Popular music has traditionally not been as appealing to children as it is to adults, but Rockabye Baby has created an innovative alternative by offering lullaby versions of today’s top hits.
Songs featuring repetitive rhythms or nonsense syllables are especially engaging for babies, yet can pop lyrics be seamlessly blended into kiddie format without sounding awkward?
The Carpenters’ “You Are My Sunshine”
While becoming a parent may change some aspects of your lifestyle (such as maintaining great style or attending rock concerts), music shouldn’t have to be one of them. Thanks to the kids-music boom and established pop stars reinterpreting their tunes as kindie hits (for instance Caspar Babypants has turned his tunes into kindie hits! ), there is an abundance of kiddie hits out there that will please your ears.
The Carpenters’ timeless lullaby “You Are My Sunshine” is one of those songs that gets into your head and stays there, offering up its soothing melody while imparting its message of perseverance and hope. And for something a little more upbeat, consider folk singer Woody Guthrie’s celebratory country-pop hit “This Land Is Your Land,” ideal for kids obsessed with transportation (i.e. all kids).
Classic nursery rhymes and soothing songs also work wonders with babies, including The Beatles’ gentle yet reassuring “Blackbird”, Andy Williams’ signature schmaltz on “Moon River”, and Sarah McLachlan’s relaxing lullaby “Clair de Lune”. So bring along your own pacifier (BYOP!) and explore these pop music faves that work.
Pinkfong’s “Baby Shark”
Brooklyn, more popularly known as Baby Shark, is the star of an educational YouTube videos series that have captured children worldwide. This fun and educational series stars a yellow shark instead of the big, scary sharks seen elsewhere; Brooklyn is playful, curious and eager to participate in dance parties worldwide!
Babies love music, and most systematic research has demonstrated this love through systematic work conducted with young babies. For example, studies show they prefer consonance over dissonance when listening to musical pieces they have already heard, recalling tempo and timbre details like those they remember from prior musical pieces heard before. They enjoy singing and dancing along to musical pieces while listening to it can stimulate parts of their brain that process language and numbers.
Pop lyrics typically do not aim to provide specific information; rather they serve to create rhythm. Overly repetitive or intrusive lines like “Ye-yeah” and “Baby” can become annoying and tiring, such as with “Baby.”
Keep a radio, MP3 player or CD player in your baby’s room so she can enjoy music throughout her day. Have her bang on pots, pans or any upright containers to become drums; add musical toys as reinforcement. This will help build coordination while learning basic rhythmic chants as she builds rhythmic coordination and beatout the beat! For extra support consider trying music therapy sessions that incorporate singing as well.
The Beatles’ “Blackbird”
The Beatles’ 1968 double album, commonly referred to as “the White Album”, contains many iconic tracks, including Paul’s simple acoustic track “Blackbird.” This track has become one of his signature pieces and heard by generations of fans, often being seen as an expression of hope and empowerment through lyrics that often speak directly. Paul was also noted for tapping his feet throughout recording sessions of this version of “Blackbird.”
Although recorded on an acoustic guitar with single-tracked vocals, Paul can occasionally be heard tapping his feet as a means to stay in time with the song – something the book “Recording The Beatles” suggests was done intentionally to help keep Paul on pace with it all. His tapping can be heard throughout its two refrains as well as its final choruses.
“Blackbird” has become one of Paul McCartney’s signature live performances despite its simple acoustic nature, often featured on his tours and receiving standing ovations after performances. Alongside The Beatles original recording, Paul recorded “Blackbird” with Crosby Stills & Nash for their 2014 box set “All Things Must Pass”. No doubt both babies and adults love listening to this song!
Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling in Love”
One of Elvis Presley’s iconic songs, “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” has become a timeless classic and been covered by numerous artists over time – U2, Celine Dion, and Chris Isaak have all recorded versions that remain popular today.
U2’s version of “In My Place” is both powerful and moving; fans flocked to hear them perform it in concert as the final track on their Achtung Baby tour in the early 1990s. It remains an unforgettable and captivating song which never fails to bring joy or make people smile!
Haley Reinhart of American Idol fame also covered this classic pop tune and her version is breathtakingly romantic and perfect for audiences of all ages.
Kacey Musgraves recently released her version of this song that is equally breathtaking and moving – yet more subdued compared to its original. It will delight Elvis fans as well as people of all ages.
George David Weiss was a graduate of Juilliard School who became a prolific composer who collaborated with artists like Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley, eventually dying at 89 in Oldwick, New Jersey.
The Muppets’ “Rainbow Connection”
While there exists a subculture of music tailored specifically for infants (think Babymetal), few musicians have attempted to compose actual musical songs that will excite babies while still appealing to parents – this challenge can be even greater for jazz musicians, yet Grammy award winner Imogen Heap still managed to write one!
“Rainbow Connection,” from 1979’s The Muppet Movie, is an inspiring classic written by Paul Williams and Kenneth Ascher for Kermit the Frog to perform as part of an uplifting tribute song to universal themes like finding meaning and connecting with something greater than yourself.
This song serves as an inspirational reminder that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. When times get rough, just remember there is always hope out there; imagine Kermit singing this tune as an act of hopefulness – we could all use some help along this way from time to time!
Elton John’s “Your Song”
“Your Song” by Elton John is an ideal pop song to sing to babies while rocking them to sleep, with various artists covering its tune over time and even featuring it in movies and TV shows!
“Your Song” was composed by Bernie Taupin, who collaborated on many of Elton John’s early hits. They met after responding to an NME magazine ad seeking singers and songwriters in 1967; Taupin was just 17 at that point but wrote it as an idealistic love song to an imagined lover he imagined at that time.
As an adult, this song sends a strong message of love and commitment – perfect for both children and adults to enjoy together! Additionally, its relaxing nature makes it great for soothing babies.
Rockabye Baby! albums offer this track. Based in Los Angeles, this music label creates soothing lullabies from popular pop and rock songs on the charts, including versions by Justin Timberlake, Sublime, Beastie Boys, Adele, etc. Their albums make excellent choices for new parents looking to rock their baby to sleep – each song featuring soft vocals and soothing instrumentals to make this an excellent way to help put any baby to bed at night!