# What are some good toddler tunes albums? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 12, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836 "2009-09-12T18:05:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/1 "2009-09-12T18:05:09Z")
I hate all of the toddler tunes albums I have. They always try to be too goofy, or just plain mess up the song. I’m not looking for trendy bands that did a one off toddler album (Although, I hear They Might Be Giants did one, and that might be good.) I know Pete Seeger has done some good stuff, so maybe he’ll have something, but I want traditional childrens music. No Disney characters or muppets. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/2 "2009-09-12T18:43:32Z")
> [@WarmNPrickly](#): > > I hate all of the toddler tunes albums I have. They always try to be too goofy, or just plain mess up the song. I’m not looking for trendy bands that did a one off toddler album (Although, I hear They Might Be Giants did one, and that might be good.) [More](http://www.amazon.com/Here-Come-ABCs-DVD-Combo/dp/B000BEZPSC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252780631&sr=1-2) [than](http://www.amazon.com/Here-Come-123s-CD-DVD/dp/B000VDDCLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252780631&sr=1-1) [one](http://www.amazon.com/Here-Comes-Science-Amazon-com-Exclusive/dp/B002FKZ4UO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252780631&sr=1-3), [actually](http://www.amazon.com/No-They-Might-Be-Giants/dp/B000068C97/ref=pd_sim_m_3). > [@](#): > > I know Pete Seeger has done some good stuff, so maybe he’ll have something, [This album](http://www.amazon.com/Childrens-Concert-at-Town-Hall/dp/B0012GMVYO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252780537&sr=1-2) was part of my childhood, though it might be aimed a little older than “toddler,” but it appears he has [other albums](http://www.amazon.com/Stories-Songs-Little-Children-Seeger/dp/B000008RZN/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252780537&sr=1-3) that may well be the kind of thing you’re looking for. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/3 "2009-09-12T22:05:12Z")
This very day I added “Clap Your Hands” from TMBG’s _No_ to my own playlist, just because it’s a cool song. I also enjoy lots of songs from Dog Train - especially “(Don’t Give Me That) Broccoli” and “I Need a Nap.” Laurie Berkner is good too, IMHO, and what I’ve seen of David Weinstone/Music for Aardvarks on Noggin is fun. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/4 "2009-09-12T22:26:01Z")
As a youngun, I loved Dr. Demento. Fish Heads. Pencil Neck Geek. King Tut. They’re Coming to Take Me Away Ha Ha. Mmmm. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/5 "2009-09-12T22:37:32Z")
I’ll second Laurie Berkner. Also, even if you’re not Christian, you can pick through Veggie Tales and find some _great_ stuff your toddler will love and the rest of the family will enjoy, too. ---
**Author:** ![ianjohnson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/a3d4f5/32.png) [@ianjohnson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianjohnson)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2009, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/6 "2009-09-12T23:21:44Z")
Sandra Boynton’s albums are great. Philadelphia Chickens, Rhinoceros Tap and Dog Train and Blue Moo. Dog Train and Blue Moo have songs by a number of prominent artists. You can check out samples on Amazon. ---
**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:** [September 13, 2009, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/7 "2009-09-13T00:08:56Z")
> [@ianjohnson](#): > > Sandra Boynton’s albums are great. Philadelphia Chickens, Rhinoceros Tap and Dog Train and Blue Moo. Dog Train and Blue Moo have songs by a number of prominent artists. You can check out samples on Amazon. I came in to recommend Philadelphia Chickens. My favorite kid’s album is a local dad and his wife and daughter who do kid-friendly hip-hop: [Secret Agent 23 Skidoo](http://www.secretagent23skidoo.com/). The website has some sample tracks on it; it’s really catchy stuff, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![DfrntBreign](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f6c823/32.png) [@DfrntBreign](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DfrntBreign)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/8 "2009-09-13T01:48:17Z")
My grandkids love their “Dos Ninos” CD by this band: [Sugar Free Allstars](http://www.sugarfreeallstars.com/Home.html) They have gotten some airplay on Sirius/XM Kid’s Channel and do a lot of library shows aimed at small kiddies. I’ve been to a few and the kids love them. Dr. Rock is a friend of mine, but I have no other connection to the band, so I’m assuming my posting the link is kosher. ---
**Author:** ![Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8baadc/32.png) [@Nicest\_of\_the\_Damned](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nicest_of_the_Damned)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/9 "2009-09-13T04:30:39Z")
I’ve never actually heard this music but I heard an interview with Dan Zanes and he seems to be trying to accomplish something similar to what you are looking for. The links to samples appear to be broken but if you do a search for his name on the linked site they come up. [http://www.danzanes.com/pages/dan\_zanes.php](http://www.danzanes.com/pages/dan_zanes.php) ---
**Author:** ![missred](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/missred/32/14096_2.png) [@missred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/missred)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/10 "2009-09-13T04:51:08Z")
My two favorites are Lisa Redfern’s _Hushabye, Lullaby_ and Greg Brown’s _Bathtub Blues_. (Sorry, no links, at work with no access to YT). _Bathtub Blues_ has songs that both toddlers and older children will enjoy. Some of it is silly, some sweet and some dark. The Lisa Redfern one is a good one to play during quiet time, as the title suggests. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/11 "2009-09-13T05:37:22Z")
I sang and danced to [Free To be You And Me](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_to_be_you_and_me) for most of my childhood. Anything wrong with Sesame Street or Mr. Rogers? I keep [Songs From The Street](http://www.amazon.com/Songs-Street-35-Years-Music/dp/B00133KENQ/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252820186&sr=1-12) in my workday playlist, because that music is STILL the bomb. ---
**Author:** ![Sateryn76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e4f/32.png) [@Sateryn76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sateryn76)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/12 "2009-09-13T05:43:36Z")
Why limit it to “toddler tunes”? I found most of that stuff to be crap. My kids were raised on Steely Dan, Paul Simon, The Beatles, and lots of other good music. I see no reason not to start with the good stuff early. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/13 "2009-09-13T10:45:39Z")
[Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=cathy+fink+marcy+marxer&x=13&y=17) have about a dozen albums, most (but not all) kids’ music. They are folkies from my old hometown, Takoma Park, MD, but have a national following. ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/14 "2009-09-13T16:57:18Z")
You should look into [Tom Chapin](http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=tom+chapin&x=16&y=21). We have [In My Hometown](http://www.amazon.com/My-Hometown-Tom-Chapin/dp/B000009NUJ/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252860537&sr=1-8) and [Mother Earth](http://www.amazon.com/Mother-Earth-Tom-Chapin/dp/B00005OKST/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1252860537&sr=1-3), and you can listen to samples of each of them there. The lyrics are for kids, and there are songs in different musical styles. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/15 "2009-09-13T21:14:28Z")
I’m really looking for traditional toddler tunes, like Old McDonald and Bingo and the like. She listens plenty of other music from me. I think the traditional toddler tunes are an important part of a child musical development. Children sing them in school. They tap them out on the piano. We sing them in the car. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/16 "2009-09-13T23:30:58Z")
I highly recommend anything by **Ralph’s World**. We like to say that he makes music for the children of parents who like good music. His live shows are a blast, too. Here’s a [good clip of his.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOHtDYF5gDY&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/17 "2009-09-13T23:34:53Z")
2nd Dan Zanes > **[Dan Zanes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Zanes#Children.27s_music)** > > Daniel Edgerly Zanes (born November 8, 1961) is an American former member of the 1980s band the Del Fuegos and is now the frontman of the group Dan Zanes and Friends. > Zanes's father was a teacher, as well as a poet and writer. > Zanes attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts for two years. Zanes ended up living on the outskirts of Concord, New Hampshire. > The Del Fuegos played in lofts, bars, warehouses, small art galleries, clubs, barns, college dining halls, fraternity houses, gymna... Also check out Riders In The Sky _Silver Jubilee_ ---
**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:** [September 13, 2009, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/18 "2009-09-13T23:37:14Z")
For the traditional kids’ music, I like [Eric Nagler](http://www.ericnagler.com/). There’s also a [John Lithgow](http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=john+lithgow+cd&tag=yahhyd-20&index=aps&hvadid=18443181011&ref=pd_sl_4hfetk8fig_b) album or two, and the [Barenaked Ladies](http://www.amazon.com/Snack-Time-Barenaked-Ladies/dp/B0015YGUR2) have done an album of music they wrote (more or less) for their own kids. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2009, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/19 "2009-09-13T23:46:08Z")
They Might Be Giants! I saw them earlier today at the Union County Music Fest. They did a set with their kids’ stuff early and a regular show later. I love their kids’ stuff and they just came out with a new album. **Unauthorized Cinnamon** –they played “Clap Your Hands.” Jealous? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2009, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836/20 "2009-09-14T13:07:56Z")
We have a few Justin Roberts albums, and I have to say that of all of the “kid music” I’ve heard out there (most of which is annoying crap), Justin Roberts is really enjoyable as an adult. He basically writes music that is interesting enough for an adult to listen to, but with themes and lyrics directed at kids. We’ve been to a couple of his concerts and they’re fun. I have no problem playing the JR CD’s in the car on long trips. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-some-good-toddler-tunes-albums/509836.md?page=2)