If you want to maybe get into some French-language kids' music, I remember when I was in immersion as a kid there was a singer named Matt who did (what was semi-cool in the 90s for educational) songs like "Le rock des dinosaures," "Louis la grenouille," and "Café Crocodile" (I found this site has this Greatest Hits album of his, as well as a bunch of other ones, by him and other artists: https://www.posterpals.ca/french-c-1/music-dvds-c-1_39/matt-maxwell-c-1_39_45/greatest-hits-p-267.html)
Not sure how much your kiddo would like early 90's educational French kid's songs, but hey - I STILL remember "Le rock des dinosaures" and am pretty sure it's gonna be stuck in my head for the rest of the day now...
Haha! In fact, it wasn't originally a children's song, but we re-recorded it for this album. You probably didn't notice that one of the lyrics is repeated twice. Well, that's because we had to replace the not-so-kid-friendly verse "why are your pants around your knees? Put it away!"
(I think it was actually inspired by Steve's frustration with everyone else being messy - he had a lot of roommates back then!)
Allan Arkin was the OG Brooklyn hipster dad musician. His kiddy folk band, The Babysitters, was the group my dad and uncles got to hear in their local park all the time.
Dan Zanes is the inheritor of that tradition.
Konya Dawson’s Alphabutt was well received in our house.
But mostly we just played our own music for the kid and waited until he yelled “Again!” So he had phases of nerding out on Jump Blues, Rockabilly, Beatles, classic CBGBs, and (ffs) the first Jonathan Richman album by the time he started school.
Mostly the "again" strategy has been ours too, which is why his tastes in music are so hilarious, and occasionally impress other parents at kids parties, when they're like "what do you want to do for kiddie karaoke?" and he's like "Blue Monday by New Order."
I still have several CDs of kids music you can have! One of my faves was 'The Bottle Let Me Down' compilation from Bloodshot records. I also have the first CDs by Smoosh etc. Fun fact: my kid did NOT like cool kid's music but was super into jive and swing. Put some Louis Jordan on!
It is hugely amusing that the first song he's ever heard from one of mommy's bands is the one with the most mom-like message possible. (Then again, a lot of Steve's lyrics always had mom-like messages.)
Haha, my kid has discovered Lady Gaga and Katy Perry and that's what he loves most right now.
I am always heartily recommending Walter Martin!! Especially his albums We're All Young Together and My Kinda Music ("Hey Matt" makes me chuckle every time). It's music for kids that isn't ONLY for kids! But I don't own the physical media, we just use streaming services.
If you want to maybe get into some French-language kids' music, I remember when I was in immersion as a kid there was a singer named Matt who did (what was semi-cool in the 90s for educational) songs like "Le rock des dinosaures," "Louis la grenouille," and "Café Crocodile" (I found this site has this Greatest Hits album of his, as well as a bunch of other ones, by him and other artists: https://www.posterpals.ca/french-c-1/music-dvds-c-1_39/matt-maxwell-c-1_39_45/greatest-hits-p-267.html)
Not sure how much your kiddo would like early 90's educational French kid's songs, but hey - I STILL remember "Le rock des dinosaures" and am pretty sure it's gonna be stuck in my head for the rest of the day now...
I am definitely looking up "Le rock des dinosaures" ASAP!!
We used to sing Tidy Up to the kids all the time! I never knew it came from a children’s album…Guy just told me it was because Steve was messy 😂
As for suggestions Mike Phirman’s Songs to Sing At Children makes me laugh (and the kids liked it too).
Haha! In fact, it wasn't originally a children's song, but we re-recorded it for this album. You probably didn't notice that one of the lyrics is repeated twice. Well, that's because we had to replace the not-so-kid-friendly verse "why are your pants around your knees? Put it away!"
(I think it was actually inspired by Steve's frustration with everyone else being messy - he had a lot of roommates back then!)
I never noticed that! I’ll have to listen to it again soon.
Guy also suggested The Story Pirates album “Nothing is Impossible” and anything by Parry Gripp (since our kids seem to have similar silliness levels!)
Thanks for those recommendations! I think our kids are definitely kindred spirits when it comes to silliness (and cool taste in music).
Allan Arkin was the OG Brooklyn hipster dad musician. His kiddy folk band, The Babysitters, was the group my dad and uncles got to hear in their local park all the time.
Dan Zanes is the inheritor of that tradition.
Konya Dawson’s Alphabutt was well received in our house.
But mostly we just played our own music for the kid and waited until he yelled “Again!” So he had phases of nerding out on Jump Blues, Rockabilly, Beatles, classic CBGBs, and (ffs) the first Jonathan Richman album by the time he started school.
Mostly the "again" strategy has been ours too, which is why his tastes in music are so hilarious, and occasionally impress other parents at kids parties, when they're like "what do you want to do for kiddie karaoke?" and he's like "Blue Monday by New Order."
I still have several CDs of kids music you can have! One of my faves was 'The Bottle Let Me Down' compilation from Bloodshot records. I also have the first CDs by Smoosh etc. Fun fact: my kid did NOT like cool kid's music but was super into jive and swing. Put some Louis Jordan on!
I am very into your hand-me-down music, Ms. Spitz!
Same. We were particularly fond of Jon Langford’s version of The Fox, especially when I explained that the song was at least 600 years old.
And yeah, jump blues is totally kids music.
It is hugely amusing that the first song he's ever heard from one of mommy's bands is the one with the most mom-like message possible. (Then again, a lot of Steve's lyrics always had mom-like messages.)
Hah, it's true! And I do not-so-secretly think Steve might have missed his calling as a children's entertainer.
Haha, my kid has discovered Lady Gaga and Katy Perry and that's what he loves most right now.
I am always heartily recommending Walter Martin!! Especially his albums We're All Young Together and My Kinda Music ("Hey Matt" makes me chuckle every time). It's music for kids that isn't ONLY for kids! But I don't own the physical media, we just use streaming services.
S also adores Lady Gaga. I'm definitely looking up Walter MArtin.