Happy Melancholy Childhood

Date

March 16, 2011

Miracler

Toria Emery

Location

San Francisco

Welcome to the Prodge, Toria Emery

Today's MIracler and Your Hostess met some years ago on a job, at which our Miracler would every Christmas offer something of her world view through yearly musical giftings of non-holiday stuff she was into. Her mixes were usually equal parts huh?/huh! to these ears, and it's through them that Your Hostess understood Ms. Emery was a necessary addition to The Prodge. A talented ad writer by day, world-class co-parent by night, and kids' books blogger by late night, she has brought this lovely sampler by for us today. Let's listen in.

Liner Notes by TE

So: music for kids. First thing that comes to mind is a pabulum of hearts, flowers, best friends and holding hands. But there’s a lot of stuff out there that’s really great: funny, smart, and well-crafted. But sometimes, nostalgic and sad.

This mix is equal parts happiness and melancholy, combined with a dose of my own childhood faves.

Mahna Mahna — Hard to beat the classic muppet version you say? Give this one a listen and you’ll find yourself itching to get your hands on a police whistle of your own.

Please Don’t Move (to Another Time Zone) — When you’re a kid, where and when you move is out of your hands. (Take it from me: my parents actually forgot to tell me we were moving until one of my dad’s co-workers gave a toast at what turned out to be a farewell party. Whoops!)

The Wonderbees — The Wonderbees album by Recess Monkey is a kind of rock opera concept album for pint-sized people. This is the first track on the album, and after I heard it, I found myself humming it every day for about a week solid.

Meet the Elements — They Might Be Giants are prolific and their songs are witty, stylistically diverse and educational. Thanks to this track, my kid now knows that diamonds come from carbon. All I need to do now is get him to start thinking about buying me some of that sparkly super-compressed carbon.

Thrift Shop — Fun times with Dan Zanes and Sandra Bernhardt. By the way, Dan Zanes puts on a great show. Borrow a kid if you don’t have one of your own and check it out.

Daddy-o — Kids worship their parents for only so long. Hold on to this one for when the kids enter their tween years.

Willie the King — Playing this song about about a kid trying to keep his parents from fighting seems like it would be a downer. But, waitaminute, the lyrics include the word “underpants,” so it’s okay.

Nellie the Elephant — A sad song posing as a fun one, this time about a chained-up elephant. Kids love it.

Video Killed the Radio Star — I know y’all know it. I know it’s not especially original. But I recently decided that this might be my favorite song ever. Don’t judge. Listening to it instantly brings me back to my own 1979 childhood. Plus, my kid loves it, too. He wrote a letter to Trevor Horn asking why The Buggles broke up.

My Little Bird — Even indie bands are big with the kids.

Pure Imagination — Better than the Gene Wilder version? You be the judge.

Kentucky Avenue — Okay, I cheated. This isn’t my kid’s favorite song, but listening to it reminds me of what my dad’s childhood must’ve been like, back when kids ran around with switchblades and smashed windows in old abandoned houses. The kicker is the end – hello, tear-factory.

Bonus Track: The King of Eight

Mix is up. See you back here or on our members-only Facebook page soon.

Until next week,

XOK