[Music Play] Children’s Recreational Music: Rec Songs You Can Sing and Play

The sun sets behind the distant mountains.

“Homeward” (The sun sets behind the distant hills) – Song of Memories 27 – Dvořák Symphony No. 9

This is an arrangement of the second movement from Dvořák’s Symphony No.

9, “From the New World.” Speaking of “From the New World,” it is sometimes mentioned alongside Beethoven’s “Fate” and Schubert’s “Unfinished” as one of the “three great symphonies,” and many people have probably heard its melody.

The Japanese lyrics are by Keizo Horiuchi.

Kuikaimanimani

Quick Eye Mani Mani - Junko Wajima - Junko Kamishima

This song, with words that sound like incomprehensible incantations, was broadcast in 1961 on NHK’s “Minna no Uta.” There seem to be various theories about which country it comes from and who created it, but the official Minna no Uta page says it’s a South American folk song with lyrics written by Shiro Takahashi of the YMCA.

Its sheer strangeness and lack of apparent meaning, if anything, make it fun to sing.

A big song

“A Big Song (with motions) It’s a big song, coming from beyond that mountain~” [children’s song / chorus]

This is a song written and composed by Koichi Nakajima.

Since it’s set up like a call-and-response, even people who don’t know it can probably sing along by imitating the first singer.

With lyrics that are easy for young children to understand and a melody that’s easy to sing, it’s perfect for kids to sing at their first camp.

Anpanman Ondo

Anpanman Ondo: Let’s dance together with Anpanman!!

Let’s all dance together! Here are some ideas for the “Anpanman Ondo.” Let’s dance the “Anpanman Ondo” with the beloved characters from “Go! Anpanman,” popular in the anime, movies, and picture books! The song has four verses, but the choreography stays the same, so it should be easy for children to learn, right? Moving their bodies to the rhythm can not only develop motor skills and a sense of rhythm, but also help nurture emotional expression—like “I did it!” and “I can dance for fun!”—and boost their self-esteem.

Real Gonekāzu

Real Gone (from Cars)

One of the charms of Disney movies is anthropomorphism.

Snowmen talk, and cars and airplanes have human-like personalities—there are all sorts of elements that spark children’s imagination and curiosity.

The film Cars is like that too.

It’s not just a simple good-versus-evil story; friendship and love run deep beneath it all.

Sheryl Crow’s song “Real Gone” pairs perfectly with a cool dance.

It’s also a great BGM choice for school sports days during sprints or relays.

The Cars soundtrack is packed with tracks you can use, including songs by Chuck Berry and Rascal Flatts.