music for kids that parents like, too
Shelterrific friend Sarah, mom to two young girls, writes to us about “this bit of genius,” also known as They Might Be Giants’ latest release for kids (and adults), Here Come the 123s. “Death to The Wiggles!” Sarah cries, then quickly amends, “I do like them, but it is hard not to listen to something with a bit more sense of humor to it. Between They Might Be Giants and Spoon (Not kid music but the kids love it!), we haven’t had to have The Wiggles on in over a month!” This reminds me of when my 17-year-old niece was a baby — nothing could soothe her quite like listening to Londonbeat! Let us know if you have any good or surprising kid-friendly music to share. — Mary T.
February 12th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I’m sure lots will post about Dan Zanes, but Dan Zanes is great!
http://www.danzanes.com
Ex-Del Fuegos guy, he has some great musicians and has guest performers like John Doe, Debbie Harry and Aimee Mann. A great break from The Doodlebops, Wiggles, et al.
February 12th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
My musical taste is all over the map, so I like a lot of what my kids like. We love Dan Zanes, and also The Roches have a kids album (Will You Be My Friend) that really grew on me. We’ve listened to the soundtrack to Les Miserables for years and had incredible conversations about right and wrong and the many nuances thereof as a result. I’ve played some things from Avenue Q for them - they especially like “I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today.”
We like Bill Harley, storyteller and singer. Love Matt Nathanson’s take on “Starfish and Coffee,” but haven’t heard much else of his. Jessica Harper and Sweet Honey In The Rock are great - my daughters used to sing Sweet Honey’s “Women” at the top of their lungs. Philadelphia Chickens is a household favorite. The Seal Maiden by Karen Casey is beautiful - the album is a collection of songs that narrate the story of the seal maiden, and Casey’s voice is amazing. (always makes me cry, though) If you have access to XM radio, check out XM Kids, 116. Kenny Curtis DJ’s the morning show, called The Animal Farm. He is funny and hip and plays a lot of good stuff. Also lets kids call in and chats them up on while they’re on their way to school! I could go on and on about kids and music. Oh look. I did.
February 13th, 2008 at 2:51 am
My neices really like the Hoosiers - reasonably new british band but their really fun and upbeat - and I love not having to listen to Hannah montana anymore!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKrAeJZj8BE
February 13th, 2008 at 5:15 am
Anyhing by the Laurie Berkner band is fantastic. We listen to her music all the time.
February 13th, 2008 at 8:03 am
Heard that Carly Simon has one, and I thought that it won some sort of parenting award.
Also heard this on NPR
http://www.youaremyflower.org/home.html
February 13th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Love this topic! I couldn’t stand most of the music my kids wanted to listen to as little kids - but Judy Pancoast’s cds are awesome!! And if you listen carefully to the lyrics…. you’ll get a chuckle, too. She’s at http://www.judypancoast.com.
I just saw this quote at her site: “Adults will not be immune to the music, as I find myself dancing with my children to all the songs.” -Customer Review, Amazon.com
& they’re right!
February 13th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
They Might be Giants are definitely my 2.5 year old son’s favorite (and my favorite kids’ music too). We have their earlier kid albums on the iPod and the “No” song is one my little guy sings all the time. We’ll have to get this new one.
Also second Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner. We just saw Dan Zanes in concert this past weekend and my son danced for an entire hour. Too cute! and boy did he sleep well afterwards.
For the evenings in the car when I want to mellow him out Lisa Loeb has a cool kids’ CD (can’t remember the name - it’s on the iPod) and the Innocence Mission has a great album of standards like What a Wonderful World, Edelweiss etc. that relaxes my little guy and encourages him to fall asleep during the trek home from Nana’s house.
Our 2 year-old also loves Radiohead and he was mesmerized by seeing Rodrigo y Gabriela on TV and now rocks out whenever they come on.
February 14th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I just stumbled across this article on Putumayo Kids music and thought I’d share:
http://www.babble.com/content/articles/columns/5minutetimeout/putumayo-kids/
February 18th, 2008 at 6:00 am
[...] 4. Your children have very good taste in music. We asked, you answered, and there’s a lot of kid-friendly music out there that adults like, too. (Dan Zanes is a popular mention.) Says Kerry, “They Might Be Giants are definitely my 2.5-year-old son’s favorite (and my favorite kids’ music, too)…Also second Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner. We just saw Dan Zanes in concert this past weekend and my son danced for an entire hour. Too cute! And boy did he sleep well afterwards.” Get more great not-just-for-kids music recos here. [...]
February 21st, 2008 at 5:45 am
You can get a great cd at this website:
http://www.peterapel.com/
The name of the album is “I’ve Got a Dinosaur on My Head”. I’ve been giving this as gifts to my friends with kids and they love it. The songs are great and adults will get a kick out of them too. My personal favorite song is called “Sometimes I eat Oatmeal for Breakfast”, but “Peackocks don’t lay eggs” is pretty funny too…and educational! :o)
You can also buy it on Amazon.com or CDBaby
February 22nd, 2008 at 10:36 am
My four year-old LOOOOVES the Johnny Cash children’s album, and it’s growing on my two-year old as well. I love the sound of his stubborn little voice demanding “I want Johnny Cash!”