The Babble Back-to-school Playlist
The 12 best kids' songs for soothing first-day jitters
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The White Stripes: We are Gonna Be Friends
If your kid’s in a new class, ease his fears by playing this unadorned tune from Jack and Meg White. They’ll tell him what to expect — “Numbers, letters, learn to spell/nouns, and books, and show and tell” — while remaining inoffensive to adult musical tastes.
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They Might Be Giants: Nonagon
People mistook the goofy sound of They Might Be Giants for children’s music, so their foray into the kiddie genre was well played. Geometry has never been so catchy. -
Recess Monkey: Sack Lunch
To the updated tune of 'I'm a Little Teapot,' this funky male trio sings about what happens when a sack lunch goes on an adventure. It'll get your little ones excited for the brown bags, pb&j's, and homemade notes to come!
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The Ramones: Rock and Roll High School
If elementary school is tough for your little one, this song will remind her of all she has to look forward to once high school comes around — just be sure to remind her that getting her homework in on time is truly punk rock.
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Arcade Fire: Ready to Start
School can seem like a total drag compared to a summer full of pools, barbecues, and beaches — but when you and your child start rockin’ out to “Ready to Start,” maybe he’ll be in a better mindset to dive into fall.
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Kriss Kross: I Missed the Bus
Perhaps the best motivator for making it to the bus stop on time: Tell your kids they’ll have to be dropped off with this song blasting out of the windows if they’re late to school. Kriss Kross learned their lesson, after all.
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Beach Boys: Be True to Your School
This sweet ‘60s tune is a smooth ode to school spirit — although you might have to explain what a letterman jacket is to your little one.
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Florence and the Machine: Dog Days are Over
Maybe your family isn’t the summer type: It’s too hot, too boring. Well, lucky for you: The dog days (of summer) are over! A perfect early-morning tune to get everyone dancing out the door.
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Jackson ABC
With all that summer fun, your child might need a refresher on his letters and numbers. Okay, it’s only “A, B, C, 1, 2, 3,” but it’s a start.
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Paul Simon: Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard
If your kid is refusing to go to school, play this song and remind him how cool it is to hang out with his pals before the bell rings. While the song lyrics allude to some sort of law being broken, just ignore that, and groove to the upbeat sound.
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Chuck Berry: School Days
Ring! Ring! Goes the bell! Play this for your mini rock-and-roller and you’ll have no problem sending her out the door, backpack in tow.
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Fleetwood Mac: Don't Stop
When it's Thursday night and your kid's saddled with homework, a science project, and a big history test, take a break for a quick jam with this classic that will remind him the next day (and the weekend!) will come soon enough.
That nonagon is the cutest little thing.
Was ttollay stuck until I read this, now back up and running.
Calling all cars, calilng all cars, we’re ready to make a deal.
Some of our favorites that are geared towards kids: Justin Roberts – Yellow Bus, Imagination Movers – First Day of School, Milkshake – School, Rocknoceros – Crossing Guard, Diggity Dudes – Line Leader, SteveSongs – Anything We Want to Be
Some of our favorites that are geared towards kids: Justin Roberts – Yellow Bus, Imagination Movers – First Day of School, Milkshake – School, Rocknoceros – Crossing Guard, Diggity Dudes – Line Leader, SteveSongs – Anything We Want to Be