Tunes Archives - Page 7 of 7

If you’re a parent, you probably spend a good amount of your time listening to crap. Or the Teletubbies. Which, in fact, are also crap. And frightening. Have you noticed how their butts shake when they dance? Disturbing.

A big goal for Trent and I in 2008 was to come up with a CD or playlist of kids songs that didn’t necessarily make us want to rip our hair out and pour rubbing alcohol on our scalps. And let me tell you, that’s nearly impossible. The kids music out there is so horrible. And full of creepy Australian guys in turtlenecks who hang out with dinosaurs. And it doesn’t help that, in true American girl fashion, our daughter immediately turns into a smiling zombie whenever she sees or hears a Disney princess across the room. Crap.

After many ~~weeks~~ ~~hours~~ minutes searching for the perfect songs, we came up with a list that probably won’t make your eyes bleed. I wish we could have just bought this CD, but it seems to be sold out in the USA. Damn Euros stealing all of the hip kids music. It’s like they want our kids to be dorks.

*Most links lead to playable or YouTube versions of the songs. I recommend testing them out, as my taste is seriously questionable. If you like the list, and are a iTunes user, check out the playlist at the end of the post for the songs, all of which are available on iTunes.*

Mahna Mahna – Cake – Just try and get this one out of your head. Impossible, I swear.
La La La La Lemon – Bare Naked Ladies – This is what made this CD for Lucy. She officially requested “Laaaa laaaa” every time we get into the car.
The Sharing Song – Jack Johnson – I love this song because I don’t notice how cheesy it is until after I’ve been singing along for 2 minutes. Jack just does that to you.
Itsy Bitsy Spider – OAR – A version of a classic that makes you want to go out on a beach and get a margarita. Preferable with a lime.
The Rainbow Connection – Sarah McLaughlin – Sweet, very girly. May not be the best choice for those of you with boys. Actually, this is the song Lucy always asks to skip. But I like it.
All Around the Kitchen – Dan Zanes – Oh Lord, Dan Zanes. Get yourself and your crazy haircut out of my head!
They’ve Got to be Clean – Guster – Lu likes to sing along with this one. A lot of “ahhhhhh, ahhhhhhs.”
The Other Day I Met a Bear – Bare Naked Ladies – “Bear? Bear! Bear!” Nuf said.
Hot Dog – They Might Be Giants – Yes, it’s annoying. But bearable. Sort of.
Have a Little Fun with Me – Glenn Phillips – This one’s just sweet.
The Hoppity Song – John Ondrasik – This is another Lu favorite. She especially likes the part where you get to scream “HI!” at the top of your lungs.
The Hokey Pokey – Dan Zanes and Father Goose – The Hokey Pokey with a jazzy twist.
Clap Your Hands – They Might Be Giants – Another TMBG classic. Short and to the point. That’s how I like it.
Skip to My Lou – Elizabeth Mitchell – A sweet song that reminds me of my Lu.
Alphabet of Nations – They Might Be Giants – This song just makes me feel smarter.
Under the Sea – The Little Mermaid – Added for nostalgia…not necessarily for Lulu.
Meow Meow Lullaby – Nada Surf – This is the part of the CD where we wind down with some slower numbers. Great for bedtime.
3 is the Magic Number – Elizabeth Mitchell – I wanted the original, but it wasn’t available on iTunes and I didn’t have time to search the whole Internet. So this one will do.
Lullaby – Jack Johnson and Matt Costa – Oh Jack, I love it.
Goodnight Children Everywhere – Sixpence None the Richer – Just trippy enough for bedtime.
The Good Night Waltz – Dan Zanes – Almost asleep…
You are my Sunshine – Elizabeth Mitchell – Good afternoon, good evening and good night!

Oh. My. God. I am so tired. Like, seriously, exhausted. And just because my husband got off the plane from Tennessee last night and headed directly into work, right after we had the police sweep our house because our front door was WIDE OPEN for 5 straight days, and didn’t get home until 6 this morning does not mean that I can’t complain about being tired. Because I’m effing tired. Damnit.

So, we got in last night from the holiday with Trent’s dad and we’re heading back out tomorrow to spend my dad’s 70th birthday and New Year’s Eve with my parents. Another day, another flight with a toddler. After this week I intend on sleeping for about 100 years. Give or take.

As I frantically packed and made dishes for my three (count em, 1-2-3!) potluck-style Christmas parties last week, I decided I was in much need of a soundtrack of some great music of 2007. I had big plans to come up with a fabulous list of tunes, music to make me look like the modern, glorious, hipster mother I aspire to be. But I didn’t have time. So I did the next best thing. I picked a few tunes from the wonderful NPR All Songs Considered 2007 Songs of the Year List. I also added a few of my own, and let me tell you, this is a damn good playlist. You should all download it, it’s all on iTunes. Or email me and I’ll send you a CD. But then you’ll feel very guilty about not supporting these awesome bands. They’re that good.

* To hear most of the songs in their entirety, click here. God bless NPR, Amen.

Rilo Kiley – The Moneymaker — It will make you want to shake your moneymaker, but not in that nasty hip hop kind of way…more like you would if you were selling drugs in Argentina. Oh, and just skip through the first 30 seconds of the video…

Lily Allen – Alfie — This song describes my life in a way that should be fairly easy to understand for any listener. Who wouldn’t love “Oh dearie me, my little brother’s in his bedroom smoking weed…” to a mix of techno and circus music?!

The New Pornographers – Myriad Harbor — This is just how I feel when I’m in New York.

Feist – I Feel It All — You probably have heard 1,2,3,4 on an iPod commercial (or my horrid My Space page), and this tune has the same feel, just a little less kitchy. Still got a great bounce though.

Andrew Bird – Imitosis — Violin picking? Who knew I’d like that? And that it would sound so awesome. And the mumbling. I can sympethize with mumblers.

The National – Green Gloves — This song makes me think of my friends…especially the ones I don’t see alot of anymore. I miss you guys! And I love you! And I hope you’ll have a drink for me! (Song starts about 2 minutes in, you may just want to use the NPR clip above, it’s better quality)

Amy Winehouse – You’re No Good — I know, I know. She has scary hair. And teeth. And she’s probably going to die of a drug overdose. But the really talented ones are always troubled…and oh my lord, this woman is so, so, so talented. And I miss baritone sax’s in mainstream pop.

Flight of the Conchords – The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room — Every woman is dying to hear “You’re so beautiful, you could be a waitress” and then have a guy do the robot.

Robert Plant and Allison Krauss – Please Read the Letter — Is it weird that Trent’s dad got this CD for Christmas and it’s on my top song list?

The New Pornographers – The Spirit of Giving — Technically this is teeny, tiny bit older, but it’s new to me, so it counts! My new holiday theme…

Lucinda Williams – Can’t Let Go — Another not-so-new song, but I don’t care. My list, my rules. Just try not to tap your feet to this one. I dare you.

Lucinda Black Bear – Kites — All the Lucinda’s made my list, by name alone. But this one is a great mix of folk and electric, and the lead singer sounds a bit like the spawn of Neal Young and Thom Yorke.

Radiohead – All I Need — Speaking of Thom Yorke, I have to agree with NPR listeners, this was one of the best (if not the best) album of the year. It was hard to pick one song, and I went back and forth on weather to pick a more mainstream one that more of you would like. But then I gave up and picked one I love instead.

Listen and head the glory. Or ignore me, like you usually do. But this time I have backup from NPR. And that’s, like, serious stuff.

Happy New Year!