There is absolutely nothing visually special about this new video from Ireland's The Speks. The traditonal preschool tune "It's Raining, It's Pouring" is performed live by the band as an Irish reel (if that is, indeed the correct name for the style of music -- I'll admit I don't know my reels from my jigs).
But I'm so used to thinking of the band as animated (literally), that seeing actual people playing actual instruments was reason enough to post. It's fun to see adults get into the song (and by the end, the off-screen audience is, too.)
The Speks - "It's Raining, It's Pouring" (Live) [YouTube]
Three Sesame Street Counting Songs
I so enjoyed coming up with a list of counting songs from Sesame Street that I'm going to duplicate it by moving on to numbers. (No, I haven't decided if I'm going to do 3 science-related songs from the show next week.)
First off, the show recently re-did their classic "Ladybugs' Picnic" video. This new version is done with claymation and features vocals from Langhorne Slim. But as you can guess by the fact that I'm not actually embedding that video, I prefer the old traditionally animated version and sung by Bud Luckey. It's like an old college t-shirt (or, if you're a kid, a well-loved teddy bear) -- the rough-around-the-edges nature of the original has become an asset. (I really like Elizabeth Mitchell's version, though.)
"Ladybugs' Picnic" [YouTube]
Video: "K-I-D-S" - Luv Clowns
There are certain kids musicians which make families all warm and snuggly inside, filled with love and grace.
And then there are Memphis' Luv Clowns, who last December strolled through the Memphis Christmas Parade... without, as best I can tell, having permission to do so. Watch as the Luv Clowns play "K-I-D-S" as they stroll through the parade, interacting with the youngsters walking along, then get denied entry to FedEx Arena by the police at the end. Every genre needs its subversives -- Luv Clowns are (one of) ours. (Remember, you can pick up a free mp3 of the track here.)
Luv Clowns - "K-I-D-S" [YouTube]
Video: "Green Light, Go!" - The Not-Its
The latest video from Seattle's Not-Its crams in a little chit-chat, primping, driving, and gratuitous slo-mo mugging at the Seattle Center before wrapping up one of 2010's hardest-rocking kindie songs. Takes barely 2 minutes - perfect for even the most short-attention-spanned amongst your family.
The Not-Its - "Green Light, Go!" [YouTube]
Three Sesame Street Alphabet Songs
Given the sheer length of time Sesame Street has been turning out TV shows, it's not surprising that they have multiple alphabet songs in their repetoire. Here are 3 fun ones -- one very recent, one not too old, and one that if you remember it, you'll remember it from when you were a kid.
First up, the most traditional version from Tilly and the Wall. The first time I saw this was a couple years ago on the actual show, and it was so visually and aurally arresting that I stopped what I was doing and watched the whole thing. It's bright and colorful and percussive and... just... happy.
Tilly and the Wall (on Sesame Street) - "Alphabet Song" [Vimeo] (you can even download it at that link)
Monday Morning Smile: "Be My Thrill" - The Weepies
This isn't a kids song -- heck it mentions "white pill," "pop gun," and, er, "slut" -- but if you can get past those parentally, I think your kids'll dig this sweet animated video. It's a peppy indie-pop song, the title track from the Weepies' album Be My Thrill and it's sort of a twee Wile E. Coyote cartoon.
The Weepies - "Be My Thrill" [YouTube]
