50 songs for kids AND their parents (or 50 songs for kids that aren’t utter crap)
I love music. Kids love music. The problem is, some people purporting to make children’s “music” obviously hate parents. They’re probably not too keen on children either, come to think of it. Just because they’re young doesn’t mean they don’t have any taste. I’m not against spinning the occasional silly songs collection (although I do draw the line at pop covers sung by children). But let’s face it: calling some of this stuff garbage is an insult to garbage.
We recently spent about 18 hours in a car with both of our kids (9 hours each way). There was no way I was going to listen to The Wiggles for 9 hours. So the day before we left, I created a bunch of mix CDs with songs that I thought both the kids and I would like. I’m happy to report that it was a total success. The kids liked the songs and I kept my sanity.
Here are 50 of the highlights from that trip, in no particular order:
Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen
If I Had $1,000,000 by Barenaked Ladies
Waltzing Matilda by Dan Zanes and Debbie Harry
Cherokee by Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra
Garden in the Rain by Diana Krall
Only You by NRBQ
Sunshine Barato by The Mosquitos
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by The Beatles
Love is Coming Back by The Flying Neutrinos
Sing Your Life by Morrissey
Come On Eileen by Save Ferris
Take Me Home Country Road by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Jump in Line by Cherry Poppin Daddies
Reach For the Sky by Social Distortion
You Got a Friend in Me by Randy Newman
Mamma Mia by ABBA
Such Great Heights by The Postal Service
At Last by Etta James
Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer
Love Shack by The B52s
Twist and Shout by The Beatles
Take On Me by Big Reel Fish
Dirty Old Town by The Fenians
Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What a Wonderful World by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole
Hungry Heart by Minnie Driver
Make Someone Happy by Jimmy Durante
Somebody to Love by Queen
Summerteeth by Wilco
Mahna Mahna by Cake
She’s Trying by The Dance Hall Crashers
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cindy Lauper
Whiskey in the Jar by The Fenians
We’re Going to be Friends by Jack Johnson
Grass Skirt by AGSFB
Penny Lane by The Beatles
The Nearness of You by Norah Jones
Misirlou by Dick Dale and His Del Tones
On the Road Again by Willy Nelson
Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and The Waves
Upside Down by Jack Johnson
Simmer Down by The Skatalites and Bob Marley
The District Sleeps Alone by The Postal Service
Octopus’s Garden by The Beatles
Young Pilgrims by The Shins
Rock Lobster by The B52s
Lonestart by Norah Jones
Salvador by Los Pinguous
Blue by The Jayhawks
Come Away With Me by Norah Jones
Dry the Rain by The Beta Band
If you’ve got more examples kid-friendly grownup songs, post ‘em in the comments.
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These are great. I’ve never heard a few so I’ll have to have to look for them. Of course, in our house, if it has the word train in it, the song is gold but, maybe I can get some of these in there somewhere.
These are great suggestions. You should make an iTunes “Mix” out of this list and link to it. Or something similar somewhere that you would get a kickback for referring us. Thanks again.
My two (ages 7 and 2.5) also love “If I Had A Million Dollars”! Their other favourites include:
Slide by Goo Goo Dolls
How To Save A Life by The Fray
One More Day by David Bailey (check out raymenie.wordpress.com/2007/04/02/one-more-day/ for the story behind that one)
I Wish I Knew How by Nina Simone
He’s Got The Whole World by Nina Simone
and pretty much any song by Jack Johnson or Joss Stone
They are also both big audiobook fans and I would recommend Morris Gleitzman’s “Aristotle’s Nostrils”, Alan Kurzweil’s “Leon and the Champion Chip”, and Robert Heinlein’s “Have Space Suit, Will Travel” as great audiobooks for older kids (my first grader is reading Harry Potter books so is a little ahead of is age!) that adults will find at least mildly amusing too. My toddler is a Dr Suess fan and I’d recommend any of the Dr Suess books read by Kelsey Grammar as reasonable for adults to listen to too. Julia Donaldson also has great audiobooks for toddlers and pre-schoolers but they’re irritating to any sane adult!
Hope that gives you something new for your next long journey!
My recent post on The Beatles, which I see were profusely represented in your mix. Way to go.
http://www.johncomeaux.com/2007/03/the_amazing_beatles.html
Stick Shifts and Safety Belts – CAKE
(actually a lot of CAKE songs could make it onto the list)
Istanbul/Constantinople – They Might Be Giants
(um, again…lots of They Might Be Giants could qualify)
Your Momma Don’t Dance and Your Daddy Don’t Rock and Roll – Loggins and Messina
Beautiful World – Iz
I’ve Got A World That Swings – TMB Giants
It isn’t Easy Being Greeen -and- The Lovers, The Dreamers, and Me – Kermit the Frog
That said, any chance of getting a copy of that c.d.???? Seriously. You’d be my best friend…forever…I promise!
The last CD I burned for my daughter wasn’t too bad:
Dinosaur In Your Bathtub, Trout Fishing in America
Elephant Hide and Seek, SteveSongs
The Cat Came Back, Laurie Berkner
Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens, Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Anything You Can Do, Ethel Merman
Oh Susanna, Elizabeth Mitchell & Lisa Loeb
My Favorite Things, Nathan
Pizza And Chocolate Milk, The Terrible Twos
Little Bitty, Alan Jackson
Pickles, The Gourds
Snuggle Puppy, Eric Stoltz
I Love You Always Forever, Donna Lewis
Bouncing Around the Room, Phish
It’s a Small World, Rockapella
We also listen to The Terrible Twos’ cd ‘Have You Ever Seen an Owl’ a lot to both of our enjoyment.
Maybe “Last Saskatchewan Pirate”, by the Arrogant Worms. If you don’t mind your kids hearing the word “damn”, that is.
[...] 50 songs for kids AND their parents “We recently spent about 18 hours in a car with both of our kids (9 hours each way). There was no way I was going to listen to The Wiggles for 9 hours. So the day before we left, I created a bunch of mix CDs with songs that I thought both the kids and I would like. I’m happy to report that it was a total success. The kids liked the songs and I kept my sanity.” We’re going on a road trip in a few days. This playlist has many good songs for both kids and adults. We even have some of these songs already on CD’s. [...]
I agree whole-heartedly with your assumption that children can be taught to disdain bad art very early. Very good goal.
Being a part-time nanny to one 2yearold boy, full time sister to 9 siblings ages 19, and daughter of music guru father; I know this quest.
I like to play Nickelcreek for my charges. The ‘I Am Sam’ and ‘Garden State’ soundtracks. Innocence Mission has a lullaby album that is just about perfection in notes.
Enjoy the photography, love the father thoughts… This is my lemonadeblog on a hot photoshop day.
These are great suggestions! I will have to link to this post. Perfect for long road trips to keep everyone sane.
Nicole @ carseattraveler.com
[...] John at Flagrant Disregard writes 50 Songs For Kids AND Their Parents. Think outside the regular Raffi and Wee Sing Silly Songs. Even Laurie Berkner and Dan Zanes can [...]
Great list. I have almost managed to find all of these songs. Thanks so much will definitely have to pass the info along.
Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles – is one of my 3 year olds favorites.
I would be happy to purchace the cd 50 Songs for Kids
Consider any of the following compilations;
FOR THE KIDS,FOR THE KIDS 2,AND FOR THE KIDS 3…
All these rule.
Any Jack Johnson (Curious George soundtrack especially)
other artists …Brady Rymer,Ralph’s World,and
(Nouvelle Vague )-(they cover 80’s/new wave songs in bossa nova style)…AWESOME
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac
Daddy’s Hands by Holly Dunn
Grandpa by The Judds
Forever Young – many remakes
100 years by Five For Fighting
My Wish by Rascal Flats
I Hope You Dance by Leann Womack
Dream Bid by Ryan Shuppe and The Ruberbands
Dust In The Wind by Kansas
Butterfly Kisses by Bob Carlisle