“Be Like You”

I’m bummed the birthdays — and the birthday mixes — have come and gone, because here’s a song I just love. Not new, but new to me. It’s by the Asylum Street Spankers. (An Austin, Texas band, super-cool, they advertise themselves as “God’s favorite band.” Ha. They also have an adult tune called “The Scrotum Song.”)

The song “Be Like You” — don’t worry, it’s from their kids album — is just wonderful. I’ll give you the lyrics and a video — the video’s made by some random dad who liked the song and taped his kids doing stuff mentioned in it. Check it out for the song and I promise, you’ll want to make a video just like it with your favorite kids. The song makes me think of both my girls, particularly Sophie.

Here are the lyrics:

BE LIKE YOU

You with your big blue eyes
You with your big surprise
You with your “I don’t know”s
You with your mismatched clothes

Chasin the kitty cat
Tiptoe and pitter pat
Hiding ‘neath the kitchen chair
Sleepin with a teddy bear

You sittin at the breakfast table wearing two different shoes
I, I wish that I could be like you

And when we’re jumpin on the bed
Jump jump jumpin up and down
It seems like such great bliss
Makes me wonder if
A grownup like me could ever feel like this

You with your funny smile
You with your certain style
You when you play pretend
You know you’re my best friend

You sing a bit off key
You say “Hey look at me!”
How I wish that this could last
But you’re growing up so fast

And I love your silly expressions
And your different point of view
And I, I wish that I could be like you

And when we’re walking down the street
Walk walk walkin hand in hand
We’re having so much fun and when the day is done
I tell you I’m so glad you’re my son

la la la la la la
la la la la la la

la la la la la la
la la la la la la

c’mon boys!

la la la la la
la la la la la la

You’re quite extraordinary and it’s absolutely true that I,
I wish that I could be like you
I wish that I could be like you

I wish that I could be like you.

And — bonus, in case you’ve actually made it this far into the post — here’s another “…Be Like You” song among my personal faves, so I thought I’d toss it in.