Of all the equipment on the playground, I would argue that nothing compares to the swing.

Everything that is great about playgrounds can all be found in this classic design, which has remained basically unchanged since its invention. The joy of movement. The connection between a parent and a young child giggling for another push. The rush of independence an older child gets from learning they can make it move on their own. The freedom of experimenting with new ways to swing; standing, lying flat, twisting the chains and then letting go for a dizzying spin.

There might not be anything more evocative of childhood play than the humble swing.

And yet you’re never too old to swing either. If ever I’m walking past a playground late at night and an adult is in there, they’re never going down the slide or climbing the monkey bars. They’re on the swing, enjoying a late-night return to a childhood feeling.

And I know Dante Bucci probably wasn’t imagining a playground swing when he titled this lovely little piece, but the two definitely pair well together.

What makes this a beautiful song:

1. More than anything, the instrument makes it beautiful. Played on a piano, it would still be pretty, but not quite beautiful. The instrument is called the Hang, and you can learn more about it by rewinding to week 169.

2. It’s got a nice back-and-forth rhythm to it.

3. Every once in a while, he’ll play a couple of notes noticeably louder, before bringing the volume back down again. It’s like a sudden power boost that brings your swinging momentum back up.

Recommended listening activity:

Checking to see if the swing you remember from childhood is still there.

Buy it here.

The post Week 793: “Swing” by Dante Bucci appeared first on Beautiful Song Of The Week.