Two of my nephews are turning six at the end of the month. Four years ago, I made a mix CD for the twins and their brother. It went over well.
Over the past week I've been trying to craft another mix CD for them. To sum up: intended audience is two six-year-old boys and their seven-and-a-half-year-old brother.
The last mix was easier. Nothing could be too babyish because ... they were babies, practically. Lyrics weren't very important, as long as they sounded fun. (And didn't cover blatantly inappropriate subjects.) This time it's a little harder. The boys definitely love music, but I'm afraid their tastes are already corrupted by what's considered "cool" by their older elementary school friends. (I have no idea what that is, but it can't be good.) In addition, some catchy songs that sound fun and aren't inappropriate are still a little weird when put on a mix for kids. Like "Fake Palindromes." Nevertheless, I think that one's staying.
I'm striving for catchiness above all, and giving preference to fast songs. (Tempo and length.) I can't resist throwing in an oddball or two, though, like Fleet Foxes' "White Winter Hymnal."
I've gotten suggestions from a couple of friends already. Does anyone else have a song or two to recommend before this thing goes to the burner?
3 comments:
jonathan richman has some terrific kid-friendly songs: dodge veg-o-matic, ice cream man, abominable snowman in the market...
they may fall in the "not cool enough" bracket, but worth a listen. :)
Hannah loves Neko Case (bordering on obsession) and Sharon Jones, but most of those songs have "adult" content. It's funny to hear her sing, "I ain't nobody's baaaybeh!" though.
Canadian Judy
Thanks for the suggestions! I don't have any Jonathan Richman, actually. And Judy, I already had the mix done (birthday party was today) but I did put a New Pornos song on there. It was a Dan Bejar, though. And I didn't think of Sharon Jones!
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