As noted in the previous FutureBaby playlist post, I started doing this after hearing Don McLean's "American Pie" on the radio while running errands the other day. Amusingly, you will note that that song is not present in this part of the list-- that's because I don't have an electronic copy of it. Which I suppose explains why I haven't heard it much until the other day in the car...
There's some stuff here that would be a little... incongruous to hear sung by a small child, but nothing too offensive, I don't think. And they're all songs I like, which is the important thing.
- "Good Times Roll," The Cars
- "Magic," The Cars
- "Shake It Up," The Cars
- "Just to See You Smile," Chuck Prophet (A really sweet and bouncy song. I'm baffled that it wasn't a huge hit. People are idiots.)
- "Train In Vain," The Clash
- "I Fought the Law," The Clash
- "Brimful Of Asha," Cornershop (I have no idea what this is about, but it's really catchy.)
- "Mr. Jones," Counting Crows
- "Einstein On The Beach (For An Eggman)," Counting Crows
- "Tank!," Cowboy Bebop
- "Happy Birthday To Me," Cracker ("Sometimes, I wish I were Catholic, I don't know why...")
- "Comin' Back Soon (The Bereft Man's Song)," Crash Test Dummies (Kate may veto this, but I like it)
- "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)," Darlene Love
- "Hospital Food," David Gray
- "Caroline," David Gray
- "Roll To Me," Del Amitri
- "Runaway," Del Shannon (Just for the "I WA WA Wonder" chorus...)
- "Long Time Coming," Delays
- "Giant Spiders," Devin Davis
- "Come On Eileen," Dexy's Midnight Runners (Too rah loo rah...)
- "Walk Of Life," Dire Straits (Synths!)
- "(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love And Understanding," Elvis Costello
- "Sunblock," Emmet Swimming (Another one that should've been a huge hit.)
- "Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby," Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch
- "A Little Respect," Erasure
- "1234," Feist
- "A Meaningful Dialogue," The Flash Girls ("I've got my fingers in my ears, I'm singing 'la la la la la la'")
- "Build Me Up Buttercup," The Foundations
- "I Want An Alien For Christmas," Fountains Of Wayne
- "Red Dragon Tattoo," Fountains Of Wayne
- "Hey Julie," Fountains Of Wayne
- "Crazy," Gnarls Barkley
- "Vacation," Go-Go's
- "Box Of Rain," Grateful Dead
- "Ripple," Grateful Dead
- "Brokedown Palace," Grateful Dead
- "Uncle John's Band," Grateful Dead
Thoughts? Comments? Suggestions?
Comments
When I think of songs my parents had me listen to growing up, I always think of "Alice's Restaurant" by Arlo Guthrie. I'm not sure if that's the style you're looking for, but I think it's a classic that everyone ought to hear at least once.
Posted by: Susan B. | March 12, 2008 12:38 PM
Actually, Susan B., I'd suggest they should here it more than once so that they get jokes referencing it. ("KID, HAVE YOU REHABILITATED YOURSELF?")
Posted by: marciepooh | March 12, 2008 1:37 PM
Agreed that "Alice's Restaurant" is a good choice for an older kid. But for most kids under five the length (it's 18.5 minutes long) is an issue. Not for all kids, mind you--I mentioned my love from infancy of the 1812 Overture on the last thread--but don't be surprised if a preschooler tunes it out.
Posted by: Eric Lund | March 12, 2008 5:34 PM
"Brimful Of Asha," Cornershop (I have no idea what this is about, but it's really catchy.)"
Asha Bhosle...she was a Bollywood star.
Posted by: Eric | March 12, 2008 11:24 PM
Ixnay on "Come On Eileen".
Posted by: Evan Goer | March 13, 2008 1:12 AM
Ixnay on "Come On Eileen".
What can I say? I'm a child of the 80's...
Posted by: Chad Orzel | March 13, 2008 10:08 AM
Me too, and it's a fine 80s song. I just think the theme and lyrics are Not Appropriate For Young Children. Yes, yes, I'm a prude, a nervous nellie, ... :)
Posted by: Evan Goer | March 13, 2008 11:33 AM
If you can understand what he's saying, you're doing better than I am.
I think it gets in under the "Louie Louie" Exemption-- it might be filthy or Satanic or whatever, but if you can't make out what the words are, no harm, no foul.
Posted by: Chad Orzel | March 13, 2008 11:42 AM
I think it gets in under the "Louie Louie" Exemption-- it might be filthy or Satanic or whatever, but if you can't make out what the words are, no harm, no foul.
This is why I like hip-hop from non-English speaking countries. Good dance beats and I have no idea what they are saying.
Posted by: marciepooh | March 13, 2008 5:47 PM