speedfreak lullaby.

a song that you would sing as a lullaby, but isn't a traditional lullaby song

My girlfriend recently introduced me to the ROCKABYE BABY! series of non-traditional lullaby albums geared toward the babies of parents in our generation, who would prefer their bæbes be lulled to sleep by variations on songs by the Cure and Journey than tunes both antiquated and disconnected from contemporary relevance. That said, with the aforementioned collection already tapping into thirty-some-odd unexpected artists back catalogs for alterna-lullabies, it's not the easiest task to find your own selection.

But I have. Alice in Chains were so quickly swept into the pile of filth that was the spotty collection of grunge bands that arrived on the airwaves in heavy rotation in the early to mid-nineties. I was already listening to music that sounded like this by the time everyone else and their mother decided to embrace it. I was ridiculously close to getting to see Pearl Jam's first tour through Florida for $9.95, but came from a family where guilt and rejection was doled out in bulk.

Alice in Chains were always one of the better bands of that period to me, in large part to the gorgeous harmonies of Layne Stanley and Jerry Cantrell, their solid song structure, and their abilities to rock as well as reflect. With that in mind, I choose "No Excuses" to soften into lullaby for my theoretical infant. This is the only Alice in Chains song I have ever attempted at karaoke and one that is well-suited to my voice as well as the purpose at hand . . .

No Excuses

It's alright
There comes a time
Got no patience
To search for peace of mind

Laying' low
Want to take it slow
No more hiding
Or disguising truths I've sold

Everyday
Something hits me all so cold
Find me sittin' by myself
No excuses that I know

It's okay
Had a bad day
Hands are bruised from
Breaking rocks all day

Drained and blue
I bleed for you
You think it's funny
Well you're drowning in it too

Everyday
Something hits me all so cold
Find me sittin' by myself
No excuses that I know

Yeah, it's fine
We'll walk down the line
Leave our rain
A cold trade for warm sunshine

You're my friend
I will defend
And if we change
Well I love you anyway

Everyday
Something hits me all so cold
Find me sittin' by myself
No excuses that I know