Listen, Soak Up and Enjoy...Behind the Music is a Living Whole Online podcast series that spotlights the stories of musician composers. The more we deepen our understanding and appreciation of the creative process from which music, art, writing, photography, filmmaking, energy practices and family connections emerge, the more we can embrace those creative energies within our own lives, and enhance our health, healing and relationships with ourselves and others.
Listen to this lovely conversation between Kathryn Hayward, MD and award-winning composer and musician, Bill Shontz,. Bill is now performing on his own, having been one half of RosenShontz, the music duo that brought children’s music into genres including rock n’ roll, rap, blues, country and jazz. Bill and Gary Rosen composed and performed songs that both children and adults love.
This Behind the Music podcast comes from Bill’s RosenShontz album, Family Vacation, and features the title song, a song that draws you to join in with Bill, Gary and the kids. You might even find yourself singing sometime when you are not embarking on your next vacation!
When I was a kid, our vacations always started out this way!
-Bill Shontz
Lyrics
We’ve been dreaming all year
Out lyin’ in the sun with nothin’ to do
Just the dog, the kids, me and you...
Chorus
Family vacation (oh yeah)
Family vacation is here.
Verse 1
The car is loaded up
(We’re ready to go)
The house is locked and the windows are shut
(We’re ready to go)
The kids are in the back seat
We’re ready to go
Uh Oh!
Did anyone bring the money
Did you turn all the lights off, honey?
And tell me kids, has anyone seen the dog?
(Yeah, he found a skunk!)
Chorus
Vacation (oh yeah)
Family vacation (oh yeah)
Family vacation is here.
Verse 2
The picnic lunch is packed
(We’re ready to go)
The bikes are stacked on the overhead rack
(We’re ready to go)
We gave the dog a shampoo
We’re ready to go
Uh Oh!
Where’s my baseball hat?
And doesn’t that left front tire look flat?
Do you really have to go to the bathroom now?
(I gotta go!)
Chorus
Vacation (oh yeah)
Family vacation (oh yeah)
Family vacation is here.
Verse 3
The front tire looks all right
(We’re really ready to go)
We’re all squeezed in and we’re buckled up tight
We’re ready for sun and fabulous fun,
We’re ready to go
Let’s go!
Stop fighting in the back seat
The dog still stinks
Is it time to eat?
I can’t believe we’re finally on our way
(Are we there yet?)
Chorus
Vacation (oh yeah)
Family vacation (oh yeah)
Family vacation is here.