The way the music industry works is if something hits then producers repeat that sound until even little kids grow tired and refuse to listen to it. But every now and then a new sound comes along that is so original and sonically pleasing that it doesn’t divide an audience and can be listened to by kids and their parents. If you’ve heard of Vampire Weekend then you know what I’m talking about. These four Columbia University graduates released their debut self titled album in 2008 and have followed it up with Contra which came out in January. They dress like preppy kids, but it is their sound that has really caught on. Described by the group as “Upper West Side Soweto”, Vampire Weekend is like nothing you’ve heard in the past ten years. Employing different tempos and foreign beats they manage to swing from mellow laid back vibes to hyper guitar licks to a percussion that sounds like the drummer has downed 10 Red Bulls in a row. It’s this fast paced tempo that gets my kids up and dancing. Throw in the fact that lead singer Ezra Koenig has such a distinct voice that he is able to alter perfectly depending on the song and trust me, your kids will be jumping all over the furniture listening to this group.
Check out their new single “Cousins” to get the little tykes dancing around:
If you’ve heard Ke$ha’s number one hit Tik Tok, you might want to listen to it again before allowing your toddler to dance to it in their diapers. While the song has an infectious beat and Ke$ha’s stirring repetition of “Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa” might get your feet tapping, this current Billboard Hot 100 topper has true party lyrics which are not appropriate for little kids. Try explaining to your kids what “Brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack” means or why “Boys are trying to touch my junk”. If you’ve seen the video you know Ke$ha is a party girl whose appearance includes an attire that proves she has been living the lyrics to her hit.
Instead of playing this latest hit try these 5 other songs to get your toddler dancing:
1) The Police – De Do Do Do De Da Da Da
The song title says it all. If this song isn’t geared towards young kids I don’t know what is.
2) The Faces – Ooh La La
Same idea. The song title sounds like something your two year old might have come up with. That coupled with the fact that the song is about wishing you were wiser when you were younger is perfect.
3) The Beatles – I Saw Her Standing There
Sure, all early Beatles songs are great for young kids (and many of the later ones as well) but this one stands out because of the way they held the high notes when singing “Held her hand in Miiiiiiiiine”.
4) The Bangles – Hazy Shade of Winter
Although written by Paul Simon it is the Bangles version that gets my kids jumping. The way the song shifts from slow melodious sixties groove to a guitar rock song makes their heads pump in a way that would make any father proud.
5) Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
Considered a rock anthem by most and a state anthem by New Jersey, kids will love the break in the middle followed by Bruce’s scream of “1,2,3,4” and moving right back into the song.
In what has to be one of the most exciting children’s albums of the year, L.A.’s own Los Lobos put on mouse ears to take on classic Disney songs in their inimitable, Latin-flavored, guitar-driven style. Check out this great video of Los Lobos rockin’ Epcot Center with the Seven Dwarves! Grumpy’s having so much fun, he’ll have to change his name.
Who is this handsome young fella? Want to take a guess which world famous rock band he’d turn out to be the lead singer for? We’ll give you a hint: He’d never forgive us if we told you. Yes, he’d dub us unforgiven.
Still don’t know? Read the answer and see more amazing musician yearbook photos here.
Okay, this post from 11Points.com is a must see. Yearbook photos from Avril Lavigne, Gene Simmons, Steven Tyler, Jim Morrison, Prince, Tina Turner, Eminem, Marilyn Manson and more– all proving it’s a long way to the top if you want to rock & roll. Read the rest here.
Need to welcome a sweet child to the jungle? Pair this with our newest release, Lullaby Renditions of Guns N’ Roses for the perfect baby shower gift. Sweet!
Find buying information here. Be sure to check out Rockabye Baby’s new limited-edition onesie line, available exclusively on our website. Take 10% off through 1/31/10. Learn how here.
When disaster strikes, many of us want to do something to help. But during an unstable economy it can be hard to find the funds to donate. Well yesterday we caught wind of a great fundraising effort for the victims of the devastating earthquake that recently hit Haiti. Money Saving Mom has pledged to donate $10 to Compassion’s outreach in Haiti for every person who blogs about this effort and leaves their link on her site! If you are looking for a way to help raise money for those less fortunate, please visit her site for more details.
Want to see the cutest thing ever? Wildlife photographer David C. Schultz travelled to Snow Hill Island on the Antarctic Peninsula to take these amazing pictures of baby penguins. The original article and photo essay from the Daily Mail UK is perfect to share with the kids.
Enter to win a copy of our newest release, Lullaby Renditions of Guns N’ Roses! All you have to do is become our fan on Facebook and suggest our page to your friends to enter! When we have 3,000 fans we will pick 5 fans at random.
If you’ve heard Ke$ha’s number one hit Tik Tok, you might want to listen to it again before allowing your toddler to dance to it in their diapers. While the song has an infectious beat and Ke$ha’s stirring repetition of “Whoa Whoa Whoa Whoa” might get your feet tapping, this current Billboard Hot 100 topper has true party lyrics which are not appropriate for little kids. Try explaining to your kids what “Brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack” means or why “Boys are trying to touch my junk”. If you’ve seen the video you know Ke$ha is a party girl whose appearance includes an attire that proves she has been living the lyrics to her hit.
