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10 Most Surprising Artists To Appear on Children's Albums
Filed under: Music
Thanks to talented artists like They Might Be Giants, Lisa Loeb and Jack Johnson, it's no longer uncool for mainstream musicians to record children's songs. Still, every now and again you see a name on a kids' CD and do a double-take ("Really? Them?"). Sometimes these crossover experiments work out to surprisingly fantastic results. Other times, not so much. Here are 10 of the most surprising artists to pay a visit to Wiggles territory.
1. Lou Reed ("What a Wonderful World," on Night Time
by Dan Zanes, 2002) - Part of what made Dan Zanes a megastar in the world of kids' music has been his ability to snag high profile guest stars. But Lou Reed is arguably his biggest "get." Few folks more underground than the frontman of the Velvet Underground. Here, he sort of half-sings, half-talks his way through a cover of the old Louis Armstrong hit, sounding strangely off rhythm at times. It's far from the best track on the album, but I'd hazard a guess that Reed didn't stick around for more than one take.
by Dan Zanes, 2002) - Part of what made Dan Zanes a megastar in the world of kids' music has been his ability to snag high profile guest stars. But Lou Reed is arguably his biggest "get." Few folks more underground than the frontman of the Velvet Underground. Here, he sort of half-sings, half-talks his way through a cover of the old Louis Armstrong hit, sounding strangely off rhythm at times. It's far from the best track on the album, but I'd hazard a guess that Reed didn't stick around for more than one take.
2. Tom Waits ("Bend Down the Branches," on For the Kids
, 2002) - This lullaby from the huskiest-voiced man alive is sweet in its own way, but also has the potential to frighten some small children.
3. Perry Farrell & Deborah Harry ("The Patience Bossa," on Kidzapalooza
, 2009) - The man who fronted the bands Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros defied expectations when he founded the Kidzapalooza music festival. His funky Latin-esque duet with Blondie vocalist Deborah Harry is wickedly cool.
, 2009) - The man who fronted the bands Jane's Addiction and Porno for Pyros defied expectations when he founded the Kidzapalooza music festival. His funky Latin-esque duet with Blondie vocalist Deborah Harry is wickedly cool.
4. Philip Glass ("A Place for Us," on House Party
by Dan Zanes, 2003) - Glass doesn't sing, but what the legendary avant-garde composer does here is whip out a crazy organ solo -- which is why we have a track on a children's CD that is over six minutes long.
by Dan Zanes, 2003) - Glass doesn't sing, but what the legendary avant-garde composer does here is whip out a crazy organ solo -- which is why we have a track on a children's CD that is over six minutes long.
5. Meredith Brooks (If I Could Be...
2007) - Ten years after making parents cover their children's ears with her one-hit-wonder song, "Bitch," Meredith Brooks decided to actually sing songs kids could hear. Well, I guess she did also sing, "I'm a child, I'm a mother."
2007) - Ten years after making parents cover their children's ears with her one-hit-wonder song, "Bitch," Meredith Brooks decided to actually sing songs kids could hear. Well, I guess she did also sing, "I'm a child, I'm a mother."
6. Rosey Grier ("It's Alright to Cry," on Free to Be You and Me
, 1972) - A classic. The then-NFL defensive lineman's earnest, un-self-conscious vocal performance made for one of the most endearing moments in music history.
, 1972) - A classic. The then-NFL defensive lineman's earnest, un-self-conscious vocal performance made for one of the most endearing moments in music history.
7. Scott Bakula ("Pig Island," on Philadelphia Chickens
by Sandra Boynton & Friends, 2004) - Who knew the guy from Quantum Leap could sing? Seriously, he's got a good voice. Men of a Certain Age has been remiss in not staging a karaoke scene yet.
by Sandra Boynton & Friends, 2004) - Who knew the guy from Quantum Leap could sing? Seriously, he's got a good voice. Men of a Certain Age has been remiss in not staging a karaoke scene yet.
8. The Verve Pipe (A Family Album, 2009) - This band's melancholy 1992 breakout hit, "The Freshmen," about teen pregnancy, abortion and suicide, wasn't exactly family friendly. Surprise, surprise -- their new totally kid-appropriate CD is wow-inducingly awesome. One of the best kids' albums in years.
9. Sandra Bernhard ("Thrift Shop," on Family Dance
by Dan Zanes, 2001) - The comedienne and professional provocateur might have been one of Zanes's strangest collaborative choices, but she sounds good on what is arguably the album's most fun track.
by Dan Zanes, 2001) - The comedienne and professional provocateur might have been one of Zanes's strangest collaborative choices, but she sounds good on what is arguably the album's most fun track.
10. Brian Johnson of AC/DC ("If I Had a Hammer," on Love & Peace: Greatest Hits for Kids
, 2010) - With only slightly less scratchy vocals than Tom Waits, Johnson takes a break from the Highway to Hell to sing with a choir of children. It is both strange and adorable.
Related: Music Review: Love & Peace/Pickin' and Grinnin'
, 2010) - With only slightly less scratchy vocals than Tom Waits, Johnson takes a break from the Highway to Hell to sing with a choir of children. It is both strange and adorable.Related: Music Review: Love & Peace/Pickin' and Grinnin'
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
3-05-2010 @ 5:11PM
Tess said...Scott Bakula has a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical... 1988's Romance/Romance.
He also sang on Quantum Leap many times.
Reply
3-05-2010 @ 5:28PM
Steven2566 said...They forgot Pantera's appearance on the SpongeBob SquarePants soundtrack
Reply
3-05-2010 @ 5:52PM
Bill said...Where was Steven Tyler (and the rest of Aerosmith, if I'm not mistaken, even though they're not credited) on Elmopalooza? or the Mighty Mighty Bosstones?
Reply
3-07-2010 @ 1:51AM
Deborah said...Yep, Steven Tyler did vocals on Elmopalooza in the late 90's!
3-05-2010 @ 7:45PM
hoopty said...there was a saturday morning cartoons album about 15 years ago that included the ramones, sublime and the butthole surfers. pretty crazy idea but great to rock out to if you grew up in the hanna barbere days
Reply
3-05-2010 @ 7:53PM
Marna said...Somewhere I have the vinyl of The Babysitters whose lead singer was Alan Arkin and one of the songs is Alan singing to his son Adam and Adam answering him.
Reply
3-10-2010 @ 8:30AM
ltlb1t said...Your site is called "parentdish". then why do you allow the crap postings for dating, find a millionaire date and crap like that????? What do they have to do with being a parent???? Seems to me you really don't care what is posted. WHY is it so hard to review what is being posted and delete the crap????? OR do you get PAID to have them on your comments????? Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. This is posted right below "add your comment" yet you allow this crap to be posted here.
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3-10-2010 @ 11:19AM
david said...My wife has a children's album with Afroman singing. Wish I could remember what song.
Reply
3-10-2010 @ 12:31PM
lou triolo said...Little Richard has a childrens album around. His version of Big Rock Candy mountain will put the rest to shame
Reply
3-10-2010 @ 1:01PM
Steve said...Correction: while Verve Pipe's "The Freshman" first appeared on an EP in 1992, it wasn't a "breakout hit" until its re-recording for a 1996 album was released as a single in 1997.
Reply
3-10-2010 @ 1:04PM
upurs said...well if you don't like them then don'y buy it
Reply
3-10-2010 @ 3:08PM
Kristy Johnson said...Also Jon Bon Jovi was first heard on a children's Christmas album. I think the song was called " Have a very merry Christmas R2-D2".
Reply
3-10-2010 @ 3:21PM
Larry W. Bruce said...I woiuld like to get at least one of these for the brat kicking my airplane seat. I'd like to scare the hell out of them every time they kick the back of my seat.
Reply