Love and Liberty: “Duality of Parental Love” (Track list)

 Avery Watson 

English 2017  

Dr. Harris 

Monday & Wednesday 11:00-12:15 

30 April 2025 

 

Introduction: 

 

For my mixtape I’ve decided to arrange a collection of songs that focus on parental love but more so is heavily devoted to the effects of an absent father and the unconditional love shown from single mothers because of it. Throughout the mixtape it concentrates on the crucial role these effects hold for children as they grow up with their only understanding of love being from these experiences. I will also be focusing on how these relationships can impact a child’s personal growth whether the outcome is positive or negative. The primary source I have chosen for my project is salvation by bell hooks, which I feel is a great text that aligns perfectly with each track I specifically chose for the overall tone I want the audience to experience. These tracks portray the struggles and follow the intricate emotions we see from not only the children, but also from the mothers mentioned in salvation, giving the audience a bigger picture on what it would truly be like to experience it.  

 

Love and Liberty: “Duality of Parental Love” (Track list) 

 

Track 1: “Dear Mama” by 2Pac 

• 2Pac’s infamous song evokes a powerful message that acknowledges the difficulties and sacrifices a mother will face for her kids. His overall message is to show his gratitude for the love and guidance she provided along the way which he will always cherish. This can be seen in the text of salvation where the single mothers endured difficult situations, yet they remained dedicated to nurturing their children. From the chapter “Cherishing Single Mothers” it discusses the idea of a mother willing to sacrifice anything she can to be a good mother, “Amazingly, despite the hardships they face, working black single mothers unequivocally give the bulk of their resources to caring for the welfare of children” (hooks 118).  

Track 2: “Matilda” by Harry Styles 

• This track explores the theme of love and liberation by focusing on the struggle for identity amidst the challenges of familial relationships. Through the person “Matilda” he delivers the message about trying to understand and support an individual who is feeling isolated due to their unfair upbringing. This exploration of love resonates with the ideas presented in the chapter “Cherishing Single Mothers” in salvation because it reflects on the single mothers’ who often feel scared and alone raising a child without any support from the child’s father. However, their love serves as a beacon of hope for values of self-worth and independence as they try to navigate and give their child the love they deserve.  

Track 3: “Like Him” by Tyler, The Creator 

• Throughout this song Tyler reflects on the personal struggles and yearning he faces for a father he never knew, which he portrays heavily in the line “Mama I’m chasing a ghost”. His narrative aligns with the stories told in salvation, by explaining the long-lasting effects he has faced without a father figure which many of the children have experienced in the black community. The emotional journey of this song ties with the book by highlighting the eternal guilt a single mother faces for her child’s absent father when she is not to blame. Through hooks’ words she writes about the factualization of the raw truth behind absent black fathers which is not because they can’t show love, but because they choose to assume they are not needed by the black mothers of the children which is false.  

Track 4: “Mother” by John Lennon 

• Lennon’s lyrics articulate his grief and anger, not only at his mother’s departure but also for the societal implications that he faced for broken family bonds. His repetition of pleas for maternal presence underscores the void left by her absence, which many children of single parent families in salvation can relate to. 

Track 5: “Cough Syrup” by Young the Giant 

• The song’s refrain speaks to the desire to escape feelings of hopelessness and to find freedom from the pressures of growing up, by using the metaphor for medicine to ease the pain. In bell hooks writing she argues that love is not merely a sentiment but an active force that nurtures individuals, allowing children to face the world with confidence. The song itself illustrates that with a strong foundation of love children can enhance the chances of breaking free from society’s expectations and discovering life on their own.  

Track 6: “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles 

• Style's primary theme he includes in the song is the relationship between parents and children during times of crisis. The phrase “sign of the times” indicates a recognition of current struggles, capturing the emotional response to society pressures. This relates back to salvation conveying a similar message to the song that love can empower individuals to overcome modern adversities. One major assumption of these black families is written in hooks’ words of truth, “Men do not make life good for women and children by simply being present; it is how they act and interact that makes a difference. Destructive behavior by present black fathers makes black family life dangerous and precarious, just as constructive behavior enhances family life” (hooks 120,121).  

Track 7: “A Song For Mama” by Boyz II Men 

• This track provides a deep appreciation for mothers as unwavering supporters who provide emotional and spiritual nourishment. The lyrics celebrate the sacrifices mothers make, emphasizing their role as the primary source of love and encouragement for their children. This message reflects hooks’ emphasis on how a mother’s love is essential, especially for children growing up in less-than-ideal circumstances. hooks even mentions this in the chapter, "Cherishing Single Mothers” by using the phrase, “against the odds has created a space of love within a home” which explains that these mothers' actions aren’t forced or required, but they’re natural because it's what they know the children deserve more than anything.  

Track 8: “Mama’s Boy” by Dominic Fike 

• Fike expresses a sense of admiration for his mother’s love while also trying to balance the challenges that come with such a strong bond. The music illustrates the complexity of growing up under the term of being a “Mama’s Boy” which has a negative connotation involving male vulnerability in today’s society. This connects with a few of the chapters regarding the hardships of both the comfort of mama love and the struggle to gain personal freedom. However, Fike’s song is a modern expression of hooks’ belief that there is a transformative power of a loving supporting family as an idea of liberation. 

Track 9: “Vienna” by Billy Joel 

• Through Billy Joel’s lyrics he emphasizes the importance of patience and understanding in the journey of life. It conveys the message of not rushing yourself to achieve goals but instead you should embrace the process of personal growth and development. This narrative ties back into the themes explored through salvation such as the idea of liberation and growth that are central to hooks’ main narrative. Just as Joel’s lyrics advocate patience, bell hooks illustrates how strong, unconditional love can encourage and empower the children’s navigation for their own life choices.  

Track 10: “Good Days” by SZA 

• One of the main takeaways I gained from this song was the lyrics SZA wrote about searching for something that is already right in front of you, “Half of us chasin’ fountains of youth, and it’s in the present now”. The connection between these two texts closely relates to the ideas and experiences of single mothers that help their children transition into adulthood. The protective nature of such love allows children to explore their identities, learn from their experiences, and ultimately find the pursuit of happiness. This relationship exemplifies the duality of love as both nurturing and liberating.  

Track 11: “Slipping Through My Fingers” by ABBA 

• ABBA’s song portrays a mother’s experience as she realizes how quickly time passes from her child’s development and how her child has grown into such a mature and responsible person. It captures both emotions of joy and melancholy creating the unique dynamic of parental love that remains protective but also liberating. Through hooks themes we see how she illuminates how vital unconditional love is for a child to strive for that balance of responsibilities and maturity.  

Track 12: “Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler  

• For this track the theme conveyed heavily is the appreciation for the sacrifices made by a loving parent. This support is often relatable for many children raised in single-parent households, where the caregiver endures challenges to provide that sense of emotional and material stability. In her writings, hooks underscores the complexity of parental love in such contexts, illustrating how single mothers not only are mandatory caregivers but role models.  

Track 13: “Daddy Issues” by The Neighborhood 

• The lyrics reveal a struggle with feelings of inadequacy, yearning for that unfulfilled desire for connection with a father figure. They perfectly encapsulate the emotional struggles that arise from parental relationships, particularly when the father is absent both physically and emotionally. Through an examination of the themes in the song and hooks’ insights, we can better understand how parental love shapes, identifies and influences emotional well-being on a child’s upbringing.  

 

 

Outro:  

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1qxuSbeNWmyOYeGDjHdBdF?si=w1Q4Xh_FS-OkFbV69baG5Q 

Works Cited:

 hooks, bell. salvation: Black People and Love. New York, William Morrow, 2001.