JPF Home Page Forums General Messages Songwriter Message Forum Shopping for children's songs

Hello JPF peoples! I'm looking for some children's songs to record. I thought I was done with children's music after recording my 5th CD last year, but I've gone and written another good song, which makes me think that maybe I have one more in me. I'm not looking for songs with deep messages, or social lessons. Very often children's songwriters will write songs with themes for 6 to 10 year olds, and those children aren't even listening to children's music. I'm looking for simple songs with simple themes for pre-schoolers. For example, the new song I've written is called "Why is my one toe bigger than the rest?" Or even think simpler than that, like "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." It's incredible to me how such a simple song can become one of the most loved songs ever. So write me the next Twinkle Twinkle, and I'd be happy with that too.
I will credit you in the album of course, and pay a mechanical royalty for 1000 CDs, which is my usual first run. My music gets radio play in Canada, so if you're registered with SOCAN, you might see some money that way too. Send me links to audio or video clips of your songs. Or if you just have lyrics, and you'd be interested in co-writing with me, that would be great too! I'm looking forward to any help at all!

Hi Russ

I don't have anything pre-school but I have one, Tommy Tommy Tub Time which I wrote a while back with Kaley Willow. It's about a little boy who doesn't want to come in for a bath.

Cheers

Nige

Thanks Nigel. It's funny that you should suggest that song, because when I was seeking ideas from my Facebook friends the other day, someone suggested a song about a kid who doesn't want to take a bath. I did, however record an original song on my 3rd CD called "The Bedtime Bathtime Blues" which is of similar nature. But thanks very much for the link. It's a good song for sure.

Hey Russ, two folks I'd recommend that you look up are Duncan Wells and Kaley Willow. You can find them with a members search here and then get their email addresses. They both have written fine children's songs. I believe both have received awards for their work.

Russ,

I sent you a pm.

Tammy

Nice to meet you Russ, simple is as simple does. I love the simplicity of children's songs/lullabies and nursery rhymes and the transparency of the melodies as well. Amazing how even as an adult, I can look up at the stars while walking my dog on any given nite and the words/tune just come immediately to mind.

Twinkle, twinkle little star
How I wonder what you are
Up above the world so high
Like a diamond in the sky
Twinkle, twinkle, little star
How I wonder what you are!

Okay, you wanted the next "Twinkle Twinkle" so let's rework that using similar metering.

Mr. Moon you shine so bright
I can see you in the night
Sometimes you're banana shaped
Sometimes I see all your face
Mr. Moon you shine so bright
I can see you in the night!

How's that..just needs that memorable melody if you like it.

Best,
Lynn
P.S. Loved "It's Raining Again"!!! (and the umbrella! ) and Carl is a cutie

Here's one for kids but slightly older than preschoolers.

"I've Got Water Ice"
(c)2012 Lynn Orloff (needs melody)

Seems the day was all done
We were hot from the sun
And our thirst reached a level too high
Though we hoped for relief
From the sunshine and heat
There was not a gray cloud in the sky

That's when Mama stepped in
And she said with a grin
I have something to help with your plight
Yes I have us a cure
One too good to ignore
A refreshing delicious delight

I've got water ice, cold water ice
In flavors that none can't resist
Raspberry and blueberry to mention a few on my list
I've got lemon and cherry, I even have root beer to choose
Water ice, yes water ice
To chase away hot summer blues

Well that sure did the trick
As we slurped and we licked
Good ole Mama came through once again
Though we finished our first
Seems we still had a thirst
When we asked her for seconds she said

I've got water ice, yes water ice
In flavors that none can resist
Pineapple and mango, to mention a few on my list
I've got lemon and cherry, and yummy vanilla to choose
Water ice is oh so nice
To chase away hot summer blues! SLURRRRRRRRP!

Okay back to preschool simple....hmmmmm...

(c) 2012 Lynn Orloff (needs melody)

Today is a good day
Today is my birthday
My mommy took me to the mall
She bought me a puppy
He's cute and he's fluffy
And he doesn't bark much at all

Not at all, not all
No he doesn't bark much at all
Not at all, not at all
No he doesn't bark much at all

Today is his bath day
We'll have a good laugh day
My puppy is gonna get wet
It's rub a dub dub time
It's splash in the tub time
My puppy is my special pet

Not at all, not at all
No he doesn't bark much at all
Not at all, not at all
No he doesn't bark much at all

Possible Bridge
He likes to play, he likes to sleep
I think he has more toys than me..

Like??..keep going??

Sent you a PM with 2 song lyrics....Daddy, Will You Tell Me A Christmas Story and Sam, The Tinest Ice Angel and here
s a song you may can use...Daddy, I Don't Wanna Cry No More

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=7144614

thanks glyn

Hi fellow Canadian.I have about a dozen childrens songs that might fit the bill. How do I get them to you?

Hi Russ, I didn't write it as a children's song, but everyone tells me that it is.

http://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=5919691

Did anyone get a responce from this guy?

No, not from PM or here

well its worth a punt

this is one that Helen wrote many years ago. probally needs updating.

it got lampooned very baddly when I posted it on another site.

but we love it

Rock Around The Zoo

How seriously is he seeking songs? Ignoring those that offer to help seems wrong to me.

I sent Russ a question in a p.m. and he kindly answered my questions and helped me out a great deal. He is very nice and since he answered my p.m., I haven't seen him logged on, so hopefully he will be back when he can, but he was very friendly and helpful, so I hope a little patience will bring about a response when he is able.

Tammy

Hi Russ! All I have is instrumental "Children of the Darkside" kind of tracks. If you need an instrumental filler for your CD, here's a version of "London Bridge Is Falling Down" (Public Domain).

"Haunted Bridge of London"
http://schicksville.com/Music/Haunted%20Bridge-Remix.mp3

Best, John

Hi guys: I'm really sorry I haven't checked in this week. I am a kindergarten teacher and this week and weekend is report card time. Everett, I agree that it seems wrong that I took so long to respond to these kind folks. However I just wish you had had that thought, and kept it to yourself, rather than come on here and post it on the thread. I've been a member of JPF for a very long tme, and though I sometimes go weeks and months between visits, my intention wasn't to leave these folks hanging as long as I did. Things got really busy this week, and I'm proud to say that sometimes I can get more accomplished in my life when I'm not compelled to go on the computer every single day. I don't own a cell phone, or an ipod, or any device that keeps me wired to the world 24/7, and I like it that way.

P.S. Today, I'm finishing report cards, but I promise to respond to everyone this coming week, when I have a chance to listen to your samples. Thanks to everyone who responded.

No problem Russ. Priorities first. I just penned another that may fit the bill entitled "Mom's Spaghetti". My children's lyrics would need a co-written melody if we did pursue further. I'll private message the additional lyric.

Happy reporting,
Lynn

Russ: Maybe I let frustration get the better of me, and I know that life can get in the way at times. It's just that too many times songwriters are taken for granted. The attitude seems to be with artist and publishers, that there are many, many songwriters out there looking for a break, so if one falls to the wayside, another will take his/her place. No doubt this is the case many times. Too many songwriters fighting over too few opportunities,so we sell ourselves short too many times.

After a high last month(three songs released), this month seems to be a low month,(with an artist trying to take advantage to get a cut of publishing)(another story). You just happened to be in my line of fire to vent, sorry. I wish you well in your hunt for the right songs, I have a few but I guess you won't be interested in those.

Hi Russ:

Regretfully, I'm ASCAP (not SOCAN) but I have a series of children's songs you might be able to use. If you decide you need more, just contact me via PM. Best of luck with your project.

Everett, I am too interested in your songs. Listen, I've been on this board long enough to have experienced some of the same scammers that you have seen. But I am a songwriter just like you. I've done 5 CDs with mostly my own material, and I'm starting to get the feeling that if I only rely on my own material, I may be missing out on something that I really like, and wish I had thought of myself. And so I have every intention of exhausting my search here on JPF, but I'm also a full time kindergarten teacher, and a performing children's entertainer. I have concerts and birthday parties almost every weekend, so I'm not in any rush to record my next CD. I just finished one last Christmas, so I've got about 2 years before the next one is due. I'd just like to do a slow and thorough search for new songs. Songs that I can see myself singing, and songs that suit my weird personality and strange sense of humor.

Dave, your not being a SOCAN member shouldn't matter. You would still receive a mechanical royalty from me, and neither of us would receive any money from SOCAN if it got any airplay in Canada. And I believe if I sold it on CD Baby, you would also receive a royalty from the download sales too.

Thank you Mr. Dunbar. I will contact them in the near future.

John: I don't require any instrumental tracks, but I did listen to your soundtrack. It is great! You could ride the Haunted Mansion at Disney Land listening to that.

Hi Roy: I think your zoo song rocks. I like the kids singing the chorus too. I've done numerous zoo and farm animal songs in the past. I will keep yours in mind if I look to do another. I'm in the very early stages of selecting songs and since I just released a CD last Fall, I probably won't be recording anything until early 2013. So I've got a ton of time right now.

Ben I love the shoe song. What is most cool about it is that I am known most for my Ductape song: "the itty bitty teeny weeny two inch strip that holds the world together." So I like that the shoes get fixed with ductape. The only change I'd like to see to make it more pre-school friendly would be to have the shoes found in a bargain bin as opposed to a garbage heap. And I'd like to Canadianize the song by listing some Canadian cities instead of U.S. ones. But other than that, it has great potential, and it's a topic I've yet to sing about.

Lynn I really like the Dog song. I've done other dog songs, but a melody falls into place easily with yours. However, to make the kids really fall in love with this song, I would change the chorus to "All the time, all the time, this dog barks all the time" and then there could be actual dog barking on the song, causing me to have to raise my voice (almost yelling) so that my vocals can be heard over the barking. I could imagine The muppets singing this song. Poor Gonzo trying to sing over a barking dog. You may want to pitch this song to Henson's people instead of me. Great potential there, I'd say!

P.S. Lynn, I'd love to see "Mom's Spaghetti".

Okay Lynn, I just went up the board a little further and saw your Moon song. I like that one too. It's similar to "Mr. Golden Sun" which is a popular children's song. You've got a very creative mind.

Hello again, Russ:

You should have an e-mail from me with one attachment (mp3 song) so you can determine if this type of music fits your needs.

Regards,

Dave

Hey Russ...I'm A okay with the change you mentioned. I try to write in a meter friendly style so a melody is easier to apply. I'm seeing you like your children's songs with a funny, zany edge to them which I'm sure the kids adore so if you want to tweak the puppy song that's fine w/me.

Here's one possible way to remedy it rhymewise but change the barking issue...

Today is a good day
Today is my birthday
My mommy took me to the mall
She bought me a puppy
He's cute and he's fluffy
He doesn't stop barking at all

Not at all, not at all
He doesn't stop barking at all
Not at all, not at all
He doesn't stop barking at all

Thanks,
Lynn

Dave I didn't see an email from you. My current email is charruss@rogers.com

Lynn that works wonderfully. Yes, if you visit my stuff on CDbaby, you'll see that quirky humour is where I love to take my music. I teach kindergarten the same way. I have my serious moments too, but the kids need to learn how to tell the difference between the two. I will begin working on a melody for the dog song over the next week.
Thanks so much!

Russ:

I used the e-mail addy on your profile page... which is diferent than the one you just posted. (Hope you'll change that when convenient... meanwhile... I'll resend one MP3)

Thanks for letting me know.

Dave

Ooops! Thanks Dave. I'll change my email and PM you when I have a moment to hear your mp3. Thanks!

Not a problem, Russ:

I'm just grateful you reminded me that you had not received my e-mail. Best of luck with your project.

Dave

Dave, your song was amazing! It's way beyond my arranging capabilities, but I was really impressed with the instrumentation. If the other songs are as kid-friendly sounding as that first one you showed me, I think you could sell it to schools to perform as a musical. Is there a story script to go along with the songs?

Hi Russ:

Sorry for the delay. I think the other five songs are as good if not better... naturally, I am just a little prejudiced... LOL! I did this to help a school teacher friend and also wrote a crude script. I don't know if it can be recovered but I can try. As a songwriter, I can't lay claim to the choreography that was also created. Each little act has it's own inexpensive props for the kids to wear or use as they sing and dance.

It really was a hit during it's week-long run.

Marketing to schools takes time away from song-writing and I always thought more money could be made writing country, blues, pop and other genre songs. (Perhaps I was woefully wrong?) Would you care to be my kid song marketing manager?

Just let me know if you care to hear the other five numbers.

Regards,

Dave

Okay Russ I just sent you by PM a finished lyric for the puppy song to review. Thanks!!

I have this as an instrumental, but the lyrics are posted, and so the song would have to be rerecorded with vocals, preferably a youngster.

http://soundcloud.com/patricklockwood/my-ship/s-1HIv8

Take care,
Pat Hardy ( Lockwood )