Playlist 13.06.11

What tune might you put on the playlist ahead of Father's Day? In the past I've considered 'My Old' man by Ian Dury and Peter Gabriel's strangely affecting 'Father, Son'. But this time I've settled for a bit of Bruce. The guy has charted the paternal relationship over a clutch of songs, including 'Independence Day', 'My Father's House', 'Factory', even 'The River'. Douglas Frederick Springsteen comes out of it all fairly well. But I have a special fondness for 'Walk Like a Man'.

It a lyric about the young man's wedding and the ritual import of the day. There is sentimentality there, the kind of moment when you go through the baby photos in your mind. The groom remembers his time as a child on the beach and the reassuring dad's presence. Now he knows that he has to advance as an adult, and he's quietly anxious, hoping that he can do the right thing.

The tune was released on the 'Tunnel of Love' album, after Bruce had married Julianne Phillips. But the songs weren't particularly content and the guy looked awful glum on the record sleeve. So it's interesting in hindsight to note that while the father and the groom are emotionally reconciled, there's no great love song on the collection.

Still, 'Walk Like a Man' was the track that I put on the car player on the way to my mate's wedding. I was Best Man, he sat beside me and we listened to Bruce as the singer carried us through that significant ride to meet his bride. The track still chokes me up a little. Happy Father's Day, you dads and children.

BBC Radio Ulster, 92-95 FM

Online: www.bbc.co.uk/radioulster

Blog: https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/stuartbailie/

Mondays, ten - midnight

Jackie de Shannon - Put A Little Love In Your Heart

Cashier No 9 - Lost At Sea

Versechorusverse - One Fine Day

Carole King - Profile

The Shirelles - Will You Love Me Tomorrow

Carole King - It Might As Well Rain Until September

The City & Carole King - Victim of Circumstance

Carole King - I Feel The Earth Move

James Taylor & Carole King - You've Got A Friend

Ane Brun - Do You Remember

Ash - Walking Barefoot

Cults - Bumper

Katie And The Carnival - I Went To the Fair

Benjamin Francis Leftwich - Box Of Stones

British Sea Power - Georgie Ray

Graham Parker - Soul Shoes

Amy Lavere - You Can't Keep Me

Neil Young - I've Been Waiting

The Lost Brothers - The Bells They Won't Ring

Jackie Wilson - I'm Wandering

Paul Kane - Dadstar

Bruce Springsteen - Walk Like A Man

Southern - People Said

Ed Harcourt - Lustre

Millie Jackson - Hurt So Good

Cults - Never Saw The Point

Katie and The Carnival - Secret Song

Kate Bush - Flower Of The Mountain

Morrissey - Moon River