Que Sera, Sera

Comfort. Don't we all yearn for it at some point in our lives? My earliest memories of my mother giving me comfort was by just spending time with me - She on her sewing machine while I pretend played next to her. And she would sing this song to me "Whatever will be will be". It did not make much sense to me then. But over the years whenever I felt low I would remember her singing it to me. It was calm me down, immensely.

I would not associate this song with a Hitchcock movie. It was introduced in the Hitchcock film "The Man who Knew Too much". Doris Day's signature song become one of the most "close to the heart" songs especially for little girls.

When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother, what will I be
Will I be pretty, will I be rich
Here's what she said to me.

Que Sera, Sera,
Whatever will be, will be
The future's not ours, to see
Que Sera, Sera
What will be, will be.

When I was young, I fell in love
I asked my sweetheart what lies ahead
Will we have rainbows, day after day
Here's what my sweetheart said.

Now I have children of my own
They ask their mother, what will I be
Will I be handsome, will I be rich
I tell them tenderly.

Lollipop

"Lollipop" is a timeless favorite across ages and countries. The Chordettes popularized it with their cheerful and entertaining video. Barbershop music is a kind of music that kids relate to - because of their simple melodies and understandable lyrics.  The lyrics are so catchy that kids love it. My 4 year old went through a phase where he really liked it. The song also emphasizes on rhythms that is naturally endearing.

Sweeter than candy on a stick
Huckleberry, cherry, or lime
If you have a choice he'd be your pick
But Lollipop is mine...

Lollipop Lollipop
Oh Lolli Lolli Lolli
Lollipop Lollipop
Oh Lolli Lolli Lolli
Lollipop Lollipop
Oh Lolli Lolli Lolli
Lollipop *POP*

Dream a little dream

My 4 year old asks me every morning - "What did you dream of last night, ma?" Whether he knows what a dream is or not, he still is fascinated by what a dream could hold. Since 1931, the song "Dream a little dream" has been a favorite standard for many. I love Sophie Barker's version in her cd titled "Lullaby". She keeps it simple, crisp and easy to grasp for kids. Enjoy!

Varaveena

Mythology is an important feature of every culture. Mythology is fascinating - whether it be Greek, Roman, Hindu etc. In Hindu mythology, "Varaveena" is a song is in praise of the goddess who plays the veena, who has soft hands, has lotus petal shaped eyes, has a beautiful form, the one who shines with unparalleled good qualities, giver of victory, granter of wishes. The song is "pretty" in the sense that it is based in the simple and elegant major pentatonic scale "Mohanam". This song is one of the earliest of songs taught in the South Indian Classical school of music. Children seem to love it and connect to the simplicity of the scale. It is also a great way to teach kids about the instrument - "The Veena" - which is a plucked stringed instrument - similar to the ancient harp, the sitar, the slide guitar etc.  

The lyrics -

vara veeNaa mridu paaNi 
vana ruha lOcana raaNi 
suracira bambara vENi 
suranuta kalyaaNi 
nirupama subaguNa lOlaa 
nirata jayaaprada sheelaa 
varadaapriya ranganaayaki 
vaancita pala daayaki 
saraseejaasana jananee 
jaya jaya jaya
(vara veenaa)

It's a small world (after all)

What better way to teach kids about a global family than in a song format.

When the concept of "Small world" was created, the original theme song was a mix of national anthems around the world - which resulted in 'disharmonic' cacophony. That is when Walt Disney suggested he wanted a simple song which spread the universal message of peace and brotherhood. The song was initially a ballad which was later pepped up into it's current cheerful version. Here is "It's a small world" originally written by the famous Sherman Brothers. 

My boys love it. Apart from the whimsical designs and color styling of the theme, the song itself is so simple, catchy and full of life.

The simpler, the catchier - 

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hopes and a world of fears
There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware


It's a small world after all

It's a small, small world


There is just one moon and one golden sun
And a smile means friendship to everyone
Though the mountains divide
And the oceans are wide
It's a small world after all

Music picks for kids - Alouette

So, ever wondered why kids respond to songs? I do. What is it that makes songs more effective than words? When I sing to my boys (4 yr old and 1 yr old), it amazes me how I can get them to lighten up. Me: "Kash - let's go wash our hands". My 4 yr old "Noooo.I don't want to!"
Me singing:"let's go, let's go, tra la la, wishy washy handsy". Job done!

From my experience, I notice that my 4 yr old loves to fixate on one song at a time. Coming to think of it, I was like that too. Let's call it a phase. So, if he likes "A Ram Sam Sam Sam" - I might as well accept that it is the only song going to be played for the next month. My itunes playlist is proof for this. I can easily go back and see "no. of plays" for each song. The last song he has been crazy about it is the famous french song "Alouette". Does he know french? No. Does it matter whether he understands it? Apparently, no. It has become his comfort song - so far. When I say fixation, I mean, it is the "only" song in his playlist; in the car, in the bath, at bedtime. Yes. :-)) Hope your kids enjoy it!

Aloutte - A catchy song in French about plucking feathers from a lark