When you think kid’s entertainment, you may think “Dora The Explorer”, “Bob The Builder, or even “Transformers”. They’re not usually known for their catchy pop music. Still, there are more than a few TV shows and movies aimed at children that boast great pop music. From chocolate factories (“Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory”) to jugbands made up of otters (“Emmett Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas”), this pop music is pretty special and always family friendly.
The Wizard Of Oz – “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” 1939
It’s the fantastic, fantasy movie that we gladly share and watch with our families over the extended generations. The beautiful, signature song won an Oscar for being in the iconic film and is now a standard about the power of dreaming and hoping. Judy Garland is and will always be the most incredible Dorothy and her unparalleled redition of the uplifting pop classic, undoubtedly “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” will live for all time and all future generations.
Emmett Otter’s Jug-Band Christmas – “Barbecue” 1977
When you’ve created some of the most beloved family friendly characters in entertainment history like Kermit The Frog and Miss Piggy – where do you go from there? The Jim Henson Company went far indeed, and it’s still going strong. But for its first big TV special, it chose to forego the familiar Muppet pals like Fozzie The Bear or Kermit. Instead, it chose a heart warming Christmas tale. Despite a holiday theme, the Paul William’s songs here can be listened to – or sung, not singing them is next to impossible – any day of the year. The standout here, and it’s hard to pick one over so many gems, is “Barbecue” – a bouncy tribute to joyful music, dancing and eating barbecue grub. Runner up has to be “Riverbottom Nightmare Band” – a totally cool hard rock, heavy metal style number by the bad boys.
Coraline – “Other Father Song” 2009
This amazing stop motion feature film, directed by Henry Selick (“The Nightmare Before Christmas”) tells the story of a girl who’s dissatisfied with her real parents, so when she’s given an opportunity to get new ones – albeit like her old ones in many ways – she grabs it. “Be careful what you wish for…” is the film’s tagline, and it’s proven true in spades. With the voices of Terri Hatcher (“Desperate Housewives”) and John Hodgman (“The Daily Show”), the movie comes to vibrant life with the fun songs. The standout – by rock group “They Might Be Giants” – is called “Other Father Song”, and it’s a bouncy tribute to Coraline and to the kid inside each of us.
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory – “The Candyman” 1971
Too much chocolate will rot your teeth or make you fat, but the musical ear candy from “The Candyman” will only please the ears and lift your spirits. For even casual fans, there’s any number of fun songs here, but the breakout crossover hit is the pop version sung by icon Sammy Davis Jr. In the film, the candy store owner sang the playful song, but when Sammy recorded the Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusee composed song, it soared to number one on the Billboard 100. It’s now a classic anytime we think of candy or candy stores.
The Year Without A Santa Claus – “The Heat Miser Song” & “The Snow Miser Song” 1974
Siblings, though blessed with a very special bond, can indeed spell trouble for one another – in this case they can spell lots of intense heat and blustery cold. In this classic Rankin & Bass stop motion holiday TV special, the Heat Miser and the Cold Miser are brothers and children of the stormy Mother Nature. The trick here is that both the brothers – hateful of each other – sing their version of the same song, comfortably esconced in their own temperature appropriate kingdome. The special, the song and the Miser Brothers were such a hit, they did a full 90 minute live action version, and another full fledged television special, “A Miser Brothers’ Christmas”, with the Misers front and center.
http://www.davemadden.org/blog/2010/12/the-bathing-suit-she-wore-emmet-otters-jugband-christmas/ http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1332026/
http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-12-12/entertainment/17912832_1_stop-motion-animation-santa-claus-heat-miser
