and he painted matchstalk men and matchstalk cats and dogs…
Frank Sinatra High Hopes
I was going to suggest Tranquilize by the Killers, featuring Lou Reed, but I’m not sure it would count, since the children only sing one small part. It’s not nearly as good when it’s performed without Lou and the kids, though.
Nor do I. Came into this thread to mention that song. In fact, I find the children singing along with John, “War is over if you want it” rather charming. Puts a lump in my throat.
Yes, the Hawaiian is what makes it charming to me as well, although the second one is probably 50% Hawaiian, 25% English, and 25% Hawaiian pidgin. Its also fun to sing along to – “Lalala i kala hanahana, Me ke kai hoene i ka pu’e one!”. “Little Grass Shack” is similarly fun for the same reason.
“Youth of a Nation” by P.O.D. has a good-sounding children’s choir in it.
The Chili Pepper’s “Aeroplane” features Flea’s daughter Clara and her school mates singing the chorus at the end. Love that song.
Gorillaz - “Dirty Harry”
(is that pop? I’ve heard it in a restaurant…)
“Would You Love Me” by Chuck Prophet.
I like the creepiness of the kids singing in Oingo Boingo’s Insanity . I never saw the video before I looked up that link but it’s about as weird as I would have expected.
Same for the “we will rock you, rock you little snakes…” bit from Genesis’ Supper’s Ready.
Aw shit.
Wow, that song’s really good! Surprised I’d never heard it before.
The harmonies at the end are sung by three adult sisters, Maread, Shelagh & Deirdre Hannan.
Have you heard the new version that was released a few weeks ago? New lyrics in the verses to commemorate the Apology to the Stolen Generations earlier this year, with vocals from the original writers and singers (Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody), plus quite a few other Australian artists.
Thank you SO much for bringing this LONG FORGOTTEN nightmare back to my consciousness ! I was living in the bay area when this song came out, and it was inescapable !
Thanks, Monkey Chews. Ignorance fought, as they say. Thanks for the link too, though I have to say I prefer the original version. Paul Kelly has such a small following here that I actually hung out with him after a show and had a few beers. Really cool guy.
Sorry for the bump but this just came up on my iPod and made me think of this thread.
CAKE - “Sheep Go To Heaven”
I believe that is a Welsh male voice choir, not a children’s choir. (The main “character” from that album, Billy, is from Wales).
Pistols at dawn, you scalawag!
I was scanning this thread for a post about this song, cuz that’s just what I came in here to post for. One of the few RHCP songs I really like too, especially the children’s choir…IT’S MY AEROPLANE!