Playlist No. 5: Songs lovingly for The Mother from ‘Barbarian’
The screen went black.
The Ronette’s enduring, seminal hit “Be My Baby” startles the audience as it plays in conjunction with the end credits.
It is Barbarian’s final witticism: turning a song about romantic love into a song about the despair of longing to be a mother. It is also just plain funny. And I love this song so, so much.
Every time I hear it I am reminded of The Beach Boy’s Brian Wilson, who had to pull his car onto the shoulder of the road to hear “Be my Baby” for the first time. It was just that moving to him. To this day he still says it is the greatest song ever made, and I see why.
It is a timeless love song and forever pounds in your heart. When I heard it as a child I knew I wanted a love that helped me understand the song entirely.
This video is really worth a watch.
To add to this song choice I have created a playlist of songs one could imagine Mother from Barbarian listening to. Let’s go!
The Mother’s isolated, dark room with nothing but a television playing a breastfeeding how-to video.
“In Dreams”-Roy Orbison
In what is one of Orbison’s biggest hits lies some of the most desperately sad lyrics I have ever heard. Then you add his swelling voice, a voice that could make you believe in God, and I find myself crying in the car, gripping the steering wheel. The lyrics of “In Dreams” sadly encapsulate the harsh isolation of the Mother in Barbarian and our realization that she will never receive what she needs: the love of a parent, a child, and a family.
It is all she wants, and it is what she will never have. She is not the titular barbarian, rather the people who enabled her existence to happen are.
“It's too bad that all these things/Can only happen in my dreams/Only in dreams/In beautiful dreams.”
I think we can all relate to mother through the pain of seeing what you want, but never truly having it.
“Always Be My Baby”—Mariah Carey
The film is a horror comedy, so I wanted to remain in this same vein and compile a funny combination of songs. If you were to not see the song titles beforehand (something I miss about the era of mixtapes and burned CDs), you might assume that the playlist will be full of sad songs. But it ain’t. I think we all need to be playful,especially in the face of despair.
“Silver Dagger”-Joan Baez
I actually included this song due to its appearance in the film Dogfight. In a nutshell, the film is about a group of men who dare each other to find the ugliest girl to bring to dinner. The protagonist in the film, the “ugly” Lili Taylor (eyeroll), listens to this song. She learns that she was only chosen for her looks and to give a group of men a good laugh. And I felt that.
I especially love Baez’s lyrics “’All men are false’ says my mother/’they’ll tell you wicked lovin’ lies’”. This song meant so much to me when I was younger and boy after boy broke my heart.
I think it works for this playlist because Mother has only been let down by the only man she has ever known: her father/rapist/imprisoner.
“I Bet On Losing Dogs”-Mitski
When thinking of songs for this playlist I immediately knew I needed to include this song.
Mitski’s repetition of the words “my baby” throughout the song are full of heartache and surrender, yet it has managed to become a popular Tiktok sound.
“Babyyy”- Grace Ives
This is a simple and song to give ya a bit of an interlude.
I cannot help but love anything lo-fi, I really don’t care if it is intentionally lo-fi, I really don’t. I say that because I had a professor who could not understand the point of purposefully lo-fi music. I guess they couldn’t understand the texture and feeling it gives that nothing else can.
“Stay”-Shakespeares Sister
This song speaks to the difference between love and ownership, and oh there is such a difference. We all learn this eventually, sometimes the hard way.
This song has such a 90s sound and an iconic music video; I encourage you to watch it if you’re a freak who is into freaky shit and sequins and sparkles. I will include it NOW:
“Mother of My Children”- Black Belt Eagle Scout
Katherine Paul is a queer indigenous musician recording music in Washington state. She sings in a way I imagine a big bright gust of wind in the pacific northwest would sing. It is soft and powerful, full of purpose and history.
“The Worst is Done”-Weyes Blood
And in the Darkness, Hearts Aglow is a gorgeous album. From its cover art, to the vocals, to the refreshingly original folk sound, Weyes Blood has won! She won the game.
Some of the lyrics weirdly relate to the ending of Barbarian. If you’ve seen it you will know what I mean.
“Hellhole Ratrace”- Girls
One of the saddest songs ever written.
So come on, come on, come on and laugh with me.
The End.
What character would you like me to make a playlist for next? Leave it in the comments below & dont forget to subscribe to see the never miss another playlist!
:)
