# Looking for fun, non-cloying kids' music - what do you recommend? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 30, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671 "2010-09-30T23:16:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Blut\_Aus\_Nord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Blut\_Aus\_Nord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blut_Aus_Nord)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/21 "2010-10-01T04:08:56Z")
Doc Watson - Songs for Little Pickers ---
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/22 "2010-10-01T04:17:37Z")
I recently saw a performance by [the Not-Its](http://amzn.to/c04a8p), who play children’s songs that rock as well as many adult pop/rock songs. The lead singer, Sarah Shannon, was lead singer of Velocity Girl about 15 years ago. An Amazon review says the Not-Its are good for kids who like The Presidents of the United States of America, so I guess they’re recommended too. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/23 "2010-10-01T04:44:08Z")
> [@IvoryTowerDenizen](#): > > Sandra Boyton’s Philadelphia Chickens. My kids at 15 and 12 and we still have fun singing the songs. Great music, great vocalists and excellent lyrics. Oh! Yeah, and she also has a jukebox 50’s style album out. The [One-Shoe Blues](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8rLuk2PoMA) and the Uninvited Marching Band are my favorites. Oh and Hippo Can Dance… ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/24 "2010-10-01T05:20:17Z")
Back in the day, Bruce Haack and Miss Nelson put out a series of albums of electronic music for children. I’m not sure it’s really aimed at “sing-along”, but it was intended to be “dance-along”. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but it’d be worth checking out if for no other reason than as historical examples of very early electronica. ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/25 "2010-10-01T06:47:23Z")
[Cars and Trucks](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf40xG3RJ5k) by Sugar Free Allstars. My grandkids love these guys. Their new CD is [Funky Fresh and Sugar Free](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003IR11UU/ref=dm_dp_cdp?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1272378815&sr=1-2-ent). ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 10:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/26 "2010-10-01T10:44:38Z")
This CD- [Jazz for Kids](http://www.amazon.com/Nickys-Jazz-Kids-Various-Artists/dp/B0000DI4TB/ref=pd_sim_m_6) is great, too. We got it at a museum on a family trip and the kids loved it. It’s original recording by the original artists- but simply songs that appeal to kids. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/27 "2010-10-01T12:43:41Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > Justin Roberts – Okay, his singing _voice_ **is** your standard clowny Weird Al-ish voice, but the music and the _phrasing_ of the singing are straight from 2000s pop-punk. Seconding Justin Roberts. Most of the music geared toward kids is so irritating, but JR’s stuff is quality, adult-level music with lyrics that are kid-centric. Some of them are really (intentionally) funny, some are sad, but they all are written to address things that are important from a kid’s point of view. I find myself humming them sometimes like I do ‘adult’ music. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/28 "2010-10-01T13:03:52Z")
My kids loved the **Beach Boys** , \*\*Chuck Berry \*\*and \*\*The Ramones \*\*(okay, Now I Wanna Sniff Some Glue and 53rd and 3rd didn’t get a lot of airplay, but they thought Beat on the Brat was hilarious.) ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/29 "2010-10-01T13:13:05Z")
What, no love for Trout Fishing in America? I think they’re really clever and their musical accompaniment is first-rate. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/30 "2010-10-01T13:18:09Z")
[Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films](http://www.amazon.com/Stay-Awake-Various-Interpretations-Vintage/dp/B000002GFM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1285938795&sr=8-1) is a real keeper. It’s time for Volume 2 of this one. [Saddle Pals](http://www.amazon.com/Saddle-Pals-Riders-Sky/dp/B0000003F6/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&qid=1285938845&sr=8-15) and [Woody’s Roundup](http://www.amazon.com/Woodys-Roundup-Riders-Sky/dp/B00004X09K/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1285938845&sr=8-11) by Riders in the Sky, instantly recognizable from the Toy Story soundtracks. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/31 "2010-10-01T14:14:21Z")
_Puff the Magic Dragon_ by Peter, Paul, & Mary. ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/32 "2010-10-01T14:54:17Z")
The Bare Naked Ladies album for kids is _awesome_. We adults loved it to, particularly the reggae song about the tadpole. ETA: It’s called [Snacktime!](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snacktime!) and Stephen Paige re-joined them for a couple of songs. The tadpole song is" Pollywog in a Bog". [Oh! Video!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIkqEF2Mvc8) ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2010, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/33 "2010-10-01T15:11:37Z")
Really? I’m really going to be the first person to bring up the excellent [**Schoolhouse Rock** box set](http://www.amazon.com/Schoolhouse-Rock-1973-Various-Artists/dp/B0000033TA/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285945316&sr=1-4), pricey though it is? Or how 'bout [**Schoolhouse Rock Rocks**](http://www.amazon.com/Schoolhouse-Rock-Rocks-Various-Artists/dp/B000005J80/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285945316&sr=1-2)? Or Tom T. Hall’s pretty-great [**Country Songs for Children**](http://www.amazon.com/Country-Songs-Children-Tom-Hall/dp/B000001DQK/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1285945436&sr=1-5)? Or [**Toon Tunes**](http://www.amazon.com/Toon-Tunes-Favorite-Classic-Cartoon/dp/B000003403/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285945503&sr=1-3) and [**The Carl Stalling Project**](http://www.amazon.com/Carl-Stalling-Project-Cartoons-1936-1958/dp/B000002LJE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285945573&sr=1-1), volumes I and [II](http://www.amazon.com/Carl-Stalling-Project-Cartoons-1939-1957/dp/B000002MN3/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285945573&sr=1-2)? And lastly, in my experience, one can never go wrong with [Disney music](http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Disney-Vol-Years-Musical/dp/B000001M26/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285945689&sr=1-1) ([all](http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Disney-Vol-Years-Musical/dp/B000001M28/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285945689&sr=1-2) [five](http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Disney-Vol-Years-Musical/dp/B000001M3H/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285945689&sr=1-3) [volumes](http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Disney-Vol-Years-Musical/dp/B000001M3J/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285945689&sr=1-4) [of it](http://www.amazon.com/Classic-Disney-5-Various-Artists/dp/B00000AGD6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1285945689&sr=1-5)). ---
**Author:** ![jennylou311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c4cdca/32.png) [@jennylou311](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jennylou311)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2010, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/34 "2010-10-02T04:01:00Z")
growing up I listened to anything by Sharon Lois and Bram the elephant show. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/35 "2010-10-03T00:14:53Z")
_“It’s the Uninvited Loud Precision Band! It’s the Best Intruding Band in all the Land!!!”_ 😃 We’re big Sandra Boynton fans. _Philadelphia Chickens_ and _BLue Moo_ are both great. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/36 "2010-10-03T00:20:07Z")
John Lithgow - [Singin’ in the Bathtub](http://www.amazon.com/Singin-Bathtub-John-Lithgow/dp/B00000I8A3) ---
**Author:** ![banjoDavid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@banjoDavid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/banjoDavid)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/37 "2010-10-03T00:54:51Z")
\*The Bottle Let Me Down \* Alt-country label Bloodshot put out this compilation a few years ago. Just as much fun for adults as for kids You and your kids will dig it. David ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/38 "2010-10-03T01:19:01Z")
**The Wombles** , by Mike Batt! ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/39 "2010-10-03T01:58:53Z")
Second the Sandra Boynton recommendation: Philadelphia Chickens is pretty dang funny and smart. There’s a local guy who does what he calls kid-hop: [Secret Agent 23 Skidoo](http://www.secretagent23skidoo.com/). It’s pretty fun stuff; give it a listen on his website. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2010, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671/40 "2010-10-03T02:18:26Z")
[Lead Belly - Lead Belly Sings for Children](http://kidsmusic.about.com/od/musicreviews/fr/leadbellysings.htm) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-fun-non-cloying-kids-music-what-do-you-recommend/555671.md?page=3)