My son loves Yo Gabba Gabba, which is fine by me because as far as kids shows go, this one is pretty entertaining. It has good songs, relatively interesting stories, and music that doesn't make you want to go deaf if its put on repeat.
The creators of the shows are musicians and they sought out to make sure that kids were being exposed to age-appropriate versions of the kinds of music their parents might listen to. With most episodes, the characters watch a show called The Super Music Friends Show, which is basically a real band performing kid-themed songs. Most (but certainly not all) of them are pretty good, and they do a great job of keeping the sound of each musician/band while making the content kid friendly.
Without any further ado, here are my top 10 Super Music Friends Show segments.
10. Taking Back Sunday - "We All Love Our Pets"
I included this song mostly because it takes me back to my high school days when emo was cool. I was a big Taking Back Sunday fan, and it's nice to know that more than a decade later they sound exactly the same as they did back then. Like the musical equivalent of comfort food.
The juxtaposition in this song is also pretty awesome. They have such an angsty, my-girlfriend-dumped-me sound to them, but they're singing about pets! Fascinating. My favorite part is easily the backup singing in the second chorus where the fact that he loves pets seems to literally pain him.
The creators of the shows are musicians and they sought out to make sure that kids were being exposed to age-appropriate versions of the kinds of music their parents might listen to. With most episodes, the characters watch a show called The Super Music Friends Show, which is basically a real band performing kid-themed songs. Most (but certainly not all) of them are pretty good, and they do a great job of keeping the sound of each musician/band while making the content kid friendly.
Without any further ado, here are my top 10 Super Music Friends Show segments.
10. Taking Back Sunday - "We All Love Our Pets"
I included this song mostly because it takes me back to my high school days when emo was cool. I was a big Taking Back Sunday fan, and it's nice to know that more than a decade later they sound exactly the same as they did back then. Like the musical equivalent of comfort food.
The juxtaposition in this song is also pretty awesome. They have such an angsty, my-girlfriend-dumped-me sound to them, but they're singing about pets! Fascinating. My favorite part is easily the backup singing in the second chorus where the fact that he loves pets seems to literally pain him.
9. The Shins - "It's Ok Try Again"
Who doesn't like the Shins? In this song, they bring their too-cool-for-school indie sound to teach kids that losing is no big deal. And I believe them! Also, really dig the banjo in this song.
Who doesn't like the Shins? In this song, they bring their too-cool-for-school indie sound to teach kids that losing is no big deal. And I believe them! Also, really dig the banjo in this song.
8. The Ting Tings - "Happy Birthday"
This song is a catchy birthday-themed song, but really it's so much more than that. If you dig a little deeper, it's kind of bizarre. For instance, I'm not really sure what to do with these lyrics. Sounds like a strange birthday to me. And what's with the guitarist looking like he just walked out of an episode of The Walking Dead with the blood-splattered jacket? And the dancing?
Like I said - it''s catchy.
This song is a catchy birthday-themed song, but really it's so much more than that. If you dig a little deeper, it's kind of bizarre. For instance, I'm not really sure what to do with these lyrics. Sounds like a strange birthday to me. And what's with the guitarist looking like he just walked out of an episode of The Walking Dead with the blood-splattered jacket? And the dancing?
Like I said - it''s catchy.
7. Dr. Dog - "When You're A Gardener"
This is from a farm-themed episode, and they could have easily gone a country western route for the musical performance. Instead, they came way out of the cornfield with Dr. Dog bringing a psychedelic gardening song complete with pitchfork guitars and multicultural folks in overalls. Just don't worry about what they're growing and enjoy the ride.
This is from a farm-themed episode, and they could have easily gone a country western route for the musical performance. Instead, they came way out of the cornfield with Dr. Dog bringing a psychedelic gardening song complete with pitchfork guitars and multicultural folks in overalls. Just don't worry about what they're growing and enjoy the ride.
6. Weezer - "All My Friends Are Insects"
The song itself is nothing remarkable. It doesn't even sound like authentic Weezer; it's more like Weezer doing a Weezer impression. In spite of that, Rivers and Company really commit to this performance, giant insect costumes and all - the guitar riffs, the rock star faces, and the jumping and singing. They're having fun! Bugs are awesome!
The song itself is nothing remarkable. It doesn't even sound like authentic Weezer; it's more like Weezer doing a Weezer impression. In spite of that, Rivers and Company really commit to this performance, giant insect costumes and all - the guitar riffs, the rock star faces, and the jumping and singing. They're having fun! Bugs are awesome!
5. Mates of State - "No One Likes to Be Left Out"
There's a lot to like about this song - the alternating guy/girl vocals, the matching outfits, the synchronized clapping. And it's catchy as hell. You try and get it out of your head. It's a good little pop song with a video that's silly but entertaining.
There's a lot to like about this song - the alternating guy/girl vocals, the matching outfits, the synchronized clapping. And it's catchy as hell. You try and get it out of your head. It's a good little pop song with a video that's silly but entertaining.
4. Devo - "Watch Us Work It"
I seriously thought about including Chromeo's performance on this list, but if I was only including one retro 80s song (seriously, we don't need two), you know that it was going to be from Devo. There really isn't anything kid-specific about this song, but it's got weird instruments and funny hats, so...that's something. Plus Mark is well known on the show as the guy who teaches kids how to draw, so it's nice to see him in another light.
I seriously thought about including Chromeo's performance on this list, but if I was only including one retro 80s song (seriously, we don't need two), you know that it was going to be from Devo. There really isn't anything kid-specific about this song, but it's got weird instruments and funny hats, so...that's something. Plus Mark is well known on the show as the guy who teaches kids how to draw, so it's nice to see him in another light.
3. Band of Horses - "Out In Nature"
I would probably really like this song, even if it wasn't made specifically for kids. The mixture of band and content is perfect -Band of Horses has such an ethereal, strangely epic sound that works well with the nature focus (unlike with this disaster). The video itself is a little odd, as it looks like they dragged some guys out of a truck stop and into the woods, but it works.
I would probably really like this song, even if it wasn't made specifically for kids. The mixture of band and content is perfect -Band of Horses has such an ethereal, strangely epic sound that works well with the nature focus (unlike with this disaster). The video itself is a little odd, as it looks like they dragged some guys out of a truck stop and into the woods, but it works.
2. The Roots - "Lovely, Love My Family"
Again, this is one where they just nailed it. The song is catchy, the music is great, and the message works really well with the sound of the band. It's also nice to see a hip-hop group (even one as nontraditional as The Roots) get some airtime on this segment so it's not just white guys with guitars (even though this one has a white guy with a guitar - you know what I mean).
Again, this is one where they just nailed it. The song is catchy, the music is great, and the message works really well with the sound of the band. It's also nice to see a hip-hop group (even one as nontraditional as The Roots) get some airtime on this segment so it's not just white guys with guitars (even though this one has a white guy with a guitar - you know what I mean).
1. I'm From Barcelona - "Just Because It's Different Doesn't Mean It's Scary"
By far the best song on the show - it sounds like a radio hit waiting to happen. I love the interaction of the lead singer and the ensemble leading up to chorus, which is the perfectly subtle mixture of chaotic and epic. It's great for a song that's all about trying new things. Love it!
By far the best song on the show - it sounds like a radio hit waiting to happen. I love the interaction of the lead singer and the ensemble leading up to chorus, which is the perfectly subtle mixture of chaotic and epic. It's great for a song that's all about trying new things. Love it!