To fathers out there

This post is dedicated to all fathers out there. I know, I know, today is not Father's Day. To be frank, I don't even remember when is the Father's Day. Not exactly I'm not. I only knew about it when there is a sale or when there is an advertisement in conjunction with the day. I'm sorry, I'm just not the kind of guy who can remembers any dates easily (you can asked FNA).

I digress. Okay, then. I thought about fatherhood because the topic of being one surfaced recently. Not the best of topic; kind of like the Pandora's Box. Was kind of sad at the moment, but now I am just going to see the good side of it.

I digress again. So here it is. The followings are my list of my top 3 favourite songs and movies relating to fatherhood (not necessarily in the order)

Top 3 Father's song:

Gun N Roses - Sweet Child O' Mine



Do I need to say more? For those who never listen to this song, please slap yourself three times in the face. This song defines the 80's. And what's more, this song is a dedication from a father to his daughter. Sweet lyrics too. And again, Slash is brilliant on the solo.

She's got a smile that it seems to me
Reminds me of childhood memories
Where everything
Was as fresh as the bright blue sky
Now and then when I see her face
She takes me away to that special place
And if I'd stare too long
I'd probably break down and cry

Sweet child o' mine
Sweet love of mine

She's got eyes of the bluest skies
As if they thought of rain
I hate to look into those eyes
And see an ounce of pain
Her hair reminds me of a warm safe place
Where as a child I'd hide
And pray for the thunder
And the rain
To quietly pass me by

Sweet child o' mine
Sweet love of mine

Where do we go
Where do we go now
Where do we go
Sweet child o' mine

Will Smith - Just The Two Of Us



The original melody was, I believed, from a band called Groover Washington Jr. They might be another original artist, but I am kind of lazy to search it up. Just listen to the music and feel the lyrics. It was as if Will Smith is really trying to convey a message to his son, being the most honest and truthful about it. Great song, great lyric, great singer.

From the first time the doctor placed you in my arms
I knew I'd meet death before I'd let you meet harm
Although questions arose in my mind, would I be man enough?
Against wrong, choose right and be standin up
From the hospital that first night
Took a hour just ta get the carseat in right
People drivin all fast, got me kinda upset
Got you home safe, placed you in your basonette
That night I don't think one wink I slept
As I slipped out my bed, to your crib I crept
Touched your head gently, felt my heart melt
Cause I know I loved you more than life itself
Then to my knees, and I begged the Lord please
Let me be a good daddy, all he needs
Love, knowledge, discipline too
I pledge my life to you

Chorus:

Just the two of us, we can make it if we try
Just the two of us, (Just the two of us)
Just the two of us, building castles in the sky
Just the two of us, you and I

Five years old, bringin comedy
Everytime I look at you I think man, a little me
Just like me
Wait an see gonna be tall
Makes me laugh cause you got your dads ears an all
Sometimes I wonder, what you gonna be
A General, a Doctor, maybe a MC
Haha, I wanna kiss you all the time
But I will test that butt when you cut outta line, trudat
Uh-uh-uh why you do dat?
I try to be a tough dad, but you be makin me laugh
Crazy joy, when I see the eyes of my baby boy
I pledge to you, I will always do
Everything I can
Show you how to be a man
Dignity, integrity, honor an
An I don't mind if you lose, long as you came with it
An you can cry, ain't no shame it it
It didn't work out with me an your mom
But yo, push come to shove
You was conceived in love
So if the world attacks, and you slide off track
Remember one fact, I got your back

Chorus

It's a full-time job to be a good dad
You got so much more stuff than I had
I gotta study just to keep with the changin times
101 Dalmations on your CD-ROM
See me-I'm
Tryin to pretend I know
On my PC where that CD go
But yo, ain't nuthin promised, one day I'll be gone
Feel the strife, but trust life does go wrong
But just in case
It's my place
To impart
One day some girl's gonna break your heart
And ooh ain't no pain like from the opposite sex
Gonna hurt bad, but don't take it out on the next, son
Throughout life people will make you mad
Disrespect you and treat you bad
Let God deal with the things they do
Cause hate in your heart will consume you too
Always tell the truth, say your prayers
Hold doors, pull out chairs, easy on the swears
You're living proof that dreams do come true
I love you and I'm here for you

Ugly Kid Joe - Cats In The Cradle



What I really like about this song is the melody. Especially the transition from the verse and the chorus. It kind of like swaying you gently on the verse before delivering the punch during the chorus. The original version came from Harry Chapin, but I prefer the Ugly Kid Joe's version. The lyrics, on the other hand, are not as jovial and motivating as the previous two songs. This one has a more melancholic and sad twist on it.

My child arrived just the other day;
Came to the world in the usually way
But there were planes to catch and bills to pay.
He learned to walk while I was away.
He was talkin' 'fore I knew it.
And as he grew he said,
"I'm gonna be like you, Dad.
You know I'm gonna be like you."

Chorus :
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man on the moon.
"When you comin' home ?"
"Son, I don't know when.
We'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

Well, my son turned ten just the other day.
He said , "Thanks for the ball, Dad. Come on, let's play.
Could you teach me to throw ?" I said, "Not today.
I got a lot to do." He said, "That's okay."
And he walked away and he smiled and he said,
"You know,
I'm gonna be like him, yeah.
You know I'm gonna be like him."

Chorus

Well, he came from college just the other day,
So much like a man I just had to say,
"I'm proud of you. Could you sit for a while ?"
He shook his head and he said with a smile,
"What I'd really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys.
See you later. Can I have them please ?"

Chorus :
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon,
Little boy blue and the man on the moon.
"When you comin home, Son ?"
"I don't know when.
We'll get together then.
You know we'll have a good time then."

I've long since retired, my son's moved away.
I called him up just the other day.
"I'd like to see you, if you dont mind."
He said, "I'd love to, Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new job's a hassle and the kids have the flu,
But it's sure nice talkin' to you, Dad.
It's been sure nice talkin' to you."

And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me,
He'd grown up just like me.
My boy was just like me.
(Yeah, yeah, yeah)

Top 3 Father's movie:

A Perfect World (1993)



I personally believe that this is a must-watch movie for every single dad or soon-to-be dad in the world today. The storyline is really beautiful. The way Kevin Costner portrayed the model fatherly figure and conveys his love for the kid is really touching. It has a sad ending too. I don't believe men will weep. But it does pushes a certain button in their heart.

The Pursuit Of Happyness (2006)



Again, another touching movie that revolved around fatherhood. Will Smith's acting was brilliant. This movie has one of the most touching scene in movie history (or at least to my liking), during the scene where Will Smith and his son was forced to sleep in the bathroom of the subway station and the janitor was trying to get it. But then, it also has one of the most relieving and most triumphant moment in an actor's character, during the scene when Will Smith gets the job, get out from the office, and celebrate outside the building. You can really felt how he feels at that time. Brilliant.

I Am Sam (2001)



To be perfectly honest, I have only seen this movie once; during an English class in high school about 8 years ago. However, I can really remembered this movie well, as it has imprinted its message inside myself. The struggle of custody battle between parents, and the portrayal of a mentally retarded father trying to win such battle is stunning. You can really justify those battle here in this movie. A touching movie too (why oh why do I have to choose touching movies when it comes to fatherhood? Damn)

So there goes my Top 3 lists for both criteria. I know there are many other choices when it comes to fatherhood, but these are the movies and songs that left an imprint on me, and has successfully conveyed the messages across. Enjoy!

# This is one of my favourite poem of all time, and coincidentally it has, within its writing, a message from a father to his son.

If by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies, Or, being hated, don't give way to hating, And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream - and not make dreams your master; If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two imposters just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, And stoop and build 'em up with wornout tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings And never breath a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on"; If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run - Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it, And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!