Creating a Playlist for Mom: 30 Songs of Yesteryear

/in /by

Songs of YesteryearSongs of YesteryearCreating a playlist for Mom or Dad is a great way to bring back old memories and show them you care. Music allows older adults to reminisce as they listen to songs of yesteryear. If your parent has cognitive impairment such as dementia, music can be great way to connect with each other. In some cases, elderly who have lost almost all memory have shown to have positive responses to familiar songs, sometimes even singing along. With or without dementia, music can have powerful effects on an individuals mood and overall quality of life.

To get you started, I have compiled a list of popular songs from earlier decades. These 30 songs are those that I have found to be recognized and favored by elderly residents living in assisted living and nursing communities. You can use this list as it is, change it up or make your own depending on your loved ones taste in music. If your loved one is religious, consider adding well known hymnals. Songs that have heard or sang along to many times such as hymns, children’s songs and rhyming tunes are often stored in long-term memory. Have fun with your playlist and let us know what your old favorites are in the comments below!30 Songs of Yesteryear

30 Songs of Yesteryear

  1. What a Wonderful World- Louis Armstrong
  2. Somewhere Over the Rainbow- Judy Garland
  3. Swinging on a Star- Bing Crosby
  4. You are my Sunshine- Willie Nelson
  5. Walking After Midnight- Patsy Cline
  6. Battle Hynm of the Repubic- Various singers
  7. Oh What a Beautiful Mornin’- Gordon MacRae
  8. Moon River- Andy Williams
  9. Blue Skies- Ella Fitzgerald
  10. Que Sera Sera- Dorris Day
  11. Tennessee Waltz- Patsy Cline
  12. Dream Lover- Bobby Darn
  13. The Locomotion- Little Eva
  14. Ain’t she Sweet- Gene Austin or The Beatles
  15. Bicycle Built for Two- Nat King Cole
  16. Heart of my Heart- The gang that Sang
  17. Let me Call you Sweetheart- Bing Crosby
  18. Oh you Beautiful Doll- Nancy Sinatra
  19. Shine on Harvest Moon- Ruth Etting
  20. Look for the Silver Lining- Chet Baker
  21. Five More Minutes- Frank Sinatra
  22. Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue- Dean Martin
  23. Bill Bailey- Ella Fitzgerald
  24. Home on the Range- Roy Rogers
  25. When Irish Eyes are smiling- Bing Crosby
  26. My Bonnie- The Beatles
  27. Que Sera Sera- Dorris Day
  28. Love Letters in the Sand- Pat Boone
  29. Oh Susanna- Johnny Cash
  30. Meet me in St. Louis- Judy Garland