Kids Music That Doesn’t Suck
Published in Widow Digs by chefswidowI am a HUGE advocate for music in my children’s life. I listened to all sorts of music while they were both in utero. The Black Album was the soundtrack of my pregnancy with Catcher and Boys For Pele went hand in hand with Lou. Nowadays we listen to a helluva lot of tunes. We hit up Pandora, my iTunes, and even the good old fashioned radio. I make cd’s of kids music and my iphone playlists is all for them. It’s not easy finding music that I like and my kids like but for the most part I think I’ve got it down pat. Here are our faves:
The Obvious
Every kid, baby, toddler hearts LB. Her voice is melodic, her tunes catchy, and her words are filled with joy. Biggie Smalls listens to her ABC Medley at least 5x’s a day. My main beef with Laurie is the repeatedness. After I listen to her for 20 minutes my eyes start looking for a drink.
The Dooode
I heart Dan Zanes and I might be secretly in love with his pal Father Goose (his voice is purdy ). Catcher seriously gets down on some Zanes and in March we are going to his concert Can’t wait to hear Skip to My Lou.
The Bands
3. MilkShake & The Dream Jam Band
Milkshake has stolen the hearts of both my kids. They dig the music but they are hardcore in love with the Milkshake DVD. Their songs are rad especially because they add sound effects of pirate ships and the ocean on songs like Pirate. Another reason MilkShake rocks is their comic book. Not only does Catcher get to jam out but he gets to read along while doing so. Not bad for a kids band.
Catcher at The Dream Jam Band show
The Dream Jam Band is a new find for us. We recently headed down to Playhouse Square to catch their show. The Chef & I dropped off Biggie at the in laws and then packed Catcher up for a night on the town. The Dream Jam Band is a super funky psychedelic kids band that focuses on their instruments, lessons in their songs, and kid interaction. During the show they played a song about brushing your teeth and going to bed and Catcher went thru the entire motion. At one point I thought I might have to pick him up off the ground from ‘pretend’ sleeping.
The Folk Rocker
4. Kimya Dawson
You may now Kimya Dawson and her band Antsy Pants from the Juno soundtrack. Her voice is cute and pixie like and the majority of her songs have turned into my kids favorite driving music. Which totally works for me cause I think she rocks.
The Punks
5. The Ramones
This selection may surprise you but The Ramones define my son’s knowledge of rock and roll. He knows the words (his words) to Blitzkrieg Bop and his sister head-bangs throughout every song. At least once a day Catcher requests rock & roll (what he calls them) and I play it. A little punk rock never hurt anyone. Except The Ramones…
I love that my kids love music. It plays an important role in their life and their creativity grows everyday because of it. I want your kids’ creativity to do the same. Leave me a comment below letting me know your favorite music for your kids (doesn’t have to be a ‘kids’ band or singer) and you will be entered in a super sweet prize giveaway. I will pick TWO winners next Monday. The winners will receive either a Milkshake DVD or a Milkshake CD for your kids to rock out to. Bonne Chance.
M loves Johnny Cash – it think it’s the bass line that gets her going. She and I also love Dan Zanes in the kiddie-pop genre (thanks for the heads up on the concert – we might need to get tix). We got a free CD of Jim Cosgrove at Rock-n-Tots which she LOVES but makes me want to scream…it’s like Laurie in that after about 3 songs you are over it. She listens to a lot of what we listen to…Beastie Boys, U2, etc. -we just try to edit for bad words.
Laurie Berkener is one of my daughter’s fav and I really like the words to her songs. There’s one called “can you imagine” (i think that’s what it’s called) and it’s about imagining a world without trees and the many ways in which trees are so important to our lives. My daughter now draws countless pictures of people hugging trees! Jack Johnson is also requested frequently. She loves listening to music with her daddy and he’s so into music I wouldn’t even know that names of the bands she listens too but I’m sure her first concert will most likely be at the Beachland or the Grog Shop!
SO funny! I actually think all of those are FANTASTIC … your kids will have great taste as they grow up and will be open to pretty much anything. That alone and you have done your job!
I grew up fed by James Taylor and Crosby, Stills & Nash (with and without Young) … I was named for a folky Singer (Jesse Colin Young) and my dad and I even had our “song” (Song for Juli) … so listening to folky things is like a warm cozy blanket and a cup of tea!
I’ve been a fan of Ellis Paul since I was a freshman in college … and I have been to see him whenever he has played locally. He just put together his first kids album (although most of his albums are great for kids too) and I bought it for ALL of my friends with kids … Its called Dragonfly Races … and honestly, as an adult, I could listen to it over and over! Check it out!
We love LB and DZ, too. Have you heard Ralph’s World. He’s pretty cool too!! We’ve seen him in concert a couple times and he knows to rock a pre-school crowd.
The Fuzzy Stones from Cleveland! http://www.thefuzzystones.com/
We’ve seen Dan Zanes a couple of times. You’ll have a great time at that show!
My boys like the Avenue Q soundtrack…just be prepared to answer a lot of questions afterwards. We also like the Barenaked Ladies’ Snacktime.
My 4-year-old loves the Barenaked Ladies song “Pinch Me” just for the line “I just made you say underwear!” Everytime we’re in the car, she asks for the underwear song.
Kimya Dawson has a funny kids album called “Alphabutt.” We’re big fans, too.
Chuck Berry is king in our house.
we don’t have kids but love our nephews (will and garrett) and niece (stella) like they are our own….one of our favorite artists is elizabeth mitchell (you are my flower) that i randomly picked up in chicago : http://www.youaremyflower.org/home.html and the kids absolutely love her music (as do i ) also, they are a staple baby gift for all of my friends…some of our favorites: car car (will’s fav), so glad i’m here and you are my sunshine (of course)…..hope you love it as much as we do!!!!
thanks for all the great recommendations on your post!
what would we do without music????!!!!!
Aside from LB, DZ and RW we rock out to Bob Marley. I’m in the market for some new jams – I had a bad run in with LB and just *finally* gave in to purchasing one of her cds… it’s a little too much of the same song after song -
We love the Dirty Sock Funtime Band and Dan Zanes. The Ramones, too. My daughter likes music. Like, period. Anything. My son is a little more choosy. He fell in love with the Misfits after an iPod mistake, but I sorta nipped that in the bud. I really don’t want to explain what Devil’s Whorehouse means. Not at 5… LOL!
My son loves watching homemade Thomas the Tank Engine videos on YouTube and people often add in strange music. The kid now has a whole bunch of weird songs that we’ve collected from those videos, including ZZ Top and Alabama. God help me!
My son love The White Stripes! Check out The Fuzzy Stones – the music is for adults and kids.
Nothing gets those little heads bobbing more than “Bohemian Rhapsody”.