing young adults.
And I love that we will always have this “kid’s music” to serve as a soundtrack for the countless fantastic family memories we’ve all made together so far.
Thanks for the great song choice and the trip down memory lane. And speaking of memories connected to your childhood, my next song choice is…
Very nice.
I just wrote a post about music from my childhood which had an influence on me -- I highlighted a different mood, but fun to listen to the songs and think about those childhood attachments.
https://earnestnessisunderrated.substack.com/p/music-of-my-childhood