Songs For Recess

You know, I miss recess. I miss taking a 15-minute break two hours into the day and playing on the monkey bars or getting on the swingset. My office totally needs to get a playground. I'm a little sad that it appears National Recess Week is a corporately-sponsored event, because it seems like recess is one of those public goods that should be more than just a tie-in. Play is an important thing, both indoors and out. So I thought I'd put together a list of a few songs celebrating play in the great outdoors especially. And if you've got more to add, list 'em in the comments. Here we go...

Video: "Cool To Be Uncool" - The Jimmies

I already wrote about this video once - sort of - but the finished product shows that while there may be others who create unique and interesting videos, there is absolutely nobody in the kids music field that creates videos with the same love and attention (and, hey, probably budgets, too) as The Jimmies. Their latest effort, "Cool To Be Uncool," I like to think was filmed in the actual bedroom set for The Princess Bride. It's from their forthcoming DVD Trying Funny Stuff, which'll feature 6 videos, a live concert, other stuff, and a live CD of the concert. Go over to their video page to see all of their videos (or if Flash gives your computer a headache, go see the YouTube version) and go here to pre-order the DVD at a discount until Sunday. The Jimmies - "Cool To Be Uncool"

Video: "The Change Song" - Herbie Treehead

I know. It's dorky, the lip-syncing is problematic, and there's lots of silly costumes. Still, this video, from England's Herbie Treehead, from his album Sleepy Songs and Not Very Sleepy Songs is not without its charms. (I'm a sucker for a good kazoo break.) The song will appear on European Playground, the next release in the "Playground" series from Putumayo Kids. The album's out May 19th. Herbie Treehead - "The Change Song"

Contest: Win Robbert Bobbert And The Bubble Machine. Literally.

GazillionRobbertBobbert.jpgThe wonderful folks from Little Monster Records have partnered up with Funrise Toys to give you a chance to win a copy of Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine's self-titled debut album plus an actual bubble machine. The fun new album from Robert Schneider's alter ego, you know about (and if you don't, here's a review). The bubble machine, well, here's how the folks at Funrise describe it:
The award-winning Gazillion Bubble Machine’s motorized rotating bubble wands put you in the midst of a bubble blizzard blowing 4,000 bubbles per minute! The easy carry handle lets you take the “bubblebration” wherever you go. Each Bubble Machine comes with an 8 oz. bottle of The One and Only Gazillion Bubble solution that attaches right to the Bubble Machine to continuously feed the wands. (Requires 6 AA batteries, not included.)
I'm pretty sure I've now used my quota of the word "bubble" for the website for like the next decade, but if that's what it takes to bring the fun to you, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. So here are the rules. In honor of Robbert Bobbert's extra consonants, in the comments below, post a fake song title or band/artist name with a vowel or consant overload (e.g., "Satisssssssssfaction" or "UUUUUUUU2"). One entry will be selected at random to receive the CD/bubble machine package. One entry per family; all entries due by 8 PM West Coast time / 11 PM East Coast time Monday, March 2. Thanks and good luck!