Entertainment For Lively Minds
Best music for children
I got asked, yesterday, by a Mum with kids aged under 10, “what’s good music for children?”. My kids are both over 18 now, but I straightaway answered ‘Louis Jordan & the Tympany Five’. My children grew up with a marvelous ‘best of’ double vinyl album, & they both just loved it. ‘Boogie In the Barnyard’, ‘Ain’t Nobody here but us chickens’, ‘Beans & Cornbread’, ‘Saturday night Fish Fry’, etc. I can’t recommend enough.
Quite by chance, I’d also borrowed an album, the day before, called ‘You’re nice people, you are’, by NRBQ, because I’m writing an article about them. It happens to be their childrens album. My kids never heard it , but it’s marvelous. Unpatronising, funny, cracking Rock’n’Roll tunes, espousing the joys of encyclopedias, music lessons, swimming pool safety, St Patricks day & sleep.
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Seconded
My little girls (4 and 1) love "There Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens". I don't know most of the other songs you mention though, so I'm going to check them out.
As usual...
...the answer is The Beatles.
Strangely enough mine also love Battles. Hmm. Sampler-based math-rock: who knew?
On the actual kiddy music front, I have a CD called Childhood Favourites which has OLD Disney songs etc, plus Burl Ives, Dinah Shore, the Laughing Policeman etc. It's great. Woody Woodpecker and I Tawt I Taw A Puddy Tat are big faves.
Colours Are Brighter
Mostly good enough for kids and adults. My kids love Belle & Sebastian's Monkeys Escaping The Zoo, Franz Ferdinand's Jackie Jackson and Half Man, Half Biscuit's David Wainwright's Shoes.
They Might Be Giants have several kids albums. I've yet to try them out but I'm sure there are folk round here that have (Hannah????)
But of course...
Yes, I have them and I love them.
Here come the ABCs and Here come the 123s are best for the younger tykes (perfect for my 4 year old)
Here comes Science is one for the older kids, although it does have a few tunes on it for the littler uns.
No! is good fun too.
as for Colours are Brighter, my elder daughter would cheerfully listen to Ivor Cutler's Mud on a loop all day if I let her.
I forgot Mud
It's wonderful.
"Ahh. Shut up."
They Might Be Giants
A few education CDs for Disney that are also entertaining. Do I really need kiddywinks to like these?
Can I suggest this?
"Great Big World" by Justine Clarke
and also I will say immediately that I have a vested interest here as I co-wrote all her songs
http://www.justineclarke.com.au/music
So if this amounts to blowing one's own trumpet in the interests of crass commercialism I will understand if Fraser boots this off the blog, however in all seriousness first of all I make fuck all out of doing this and secondly I am genuinely interested in discussion about children's music.
I started writing these songs when my kids were under 5 and we used to listen to the White Album in the car - so many kids' songs there - Blackbird, Piggies, Bungalow Bill etc.
Now if I could just stop my 18 yr old from mumbling "number 9 number 9" (only joking....)
Boots it off?
Nah...it's bloomin' lovely that, from a big kid at heart. You should see my collection of Sesame Street LPs/CDs. There needs to be more fun in music.
Collective tutting and shaking of heads by NW Massive...
thanks
MATE!!!
Good grief!
Justine Clarke appears in 5-minute slots in between other shows on the telly here in NZ. The "I Love to Sing!" song is a regular feature and I think I probably know all the words to it, as do all of my children. I am blown away by the lyricist being in the Massive.
I'm not just saying this, Mousey, but I think the songs are tremendous. I like the sincerity and I think kids pick up on that. They can tell when someone means it (man) and Justine Clarke certainly does.
Kathryn Williams \ The Crayonettes
have a new album out for kids 'Playing Out - Songs For Children & Robots'
http://www.recordstore.co.uk/productdetail.jsp?productPK=unittest-fw51WJ...
includes advice on why its not good to pour lemonade in the goldfish bowl. Which a lot of adults need after a skinfull
Millies playlist...
Here is my daughters (4yo) playlist which I have on my iPod. I even play it at work on the odd occassion which puts everyone in a great mood! Sorry about the way its written but I'm not typing this all up!!
✓ It's Not Easy Helen Reddy & Sean Marshall Pete's Dragon
✓ Hideaway Karen O and the Kids Where the Wild Things Are (Motion Picture Soundtrack): Original Songs by Karen O and The Kids
✓ All Together Now The Beatles Yellow Submarine
✓ With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock (1937) George Formby George Formby: Greatest Hits
✓ Come Fly With Me Frank Sinatra My Way: The Best Of Frank Sinatra [Disc 1]
✓ Dancing In The Streets Martha Reeves & The Vandellas Tamla Motown Gold (Disc 1)
✓ Señor Burns Tito Puente Songs In The Key Of Springfield
✓ Bright Eyes Art Garfunkel The Best Of Art Garfunkel
✓ Happy Just The Way We Are The Simpsons Go Simpsonic With The Simpsons
✓ Tomorrow (Annie) Alicia Morton, Audra McDonald, Kathy Bates & Victor Garber Annie (Original Soundtrack)
✓ The Purple People Eater Sheb Wooley 50s Oldies But Goodies
✓ Building All Is Love Karen O and the Kids Where the Wild Things Are (Motion Picture Soundtrack): Original Songs by Karen O and The Kids
✓ Hold Up A Light Take That The Circus
✓ Together In Electric Dreams Philip Oakey & Giorgio Moroder 101 80's Hits [Disc 1]
✓ Were Off To See The Wizard Herbert Stothart The Wizard Of Oz
✓ Car Song Woody Guthrie The Asch Recordings, Vol. 1-4
✓ Jake the Peg Rolf Harris Ideal
✓ Nellie the Elephant Mandy Miller Vintage Children's Favourites
✓ Start Wearing Purple Gogol Bordello Gypsy Punks: Underdog World Strike
✓ Ray / Mama Odie Randy Newman The Princess and the Frog (Original Soundtrack)
✓ If I Were A Princess Bourne Leisure Rory & Bradley's Show Fantastic 2
✓ Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows Lesley Gore & Claus Ogerman Lesley Gore: The Essential Collection
✓ When She Loved Me Sarah McLachlan The Magic of Disney: 20 Superstar Hits
✓ Losing You Randy Newman Word-Issue 71-Dec 2008
✓ Tell Him The Exciters Tell Him - The Best Of
✓ Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band [2009 Stereo Remaster]
✓ A Fish Called Selma (Medley) The Simpsons Songs In The Key Of Springfield
✓ Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You Too) Sean Marshall & Charlie Callas Pete's Dragon
✓ The Garden Take That The Circus
✓ Rumpus Karen O and the Kids Where the Wild Things Are (Motion Picture Soundtrack): Original Songs by Karen O and The Kids
✓ Sweet Child o' Mine Taken By Trees Sweet Child o' Mine / Above You - Single
✓ Man On The Moon R.E.M. In Time: The Best Of R.E.M. 1988-2003
✓ Raining In My Heart Buddy Holly & The Crickets The Buddy Holly Story
✓ Strange Things Various Artists Toy Story
✓ As Coroner, I Must Aver Herbert Stothart The Wizard Of Oz
✓ I Melt With You Nouvelle Vague Nouvelle Vague
✓ Ain't Got No/I Got (Life Groove finder Remix) [From the Broadway musical, "Hair"] Nina Simone Remixed & Reimagined
✓ She's A Rainbow The Rolling Stones The London Years Disc 2
✓ Cut Every Corner The Simpsons Go Simpsonic With The Simpsons
✓ Tiger Club Kids Haven Holidays Rory's Greatest Hits
✓ Don't Worry Be Happy Bobby McFerrin 101 80's Hits [Disc 5]
✓ Goodness Gracious Me Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren EMI Comedy: Peter Sellers - Classic Songs and Sketches
✓ A Penny A Kiss Dinah Shore Tony Martin Just The Two Of Us
✓ Here Comes The Sun The Beatles Abbey Road [2009 Stereo Remaster]
✓ A Spoonful of Sugar Julie Andrews Mary Poppins (Original Soundtrack) [English Version]
✓ Little White Bum The Barron Knights The Barron Knights - 40th Anniversary
✓ Simpsoncalifragilisticexpiala(Annoyed Grunt)Cious (Medley) The Simpsons Go Simpsonic With The Simpsons
✓ The Fall Guy TV Themes TV Themes
✓ Greatest Day Take That The Circus
✓ Old McDonald Ella Fitzgerald Jazz For Kids - Sing, Clap, Wiggle, and Shake
✓ Guagliano Pérez Prado More Music To Watch Girls By [Disc 2]
✓ Dig a Little Deeper Jenifer Lewis & Pinnacle Gospel Choir The Princess and the Frog (Original Soundtrack)
✓ Everybody Say Hello Bourne Leisure Rory & Bradley's Show Fantastic 2
✓ Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat: Any Dream Will Do London Palladium Cast Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (2005 Remastered London Palladium Cast Recording)
✓ The Lollipop Guild Herbert Stothart The Wizard Of Oz
✓ Yellow Submarine The Beatles Real Love
✓ Ray Laid Low Randy Newman The Princess and the Frog (Original Soundtrack)
✓ Matchstalk Men & Matchstalk Cats & Dogs (1978 No.1 Single) Brian Burke & Michael Coleman Huge Hits of the 60s & 70s
✓ What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong More Music To Watch Girls By [Disc 2]
✓ Over The Rainbow Herbert Stothart The Wizard Of Oz
✓ Sugar, Sugar The Archies The Archies
✓ Heroes And Villains Brian Wilson Smile
✓ Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Julie Andrews/Dick Van Dyke Mary Poppins (Original Soundtrack) [English Version]
✓ Ma Belle Evangeline Terence Blanchard & Jim Cummings The Princess and the Frog (Original Soundtrack)
✓ Two Little Boys Rolf Harris Ideal
✓ Flaming Moe's The Simpsons Songs In The Key Of Springfield
✓ 99 Red Balloons Nena The Definitive 80's
✓ Il Barbiere Di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville) (Sung in English), Act I, Scene 2: Cavatina: La la la Lera (Figaro) Alan Opie, English National Opera Orchestra & Gabriele Bellini Rossini: The Barber of Seville (Sung In English)
✓ It's Oh So Quiet Björk Post
✓ The Banana Boat Song Stan Freberg The Crazy World of Stan Freberg
✓ Lollipop The Chordettes Greatest Hits
✓ Magic Moments Perry Como Music To Watch Girls By Vol. 1 (Disc 1)
✓ Underwater Wonderland The Simpsons Go Simpsonic With The Simpsons
✓ How Much Is That Doggie In the Window? Lita Roza More Vintage Children's Favourites
✓ How Did It Come To This Take That The Circus
✓ You've Got a Friend In Me Various Artists Toy Story
✓ The Ugly Duckling Danny Kaye The Ugly Duckling and Other Great Songs
✓ Sailing Home Karen O and the Kids Where the Wild Things Are (Motion Picture Soundtrack): Original Songs by Karen O and The Kids
✓ Shaddup You Face Joe Dolce Made In Australia
✓ Married Life Michael Giacchino Up! (Original Score)
✓ Worried Shoes Karen O and the Kids Where the Wild Things Are (Motion Picture Soundtrack): Original Songs by Karen O and The Kids
✓ She Taught Me How to Yodel Frank Ifield Remembering the Sixties
✓ Over the Rainbow Ella Fitzgerald Sings the Harold Arlen Song Book
✓ Mr. Plow The Simpsons Go Simpsonic With The Simpsons
✓ Roll Over Beethoven The Beatles With The Beatles
✓ I'm On My Way The Proclaimers The Best of the Proclaimers
✓ Sing Carpenters Carpenters: Gold - Greatest Hits
✓ The Lion Sleeps Tonight (Wimoweh) The Tokens The Lion Sleeps Tonight
✓ I Dont Feel Like Smiling Today Bourne Leisure Rory & Bradley's Show Fantastic 2
✓ My Boy Lollipop Millie Island Life: 50 Years of Island Records (Bonus Track Version)
✓ Spanish Flea Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass Definitive Hits
✓ Mama Says The Beach Boys Smiley Smile / Wild Honey
✓ Hey Bulldog The Beatles Yellow Submarine
✓ Oliver's Army Elvis Costello The Very Best Of Elvis Costello Disc 1
✓ All Is Love Karen O and the Kids Where the Wild Things Are (Motion Picture Soundtrack): Original Songs by Karen O and The Kids
✓ What's New Pussycat? Tom Jones Music To Watch Girls By, Vol. 3 [Disc 1]
✓ A Windmill In Old Amsterdam Ronnie Hilton Original Hits - Sixties
✓ A Boozehound Named Barney The Simpsons Go Simpsonic With The Simpsons
✓ Your Wife Don't Understand You The Simpsons Songs In The Key Of Springfield
✓ "I Will Go Sailing No More" Various Artists Toy Story
✓ You Are My Sunshine Frank Turner Love Ire & Song + The First Three Years
✓ Everyday Buddy Holly & The Crickets The Buddy Holly Story
✓ The Village Green Preservation Society The Kinks The Kinks Are The Village Green Preservation Society: Mono [Disc 2] [Bonus Tracks]
✓ Homer's Barbershop Quartet (Medley) The Simpsons Songs In The Key Of Springfield
✓ Shine Take That Beautiful World
✓ Beyond The Sea Bobby Darin Music To Watch Girls By Vol. 1 (Disc 1)
✓ How D'ya Like Your Eggs In The Morning? Dean Martin / Helen O'Connell Just The Two Of Us
✓ Pennies from Heaven Louis Prima All Time Greatest Hits
✓ The Twist (Yo, Twist!) [feat. Chubby Checker] Original Fat Boys Archives: Fat Boys On Rewind
✓ The Lullaby League Herbert Stothart The Wizard Of Oz
✓ Gizzabanana Haven Holidays Rory's Greatest Hits
✓ Help Yourself Tom Jones Music To Watch Girls By, Vol. 3 [Disc 2]
✓ Coconut Drums Haven Holidays Rory's Greatest Hits
✓ Two Dozen And One Greyhounds (Medley) The Simpsons Songs In The Key Of Springfield
✓ Pure Imagination Anthony Newley, Leslie Bricusse & O.S.T. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (Soundtrack from the Motion Picture)
✓ Will You Love Me Tomorrow The Shirelles Let's Hear It For The Girls Again
✓ Follow The Yellow Brick Road/You're Off To See The Wizard Herbert Stothart The Wizard Of Oz
✓ Super Bradley Bourne Leisure Rory & Bradley's Show Fantastic 2
✓ When The Red, Red, Robin Comes Bob, Bobbin' Along Carmen McRae Jazz For Kids - Sing, Clap, Wiggle, and Shake
✓ High Hopes Frank Sinatra The Capitol Years
✓ Uptight (Everything's Alright) Stevie Wonder Tamla Motown Gold (Disc 2)
✓ Asteroid (Pearl & Dean Theme) Pearl & Dean Asteroid (Pearl & Dean Theme) - Single
Perhaps this sould be on the "feeling old" thread...
But there's something wrong when a 4 year-old's Ipod playlist is longer and much, much better than your own.
Raffi
I discovered Raffi on Amazon when my daughter was in nappies. The guy covered many classic kids songs and wrote loads of his own back in the 70s. Him and his guitar and a very cool funky way about him. My kid's 4 now and still insists on him in the car, There Came A Girl From France, Corner Grocery Store and Aikendrum being particular favourites. My only annoyance about this is the fact that the geezer has so many entries in my Top 250 Most Played Tunes playlist on my iPod.... those damn pesky kids entertainers....
RAFFI!
Oh, he's amazing. I was introduced to him by my wife's family, who have a large Canadian contingent, and he's really top quality. Bless him to the ends of the earth. Or Vancouver. Whichever is further.
Strangest thing my sprog has liked?
I was listening to some varied stuff on Spotify with my four-year old sitting on my lap. I ended up browsing Carla Bley, and decided to listen to Fleur Carnivore for the first in yonks. Little Rosbif loved it! Who'd have seen that coming? I can't find it on the web, but check it out on Spotify, it's strange and wonderful.
Another strange record she loves it Laurie Anderson's O Superman, though I don't find that surprising.