At the Children’s Music Network Gathering this year I was about to give the keynote (a nerve-wracking assignment). As I prepared to start I was standing by my step-daughter Celeste, who was talking to a CMN member. Celeste was excited about the event, and she had reserved a spot up front. I overheard her say to her new friend, “I’ve got a spot saved if you want to sit by me.”
I thought it was a great testament to Celeste’s friendliness, and at its best, a desire to include someone.
There’s a challenge with a song like this. For some kids, saving a spot is a way of excluding others. It may be a gesture of protection or unkindness rather than inclusion. I know for Celeste it was friendly, but it’s not always.
In writing this short song, which I offer here for others to adapt to singing with young kids, I struggled with the exact words. Should it be “Save a Spot” or “Got a Spot”? “Somewhere” or “Some Place”? These are subtle songwriting craft questions, and I took my best guess. But it’s the kind of thing I’d let the folk process solve, assuming anyone else ever sings the song. Let singers decide what flows most easily.
I’ll Save a Spot For You
Thank you for the link and for saving spot for others! I feel spacial for sending me that link that shows how much you still remember me thank you!!