Peter Alsop‘s SONGS TO CHEW

    Today we'll listen to "It's Only A Wee-Wee, So What's The Big Deal?"  It's a song about gender, written in 1981, and it's still sweeping the Montessori schools of the country!  My old buddy Utah Phillips used to sing this one.  He called it, "a full bore, overhead cam, spoke wire-wheels, no holds barred damn kids song!"  I love playing it because it generates discussions about the ways that boys around the world have entitlements and privileges that girls don't, and how our patriarchal culture, besides favoring males, teaches our girls ways to manipulate boys in order to 'level the playing field' a bit.  Fortunately, lots of these lessons are being rejected by all genders now!  Hooray!  Check out a great video of this song at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EgDV23Tj0A (You can sing-along too!) 
* New! my CAMPING WITH DADS album ~
https://www.amazon.com/Camping-Dads-Peter-Alsop/dp/B08CS871QW/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Peter%20Alsop%20Camping%20With%20Dads&qid=1602558931&s=dmusic&sr=1- 
* E-mail/ Website ~ peter@peteralsop.com / https://www.peteralsop.com 
* www.FaceBook.com/WeLikePeterAlsop 
* Youtube.com/peteralsop ~ videos
* Patreon.com/peteralsop ~ support my music, podcast & other artistic endeavors
* Songs To Chew ~ subscribe - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peter-alsops-songs-to-chew/id1446179156 
* CDs & downloads ~ http://www.peteralsop.com/music 
 

    My SONG TO CHEW today is"Gotta Be Somewhere", the last song on my CAMPING WITH DADS album.  I thought it would be wonderful to finish the album with a song that is both a recap of our camping adventure, and a charming existential mystery about whether or not we ever went on the trip at all!  Ever been somewhere that you wish you weren't?  It can be miserable!!  But why choose stress?  If we tell ourselves "well, ... I gotta be somewhere", ... all of a sudden, things look much better, right?  So think of this, as a tool you can keep handy, right on the top of your toolbox.  Pull it our whenever you need it!  Thanks for stopping by.  I'll bid you a fond "adieu" until next week when we will have another "SONG TO CHEW".
* NEW! my CAMPING WITH DADS album ~ https://www.amazon.com/Camping-Dads-Peter-Alsop/dp/B08CS871QW/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Peter+Alsop+Camping+With+Dads&qid=1602558931&s=dmusic&sr=1-1
* E-mail/ Website ~ peter@peteralsop.com ~ https://peteralsop.com 
* FaceBook.com/WeLikePeterAlsop
* Youtube.com/peteralsop ~ videos
* Patreon.com/peteralsop ~ support my music, podcast & other artistic endeavors
* Songs To Chew ~ subscribe - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peter-alsops-songs-to-chew/id1446179156 
* CDs & downloads ~ http://www.peteralsop.com/music 

    Today we check out "I Brought A Gorilla Home" from my CAMPING WITH DADS album.  Kids love to feel they've got control of things around them, because in real family life, they often don't have much control.  When I'd take my kids to a zoo, I'd watch the great apes behind the shatter-proof glass or surrounded by an outdoor moat.  I'd watch their eyes follow us.  Kinda like being in "the slammer", but they haven't done anything wrong.  They just got caught.  We control everything about them, their food, their sleep, their mating, their comings and goings.  And the idea of bringing one home with me is enchanting!  Most Dads have been raised with our male privileges and entitlements.  We have access to freedoms that we've taken for granted so long, that we don't even notice them. As we grow older, and maybe have children of our own, hopefully our "circle of caring" grows too, so when we see the plights of others, humans and animals, who don't have our access, we can feel empathy for them, because we've grown more aware of our own privileges.  Everyone wants to be free.  Doesn't that sound like some good stuff to talk about with our kids?  Check out my CAMPING WITH DADS album online at peteralsop.com.  For now, wash yer paws, wear a mask, vote early, and bring your friends!  See ya next week!
* https://peteralsop.hearnow.com ~ my NEW! CAMPING WITH DADS album
* E-mail/ Website ~ peter@peteralsop.com ~ www.peteralsop.com 
* FaceBook.com/WeLikePeterAlsop
* Youtube.com/peteralsop ~ videos
* Patreon.com/peteralsop ~ support my music, podcast & other artistic endeavors
* Songs To Chew ~ subscribe - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peter-alsops-songs-to-chew/id1446179156 
* CDs & downloads ~
https://play.google.com/store/music/collection/cluster?clp=sgMjCiEKG0FwYm1uNHBnMmV3NDVtY2tsa3dvZzR0aHN0cRADGAI%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLvD7o&gsr=CiayAyMKIQobQXBibW40cGcyZXc0NW1ja2xrd29nNHRoc3RxEAMYAg%3D%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLfKDA&fbclid=IwAR0rgDfA5z6CrrxsADzPOfMEde8EyqPp6LZjWH1gqAJJ92OXlQ96jRpLNpk 

     This weeks song is "I Wear Pink" by Steve Denyes, from my CAMPING WITH DADS album.  The Dads on the album talk with the kids about all the "Spose-tahs" we grew up with.  We were taught that boys were never 'spose-tah' wear pink and that girls were 'spose-tah' only do girl-things", mostly with other girls!  Lots of the 'spose-tahs' have changed, but they're still there!  They come from our families and schools and churches and other people around us who get nervous when 'the rules' are questioned.  Social systems need rules to function, but they work best when the people in the system understand why the rules were made.  I think we need to find out why some rules don't work so well, and then we can change them if they need changing.  This is a great song to use with our kids to bring up some of the social pressures they face, so together, we can figure out better ways to deal with them.  Please tell your friends and family about this SONGS TO CHEW podcast.  I'll be back next week with another song, ... for now,  be safe!
* Peteralsop.hearnow.com ~ my NEW! CAMPING WITH DADS album
* E-mail/ Website ~ peter@peteralsop.com ~ www.peteralsop.com 
* Facebook.com/WeLikePeterAlsop
* Youtube.com/peteralsop ~ videos
* Patreon.com/peteralsop ~ support my music, podcast & other artistic endeavors
* Songs To Chew ~ subscribe - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peter-alsops-songs-to-chew/id1446179156 
* CDs & downloads ~
https://play.google.com/store/music/collection/cluster?clp=sgMjCiEKG0FwYm1uNHBnMmV3NDVtY2tsa3dvZzR0aHN0cRADGAI%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLvD7o&gsr=CiayAyMKIQobQXBibW40cGcyZXc0NW1ja2xrd29nNHRoc3RxEAMYAg%3D%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLfKDA&fbclid=IwAR0rgDfA5z6CrrxsADzPOfMEde8EyqPp6LZjWH1gqAJJ92OXlQ96jRpLNpk 

    Today's SONG TO CHEW is "Asleep At The Helm".  It's clear that many of the men 'at the helms' of our "ships of state" around the world have been running us onto the rocks!  It's past time for us men to put aside any of our 'dinosaur-type' thinking, and ask our feminist sisters to take over and chart some different courses to safer harbors; - where women's healthcare is defined by what women need, not by what men allow; - where a person's value is weighed by what's in our heart, and not by how much money is in our pocket; - where elected officials don't lie to our constituencies, and support rich backers, but rather stand up for the needs of our people, and reflect and value the different cultures that we represent; - where people no longer live under the threat of nuclear annihilation; - where we receive quality health care as a right, supported and run by our government; - where children and youth are valued and well fed, ... and where kids learn how to value themselves, because the adults around them know how to do that as well; - where all the diverse people value our many cultures, races, religions, sexual orientations and identities, blended and shared with each other.  And it's not just a place, it's a state of mind that reflects on what we do and how we do it, so we can alter and change systems around us, and fix them to work more fairly and better for all of us.  With the willingness to listen and pay attention, and the courage to take action, we can make changes that will lift us all.  Please register and vote, and get your friends to the polls, especially if they've been "Asleep At The Helm"!
* E-mail/ Website ~ peter@peteralsop.com ~ www.peteralsop.com 
* FaceBook.com/WeLikePeterAlsop
* Youtube.com/peteralsop ~ videos
* Patreon.com/peteralsop ~ support my music, podcast & other artistic endeavors
* Songs To Chew ~ subscribe - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peter-alsops-songs-to-chew/id1446179156 
* New! CAMPING WITH DADS and Peter's other albums https://play.google.com/store/music/collection/cluster?clp=sgMjCiEKG0FwYm1uNHBnMmV3NDVtY2tsa3dvZzR0aHN0cRADGAI%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLvD7o&gsr=CiayAyMKIQobQXBibW40cGcyZXc0NW1ja2xrd29nNHRoc3RxEAMYAg%3D%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLfKDA&fbclid=IwAR0rgDfA5z6CrrxsADzPOfMEde8EyqPp6LZjWH1gqAJJ92OXlQ96jRpLNpk 

    Today's SONG TO CHEW is "Spit Ball" from my "Camping With Dads" album.  My eleven-year-old grandaughter, Quinnlyn, sings it with me.  It's about escalation and revenge.  At school, we used to chew up paper, make it gooey, then flick it on our finger at another kid, who then flicked their own spit balls back at us.  It was gross and mostly boys who did it.  Kids may not know the word "escalation", but all we need to do, ... is describe how someone starts with a shove, and the person who gets shoved feels attacked and shoves back harder.  Then the first person wants to "get even", ... so they shove or hit back even harder, that's called "escalation".  Kids understand that concept.  This is a song about how we can stop that process.  As Quinn sings, ... "I know revenge is wrong, but if I do something back, I know we'll never get along!  So it 'stops with me', 'cause when no one takes the blame, we all do the same things over, and over, and things always end the same!"
    Thanks for stopping by SONGS TO CHEW.  If you'd like to help me sponsor it, you can support my music by going to Patreon.com and becoming one of my patrons.  Let your friends know about this podcast and my newest CAMPING WITH DADS album, ... or recommend any of my other albums that you might have enjoyed.  They're all still available as download or CDs. I'll be back again next week with another SONG TO CHEW.  Be safe.  Don't forget to vote early. Bye for now.
* https://peteralsop.hearnow.com ~ my NEW! CAMPING WITH DADS album
* E-mail/ Website ~ peter@peteralsop.com ~ www.peteralsop.com 
* FaceBook.com/WeLikePeterAlsop
* Youtube.com/peteralsop ~ videos
* Patreon.com/peteralsop ~ support my music, podcast & other artistic endeavors
* Songs To Chew ~ subscribe - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peter-alsops-songs-to-chew/id1446179156 
* CDs & downloads ~
https://play.google.com/store/music/collection/cluster?clp=sgMjCiEKG0FwYm1uNHBnMmV3NDVtY2tsa3dvZzR0aHN0cRADGAI%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLvD7o&gsr=CiayAyMKIQobQXBibW40cGcyZXc0NW1ja2xrd29nNHRoc3RxEAMYAg%3D%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLfKDA&fbclid=IwAR0rgDfA5z6CrrxsADzPOfMEde8EyqPp6LZjWH1gqAJJ92OXlQ96jRpLNpk 

Today's SONG TO CHEW is "Buddies" from my UNIFORMS album.  This song is for buddies who love each other, regardless of their gender.  It works well to generate discussions about homophobia and sexual orientationism.  When I wrote this song back in 1978, there was homophobia all around us.  There have been lots of feminist men's songwriters and performers writing wonderful songs that shed light on ways men can live our lives expressing love and support for one another.  Please let your friends know about this SONGS TO CHEW podcast.  It's free.  I'll be back next week with another song from my new CAMPING WITH DADS album! So, be safe, and please register to vote and bring your friends!  I'm Peter Alsop.  See you next week.   (Illustration by #TerriAsher)
* https://peteralsop.hearnow.com ~ my NEW! CAMPING WITH DADS album
* E-mail/ Website ~ peter@peteralsop.com ~ www.peteralsop.com 
* FaceBook.com/WeLikePeterAlsop
* Youtube.com/peteralsop ~ videos
* Patreon.com/peteralsop ~ support my music, podcast & other artistic endeavors
* Songs To Chew ~ subscribe - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peter-alsops-songs-to-chew/id1446179156 
* CD albums & downloads ~
https://play.google.com/store/music/collection/cluster?clp=sgMjCiEKG0FwYm1uNHBnMmV3NDVtY2tsa3dvZzR0aHN0cRADGAI%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLvD7o&gsr=CiayAyMKIQobQXBibW40cGcyZXc0NW1ja2xrd29nNHRoc3RxEAMYAg%3D%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLfKDA&fbclid=IwAR0rgDfA5z6CrrxsADzPOfMEde8EyqPp6LZjWH1gqAJJ92OXlQ96jRpLNpk 
 

   This week's Song To Chew from my CAMPING WITH DADS album is "Stronga".  I made up the word to remind us that our old stories about "male strength" don't include the concept that 'true strength' has an element of empathy for those who don't have the same strength and access that we do.  It takes real "stronga" strength to pay attention and hold back our advantage, so someone else can be lifted and helped.  When someone goes out of their way to give us a break or help us when they didn't have to, it's treasured, and love is part of that.  "Stronga strength" is not selfish.  I'm hoping parents and their kids will listen to this album together, and talk about the ideas in the songs and discussions.
 * https://peteralsop.hearnow.com ~ my NEW! CAMPING WITH DADS album
* E-mail/ Website ~ peter@peteralsop.com  ~ peteralsop.com
* FaceBook.com/WeLikePeterAlsop
* Youtube.com/peteralsop ~ videos
* Patreon.com/peteralsop ~ support my music, podcast & other artistic endeavors
* Songs To Chew ~ subscribe - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/peter-alsops-songs-to-chew/id1446179156 
* CDs & downloads ~
https://play.google.com/store/music/collection/cluster?clp=sgMjCiEKG0FwYm1uNHBnMmV3NDVtY2tsa3dvZzR0aHN0cRADGAI%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLvD7o&gsr=CiayAyMKIQobQXBibW40cGcyZXc0NW1ja2xrd29nNHRoc3RxEAMYAg%3D%3D%3AS%3AANO1ljLfKDA&fbclid=IwAR0rgDfA5z6CrrxsADzPOfMEde8EyqPp6LZjWH1gqAJJ92OXlQ96jRpLNpk