It was February 12, 2008. My daughter Wendy was very tired of winter and was longing for spring. I mean she was really looking forward to it!
And then the idea came to me. I decided to play a song on my site, hoping it would cheer her up. I called it a Smile Song and I had no intention of doing it again.
The reaction to the song was better than I had anticipated so I decided to do another one … and then another and another. Before long, Smile Songs became a regular routine and over time, they morphed into 50s Smile Songs, 60s Smile Songs, #1 Smile Songs, and eventually, Medleys of songs.
I have counted up those individual Smile Songs (over 2,000 of them) and Medleys (over 1,800 of those) and all of it started because a father wanted to cheer his daughter up on a cold winter day 13 years ago.
Today I dedicate this one-song “medley” to Wendy and go back to that one song that started it all. ❤️
Your Memories … That’s What We’re All About
Play button is on the left … Volume slider is on the right
The First Smile Song
Good Morning, Ray what a sweet gesture. I’m sure this made Wendy very happy. As the father of one daughter I know that special dynamic between a Father and Daughter. For you to be able to reach out in this way is wonderful. I know Wendy is smiling again now. Celebrate Ray and Wendy, and revel in your unique relationship. Thank you Ray for sharing this beautiful exchange between the two of you. You are both are very lucky to have each other.
Thank you, Don.
It is very obvious that Victoria and you share the same love of music as I do with Wendy. There is a very good reason I call “Wendyl” the Beatle Baby. ❤️
As I wrote in the column, I had absolutely no idea that gesture would turn into the mammoth collection of songs it has become. I don’t regret it for one second.
ROCK ON, MY BROTHER!
Well, well, well…WOW! I have so many thoughts swirling through my head right now! I am such an incredibly lucky daughter to have a Daddy as loving and supportive as you have always been to me! To recall this moment in Streamingoldies history as a stepping stone to all that followed is honestly mind blowing!!!! I imagine when you gifted me this First Smile Song, and it is a gift of happiness and love, you were thinking about the good old days. Days when we would just listen to awesome music together. So many days…years…a lifetime! So you shared a song so appropriate in several ways. It serves as a reminder that the sun is indeed on its way, it provides the healing power of music and it brings comforting feelings from special memories. I honestly don’t even remember the exact circumstances around my winter doldrums but I absolutely recall the feeling of listening to this First Smile Song. Reading your words and listening to this one song again today filled my heart with so much love…overflowed it actually. Don was right..my smile is quite big this morning along with a few happy tears. 🙂 Your gift to me turned into nearly 4,000 gifts to myself and others who also appreciate all you do to make us happy and keep us uplifted. If you ever doubt the effect you have in the world, you should think again. You make the world a better place by caring for others through music and the memories they recreate. The smiles are countless. Our love is endless! You are the Sweetest Daddy my heart could ever have hoped for! 🙂 XOXOXOXO 🙂
Thank you, Wendyl ❤️
The song and the sentiment behind it are a tiny reflection of how much you mean to me. YOU started something and while you and many others continue to thank me for these little pieces of music history, the thanks surely belong to you for providing the inspiration.
❤️XOXOXOXO❤️
I will accept being the inspiration as long as you give yourself credit for being an unstoppable Music Machine. I love us! Always have, always will! Proud to be a Beatle Baby and Daddy’s Girl. 🙂
I Love Us! ❤️
We tend to rock a little 🙂
what a wonderful memory you started with Wendy, then expanded to include all of us!! Absolutely love this song and ready for “here comes the sun” Tired of the cold and doesn’t sound like it is going away any time soon 🙁 Stay safe and warm my friend!!!
Thank you so much, Penny 🙂
Yes, I guess we can blame all of the music that’s been played on this blog for 13 years on Wendy 😉
Seriously, I am sorry she was sick of winter back then but I’m happy I did what I did. All of the rest has been more fun for me than people can imagine. ❤️
BIG Valentine’s Day medley on Sunday … 2 Hours!
Stay Safe and Warm! ❤️
So thankful that Wendy inspired you to start the Smile songs and medleys. One of the best things I have gotten from joining Facebook.
Thank you, Pat. 🙂
Wendy was the inspiration but it has been people like you that encouraged me to keep going, and for that, I am grateful.
YOU are one of the best results of my decision to join Facebook. Your positive posts are a constant reminder of what we should all strive for.
Thanks, Ray. Sometimes I have to bite my tongue…er fingers, but I just want to be happy or inspired by what I read. Music never fails to brighten my day.
It’s not easy, Pat. Nothing is easy these days. I do my best to ignore the trolls.
Ray and Wendy as soon as I heard the first note I knew what was to come!! So thoughtful Ray!! It melts my heart to see how you two interreact!! You two do so much to make this world just a little better!! I am sending love to you both and Happy Valentine’s Day!!!
Sir Fred, thank you for your very wonderful comment. ❤️
Wendy and I certainly do connect on so many different levels and for that I am very grateful.
That one song started what has become 13 years of smile songs and medleys. While I credit her as the inspiration for them, special thanks have to go out to people like YOU for tuning in and listening!
I hope Nancy and you had a lovely Valentine’s Day ❤️
ROCK THIS DAY, MY LONGTIME FRIEND!