There are many bands and music created and geared for kids. But just as my own musical preferences are not stuck in a particular genre neither should my childrens’. Expose them to it all and see what they move and groove too. And like me, I find their favorites may vary with mood or activity.
I recently asked parents to share their children’s favorite musician as part of a contest. The answers are so eclectic and awesome, I want to share them with you.
- They Might be Giants
- Bon Jovi
- What Cheer? Brigade
- The Beatles
- Elizabeth Mitchell
- Laurie Berkner
- Joe’s Backyard Band
- Big Time Rush
- KISS
- Harry and the Potters
- Earth, Wind & Fire
- The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
- Dan Zanes
- Johnny Cash
- Pete Seeger
- Bob Marley
- The English Beat
- Talking Heads
- R.E.M.
- Rogers & Hammerstein – 60s and 70s musicals (e.g. Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story and Bye Bye Birdie)
After taking my kids to the Newport Folk Festival this year, I would add some the following to my kids’ list:
Elvis Costello, Carolina Chocolate Drops, David Wax Museum and the SEEGER clogging all stars.
Check it out, turn it on and add your favorites in the comments below.
Geoff – Love your drive to school favorites and the link. Listening to Pete Seeger weave together stories and songs is priceless and a great way for kids to learn to develop their own style of storytelling.
Drive to school favorites for me and my eight and six yr olds:
Sun City Girls: Funeral Mariachi
The Sound of Music film soundtrack
Brian Eno: Another Green World
Pete Seeger: American Ballads set
Woody Guthrie: Asch recordings
Any Ella Jenkins
Cannot recommend the Pete Seeger collection enough. Great cultural literacy – where else are kids going to learn Yankee Doodle and Skip to My Lou? http://www.folkways.si.edu/albumdetails.aspx?itemid=3223
elvis costello was there and he was great except he did not play many of the songs i remember from way back in the day except for one of my faves: PEACE LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING. i love MYSTERY DANCE! will need to go dance now.
was elvis costello there? a long-time favorite here is MYSTERY DANCE. (but now we’re at the age of “so…what do you think the mystery dance even is, mom?”)
My boys both said The Beach Boys when I asked them just now. My 2yo likes the Music Together CDs, although she really likes the Beach Boys song about the girl cruising around until her daddy takes the t-bird away. The kids are on a Beach Boys kick this summer, can you tell? 😉