Baby music can be so enjoyable, and singing with your little one is an effective way to develop their language and listening abilities while also strengthening relationships between mother and child.
Your baby will love being serenaded by you; so put on some tunes that are both child and parent friendly.
1. “You Are My Sunshine”
Few can recall where it originated; we do know, however, that two hillbilly groups recorded and published it in 1939. Country singer Jimmie Davis (who also served twice as Louisiana governor) then popularized it through purchasing it and performing it at political rallies.
Songs that become hit singles on pop music charts typically possess certain traits known as the “pop-music formula.” For example, they often boast catchy melodies with easy melodic structures, making them suitable for singalong.
Conversely, genres like rap and grunge don’t typically focus on romantic love as an overarching theme, creating more opportunities for songs with deeper messages.
2. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”
“Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” made famous by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz movie in 1939, is one of the most enduring songs in pop music history. Written for hope and aspiration in mind, its message conveys a desire to escape reality in favor of something better.
This song, like “You Are My Sunshine,” emphasizes the value of having a catchy melody. Although a variety of factors come into play when creating great songs, melodies are among the most critical factors.
These songs feature beautiful and catchy melodies that have made them so beloved, making them part of culture and still widely performed today. Baby-friendly versions can even be found on Rockabye Baby! albums for soothing fussy infants to sleep.
3. “Baby Shark”
No doubt about it: Baby Shark has become an extraordinary success story. Produced by Korean entertainment brand Pinkfong and with over 400 million YouTube views to its credit, its children-centric song has made waves both online and off; breaking Billboard’s top 40 chart. Kids of all ages love its simple beat, catchy tune and colorful graphics while its memorable lyrics become hard to escape once stuck in one’s head.
The video engages many senses simultaneously and combines language, music and movement for maximum appeal to children with limited attention skills. New shark versions keep listeners coming back for more while dance challenges and social media memes like #BabySharkChallenge further promote its message.
4. “Blackbird”
Though much research has focused on adults’ emotional responses to music, infants remain somewhat more mysterious. We do know they prefer consonance over dissonance and can remember past tempo and timbre of music they’ve heard.
For parents seeking an easy song for their little ones to enjoy singing together, this Beatles classic makes an excellent selection. With its gentle tempo and soothing lyrics, its gentle tune will help put their minds at ease and promote relaxation.
“Blackbird” has become so soothing that it was used to comfort a newborn dad after losing both wife and baby in an accident, and his video singing it to his infant son has moved millions worldwide. Additionally, this classic tune featured prominently in the screwball comedy Bringing Up Baby.
5. “On Top of Spaghetti”
No doubt the comforting food itself or the images from Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs have inspired children’s love of spaghetti and meatballs as comfort foods; thus making Tom Glazer’s folk song On Top of Spaghetti an especially beloved hit among young eaters.
The lullaby is a playful yet gentle interpretation of the traditional folk tune “On Top of Old Smokey,” while still remaining traditional in terms of lyrics and form. By including diminutives like “baby” into its four-beat pattern written with iambic quadrameter syllables. Babies thrive with repetition: hearing songs repeatedly will allow them to quickly grasp them while enjoying both rhythmic timbre, as well as vocal melodies!
6. “This Little Piggy”
Nursery rhymes have been around since time immemorial, and this one about pigs is no different. Over the years it has gone through some subtle adjustments but remains equally enjoyable – chant it while changing your baby’s diaper and touch each toe on their foot to complete the song: “This little piggy went to market”- Wiggle the child’s big toe – “This little piggy had roast beef” – Wiggle another major toe – then “This little piggy had none”- tickle all over.
Finger play and singing with your baby is an excellent way to build their language, pre-reading skills and physical coordination, while simultaneously bonding. However, this tale also has a darker undercurrent; many have taken to interpreting its conclusion to mean slaughter of innocent animals.
7. “Elmo’s Song”
Joe Raposo and Jeff Moss wrote this catchy tune to count seven goldfish. Kevin Clash presents it in his signature style that looks less realistic than most of Sesame Street – more like it could be an animated crayon drawing come alive!
It features animation of three Anything Muppets (Jerry Nelson green, Frank Oz blue and Jim Henson lavender) swimming through an ocean scene. This song can be found in many videos designed for kids such as Elmo’s Favorite Songs 2 and Elmo’s Playdate: Scavenger Hunt; it even serves as the ringtone on Smartie Phone. A version was used in Sesame Street at Home series; later re-released as an instrumental track on 2023 album Soothe Snuggle Slowdown
8. “The More We Get Together”
Parents often look to more contemporary music to soothe their babies to sleep – which is where Rockabye Baby comes in! Based out of Los Angeles, this company has created child-safe versions of some of today’s hottest pop and rock tracks on the charts.
Studies into infants’ reactions to music have found that infants are most engaged by fast tempo and regular rhythm songs with strong lyrics about standing up for yourself or fighting bullying; music featuring their mother’s voices tends to get them excited as well. Taylor Swift is often chosen as child-appropriate music as her “Mean” has a message of standing up for oneself while “Fight Song” offers up fighting bullying as its message; also, its iambic quadrameter rhyme pattern fits in perfectly with rock and roll’s four beat pattern for added charm!
10. “Wheels On The Bus”
Babies naturally respond to music, whether it be Baby Shark, Mozart or the classic nursery rhyme “The Wheels on the Bus.” But why does music hold their attention and what does this mean for their development?
This song’s cyclic structure makes it easy for children to pick up and sing along, as its repeated verses help them remember key aspects about a bus. Furthermore, moving their hands along with each line helps develop coordination and fine motor skills while improving coordination and fine motor abilities.
Although some nursery rhymes contain hidden messages (Ring Around the Rosie has an association to the Great Plague, for instance), “Wheels on the Bus” seems to lack such hidden meanings; rather it appears to have been created simply to keep kids entertained on long bus rides; it is now a staple in preschool programs across the nation.