Bands That Should Do Kids' Stuff
Some brief thoughts on bands that I would like to record a kid-friendly song or two.
Soul Asylum: Anyone who can write "Who is the hound at the downtown dog pound, who speaks English when the watchman's not in sight?" could do a fun kids' song.
Mates of State: Ella loves all of their stuff, they have a baby, so why not do an EP?
Replacements/Paul Westerberg: As with Soul Asylum (and, yes, I did grow up in the Twin Cities), when you can write lyrics like Westerberg can, you should be doing stuff for kids.
Ben Folds: The Over the Hedge thing doesn't count.
Old 97's: Good heavens, I would like it if they would do something I could play on the show, but virtually everything they do is not quite...appropriate.
Cake: Again, the kids love it, but it's not quite right for the show.
So...who else? Comments are open, and more to come.
Edit: And indeed, there's more in the comments. Go and enjoy and share.
Permanent link • Posted at 10:43 AM
13 comment(s)
13 Comment(s):
Cake -- well, besides their cover of "Mahna Mahna," maaaaybe "Stickshifts and Safetybelts." "Rock 'N' Roll Lifestyle" is a good safety lesson for the younguns...
Old 97s -- yeah, they're at their best when they're having their hearts broken (or on their way). Perhaps "Indefinitely" off "Fight Songs," which is about one of their grandmothers.
Mates of State -- like that idea.
Who else? Spoon. Shins. Definitely.
I've come close on both of those Cake songs (and play Mahna Mahna periodically). But it's sort of surprising how few of their songs are actually right for a kids' show.
On Old 97's, I think what I want is for them to do a kid-friendly Four Leaf Clover.
Spoon - I play Fitted Shirt sometimes and enjoy it. Otherwise, slim pickings. Shins is a marvelous idea.
I heard the Mighty Mighty Bosstones on the radio today and remembered that we've played a couple of their songs (mostly from Question the Answers) in the past. Should grab that CD again Saturday...
I think all my kids' favorite non-kids songs are from bands that aren't bands anymore.... Not exactly appropriate for the show, either... I live in the past, musically.
Cafe Tacuba - Ojala Que Llueva Cafe is a HUGE fav. but they're still a band, right?
Breeders - Cannonball (yeah, no) Max can't figure out the lyrics until now and we're about to stop playing it for him.
Soul Coughing - Circles, Soul Coffee, Moon Sammy (almost, not quite)
Interesting, when looked at this way, how little of the very innocuous music I listen to is actually kid-friendly. Looking forward to seeing what others say.
Love the Soul Coughing, but you're right - very little fits on kids' radio. We played Super Bon Bon way back last September.
Same with the Breeders. I think we played a song off Hedwig and the Angry Inch on the Halloween show (Wicked Little Town).
I was thinking that the Pixies' Bam Thwok would work well - if memory serves, it was originally recorded for the Shrek soundtrack.
Mojo Nixon came to mind today. And I think I could do "Elvis is Everywhere," actually.
Billy Bragg w/o Wilco (nothing wrong with the albums with Wilco, just want some solo stuff).
The Gourds.
Fishbone.
ben folds would be great, if he did a non-soundtrack kids album.
How 'bout some earth,wind and fire? UB40? too old school?
There's a Martin Sexton song called Diggin Me that's sweet and fun, dance-y. It's a love song, but I don't think there's anything inappropriate in it. I haven't listened to it in a while...
Earth Wind & Fire = brilliant idea. Shining Star coming up this Saturday if I remember.
Don't know enough UB40 to have a thought. Any particular suggestions?
And I'll check out the Martin Sexton. And Cafe Tacuba.
UB40 does a great "I Can See Clearly Now" on the UB40 album.
I second Cake - they'd make a great kids album if they had someone like me to help write some songs.
Paul McCartney!!
Bowling for Soup
Last year I was so excited when The Sugarplastic announced that they were going to do a children's album. I had always felt that they'd create some great songs for kids. It turned out to be an April Fool's press release by some crazed XTC fan.
That's just mean. (Of the XTC fan.)
Moxy Fruvous
On the same lines as Cake and earlier TMBG, not all songs are appropriate.
However,…. If you are looking for a musical challenge, they have an AWSOME song called Green Eggs and Ham that you can not *buy* in the US.
I promise it would be well worth the hunt.
-Pam Nicky and Sam
in Atlantic City
I realize that some of these artists are no longer with us, but still...
Huey Piano Smith & the Clowns
that stuff is just flat out fun
Bootsy Collins
The Pinnochio Theory is a winner. And let's face it, the man has a LOOK.
The Meters
They All Asked for You
how about Slim Gaillard?
Potato Chips, Serenade to a Poodle, Chicken Rhythm
OK here's my .02,
David Byrne/Talking Heads. Little creatures has been a staple in my 4yr old's collection since she was small.
Kirsty Macoll, Tropical Brainstorm has some good kid-friendly tracks.
How about Moby? he could do some fun stuff I bet.
-Tom
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