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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.

Comments

  1. Elaine on 2007-04-02 00:10:14 wrote: 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.

  2. Chris on 2007-04-02 07:40:16 wrote: 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.

  3. raymenie on 2007-04-02 15:05:12 wrote: 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!

  4. John C on 2007-04-03 20:06:35 wrote: 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

  5. s’mee on 2007-04-04 10:05:00 wrote: 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!

  6. Chris on 2007-04-04 12:15:52 wrote: 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.

  7. Pat J on 2007-04-05 14:30:57 wrote: Maybe “Last Saskatchewan Pirate”, by the Arrogant Worms. If you don’t mind your kids hearing the word “damn”, that is.

  8. Weekly Roundup #4 at MarloElaine on 2007-04-06 21:09:39 wrote: […] 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. […]

  9. Abi on 2007-04-07 19:22:28 wrote: 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.

  10. James’ Mom, Nicole on 2007-04-14 10:35:58 wrote: These are great suggestions! I will have to link to this post. Perfect for long road trips to keep everyone sane. Nicole @ carseattraveler.com

  11. Car Seat Traveler on 2007-04-14 10:53:11 wrote: […] 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 […]

  12. Krystal on 2007-05-22 11:02:44 wrote: 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.

  13. Kitty Nouguier on 2008-03-23 21:51:38 wrote: I would be happy to purchace the cd 50 Songs for Kids

  14. john laslie on 2008-05-03 07:21:26 wrote: 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

  15. Kim on 2008-12-12 12:28:30 wrote: 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