Lullabies Written by Star Musicians for Their Children: Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, and Lenny Kravitz

Generational songwriters, and all writers for that matter, feel every single emotion the heart is capable of feeling. Thus, their musical catalog includes every single one of those emotions in some way. Whether it be a song about unrequited love, mourning, joy, hope, or whatever, all of these songs display some facet of the human experience. However, a part of the human experience that is often overshadowed in popular music is that of parenthood.

We’ve all heard and can most likely quickly name tunes about broken hearts and perplexed minds. Though, songs that seem to be on the backburners of our brains are lullabies. When you think of it, when was the last time you heard a lullaby? Were you the recipient or the giver? Or were you just a bystander? Regardless, lullabies are something that disappear and then reappear with age. But, we’re here to prevent that from happening again. So, here are three lullabies written by some of the greatest songwriters to ever do it.

1. “Lullabye(Goodnight My Angel)” by Billy Joel

Written for and inspired by his daughter, Alexa Ray Joe, the song was released in 1993 on Joel’s River of Dreams album. Joel took to writing the song after his daughter asked, “What happens when you die?” Consequently, Joel wrote a song attempting to articulate that when one dies “You go into other people’s hearts” he told 60 Minutes Australia.

A daunting thought packed into a childish vehicle in order to convey unanswered questions. Sounds like a Billy Joel song, doesn’t it? Nevertheless, the tune encompasses Joel’s grip on the sentimentality of fatherhood and the ability to translate those nearly unintelligible feelings into a beautiful piece of poetry and music.

2. “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan

This one is a bit of a surprise, as Dylan’s classic hit seems more like a celebration of life and self-help song than a lullaby. Well, when you put it that way, that’s what a lullaby is. That said, Dylan wrote the song for his eldest son, Jesse Dylan. Riddled with themes of strength, passion, courage, and conviction; Dylan’s tune seemingly aims to gift invaluable advice to his son amidst growing up.

All things said in the song are timeless truths and ones that should try to be embodied at great lengths. It seems Dylan knew this, and by knowing this, he knew that his son needed to know this as well. Released in 1974 on Planet Waves, “Forever Young” is one of Bob Dylan’s most timeless songs of all time.

3. “Flowers for Zoë” by Lenny Kravitz

Released in 1991 on Mama Said, Kravitz’s song was written for his only child, Zoë Kravitz. Upon its release, Zoë would have been just three-years-old. That being so, Kravitz’s lullaby is littered with talk of Jungle Gym Playgrounds, Angels and rainbows, and everything that would wholesomely seem alluring to a three-year-old.

It’s a celebration of youth, an ode to fatherhood, and a promise Kravitz seemingly made to his daughter in her earliest days. The lyrics are an ambiguous conglomeration of all things sweet and simple. Therefore, it seems Kravitz is trying to do just one simple thing—Put his daughter to sleep and praise her existence.

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