My Favorite Kids Songs of 2009

I know, it's March now, and I'm still trying to sum up 2009. I already gave you a list of my 20 favorite kids music albums of 2009, now it's time for my 20 favorite kids music songs of 2009. As with the albums, I tried to limit myself to songs on albums from a general Nov. 1, 2008 - Oct. 31, 2009 timeframe, consistent with the Fids and Kamily Awards. I've tended to think of music in terms of albums and not individual songs, so I know that I've omitted some great songs here, but I'm working on changing that in the year ahead. Anyway, in alphabetical order, here they are...

Video: "I Found Love" (Yo Gabba Gabba) - Trembling Blue Stars

This isn't a new Season 3 video from Yo Gabba Gabba -- it's actually from Season 1. And the song itself -- "I Found Love," done by Trembling Blue Stars -- is actually more than 40 years old. But it's newly available on YouTube, and it's so dreamy (with animation so lovely) I couldn't resist posting it. Trembling Blue Stars - "I Found Love" (from Yo Gabba Gabba) [YouTube] Plus, a bonus video after the jump which, though it might seem odd at first, actually does tie to this first video.

Share: "Saint Patrick's Day" - The Speks

You probably don't need much more than general Irish music to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your kids. The adults would prefer an adult libation or two, and I can't help you with that. But in case you're looking for something ever-so-slightly more kids-focused, here's a free mp3 from Irish band The Speks. "Saint Patrick's Day" is an original song which, according to the band, is "based on a section of the traditional Irish figure dance called the High Caul Cap. For the song's finale we play a traditional Irish reel called Captain Kelly's." I dig the end the most, but it's a fun tune that I also think would be of interest and use to early childhood educators. Stream (or download the mp3 for the price of an e-mail address) below... <a href="http://thespeks.bandcamp.com/track/saint-patricks-day">Saint Patrick's Day by The Speks</a> Also: their debut album Sing-Along Songs from Glasses Island - Volume 1 is on sale digitally for just $1.99 here. If you're at all interested in Irish music appropriate for kids, it's definitely worth it at that price.

Video: "Itsy Bitsy Spider" (Live) - The Boogers

There is nothing complicated about this live rendition of "Itsy Bitsy Spider" from the Chicago-area band The Boogers. Unless you count the 360-degree horizontal spin of the camera near the end. Could make you throw up if you watch this on IMAX, I suppose. Ralph Covert describes this song as being about "existentialism" -- Crusty B (Paul, the lead singer and guitarist) prefers the phrase "de-termination and perserverance." Which I guess means the same thing, no? The Boogers - "Itsy Bity Spider" (Live) - [YouTube]

Video: "This Too Shall Pass" - OK Go

What do you do if your last viral video was an incredibly simple (if well-thought-out) dance routine on treadmills. You go all super-complex. Rube-Goldberg-like, even. The internet exploded today because of this, and for darn good reason. (More behind-the-scenes stuff here.) This isn't a kids song (there's a low-grade curse word I completely missed until reading the lyrics), but I think kids are gonna go nuts for this. I kinda did, too, in my own little way. (I also love the way they comment on "Here We Go Again.") OK Go - "This Too Shall Pass" [YouTube]