Frequency

Maybe I've been watching too many children's television programs, but my inner child has been singing out. Usually he can be soothed by singing along while Mr. Rogers asks him to be his neighbor or by humming melodies from comforting tunes like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." However, the inquisitive part of me is wondering what else exists in the realm of kids music. I know you may be older and wiser now, but surely part of you misses the innocence and fun contained in the children's music of your day.\nNot having contact with many youngsters myself, and in an effort to increase my journalistic integrity, I wanted to research some recent developments with music made specifically for kids. Most people already know of Raffi or the Kidz Bop compilations from the commercials with kidz jumping around amongst seizure-inducing backdrops whilst singing watered down pop songs, but there is more out there for kids. My personal favorite kid songs are performed by legendary bluesman Leadbelly. Though he was convicted of attempted murder, he could still make songs like "Skip to my Lou" sound so carefree and enjoyable.\nMore recently artists such as They Might Be Giants have cut records aimed specifically at the young ones. Artists like Metallica, Radiohead and Nirvana have become kid-friendly in recent years as well. Companies like Rockabye Baby are taking songs by well-known artists and turning them into glockenspiel-soaked lullabies for toddlers with more defined musical taste. \nI need to work on my finger painting, so I'll cut this short, but I hope you'll look at kid's music a little differently. "Schoolhouse Rock" and "Sesame Street" may have taught generations of children, but there now is kid-friendly music that caters to non-educational needs of children. Give it a chance. It's catchy, fun and good for the kid in you!