Love at First Listen of “For My Baby”
Lately, I’ve been falling in love over and over again, thanks to Sharlotta Ututu‘s EP, “Love Songs.” With every repeated play, my admiration for this mesmerizing collection of music only grows. I first discovered the enchanting world of beautiful Ukranian MARUV through her unique fusion of cabaret, eroticism, and modern dance music. The attractive performances by her and her troupe of dancers ignited a primal fire within me as a healthy Sapiense male. But that’s a topic for a completely new story. However, her latest release, “Love Songs,” under her alter ego Sharlotta Ututu, is an entirely different experience.
The Undeniable Charm
For the past week, I’ve been under the spell of MARUV’s EP, signed by her alter ego Sharlotta Utatat. While all four songs on “Love Songs” are excellent, it’s the track “For My Baby” that has captured my heart. From the moment I heard the gentle piano melody that opened the song, I was hooked. That’s the reason I decided to dedicate this article to what is undoubtedly the best lullaby of 2023 – “For My Baby.”
The Language of Love
Though the lyrics are in Ukrainian, a language foreign to me, I found myself connecting with the music. As a speaker of Macedonian, a Slavic language with shared roots, I could grasp some of the verses, which added an exciting layer to the experience. The power of music transcends language barriers, and Sharlotta Ututu’s “Love Songs” proves that beautifully.
The Lyrics of the song “For My Baby”
The lyrics of the song “For My Baby” are in Ukrainian. Here is an English translation of the lyrics:
Close your eyes And run into the embrace of the night There, a dream is waiting for you I'll sing in harmony with it There, in the realm of sleep There are enchanting cities There, unseen wonders Heavenly birds sing there May you grow in happiness You will have all the blessings May both your body and soul Flourish for many years And when you sleep soundly I will protect you Grow, my child You mean more to me than life I am a soul from life and lineage I am strength, will, and freedom People know the power of the nation I am a soul from life and lineage Close your eyes And run into the embrace of the night There, a dream is waiting for you I'll sing in harmony with it
The Sweet Melody
The magic of “For My Baby” lies in its soft, carefully crafted melody. There are no jarring crescendos or high amplitudes to disrupt the gentle flow of the song. The choice of the piano as the primary instrument was a masterstroke, enhancing the song’s soothing nature and lullaby quality.
A Symphony of Nature
As if the enchanting piano and heartfelt lyrics weren’t enough, “For My Baby” incorporates additional elements that elevate the experience. Subtle samples of a clock ticking, and the calming sounds of nature, including birds, and crickets, take you on an auditory journey with many sounds from Nature. The song concludes with an A cappella section, a nod to the traditional way lullabies have been performed for generations. This orchestration creates a sense of calm and serenity, perfect for drifting off into a peaceful slumber which I experienced a few times listening to the EP on repeat during the nights since the EP was released (Oct 27, 2023).
The Perfect Lullaby For My Baby
I do not doubt that “For My Baby” deserves a perfect ten. It’s a song that never fails to hit me right in the feels. When the music washes over me, my eyes well up, and goosebumps race across my skin. To me, this emotional response serves as the ultimate measure of a song’s greatness. It combines emotional resonance, a personal connection, expressive lyrics, melodic beauty, neurotransmitter release, a connection with cultural identity, and catharsis, all in one beautiful composition.
