It doesn't take much to get me to make a playlist. Truly, if you have an occasion, or a theme, or even a slight inclination that you think deserves a soundtrack, I'm all over putting together the perfect collection of songs. So when Megan mentioned that her twin nieces, Ruby and Fiona, like to dance but maybe their parents were getting a little bit tired of Raffi-esque children's music, I was at my computer in no time.
It has long been my belief that kids like all kinds of music and that we, as learned adults, can expose them to all kinds of fun music without having to constantly listen to the often grating selection of "kids' music" that exists. When I worked in daycare centres I brought music in all the time for whatever age group I was working with. My school agers loved The Hives and The Unlovables and Green Day.* The preschoolers loved The Detroit Cobras and the Gore Gore Girls. And the toddlers, who were around the same age as Ruby and Fiona are now, loved Cub and The Ramones. Rockaway Beach was their special favourite. I don't think I've actually owned any CDs that would be primarily classified as children's music, unless you count Veda Hille's kids CD with her band "Duplex" which is aimed at kids but pretty fun for adults to listen to as well.
Anyway, I am very pleased with the playlist I've created for Fiona and Ruby:
1. Instanbul (Constantinople) - They Might Be Giants
2. Hello Kitty - Cub
3. Rockaway Beach - The Ramones
4. Cha Cha Twist - Detroit Cobras
5. We Got The Beat - The Go-Gos
6. Bahamas - Andrew Vincent and the Pirates
7. Dance Party For Two - The Unlovables
8. A Picnic - Cub
9. New Kind of Neighbourhood - Jonathan Richman
10. I've Got a Twelve Pack** And I'm Going To Change The World - Captain Chaos
11. Particle Man - They Might Be Giants
12. My Baby Love Love Loves Me - Jonathan Richman
13. ABC 123 - The Pipettes
14. Rock'n Roll High School - The Ramones
15. You're a Star - Josie and the Pussycats
16. This is What I Want - This Bike is a Pipe Bomb
I listened to it tonight while I did my dishes and there was a lot of kitchen dancing happening. So I think it will also work for toddler dancing. If anyone out there has kids and wants a copy of the mix, let me know and I'd be happy to burn one for you.
J.
*They also really liked it when The Banditas and The Pirates came to play an afternoon rock show at the after school program. And I can't resist posting some of my favourite photos from that day:
** He's talking about markers, not beer.
2 comments:
I take way too much pleasure from the "pooing & peeing" song on the Duplex! CD. Cracks me up every time.
Oh I know! That was a big hit with daycare staff as well. Because so much of it happens on a daily basis!
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