Coming of Age Playlist

1. Papaoutai -Stromae

This song can relate to Lullabies for Little Criminals both literally and figuratively. Papa, où t’es? is french for father where are you? In the song there is a constant repetition of the singer saying father where are you, which relates a lot to Baby’s constant separation from her father and her always wondering where he is. 

2. Don't You Worry Child -Swedish House Mafia

As much as I hate this song, the first few lyrics of the song reminded me a lot of Baby. It relates a lot to Baby’s first separation from her father when she went to the foster home and she was missing home with her father. That was her happiness and her kingdom with the golden throne even though their living conditions were nothing close to that.         

“There was a time, I used to look into my father's eyes, 

In a happy home, I was a king, I had a golden throne, 

Those days are gone, Now the memory's on the wall. 

I hear the songs From the places where I was born.” 

3. Mad World -Gary Jules

The song Mad World is about someone who cannot see a future in such a mad and sad world, he does not see the point in existing. This connects to Baby and how she doesn't see much of a life for herself so she does fall into some bad habits. 

4. Lithium -Nirvana 

The tone of this song relates to Patti and Robert’s relationship in Just Kids.  This song goes from a slow tone to a harder more aggressive tone just like their relationship. They started off strong but it ended up in a rocky area. The lyrics tell a story of someone dealing with things alone and they are going crazy trying to cope, which relates to Patti’s breakdown when she no longer had Robert in his life. 

5. Best That I Can -Vance Joy 

Vance Joy touches on feelings we all go through in life in this song. We all try the best that we can in life which I find represents Patti and Roberts struggle in New York to create art. As much as they wanted to grow together as artist they knew at some point one would move ahead of the other, this lyric really shows how I think they viewed their relationship. 

“You can keep moving on like you do

The road goes as far as the eye can see

I won't stand in your way”

6. O-o-h Child -The 5 Stair Step

At the end of Lullabies for Little Criminals Baby is finally reunited with Jules. While they are going towards Val des Loups to meet up with Jules’ cousin this would be the perfect song for that exact moment. Things will get better and she’ll have a brighter life now, which is the meaning of the song. 

7. The Suburbs -Arcade Fire

This song relates directly to Baby in Lullabies for Little Criminals, throughout the book she does not have the normal childhood you would expect for such a young girl. She seems like such a tough and aged young girl but on the inside she just wants to play and have fun. 

Image from Arcade Fire's video for The Suburbs

“Kids wanna be so hard

But in my dreams we're still screamin' and runnin' through the yard”

8. We Exist -Arcade Fire

Arcade Fire’s story behind their song We Exist can indirectly relate to Robert.  The story is a homosexual man talking to his father and asking him why people treat him like he doesn't exist. All he wants to do is exist and be known for who he is. This story told in the song relates a lot to Robert’s art and wanting to express himself in  a risky way and allowing the world to know that something like this exists and get recognized. 

9. All These Things That I’ve Done -The Killers

I think this song represents Patti’ s journey, in particular her experience at Hotel Chelsea. She is looking for herself in art and she looks for help and guidance to get to where she wants to be. She meets many inspirational people who direct her in the direction she wishes to go. “I need direction to perfection.”

10. Kids -MGMT

If Lullabies for Little Criminals were a movie this song would be a perfect song to play in the background for Baby. I picture the opening scene of her walking down Saint-Catherine with this song in the background. The beat can be very childish but it also is very dark and I think  that represents Baby very well. She’s this dark young girl.