David Sheff’s memoir Beautiful Boy became a #1 New York Times bestseller and a major film, chronicling his son Nic’s harrowing battle with meth addiction. But before that, David was a music journalist who interviewed legends like John Lennon and Yoko Ono—an encounter that unexpectedly shaped his future as a father. In this episode, David traces how music once brought him joy, then grief—and, ultimately, a way back to his beautiful boy. Here are his songs.
- Beautiful Boy (Darling Boy) - John Lennon
- Why - Yoko Ono
- Strawberry Fields Forever - The Beatles
- Astral Weeks - Van Morrison
- Smells Like Teen Spirit - Patti Smith
- This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody) - Talking Heads
Listen to David Sheff’s full playlist on Spotify. Find the transcript of this episode at lifeinsevensongs.com. Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at lifeinsevensongs@sfstandard.com.
Life in Seven Songs