Children’s Song Medley: A playlist of classic and popular hits everyone knows

Whale ClockSakushi: Seki Kazuo / Sakkyoku: Shibuya Takeshi

Whale Clock — from Okaasan to Issho

With a lively tune that makes you want to skip, this nursery rhyme is a staple of children’s programs.

Its playful wordplay is fun, and it’s an addictive song that many kids love to mimic and repeat.

It’s a classic that was sung on NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho” for over 10 years and continues to be cherished today.

Parent and child bananasSakushi: Seki Kazuo / Sakkyoku: Fukuda Wakako

COCX 34142 9. Banana Parent and Child

The familiar “Banana Parent and Child,” featuring bananas dressed in tropical-style costumes.

Although it’s an upbeat and short song, it gets faster with each phrase, creating a thrilling feel that makes it very popular with young children.

It’s a staple number for performances at kindergartens and nursery schools.

The Raccoon on Fist MountainSakushi: Kayama Yoshiko/Shokyoku: Komori Akihiro

[With Singing] Genkotsuyama no Tanuki-san - Children's Nursery Rhyme

Genkotsuyama no Tanukisan is in medium tempo and 4/4 time, making it easy for children to keep the beat.

It’s a classic hand-play song.

After finishing the song, you play rock-paper-scissors, but the full version announced by NHK has five verses and, surprisingly, ends with lyrics that stray from both Genkotsuyama and the tanuki.

Song of DropsYamano Satoko

COCX 34143 9. Song of Drops

Madoka Michio, whose talent was recognized by none other than Kitahara Hakushū and who was lauded as a “poet of existence” for his expressive power, created numerous beloved songs.

His children’s songs are characterized by their pop sensibility and playful spirit.

In particular, Drops is a delightful piece that evokes a colorful scene sprinkled with multicolored drops, born of an imaginative and original idea.

strollAkiyama Kazu (koushiki: Inoue Azumi)

Sampo (My Neighbor Totoro) Sato no Uta Hey Let’s Go (Totoro)

This song, “Sanpo,” opens with a very striking bagpipe performance in the intro.

It was originally the opening theme of the animated film My Neighbor Totoro, which has been loved since its 1988 release.

Although many singers have covered the song, the original is by Azumi Inoue, well known for the ending theme “My Neighbor Totoro” and many other Studio Ghibli films.

teru teru bozu (a traditional Japanese handmade doll hung to wish for good weather)Sakushi: Asahara Kyōson / Sakkyoku: Nakayama Shinpei

1922 (Taisho 11) “Teru Teru Bozu” Lyrics: Kyoson Asahara / Music: Shimpei Nakayama “Jewels of Children’s Songs,” Vol. 1

To tell the truth, I didn’t know there were lyrics up to the fourth verse until recently.

I remember making teru teru bozu before sports days and field trips, asking for the rain not to fall.

It would be too cruel to cut off its head.

Speaking of teru teru bozu, it reminds me of the ending theme from Ikkyu-san.

Spring has come.Sakushi: Takano Tatsuyuki / Sakkyoku: Okano Teiichi

“Haru ga Kita” (Spring Has Come), lyrics by Tatsuyuki Takano and music by Teiichi Okano, is a Japanese shoka (school song) that was published in 1910 (Meiji 43) in the “Jinjō Shōgaku Tokuhon Shōka” (Elementary School Reader Songs).

It is a classic song that represents Japan, selected in 2007 for the Japan’s 100 Best Songs.

The lyrics depict Japan’s beautiful spring scenery and the joy of the long-awaited arrival of spring.

With phrases repeating in a 4-4-5 pattern, it has an easy rhythm to follow and is a children’s song that is easy to sing, almost like a conversation between parent and child.