# Songs for Toddlers (that won't irritate their parents) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 18, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364 "2012-11-18T01:07:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Krav\_Manga](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/krav_manga/32/3153_2.png) [@Krav\_Manga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krav_Manga)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/1 "2012-11-18T01:07:20Z")
My daughter is two and insists that we listen to “Cameron’s La Las” in the car when we drive. We did have a range of nursery rhymes and kids albums that almost became like injecting faeces directly into the eardrum, but have more recently settled on a play list of songs that she enjoys and that we tolerate (or in some cases, enjoy ourselves). The current list includes: [Stop and Go](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m37oqM9qkGk) by Elizabeth Mitchell and Lisa Loeb [Waltzing Matilda](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-tXGgzXT-o) by the Seekers [Doin It](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoNXagccNAY) by Justine Clarke [Skip to my Lou](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EM30ZHz04Q) by Pete Seeger [Manah Mahna](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us4PJgunZx8) by Cake Anyone else have any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/2 "2012-11-18T01:16:37Z")
They Might Be Giants has an awesome “kids” CD: [Here Comes Science](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002FKZ4UO/downandoutint-20) I also have a soft spot for [Laurie Berkner](http://www.laurieberkner.com/). I think that one entered the rotation 'cause Daddy had the hots for her, but it’s fun, infectious and largely not annoying. [Free To Be…You and Me](http://www.amazon.com/Free-You-Marlo-Thomas-Friends/dp/B000F2CC0E/ref=pd_cp_mov_1) is a childhood favorite of mine I gave my daughter, but she was largely confused by it. She just can’t grok why anyone would write songs and skits about why boys and girls can do the same things. Which, y’know, is a good thing. Otherwise, we pretty much listened to regular music and let them listen along. I’m not sure why people feel the need to play their kid special music. I’d rather let them hear \*good \*music, and learn to appreciate that. ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/3 "2012-11-18T01:32:21Z")
Ho Hey by the [Lumineers](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zvCBSSwgtg4#) Here Comes the Sun by [M. Ward](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oARKRB6hJX8#) First Song by [Andrew Bird](http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=kbDVrl9n-Co#)(well, anything by Andrew Bird) ---
**Author:** ![tomcar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tomcar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomcar)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/4 "2012-11-18T03:23:45Z")
Have checked out the Rock a Baby line of music. Basically, they are CDs with rock songs turned into nursery music. My son loved Kraftwerk when he was little. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/5 "2012-11-18T05:48:14Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I also have a soft spot for [Laurie Berkner](http://www.laurieberkner.com/). I think that one entered the rotation 'cause Daddy had the hots for her, but it’s fun, infectious and largely not annoying. I second the recommendation for Laurie Berkner. And just FYI, [amazon.com](http://amazon.com) is holding its early Black Friday sale and [The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band](http://www.amazon.com/The-Best-Laurie-Berkner-Band/dp/B003SJYGVO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1353216338&sr=8-13&keywords=laurie+berkner) is just $4.99 right now. I would also recommend Joanie Bartels. She recently did some “easy listening” kind of stuff, but she has a whole series of albums with the word “Magic” in them. I particularly recommend Lullaby Magic. You can listen to several of her albums in their entirety on [her myspace page.](http://us.myspace.com/joaniebartels) (There is an annoying audio ad that plays when you go to her page. Mute it, it has nothing to do with her music.) Have a look at ['Til Their Eyes Shine](http://www.amazon.com/Their-Eyes-Shine-Lullaby-Album/dp/B0000028L7/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1353217302&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=until+their+eyes+shine). It is a collection of original songs by several well-known singer songwriters. There is some dispute about whether this will appeal more to the parents than the kids, but it is a marvelous collection of songs. Take the time to check it out. ---
**Author:** ![redtail23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@redtail23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/redtail23)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/6 "2012-11-18T05:50:23Z")
[**Brave Combo**](http://www.brave.com/bo/allwoundup.htm), nuclear polka band, has a great kid’s album. Or you can hope for the same result that my friend had, when she could not take any more toddler music. She retreated to the other room and put on some Ramones. Two minutes later, the kid was in the room and rockin’ out. That was the end of the toddler music - she’s a rock & roll girl. ---
**Author:** ![AngelSoft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/angelsoft/32/440_2.png) [@AngelSoft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AngelSoft)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 7:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/7 "2012-11-18T07:08:05Z")
I have been told that I am crazy and completely off my rocker for loving the show, but I find just about all of the music done by the guests on Yo Gabba Gabba to be very good. [Momma Loves Baby](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QCiywlKzzSM) by Solange [Lovely, Love My Family](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mLtdHQeIZA) by The Roots [It’s Ok to Try Again](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNUCckyv0Ws) by The Shins I also find the short little songs done by the main cast to be quite catchy. I’m pretty sure there’s some cds out there too. Oh and +1 for Laurie Berkner 🙂 Love her ---
**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:** [November 18, 2012, 7:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/8 "2012-11-18T07:23:56Z")
Kids seem to really like [Fleet Foxes](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrQRS40OKNE) ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 8:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/9 "2012-11-18T08:21:59Z")
[Jay Laga’aia](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_zjgghzXJI) has some decent enough songs. Justine Clarke has several albums. I’ve seen The Wiggles live in concert. Twice. I always put on a classical radio station when I drive. My kids like it. It’s just music to them. Piano pieces are usually popular - try [Mozart](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO-ecxHEPqI) for something familiar. ---
**Author:** ![vix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a88e4f/32.png) [@vix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vix)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/10 "2012-11-18T12:43:02Z")
[That Baby CD](http://www.thatbabydvd.com/products/cd) ---
**Author:** ![theR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@theR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/theR)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/11 "2012-11-18T16:07:23Z")
Try any of [Dan Zanes’](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Zanes#Children.27s_music) children’s albums. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/12 "2012-11-18T16:46:57Z")
[Little Bird, Little Bird - Elizabeth Mitchell](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tz6WRiNwujQ) ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/13 "2012-11-18T16:48:32Z")
My now-3-year-old has loved the [Wiggleworms Love You](http://www.amazon.com/Wiggleworms-Love-You-Various-Artists/dp/B000BLI3E8/ref=pd_sim_m_1) CD since he was a baby. It’s from Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk, so the songs are sung and performed in a folk-style and by really good musicians. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/14 "2012-11-18T17:40:59Z")
If you want some insanely great music, check out Medeski Martin and Wood’s [Let’s go Everywhere](http://www.amazon.com/Lets-Everywhere-Medeski-Martin-Wood/dp/B00108YGWY) (and explore MMW for your own musical eargasm). There’s also Jerry Garcia and David Grisman’s [Not for Kids Only](http://www.amazon.com/Not-Kids-Only-Jerry-Garcia/dp/B000003913/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1353260270&sr=1-1&keywords=not+for+kids+only). +1-ing earlier TMBG recommendation. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/15 "2012-11-18T18:02:56Z")
You know, there are probably a lot of “grown up” and older kid songs that are okay for very small kids too. See what you think of these: Bill Withers “[Gandma’s Hands](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qv5pagal-ls)” Nickel Creek “[You Don’t Have To Move That Mountain](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbaGnZnT5w8)” David Bowie “[Magic Dance](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fMN00X3tzk)” John Williams “[Harry Potter Main Theme](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqDrEVugpSM)” Taco “[Puttin on the Ritz](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_W5QnO5UGk)” Dead or Alive “[You Spin Me Round (Like a Record)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGNiXGX2nLU)” ---
**Author:** ![Alka\_Seltzer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Alka\_Seltzer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alka_Seltzer)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/16 "2012-11-18T18:11:20Z")
_Peter and the Wolf_ maybe? ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/17 "2012-11-18T18:23:45Z")
I love the whole line of [Putumayo Kids](http://www.putumayo.com/kids/home) ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/18 "2012-11-18T19:06:24Z")
_Family Tree_ by Tom Chapin. Great stuff. Also, my son once heard a radio station playing lots of Frank Sinatra’s greatest hits while we were driving home from a pediatrician. As we got out of the car, he said, “I love Mommy, Daddy, and _Frank Sinatra_.” ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/19 "2012-11-18T19:08:50Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > They Might Be Giants has an awesome “kids” CD: [Here Comes Science](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002FKZ4UO/downandoutint-20) Seconded. They also have “Here Come the ABCs”, “Here Come the 1-2-3s” and “No!” All are excellent and very listenable, even for parents. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2012, 7:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-for-toddlers-that-wont-irritate-their-parents/641364/20 "2012-11-18T19:12:37Z")
We had this album, [A Child’s Celebration of Song](http://www.allmusic.com/album/a-childs-celebration-of-song-mw0000253814), for **Ledzepkid** when he was a tot and it was great. But mostly he listened to our music with us, and at 14 mostly still does.