Jan. 2, 2024

The song I listened to tonight as I played with my dog Ziti was The Best Ever Death Metal Band in Denton by The Mountain Goats.

It’s a powerful song with an important message for anyone who works with kids. It’s also a song that leads to much pearl clutching, hand wringing, and tut tutting from those who will listen and completely miss the point.

In my own youth and now as a parent and educator, I’ve known plenty of kids like Cyrus and Jeff, the characters in this song. And I’ve known way to many adults ready to completely misunderstand them and squash their “silly” ambitions. Sad to say, I’ve been one of those adults from time to time.

When you punish a person for dreaming his dream
Don’t expect him to thank or forgive you
The best ever death metal band out of Denton
Will in time both outpace and outlive you