Music Mondays

Theme songs have magical powers. 

Before, I would have affirmed that statement while recognizing how hyperbolic it is. You'll never be able to convince me otherwise of it's literal truth now that I'm a parent.

Partly due to my own tv watching habits and partly due to my own affinity for these songs, two distinct, lyric-less songs will stop our two boys in their tracks and get them dancing in front of the tv.

First, is the classic ditty from The Office:

Going back to the early days in our marriage, I would often drum tap on Stephanie's leg whenever the song played at the beginning of the episode. Now I carry on that tradition with our sons and it has gotten to the point where they will halt whatever activity or mood they happen to be in, in order to listen to the music.

A second one has emerged as a powerful attention grabber, this time without my enthusiastic encouragement:

I am a sucker for the classic L&O shows, my personal opinion being that the after the first 10 seasons or so, the writing and plot structures became a bit formulaic. The classic jazz/blues number (is that the right genre?) really matches the tone of the older, grittier seasons. 

Much like The Office, my kids couldn't care less about the show itself once the song is done, but it is so amusing to see them react to the music each time.

Music Mondays: Father and Child Edition #2

Children's songs on YouTube are apparently infinite. I've discovered this only now because of our two year old. 

Since they're infinite, what's it going to hurt to feature and comment on three more as a follow up to my last post?

Here are three more remarkable* kids songs that are in the rotation right now:

"Do you know the Muffin Man?

There are other, more palatable versions of this song featuring puppets and creative graphics. This version happens to feature youths overacting like nobodies business. It's no fault of their own. They've been directed to do so, no doubt. And I'm sure it clicks with little kid brains. But boy do I have to resist the urge to go all "Mystery Science Theater 3000" when this comes on.

"Johny, Johny Yes Papa"

Ok, there is no getting around it. This song encourages kids to both sneak food they're not supposed to have and lie to their parents. And this version even has a toddler skateboarding - so make it three things I don't want my little guy to do. On the other hand, it has taught our oldest to go "ha ha ha" whenever we sing the part of the jingle "open your mouth...". It's adorable enough to make up for the corrupting lessons of the song itself.
Let me also note that this is the most logical version of the song I've seen. There are others with all kinds of characters and objects they're eating which make even less sense.

"Down by the Bay"

After coming across this one this morning, I'm convinced is the new generation's version of "The Song that Never Ends". It seems to go on and on and on, limited only the rhyming ability of the song's author ("a snail who gets mail" "a bee drinking tea" etc). The fact that this Super Simple cartoon features various versions with the same little monster (?) singing it underscores it's potential for eternality.  Side note, does this singer have mommy issues? Why doesn't he want to go home? Just because of her incessant questions? 

I think I have a different idea for next time, but thank you for sharing a little of my parental world today.



* I say "remarkable" in that they easily get stuck in my head, provide consistent entertainment to my child, and eventually force me to make the over-thought observations you see above.