Is there another pair of voices in kids music who blend as sweetly as Renee and Jeremy? I submit to you the answer is no. This is one of the sweetest songs from C'mon, but if they sat around at home and sang the phone book, I'd listen. (Also, note: the last time they did this, Jeremy's hair was much shorter.)
Renee and Jeremy - "Is It Really Any Wonder?" - [YouTube]
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...
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: "Rock Paper Scissors" - Dean Jones
Your lesson for today, courtesy of Dean Jones, the title track from his excellent Rock Paper Scissors disk. (Bugs me, though, that only four of the six possible outcomes are shown on that blackboard.)
Dean Jones - "Rock Paper Scissors" [YouTube]
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]
