The Grammys are tonight, but we don't care, and neither should you. However, since this is "music's biggest night" or whatever, GEP is getting all musical up in here and counting down some of our favorite songs for kids. These are the tunes you loved as a child, as well as some recent songs that are destined to become classics. So, wake up your babies and turn up the volume on your speakers, because we about to blast the kind of kid rock you don't want to repeatedly punch in the face with your fists.
101. "Don't Bite Your Friends" (Yo Gabba Gabba)
Say what you will about Nick Jr's Yo Gabba Gabba--it's weird; it's annoying; it's obviously for unemployed stoners in their early 20's--but these little monsters can rock a catchy-ass tune. And what a great message. This is the kind of real-world life lesson that my generation could've used. The months of the year, the alphabet, bed-jumping monkeys--sure, these are important issues for children to be aware of, but biting is not only mean, it spreads disease and it all but guarantees that won't be invited to Peter's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese. Think about it.
102. "Party in My Tummy" (Yo Gabba Gabba)
Before we leave the Gabba gang in the dust, I would be cheating our readers if I didn't mention "Party in My Tummy," a song I first experienced in book form. My niece, Dakota, received the novelization of Brobee's ode to lunchtime last Christmas. My sister didn't just read the book to Dakota--which is exactly what I would've expected, it being a book and all--she sang it. The tune was enchanting. I couldn't get a recording of my sister singing the book to her daughter, so I thought the actual clip from the show would suffice.
Observation: Something tells me this "tummy party" wouldn't have been so great if Brobee had actually chewed his food. Oh, well, as we learned earlier, it's not cool to bite your pals, and I'm sure it's pretty difficult not to befriend anthropomorphic food. I mean, food is awesome when it can't dance and sing.
Niece Fun Fact: Turn on an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba, and Dakota will start wiggling around like nobody's business. She loves it!
103. "Farm Animal Friends" (Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang)
I've been a fan of this song for a long time. Still not keen on the drummer however. I think it's very telling that when the various members of the Good Time Gang are popping out of barn windows near the end of the video, the drummer is in a room by himself. Whatta creep!
104-105. "Unpack Your Adjective" & "Lolly, Lolly, Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here" (Schoolhouse Rock)
We could probably devote a month-long feature to the Schoolhouse Rock series. We're not going to, but we could. Here are two of my favorites: "Unpack Your Adjectives" because it's catchy and I've always had an affinity for adjectives--they were my favorite words to come up with for MadLibs; and "Lolly, Lolly, Etc. Etc. Adverbs" because it is so damn weird. Schoolhouse Rock will probably look old and crusty to my daughter--hell, it looks that way to me now--but I'll always be thankful for it's existence, as it was the go to thing to do when my high school English teachers had nothing else planned.
106-108. "Can You Find It?", "Triops" & "Mammal" (They Might be Giants)
Brooklyn's Ambassadors of Love, They Might be Giants, have entered a new phase in their amazing 29-year career: kid rock (or, edu-rock, if you prefer). Thing is, TMBG have been educating, as well as entertaining, since very early on, as evidenced by "Mammal" from the Apollo 18 album. "Mammal" actually helped me pass a test or two in high school science. No lie. The best thing about the duo's continuing career though is that now me and Quinn can claim the same favorite band and it won't be some crusty old group from back in my day. Just imagine all of the embarrassment this will spare my daughter, you know, at least on one level.
109. "You Can Be Anything" (Gwendolyn and the Good Time Gang)
The Good Time gang isn't just about duckies and farm cats. They're also about positivity and self-esteem. This song proves you can be anything if you put your mind to it, including a goofy- looking drummer with dumb hair.
110. "I Don't Want to Live on the Moon" (Ernie)
If this one doesn't move you, you are unmovable, son. I feel sorry for you.
