The Nursery Club Playlist

[ms.peachy]

OK gang, I need some suggestions for songs to sing to/play for the baby, when she comes along in a couple months. Mr.peachy and I were talking about it earlier - we want to get together a bunch of songs that are good, fun, kid-safe kind of songs, that we can play around the house and dance and sing along with, and that when she gets olf enough to start singing around strangers aren't going to arouse the interest of Children's Services. So we're looking for things that are a bit beyond 'b-i-n-g-o' and a little bit rock and roll, but that have lyrics on the safer side of "hey hey mama said the way move, gonna make you sweat gonna make you groove".

So far we've agreed we need to include the Beatles' Yellow Submarine (of course - what kid doesn't like Lello Subbareen?), Talking Heads' Stay Up Late, and Elton John's Crocodile Rock (shut up man, I loved that song when I was 5). We only just started thinking about it so that's it so far but we're looking for suggestions. So, what did you like to sing when you were a wee one?

[ToucanSpam]

Anything by Mozart, Bach, Handel, or Wagner.

[ms.peachy]

Anything by Mozart, Bach, Handel, or Wagner.
Please, like she doesn't already get JSB's Magnificat through the headphones on the belly at least once a week.

[Ally Al]

golden slumbers beatles version, my mum used to sing it to me when i was little, always brings back nice memories

[ToucanSpam]

Please, like she doesn't already get JSB's Magnificat through the headphones on the belly at least once a week.
I'm just trying to help.

[mickill]

I really wanted to think of a good Kinks song, since a lot of their tunes are so sing-a-longish, but the lyrics almost always have some kind of vaguely suggestive lyrics. Well, the best songs, anyway.

How about She's A Rainbow by The Stones or Union City Blue by Blondie. Neither are my absolute favortite songs by either group, but this is hard, man.

I play a lot of different things for Ava. But I guess once she starts wanting to sing along and actually understands some of the words, I'll start to use a little more discretion. She seems to really enjoy Elton John and Prince. Kinda have to be careful with the Prince, though. No Darling Nikki or Cream for her. She likes Raspberry Beret a lot. Hey, how about Raspberry Beret? Wait....But I could tell when she kissed me, she knew how to get her kicks...and if it was warm she wouldn’t wear much more...Hmm, nevermind, I guess.

[ms.peachy]

I'm just trying to help.
I know ya are, sorry if I seemed snappy. But mostly I'm looking for more pop-rock kinda stuff for this.

mickill - I reckon for Blondie, One Way or Another would be ok, no? I could just tell her it's about playing hide and seek.

Oh and also Rockaway Beach will be on there, I forget that one before.

[mickill]

That's like a total stalker song, though. You don't want to lie to your child!

I was thinking We're A Happy Family by The Ramones, just because of the title and whatever. Then I remembered those last lines about " making a fortune selling daddy's dope". That'd be a fun one to explain to her.

[ms.peachy]

That's like a total stalker song, though. You don't want to lie to your child!


Stalking, hide and seek - same thing though really, innit? Tomayto, tomahto?

[mickill]

Just make sure you don't look into the child's eyes when you sing the "I'm gonna trick ya" part. I hope you feel bad, ms deceivy--i mean, peachy.

Oh, I glanced down at the De La Soul thread a second ago and thought how about The Magic Number, perhaps? That's a great song for kids. I know it's not rock, but whatevs, man.

[abcdefz]

"Don't Push Me Down" - Woody Guthrie


...he's got a whole bunch of kid songs, but that's one of my favorites. (y)

[ms.peachy]

Just make sure you don't look into the child's eyes when you sing the "I'm gonna trick ya" part. I hope you feel bad, ms deceivy--i mean, peachy.

Oh, I glanced down at the De La Soul thread a second ago and thought how about The Magic Number, perhaps? That's a great song for kids. I know it's not rock, but whatevs, man.
duuuude, so, no Santa Claus in your house then I take it.

Magic Number's a good one; duly noted.


a-z - mr.p is a big Woodie fan so I'm sure that there may well be something on the final list. Good thinking.

[Ally Al]

Oh, I glanced down at the De La Soul thread a second ago and thought how about The Magic Number, perhaps? That's a great song for kids. I know it's not rock, but whatevs, man.[/QUOTE]


de la or the orig ?

[mickill]

De La.

Are you talking about Bob Dorough?

[pshabi]

OK gang, I need some suggestions for songs to sing to/play for the baby, when she comes along in a couple months. Mr.peachy and I were talking about it earlier - we want to get together a bunch of songs that are good, fun, kid-safe kind of songs, that we can play around the house and dance and sing along with, and that when she gets olf enough to start singing around strangers aren't going to arouse the interest of Children's Services. So we're looking for things that are a bit beyond 'b-i-n-g-o' and a little bit rock and roll, but that have lyrics on the safer side of "hey hey mama said the way move, gonna make you sweat gonna make you groove".

So far we've agreed we need to include the Beatles' Yellow Submarine (of course - what kid doesn't like Lello Subbareen?), Talking Heads' Stay Up Late, and Elton John's Crocodile Rock (shut up man, I loved that song when I was 5). We only just started thinking about it so that's it so far but we're looking for suggestions. So, what did you like to sing when you were a wee one?


My son was born in March 03. He loved Ch-Check it Out when it came out. He even could sing the fressssssssssh part.

Also, have you ever heard of the Wiggles? My son is going to be 3 shortly. He watches that show religiously. While it seems a "little fruity" at first, it's really all about music. Watching that show has made my son enjoy music, learn how to sing, dance, and be an overall showman.

[Ally Al]

De La.

Are you talking about Bob Dorough?

i could be, i can't get into my cd's coz they're in the room where my kids are sleeping, is he the dude that the 3 it's the magic number sample comes from ? i haven't listened to that for a while and can't remember the dudes name

[fucktopgirl]

This thing is weird!!i mean just play what you want,anyway she will not understand the lyrics for a while.ANd when she is old enough then you choose!!The important thing now is the good beat,rhythm.Just listen to what you like to listen too!!

[thegoodmrbrodie!]

uptown girl.

[EN[i]GMA]

Let the kids listen to Tom Waits. He'll scare their asses in to shape.

[jackrock]

when i was young i used to love and groove to bad boys, bad boys what'cha gonna do?!and we will, we will rock you!
and look at me know im ... fine!

[milleson]

Harry Belafonte is always good. Clean lyrics, and funky rhythms. Both my kids still jam to it when it comes up on the CD changer.

[ms.peachy]

This thing is weird!!i mean just play what you want,anyway she will not understand the lyrics for a while.ANd when she is old enough then you choose!!The important thing now is the good beat,rhythm.Just listen to what you like to listen too!!
You seem to have missed the point. We are making a list of stuff the we can burn together especially for her.

[Ally Al]

dream a little dream - mammas and the pappas

and my kids love amarillo and build me up buttercup

[DroppinScience]

You guys like They Might Be Giants? Their stuff is very kid-friendly.

They also put out a children's album last year, so that'd be perfect for the new addition to the peachy family. (y)

[milleson]

All right, more specific suggestions:

Brian Setzer Orchestra - Jump Jive 'An Wail

Harry Belafonte - Jump in Line (Yeah, that song from Beetlejuice)

Beatles - Octopus's Garden
Beatles - Drive my Car (Elmo from Sesame Street did an awesome cover of this song)

[ms.peachy]

thanks for all the suggestions guys, keep them coming :)

mr.p and I have agreed two more: REM's Shiny Happy People, and Rain on the Roof by the Lovin' Spoonful.

Maybe Adam Ant's Goody Two Shoes as well, because it's nice and stampy and lyrically the subtext is totally subtle, nothing a little kid would ever get. They'd just think it's about, you know, a goody two shoes.

[Guy Incognito]

Tiger Feet - Mud
Apparently this was the first song i ever danced to - according to my mum

Woo Hoo - The 5,6,7,8's

[DroppinScience]

thanks for all the suggestions guys, keep them coming :)

mr.p and I have agreed two more: REM's Shiny Happy People, and Rain on the Roof by the Lovin' Spoonful.

Maybe Adam Ant's Goody Two Shoes as well, because it's nice and stampy and lyrically the subtext is totally subtle, nothing a little kid would ever get. They'd just think it's about, you know, a goody two shoes.

I strongly urge you add some They Might Be Giants in there! "Birdhouse in Your Soul" is a must.

And not to mention, their latest children's album is a good way for the new arrival to know the alphabet. :)

[Drederick Tatum]

good call on Stay Up Late, but I've always thought the song has slightly cruel undertones running through it. babies need sleep apparently...Don't Worry About The Government could be another good one.

Caleb-Baby,Your Phrasing Is Bad
Curtis Mayfield-Little Child Runnin' Wild
Sam & Dave-When Something Is Wrong With My Baby
Guns n' Roses-Sweet Child O' Mine
Sly & The Family Stone-Just Like A Baby
Amboy Dukes-Baby, Please Don't Go

[Drederick Tatum]

holy shit, that Sly Stone track is so fuckin sweet.

[jackrock]

50 billion bucks says she doesnt think twice about my suggestion. i won't blame ya though :)

[Lex Diamonds]

Wu Tang Clan- Shame On A Nigga


But seriously folks... I used to like Kraftwerk when I was a young'un. Me and my dad used to dance around to "We Are The Robots" on vinyl in his study. (y)

[ms.peachy]

50 billion bucks says she doesnt think twice about my suggestion. i won't blame ya though :)
Oh I dunno, We Will Rock You could be a contender. Although I might rather use (I Want to Ride My) Bicycle.

[jackrock]

Oh I dunno, We Will Rock You could be a contender. Although I might rather use (I Want to Ride My) Bicycle.
yeh, i used to jam to those songs when i was about 4 or 5 so maybe in a few years ;)

[Documad]

I too loved Crocodile Rock when I was a kid. (y)

Sunday Girl is the Blondie song. That Stones song -- She's a Rainbow is a good suggestion. I loved that as a tot. There are lots more Beatles songs. I like All Together Now for kids. Cat Stevens' Peace Train. These are more about my childhood, but then I was also addicted to all the girl groups and motown songs. You can't go wrong with the O'Jays or Earth Wind and Fire.

I like songs from Broadway/movie musicals for singing to kids. I used to sing Good Mornin' from Singing in the Rain to my dog sometimes.

[BangkokB]

Cats in the Cradle will prepare them for the inevitable. Have your secretary call my secretary and I will arrange for teh transfer

and to even the playing field Mothers Little Helper has a nice ring to it

So Puff the Magic Dragon so I can get back to watching H.R. Pufnstuf in peace

[enree erzweglle]

I remember trying to instill in him an appreciation for the obvious rock classics, but when my kid was very young, I was in a friend's car and listening to that friend's Tears for Fears doing "Shout" when my kid got religion over that song. It would play and finish, and from the back seat, he would go in this tiny voice, "Again?" I'd rewind it and play it. Over and over and over. I cannot hear that song without hearing his "Again?" at the end.

The same thing happened with Del Amitri's "Roll to Me." Again?

When he was older and sitting in the backseat of the car, if I played music that he couldn't tolerate, he'd extend my "The Club" and very, very slowly, he'd move it into the front part of the car. I'd see it coming in peripherally. He would point to the radio and use The Club to quietly change the channel. Then very slowly, he'd retract it and put it back under my seat. All done very, very slowly, like maybe slowly enough that I wouldn't notice. Sometimes I put light FM on just to watch him do this.

So, maybe what you play casually, your kid will latch onto and what you surround yourself with while you're carrying her will go into her fetus/infant/toddler ear and out the other.

Or maybe it's a delayed reaction. I was into the beatles, led zeppelin, and pink floyd when I was pregnant with my kid and as he grew up. His dad was into Janet Jackson and Paula Abdul. But the stuff that my kid listens to now has nothing to do with anyone who ever wore shoulder pads. He's a led and pink floyd fan. Or maybe he's just a bit of a stoner.

[paece!-man]

I would try some of that Trip Hop-stuff.
I have two bro's and one sis (age: 1,3,9) and they all like some songs from:
Royksopp
Massive Attack
Portishead

But always remind to play positive music.

[abcdefz]

a-z - mr.p is a big Woodie fan so I'm sure that there may well be something on the final list. Good thinking.





...he'll probably go for "The Car Song." That one's good, too. (y)

[cosmo105]

i grew up on Raffi. maybe that explains a lot.

how about some Costello? heavy on the synth.

Of Montreal is nice and happy and bouncy too. except for "the party's crashing us" - i don't think you want mini-peach to be hollering "you fucked the suburbs out of me."

[ms.peachy]

On a seperate but highly related note, I think I'm going to have to buy this. (http://www.nippazwithattitude.com/punkrockbabycd.html)

[Guy Incognito]

On a seperate but highly related note, I think I'm going to have to buy this. (http://www.nippazwithattitude.com/punkrockbabycd.html)

That site's ace - the missus kinda took over then and has just emailed the link to our friends for when the babys born, all those tunes were good - blue monday and she sells sanctuary are top.

[ms.peachy]

So I was thinking, the night I told mr.p I thought I was pregnant, we were on our way to see Iggy and the Stooges, so I thought it would be fun to have an Iggy song on there too. But what's suitable for wee ones? I thought maybe The Passenger, as it's got that nice swingy syncopation and the catchy "la la, la la, la la la la" chorus. Whaddya think?