No doubt about it, certain albums define our childhoods, and these tunes are usually not the records we listened to on our little plastic turntables, rather the crackling 33's that belonged to our parents. Whether it was Elvis Presley, Carly Simon, Billy Joel or -- lucky you -- David Bowie or Prince, the music our parents played had an impact on our lives, and just hearing these oldies-but-goodies evoke memories of tube socks, lunch boxes, backyard sprinklers, sibling squabbles and oodles of other creepy-or-comforting childhood recalls.
In this second segment of hip music suggestions for kids, OnMilwaukee.com staff members share the "adult music" they play for their kids -- or nieces and nephews. Could it be that, someday, someone might say, "Beck totally reminds me of kindergarden."
Heather Leszczewicz
I recommend Aly & A.J., sisters from the Disney Channel who have done fun covers of "Walking on Sunshine" and "Do You Believe in Magic," and also have an album of originals, too. There's also the High School Musical Soundtrack which I find entertaining. MTV and VH1 raised, I'd have to say John Mayer and Kelly Clarkson are acceptable and Josh Groban for a classical twist.
Drew Olson
My kid actually likes Bruce Springsteen. "The Rising" and "The Seeger Sessions" are always a hit. She's also into Green Day and certain Gwen Stefani cuts, but that's my wife's doing. The Dan Baird stuff goes over pretty well, too.
Jeff Sherman
My niece likes a little Justin Timberlake and the Ben Folds stuff on the "Over the Hedge" soundtrack is good stuff too. My nephew digs Rush and The Beatles. Yes, Rush. It's his dad's influence.
Molly Snyder Edler
My guys love The Mosquitos (both the self-titled and Mosquitos III). They also like to do a "tiptoe dance" to Bjork's "It's Oh So Quiet" and bang on their bongos to Gilberto Gil (thanks, Uncle Tom). The Innocence Mission has always been great lullaby music for us -- Karen Peris' sweet voice could soothe even the surliest little sleeper.
Bobby Tanzilo
Although he's heard all kinds of things -- accompanied by no doubt annoying and worthless commentary from his dad -- including everything from The Jam to John Coltrane to Piemontese folk music -- his playlist focuses on: Erik Satie's Gymnopedies and Gnossiennes played by Pascal Roge, Coldplay and Radiohead lullabyes, '70s reggae rapper I. Roy's "Don't Check Me With No Lightweight Stuff" CD, The Beatles' "All Together Now," "Yellow Submarine" and "And Your Bird Can Sing" and all three CDs by the Italian folk group, Ariondassa, but he especially likes the uptempo bagpipe-fueled dance numbers.
Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.
Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.