Fun With Kidsongs Blog

Everything You Want To Know About "Purple People Eater"

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 20:46:37 +0000

It was an instant hit when it came out way back in 1958, it’s played on oldies radio the world over, it sold three million copies and inspired a movie. But what is the story behind Sheb Wooley’s classic novelty song about a “Purple People Eater”?

Here are a few fascinating facts about the one eyed purple guy’s genesis:

Writer and performer Sheb Wooley was an interesting guy -- Raised on a farm in Erick, Oklahoma, his first careers were cowboy and rodeo rider, followed by welding work for the local oil industry. But his heart was in music and from high school on he always had a country and western band.

In 1946, he moved to Ft. Worth, Texas to pursue his career as a musician on a local radio show. Plowing his earnings into acting lessons soon led to success as an actor in Western movies and TV Shows. You can see Sheb in “High Noon”, “The Cisco Kid”, and “Rawhide”. His last film, his 40^th, was the 1986 double-Oscar nominated “Hoosiers”.

Sheb was known for his quirky sense of humor and having a flair for parody. By all accounts, he was a fun guy. He married a young lady, Melva Miller, from his home town whose family had take in a cousin, Roger. The same Roger Miller who wrote another major novelty hit, “Dang Me” and the classic “Trailer for Sale or Rent”. Two hardworking farm boys from Erick, OK made a major impression on Nashville, Hollywood and popular culture – A true American success story, but I digress.

Let’s look at what was happening in music and movies at the time “Purple People Eater” was written. The late 1950’s were a time of over-the-top Sci Fi Films that were almost as much fun as they were scary; movies like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman”, “The Blob”, and “Godzilla” -- Gotta love those titles.

It was the era of rock and roll novelty songs like “Short Shorts”, “Yakety Yak”, “Splish Splash” and “The Witch Doctor”. Little Richard and Chuck Berry were topping the chart with R & B tinged rock and roll with a good time feel.

"Purple People Eater" from Kidsongs Music Video Story "Very Silly Songs" and The Kidsongs TV Show "Let's Learn About Animals". these titles are also available for Download.

“Purple People Eater” is the happy combination of all of these elements. Like many popular novelty songs it has a memorable title and a silly premise. Sheb wrote a catchy melody, added a prominent sax solo and a rockin’ beat. He added witty lyrics to parody the popular Sci Fi movies of the day, giving the starring role to a friendly “Purple People Eater” who liked short shorts and rock roll, added some sped up vocals a la the Chipmunks and -- Voila! -- A hit was born.

So is “Purple People Eater” a cleverly crafted pop song incorporating all things 1958? Or was it something else? When asked about it, Sheb said, “A friend of mine told me his son had come home from school with a joke: ‘What has one eye, one horn, flies and eats people? A flying Purple People Eater!’ I wrote the song in a matter of minutes – Just dashed it off as a sort of afterthought.”

Sheb might have been joking with his response. Either way, the song has made a lot of people happy and has tons of long-lasting “kid appeal”. That’s why we’ve included “Purple People Eater” in our Kidsongs catalog. Take a peek at our version from the aptly titled “Very Silly Songs” and rock it out with your little ones.

To see the complete lyrics, click here.

Check back often for more blog articles from this series, “Kidsongs Guide to Children’s Songs”. Learn the history, fun facts and some behind-the-scenes stories about everyone’s favorite songs.

Kids and Music Lesson Choices

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 21:50:23 +0000

We all know that kids love music! Like most parents, I was eager to expose my kids to music at an early age. It’s a good idea for more than just the joy they get out of it. As we’ve said before on the Fun With Kidsongs Blog, music enhances a child’s brain development and improves their success in school later in life. I sang to my kids when they were babies, played music at home and in the car and took them to toddler music classes. But once my older reached school age, I realized that it was time to take it up a notch.

After doing some research online and talking to other parents, I found out that for the age five and up crowd, the piano is a logical choice, mainly because it’s easiest for a beginner. A year or so of instruction on the piano or keyboard provides a great foundation. My child learned basic music theory concepts -- we’re talking the easy stuff -- the music alphabet, what quarter, half and whole notes are and the location of the keys on the keyboard. All the while she learned fun, familiar songs such as “Mary Had a Little Lamb” and “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”. I started my daughter in a group lesson offered by our local Parks and Recreation Department. It saved me money and I was able to gauge how receptive she was to learning an instrument. The teacher was creative and made the experience varied and fun.

"Fooba Wooba John" from Play Along Songs

At age 7, my child expressed an interest in learning other instruments, namely the violin. Violin is another relatively easy instrument for a school-age child to learn and with a year of piano under her belt, she should find easier to transition between instruments. I like the idea or her learning a string instrument – I greatly enjoyed playing the violin in my junior high orchestra. So now the challenge is finding a quality used violin – either to rent or buy. I have already found a number of qualified teachers in my area that offer individual lessons at a good price. I like the idea of a young, energetic college student who is looking to earn some extra money. I want to make this a positive experience for my daughter – a far cry from the cranky old woman who taught me how to play Chopin on the piano at age 9.

If you and your children decide to take the plunge into the world of music lessons, another ongoing hurdle is getting them to practice. You know your child best, and it may take some trial and error to find the best way to get it accomplished. I’ve found that there has to be some kind of external incentive. You can try a sticker chart which rewards their efforts at the end of the week – for example, a new book or a trip out for ice cream. I’ve found that a timed practice session is not as useful as setting a goal for practice. Focus on a couple of difficult lines or a problematic section, starting with a very slow tempo and slowly bringing the tempo up. Once it is played correctly and with expressiveness, she is done for the day. That way, she focuses on perfecting the piece instead of going through the motions while watching the clock.

Even if you don’t go the route of lessons early on in your child’s life, exposing them to different artistic/musical outlets will reward them throughout their lifetime. Don’t forget that singing in a choir, theatre performances and dance are all beneficial to your child’s development and love of music. I’m sure I will have more stories and helpful hints as we continue on our musical journey!

By the way, check out our terrific CD/Songbooks which come with sheet music for many of your favorite Kidsongs songs!

Babies, Toddlers, Kids and Music Choices

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 18:17:34 +0000

We've all seen babies joyfully connecting with music -- bouncing, rocking, swaying along -- with big smiles on their faces. Whether the source is the car radio, live musicians playing, or mom and dad singing to them, the reaction is natural and instinctive: Babies like music and they respond to it.

Toddlers and kids also engage wholeheartedly with music and are often inspired to play along. Hitting a pot or pan with a wooden spoon, keeping tempo by stomping their feet or by playing a simple musical instrument, young kids really enjoy getting into it and making some noise.

People often ask us what kinds of music are best for children of certain ages. My answer is always this: The music that they like and respond to. It’s easy to tell -- their face lights up and their bodies start moving. I will generalize that the youngest children prefer simpler melodies with repetitive lyrics and gentle instrumentation -- a piano and vocal version of “Mary Had A Little Lamb” or a folksy version of “Old MacDonald Had A Farm”, for instance. But, I have also watched toddlers twirling around to a big soaring Tchaikovsky concerto and getting their groove on to a reggae hit like “Don’t Worry Be Happy”.

The simple beats of classic rock and roll seem to connect with just about everyone over the age of two. Novelty song lyrics often capture children’s attention and appeal to their sense of silliness. Within the Kidsongs Library, I would point to “Splish, Splash”, “Purple People Eater” and “Yes, We Have No Bananas” as examples of oldies that transcend the generations. Grab your video camera to capture the moment when your little ones start to “rock out” -- it's always cute.

"Splish Splash" from Ride the Roller Coaster

We have over 300 songs to choose from in our Kidsongs Music and Video Library, with free lyrics available to all. Check your local library or children’s books and music stores for other great sources of kids music, too. With kids and music, it really is the more the merrier! And, you might just find yourself joining in the singing and dancing fun, too.

To see the our complete list of kid’s songs available for mp3 download, click here. To see our toddler friendly DVDs go here.

Kid Fun On a Hot Summer Day

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:08:53 +0000

Okay, it’s hot outside, the kids are getting cranky and you don’t want to spend a bunch of money to keep them entertained. What to do? Try some of these tried and true ideas:

Sprinkler fun: Let your kids cool off with the garden hose or sprinklers. If you don’t have water toys, just give the kids some plastic containers, strainers, dishwashing liquid, plastic toys or anything else that can increase their fun. Cool, wet kids are happy kids.

Make some frozen treats: Using popsicle sticks, punch, juice or homemade lemonade and ice cube trays (or paper or plastic cups), let your kids make their own popsicles. Add in some gummy bears, cut up pieces of fruit or other surprises to make each one different. Get creative – just about anything goes!

Summer dance party: Pop in a Kidsongs DVD (I Can Dance is perfect for this) or download your favorite danceable children’s songs and get moving! Getting silly is a sure cure for crankiness. Try “Do the Silly Willy”, “Barefootin” and “Splish Splash” to keep everyone smiling. Keep a pitcher of lemonade near by, they’ll need it!

Another favorite one of our favorites, "Barefootin" from I Can Dance! Available for Download, too!

Build a fort: If it’s too hot outside, let them build one inside! The dining room table can be the roof, drape the sides with sheets and fill it up with comfy pillows. Once inside they can play with toys or make up secret games and adventures. Flashlights, hats and costumes all add to the fantasy fun.

Make a collage: In the shade outside, or in the air-conditioning inside, set up an area with a small table for some crafts. All you need is some basic white clue and something, anything, to glue onto -- a shoe box, a piece of construction paper, spare cardboard, or even a clothes hanger! Have the kids choose and gather up what they want to work with -- leaves and flowers from the garden, pictures cut out of old magazines, beads, dried pasta & beans, buttons from the sewing box or all of the above! When they have made their projects, set up a little outdoor art show for friends and neighbors to enjoy.

Kick-starting some creative fun for you kids will help get their minds of the heat and parents won’t have to hear the familiar whine of “There’s nothing to doooooo”. It's a win-win for everyone!

Baby Animal Songs Are Fun!

Fri, 21 May 2010 20:16:17 +0000

What could be cuter and more entertaining than fuzzy, furry, big-eyed, roly-poly baby animals? Not a lot. Baby animals mesmerize kids and adults alike with their inquisitive and playful behavior eliciting choruses of “ahhhs” and “oooos”. Most of us can’t get enough of them.

Songs about baby animals tend to be very cute, too, and many of them offer the opportunity to reinforce learning numbers, letters and phonics through rhyming lyrics.
We like to encourage parents, grandparents,teachers and caregivers to use kid’s songs as a gateway to rewarding interactions with their children.

Let’s explore a few songs about baby animals that are perfect to work with:

"Five Little Monkeys" is a countdown song – first there are 5, then 4, then 3…You get the idea. I love songs that teach our kids without them feeling like they are being taught. They think it’s just a sing along game they can play along with: count the monkeys on their fingers, or act out the lyrics using stuffed toys, or make sock puppets to represent the monkeys and play together. Use your imagination to come up with an engaging play activity to accompany the song and have fun!

“'A' You’re Adorable” is another song about baby animals that has a lot to offer. You can sing your way all the way through to Z! This song will take a while to learn, it has lots of lyrics, but the very catchy melody will catch on with your kids. There is something about wanting to know all their letters that motivates children to master this one. Our Kidsongs video version features adorable white tiger cubs…Did I say “adorable”? What an understatement.

"'A' You're Adorable" from the Kidsongs Music Video Story title Baby Animals

“The Petting Zoo” is another very popular song about baby animals. This one is very interactive, so encourage your kids to get up and moving and act it out. Here's a sampling of the lyrics:

At the petting zoo
There is a little bunny rabbit
At the petting zoo
There is a little bunny rabbit
The bunny- likes to hop, hop, hop
The bunny- likes to hop, hop, hop

That’s your cue…get hopping! Once you get through all of the animals in the song, encourage your child to add their own verses paired with their favorite animal's actions to keep the activity going.

And let’s not forget a real oldie: “How Much is That Doggie in the Window?”. It’s a perennial favorite that spans generations. Just the idea of a little puppy in a shop window, wagging its tail, hoping to be taken home, is enough to hook most of us. It’s a song with a cute story that’s easy to turn into a simple play along game for you and your kids to enjoy.

Lots of our Kidsongs videos show the Kidsongs Kids doing simple choreography and hand movements designed to help develop our young viewer's coordination. The added attraction of adorable baby animals in the music videos that I’ve written about here, make an especially winning combination.

Enjoy !

Having a Great Kid's Birthday On a Budget

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 21:29:46 +0000

We’re watching our pennies these days, who isn’t? But we still want our kids to have a very special day and a whole lot of fun on their birthdays. Here’s how to do both!

The Venue: The party venue can be a big expense so I’m happy that my children prefer to have their birthday parties at home. Parks and the zoo are also popular low cost options. Moving up the budget chain are indoor play areas, skate parks, bowling alleys and the budget busting theme park extravaganza.

If you host the party at your home, you won't have to pay for the rental of an outside location. That’s a plus. But, you also have to clean the house, before and after, endure some amount of mess and maybe even damage. That can be a big minus. You will have to get everything bought and set up -- a minus if you are tight for time but you’re saving money and that’s a plus.

If you take the party somewhere how much will tickets, parking, food and rental fees be? Is the destination parent friendly? Kid-safe? Will you have it all to yourself? How convenient is the location for your guests?

Look at your venue options from both an enjoyment and financial point of view. For my low budget party ideas today, I am going to look at the at home party:

How many people? I know from experience that there is no such thing as “a little party at the house” once you count family members, family friends, your child’s classmates and their parents. To make the head count a little more manageable, I’ll bring cupcakes and goody bags to my son’s preschool to celebrate with his school friends so that everyone is included in his classroom party. Then, if my son wants, I let him pick two or three of his favorite friends to invite to his home birthday party. My family and my husband’s family both live nearby so when we count cousins, grandparents, close family friends, siblings and siblings’ friends, suddenly we are expecting 30 people! If you don’t have a lot of family nearby, you are free to invite more school mates.

How do I entertain them all? Try to keep it simple. At this age, parties run their course in about two hours. It goes by fast, so there’s no need to pack the party with hired entertainment. For my son’s fourth birthday, I plan on having a bouncy house -- I think it’s a bargain at $65, plus I found coupons on the company’s web site. I’ll also set up a low table with a few arts and crafts projects. If the $65 is out of your budget, you can do cheap and easy party games instead -- the library has books filled with ideas, or search the Web.

For musical fun, the My Favorite Kidsongs Collection includes four CDs and is loaded with fun songs for a game of musical chairs, Simon Says, dancing, or for background music.

"Simon Says" from the DVD Adventures in Biggleland: Billy's Birthday

For food, a variety of snacks (baby carrots, goldfish, pretzels) and mainstays like hot dogs and pasta are cheap and easy. Work in some healthy items as well: Baby carrots and celery with ranch dressing, grapes, sliced apples, etc. To save money (and work) you can divide the menu up among your relatives. If one of your guests loves to bake, ask if they will make the birthday cake instead of bringing a gift.

After eating, singing and having cake, the kids will run around and have some free play time (hopefully outside in the yard). Then it will be time for everyone to go home. (Except for the bouncy house – I try to schedule the last pick up time for the day, so that my kids can thoroughly wear themselves out!)

Low cost goodie bags and decorations: Hit the computer – It’s easy to buy your goody bag and decorating items online, especially if you’re prone to impulse purchases. In addition, check out your local dollar or close-out stores. There, you will find low cost gifts: Inexpensive stickers, toys, pens/pencils and candy. Use plain brown lunch bags for the goody bags, either decorated or not!

There’s no need to go with a specific character or theme (one year we did “nature”, which was easy!). Your child can pick a couple of his or her favorite colors for the crepe paper, napkins, etc. If you have a long roll of craft paper, outline the letters “Happy Birthday (name)” and then he or she can color in the letters and pick a place to hang it. This is also a good way to have siblings get involved so they don’t feel left out.

Enjoy! After all of the planning and prep, purchasing and creating, plan on enjoying the party along with your guests!

Torn Between My To-Do List and My Kids

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:42:46 +0000

Ever feel torn between your "to do" list and having fun with your child? Just combine the two and have a guilt-free day. Toddlers love to help and they love being by their parent's side, so look over that to-do list for the things that you and your child can do together.

Laundry time? Even two-year-olds can help you sort the colors from the whites and have fun stuffing the clothes into the machine! You can also make a game out of pairing up the loose socks once they come out of the dryer. If you digress for a moment and make a sock puppet that sings in silly voices, it's OK!

Cooking -- Yes they can! Have a roll of cookie dough? Have your toddler slice it with a wooden or plastic spatula. They can apply the non-stick spray to the cookie sheet and put the dough on it, too. They can turn on the egg timer and watch it tick away. Have some tubes of frosting? Your kids can make smiles and frowns and maybe even animal faces on the cookies.

Need to wrap some gifts? My daughter loves the look, feel and sound of wrapping paper. I lay a big sheet of it on the floor for her to hide under and play with or give her smaller pieces and she wraps "gifts" out of items found around the house. The present giving and unwrapping game never gets old at our house! I've learned to somewhat convincingly feign surprise and joy when unwrapping a wooden spoon.

Time to do the dishes? Set up a station next to you or on the floor with a small bowl of soapy water and a dish towel. Your child can "wash" plastic toys and safe kitchen items just like mom and dad. Even small children can dry the unbreakable items.

Need to sweep the floors? My 3-year-old son is fascinated with brooms and dust pans. Give them an area to tidy up while you work close by or take turns sweeping and scooping. Throw in a little "Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush" ("This is the way we sweep the floors, sweep the floors...") and sing and dance together.

It's faster to get through your to-do list on your own, but it's a much nicer day when fun and games with your child are part of the mix. You might just find the slower pace and giggles were exactly what you needed.

The Five All-Time Greatest Children's Songs

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:25:21 +0000

Here at kidsongs.com we have spent decades listening to over a thousand children's songs before deciding to go into the studio to record and produce videos of them. We have to really like them to add them to our catalog. Here are the best...in our opinion, of course!

To find the best of the best we had to go further. We looked for more than just a cute, catchy song. The song had to do more. It had to capture your child's imagination, play a role in your child's development, be memorable and be a song that everyone likes to sing.

Here's the list and the reasons why the song made it:

1.) Old MacDonald Had a Farm: The simple sing-songy melody is easy for little ones to master, its repetition of both key words (like "quack, quack") and phrases ("and on his farm he had a...") teaches children animal sounds while utilizing memory skills. Plus, you can add your favorite animals to it and in the words of Simon Cowell, "make it your own".

2.) The Wheels on the Bus: A simple structure, catchy melody and ability to add movement to act out the lyrics landed this on the list. Kids just want to play along with it and it's a favorite for in the car sing alongs.

3.) This Old Man: Rhyming and counting in one fun play along package. Need we say more?

4.) Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star: Is there a nicer way to end the day then singing a simple lullaby to your child? A lovely melody, images that are easy and calming to visualize and poetic lyrics create a perfect song.

5.) Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: It was a tough choice between Rudolph and Mary’s famous little lamb. Both songs tell a compelling story that children relate to and are about the special relationship between people and animals. They both stir feelings of empathy, have a little drama and a happy ending. We love both, but Rudolph won “by a nose”.

I'm sure you have your own favorites, so please comment and let us know which songs are the all-time greatest in your household!

How to Have a Stress Free Back-to-School Experience With Your Kids

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:25:47 +0000

If the title has you saying "yeah, right" then this blog post is for you. If you are running around like crazy trying to get it all together and also dealing with anxious little ones, then read on!

It's All In Your Head: The first days, or weeks, of school can be upsetting for young children. Remain calm even if your child is anxious and don't make too big a deal out of it all. Talk about it in a reassuring, lighthearted way. If you act as though it's going to all be fine, your kids will take your cue. Kids are geniuses at picking up on your real feelings. Easy does it!

Making Their Days Full of Smiles: When you talk with your kids about their day, look for the positives: Did anyone do something funny today that made you laugh? What is the coolest thing on the playground?

Preparation is Key: Reassure your child that they are in good hands and that they will be seeing you again in just a while. A special treat, a cute family photo, a sticker or a silly note in their lunch bag or backpack is a good idea, too.

Homework: Allow your child some play or relaxation time before starting homework. Remember, homework is an opportunity for kids to develop self-discipline by completing work independently, so resist the temptation to help too much. Sit with your child initially and "work together like grownups". Your assignment can be paying some bills, entering the school calendar on your computer or updating the Christmas card list. The companionship will insure that the homework experience isn't lonely for your child. Plus, you will be on hand if they need some guidance.

Dinner and Bedtime Routine: Feed everyone early enough so that there is enough playtime and reading time before the lights go out. The time before you say goodnight is also a good time to talk about any uneasy feelings your child may have about school. Hear your kids out and reassure them and soon they will drift off to dreamland.

Get Organized: A calm morning goes a long way toward a good day. The night before, make sure you know if there is a field trip or anything special your child needs for his or her school day. Parents, and kids who are old enough, can pack backpacks, pick out clothes and make lunches the night before. Showing your child how to get out of the house happily and on time with what they need for the day is a skill they will appreciate later!

Keep your sense of humor because soon enough the routine will be, well, routine! Try not to worry too much about an anxious child during these first few weeks. It is usually due to excitement more than unease.

An easy-does-it attitude, being prepared and open ears and arms equals a recipe for success!

Make Summer Road Trips Fun With These Kids' Activities

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:24:47 +0000

Can summer road trips with kids be fun?

Of course they can! No need to be worried about the little ones being bored and restless on long car rides. Just make music your new best friend! Pop in a kid-friendly CD and start the sing along fun and games.

Here are some ideas for song based games you can play in the car:

Just listening to that silly classic, "Purple People Eater" will put everyone in a good mood. Then make a game or contest out of looking out of the windows and finding purple things. Purple cars, big rigs, billboards -- there is a lot ore purple out there than you would think!

Play "The Bus Song" which kids just love to sing along with. With their seatbelts on have the kids act out the different functions of a bus and what its passengers are doing. See how many kinds and colors of busses you see on the road!

The ever popular "The Name Game" is perfect for the car and is good for language development too! Have fun with names while learning the sounds of different consonants: "Katie! Katie, Katie bo-bay-tee, bo-na-na fan-na fo-fay-nee, fee-fi mo-may-tee, Katie!"

After you've done all the names in the car, you can continue with your pet's names, friends and even the towns you are passing through. You may have trouble singing from laughing too much!

Enjoy the rest of summer and the memories that will your family will make together!

Top Five Fascinating Facts About Nursery Rhymes

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:15:18 +0000

Kids and parents alike love nursery rhymes. They can transport you to a magical far off place, give you a mini-education, and often, make you laugh. Here are a few things you might not know about nursery rhymes:

1. They could be Politically Incorrect: In an age when free speech was limited and public dissent could land you in a dungeon, nursery rhymes were a safe way to express politically incorrect points of view. Nursery rhymes associate words with similar sounds using a rhyming couplet or short verse which makes them easy to remember. This was especially important at a time when most people were unable to read or write. Stories could be passed down from generation to generation. They were used to communicate current events and freely express dissent in public.

2. Blame it on the Queen: Nursery rhymes can be traced back to the early 1300's (but they no doubt were told much earlier) and the written form of nursery rhymes date back to 16th century England where they were first incorporated into English plays. Most nursery rhymes were not written down until the 1700's when children's books as entertainment came about.

3. London Bridge was a shopper's paradise: The bridge was built and rebuilt numerous times between the 1st century and the 1960's, using the materials mentioned in the nursery rhyme. In the 1300's the London Bridge contained 140 shops, some of which were more than three stories high. The reference to silver and gold in the rhyme relates to the trading which took place on the bridge.

4. Mother Goose was French: The term Mother Goose originated in a French poem published in the late 1600's. Her entrance into the world of childhood rhyme occurred in the late 1700's when a compilation of English songs and rhymes from many eras along with illustrations was published. To add credibility, the book also contained sixteen verses from Shakespeare. Mother Goose nursery rhymes comprise four distinct categories: Lullabies, amusement, riddles and actual historical events.

5. 2 + 2 = Nursery Rhymes: Nursery rhymes can make you smarter. Research into childhood development has found that nursery rhymes set to music aid in a child's development. Research also supports the assertion that music and rhyme increase a child's ability in spatial reasoning which leads to greater success in school in the subjects of mathematics and science.

So, enjoy sharing your favorite nursery rhymes with your kids. It's fun for all and educational, too!