A Good/suitable CD to Listen to in the Car W/ Kids

We like the Sugar Beats - kids and adults singing songs from the 50s-70s. Also Jack Johnson.

C.

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Hi T.,

Try anything by Dan Zanes (formally of Del Fuegos). Catch That Train, House Party, and Family Dance are some of the CD titles that come to mind. It's great music for kids and adults alike.Happy listening, dancing, and singing, L. S.

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Have you tried the "World Playground" series by Putumayo Kids http://www.putumayo.com/en/putumayo_kids.php
They're catchy collections of music from different parts of the world and are a fun way for kids to get a little taste of different cultures, and they pass my "mommy" test of being something I'd listen to even if the kids weren't in the car. And from there we've introduced them to Afro-Cuban music like the Buena Vista Social Club and Latin-influenced classic rock like Carlos Santana.

My 7.5YO's also like the "Hitsville USA Motown Singles 1959-1971" collection that we got from Costco long before they were born

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My 6 yr old likes Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers, Enya, Reba, and lots of the 80's and 90's that they play on the radio these days.

Hope that helps!

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Jack Johnson! All of his albums should be fine for any age.

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Hi T.,

My husband and I are huge Barenaked Ladies fans. They even had a song in the movie "Chicken Little" and ever since then, my 5 year old and 7 year old have been fans. They even released a very amusing kids CD called "Snack Time" that the kids love. I highly recommend them. My kids also like Jonas Brothers and Hillary Duff, which I find myself singing to a lot of times. Also, soundtracks to family movies are a good option.

Happy listening!

The Beach Boys! My daughter (5 in a couple weeks) and her best friend LOVE The Beach Boys!

Justin Roberts is our absolute favorite! He IS a kid's artist - so you may still get sick of him :), but he reminds us a lot of James Taylor (our favorite!) He's mellow, folksy and fun.

Non kid: try Abba
or maybe explore some different kid music...

My kids love Dan Zanes (favorite). I also like the Putumayo CDs.
Try James K., Red Grammer (Down the Do Re Mi), Bev Boss has great stuff at Turn-the-page press in Roseville. I saw Mr. Cooper perform at the farmer's market. He's a teacher that has a band that plays adult and kids music. Very catchy tunes. www.mistercooper.com

We love the Choo-Choo Soul CD. We all have fun singing the gospel version of ABC and the hip-hop counting song. There's also a good song about manners. The singer has a great voice too!

We listen to Captain Bogg and Salty (pirate CDs). It's for older kids. Also - Trout Fishing in America, and They might be Giants are fun. All family music. Here is another suggestion. Go to www.pandora.com and if you plug in an artist you like they will play similar music and that might help you identify some other artists/songs. I am trying to think of others and will add more later if I get a moment.
Oh, and one my kids hate is "you can't always get what you want" by the Rolling Stones, because I even still sing it to them sometimes (when I get "but I WANT it").

Dear T.,
My kids and I used to take long road trips all the time, a lot of it by virtue of living so far from family members. Your post really brought back some memories! Fortunately, they were both such great travelers. They didn't like goofing around about it...they didn't like getting out and stopping, they just wanted to get where we were going.
One of our favorites to listen to, went with us each and every time, was James Taylor's "Never Die Young".
Don't let the title scare you, it's from a lyric:

We were ring-around-the-rosy children
They were circles around the sun
Never give up, never slow down
Never grow old, never ever die young

Synchronized with the rising moon
Even with the evening star
They were true love written in stone
They were never alone, they were never that far apart

It's about people in love.
Every song on that CD is great and you will find yourself singing right along. My kids knew all the words.
Stevie Knicks "Wild Heart" and America (I believe it's just called America)...has Horse With No Name, Ventura Highway...those are great ones too.
You must be a more patient mom than me because I would have jumped out of a speeding car if I had to listen to Barney or something for 10 hours.
We took a very long train trip to southern California and I bought my son a portable cassette with headphones and a "mix tape" that I found at Target. It had some old rock and roll songs on there. His very favorite was "Radar Love" by Golden Earring.
Just have fun! There is lots of music that little ones and YOU can enjoy on your trips.

Best wishes!

Hi T.,
Check out Ziggy Marley -- he's got a Family Time CD that is awesome!!
A.

Kimya Dawson (of The Moldy Peaches and most of the Juno soundtrack) has a kids album called "Alphabutt" she does sing about butts and farts in the tub, and poo in some parts, but I personally don't think that that is too bad.
Also any of the "For the Kids" albums. Although "For the Kids Three" is my favorite with songs from Mates of State, Over the Rhine, Rogue Wave, Blitzen Trapper, Of Montreal, and lots more. The artists are so varied on these CD's that your bound to find someone you enjoy.
My little boy (16 mos.) also really likes Sufjan Stevens and Devendra Banhart(sp?) and also Neil Diamond of all people.
Good luck! I'm right there with you on the "kids" tunes. I've never been able to handle them. Especially after all of those daycare job years.

I would definitely go with anything by Jack Johnson, especially the Curious George soundtrack. The Kidzbop ones are good because they are modern songs cleaned up for the little ones. Any of the High School Musical soundtracks, and Miley Cyrus.

Any of the others are great- also- if you have or have been thinking about getting it- Sirius satellite radio has two kids channels that aren't bad!

Ditto to Dan Zanes...also, we love Elizabeth Mitchell. All 3 of her CDs that are marketed "for kids" are really music that adults can enjoy. "You Are My Flower", "You Are My Sunshine" and "You Are My Little Bird" are all mellow and fun for both listening and singing. Believe me - we don't do "Barney" or any of that stuff...though we did allow Veggie Tales (my 4 yr old has mostly lost interest in those CDs but still loves the characters and videos) due to the excellent messages. I would caution you to only select both artists and songs that you admire and can "get behind" as potential role models for your children (in other words, I'd ditch the Britney ASAP!!). Not everyone here may agree, but regardless of that, it's been proven that anything set to music is learned much more quickly and easily - so yes, the lyrics ARE important. My daughter has amazed me with her memory of long and complicated song lyrics (not all of which she understands as yet)!

Good luck finding music everyone can enjoy and be enriched by! Music is WONDERFUL and it's great that you are helping your kids to discover the joy and richness it can bring to life.

Blessings,
S.

I got Kenny Loggins- Essential Hits. I love it! But I am a big Kenny Loggins fan. It has a lot of fun upbeat songs that you will recognize.

Hi T.,

My 5 yr and 2.5 yr old love listening to audio books which we borrow from the library. We love these and they are learning while listening. It's worth checking out titles at your local library or go online to see what suits your child's interest.

Get Ziggy Marley Family time or B is for Bob by Bob Marley

Others mentinoed this already, but we love the Kidzbop (McDonalds was giving out different ones with their happy meals a few months ago, but I think you can buy them elsewhere) and all of the High School Musical cds. Great music for kids and adults.

How about Cat Stevens? Indigo Girls?