10 Halloween Tunes for 2013

29 October 2013 by Leave a Comment

Last year at around this time, I posted 7 Ghoulishly Great Halloween Tunes for Kids. And while those are all amazing songs that I will certainly be playing again this week, I thought I’d add a few more entries to the mix.

Because you can never have too many Halloween tunes to crank out of your boombox as you hand out candy.

Here they are in no particular order:

10 Halloween Tunes for 2013

Them Bones by Caspar Babypants

I’ve always been a big fan of Caspar Babypants (the stage name of Chris Ballew, the former lead singer of The Presidents of the United States of America) for his off-beat, cheery children’s music. This song is a funky version of that anatomy-themed song I grew up with, and Caspar Babypants’s unique spin on it makes it a keeper for the Halloween season.

(And, P.S., Capsar’s site offers a download of this song for only 50¢!)

 

Rattlin’ Rattlin’ Rattlin’ Bones by Boxtop Jenkins

Continuing on the dancing skeleton theme, Boxtop Jenkins’ offers a song that strikes the right balance of spooky and catchy. Shawn Mullins makes an appearance as the skeleton encouraging folks to shake your bones.

And if you’re looking for some spooky songs to freak out your neighbors this year, check out Boxtop’s Spooky Halloween Handsaw Howls, which you can download HERE.

 

I Want Candy by Bow Wow Wow

We’ll overlook the innuendo here, because thankfully, my kids can’t read that far in to song lyrics. All they know is that Candy is the sugary stuff. And they want it. A ton of it.

Okay, and I like it, too.

 

You Can’t Always Get What You Want by Randy Kaplan

I know, it sounds weird. The Rolling Stones and Halloween? This song appears on Randy’s 2006 album Five Cent Piece. The key to this song is in between the chorus, where Randy tells the tale of trick-or-treating as a kid and dealing his mom rationing his Halloween candy. The Harsh Universal Truth of Halloween.

 

Halloween Masquerade by Rocknoceros

This song is a veritable Who’s Who of Halloween characters out on parade. It feels a little like Danny Elfman’s “This is Halloween” but less soundtracky. (Soundtracky? Is that what I’m calling it now?) Plus, it contains the famously creepy opening chords from Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue”, setting the mood for a song that is sure to get your gobblin, witch, or Disney character ready to knock on doors.

 

It Must be Halloween by Trout Fishing in America

Trout Fishing in America bring their charming sense of wit and humor to Halloween in this song about all the tell-tale signs that Halloween is coming. My favorite line? When trick-or-treating, “I’m talking M&M’s, not talking vitamins.” Because you KNOW there’s someone out there handing out toothbrushes and Gummy Vites.

 

Witch Doctor by David Seville

My kids love this one because David Seville, the stage name for Ross Bagdasarian, Sr., later used the sped-up voice that sings “Oo Ee Oo Ah Ah” to create the beloved feral beasts we know and love, The Chipmunks. I remember loving this song as a child, and think it’s great that my kids love it, too.

 

Riboflavin-Flavored Non-Carbonated Polyunsaturated Blood by Don Hinson and The Rigormortitians

Trying to capitalize on the success of Bobby “Boris” Pickett’s “Monster Mash”, Don Hinson, a disc jockey in Vegas, recorded this song about a vampire dolling out fortified blood to all his spooky buddies. And yes, it sounds eerily like “Monster Mash.” But the formula works.

 

Let’s Twist Again (Mummy Time is Here) by John Zacherle

A spoof of the Chubby Checker song with the same name, John Zacherle delivers the lyrics in a lopping narration, somewhat like a precursor to Riff Raff from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. I guess mummies’ voices aren’t as forceful as they used to be. Still, my kids tend to gravitate towards these types of songs. They’re fun with a hint of darkness, but nothing that will give them nightmares.

 

Somebody’s Watching Me by Rockwell

Speaking of nightmares, how about this next tune? Ah yes, the song about paranoia. I adored this song as a teen. Especially with the cameo of Michael Jackson in the chorus. While it makes no mention of ghosts, vampires, witches or other ghoulish fare, Rockwell’s palpable fear is enough to make you want to carry a flashlight with you on your way to bed.

There you have it, folks. Have a safe and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Are you getting dressed up in a costume this Halloween? If so, what are you going as? Let me know in the comment section below, drop me a line as a fan on FACEBOOK, or follow me (but no stalking, please, I’m all edgy now) on TWITTER.

Filed Under: Halloween, kid music, Kid Tune Tuesday

What Shoulder Surgery Rehab Looks Like (10 Weeks Out)

25 October 2013 by 2 Comments

Today marks ten weeks since my shoulder surgery. I’ve been in physical therapy for a total seven weeks, with approximately 4-6 more weeks before I’m possibly discharged.

To say that the recovery process has been longer than I anticipated is a gross understatement.

The beginning was rough, and thank goodness I’m past the hardest part. I can raise my right arm just slightly past 90 degrees now. And I’m close to being able to lift a wine glass to my mouth without looking like Igor. That’s progress, folks.

It is also with great pride to announce that I can finally put my hair in to a ponytail. All by myself. Like a Big Girl. Though truth be told, the amount of spinal crunching that has to occur to make that happen will probably keep my physical therapist in business long after the shoulder heals.

And thankfully, my husband no longer has to cut my meat or tie my shoes, things that made me feel completely inadequate and much like a preschooler.

I started driving about 5-6 weeks after shoulder surgery, once I was given the green light to take the immobilizer off full-time, which felt like I had regained some sense of normalcy. Though, just until last week, said driving took place mostly with my left hand, and I couldn’t reach over with my right arm to shift in to drive or turn on the windshield wipers.

The scars are looking better, though I’m not rushing to get in to a tank top anytime soon. My therapist gave me this contraption called a scar mold, which gets placed on top of my bulging incision and helps reduce the amount of swelling and puffiness around my scar. I also got the approval to use Mederma at my 7 week follow-up, so I’ve been slathering it on every day.

Because I can’t afford an entirely new wardrobe next summer.

Still, even with all of this progress and development, there are quite a few things that are painful or that I’m unable to do.

Some items of clothing I can put on but can’t take off. Well, I can take them off, but it looks like a scene out of I Love Lucy.

Having weight placed on that shoulder is more painful than actually moving my arm, which is fun to police when I live with small people who like to lean on seated adults. I can’t sleep on that injured right side at all, and up until this week, sleep in general was a bit of a pain in the ass. Now I can sleep on my left side and not wake up with a frozen shoulder. And, much to my husband’s relief, I no longer require five different pillows to prop me up in bed.

With that said, let’s play a rousing game of “What I can or can’t do 10 weeks after shoulder surgery,” shall we?

Can Do After Shoulder Surgery 10 Wks

Within a month after surgery I screwed up and unloaded the dishwasher. Sure, it took 45 minutes, but once I let my family know I could clean, their help dropped faster than an engagement on The Bachelor

If you’re thinking of going through with shoulder surgery, I have three words of wisdom for you: Do your work.

Physical therapy is integral to your recovery. There’s no way I’d be where I am today without the aid of my therapist, who not only gives me exercises to regain strength and mobility, but also manipulates my arm in a way I’d never be able to on my own to help me get back to normal sooner.

I’m sure that in a few months’ time, I’ll look back on these feeble weeks as a faint, distant memory. The shock of the length of the rehabilitation has worn off, and now I’m trying to relax and trust in the recovery process of shoulder surgery physical therapy. Onwards and upwards, right?

Still, I wish I hadn’t rushed in to doing the dishes.

Have you ever had surgery? If so, how long did it take for you to completely recover? Leave a comment below to give me hope! And if you like what you’ve read, why not throw a click over to the Facebook like button, or even better, follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

 

Filed Under: surgery

Underbirds’ “Bright Leaf” on Kid Tune Tuesday…

22 October 2013 by 2 Comments

I’m not going to lie, I’ve been having a rough time these last few months. I’m slowly recovering from major surgery, I’ve failed miserably at searching for a job, and once I hit 40, I’ve lost all motivation.

When things get dark, I look to music for a little pick-me-up.

Thank heavens for a little song from the Underbirds called “Bright Leaf.”

Morgan Taylor, the genius behind Gustafer Yellowgold, and Todd Hatton (of “I Think I’m a Bunny” fame) have joined forces to create the duo Underbirds, and I couldn’t be happier.

Their song “Bright Leaf” is one of those infectious tunes that yank me out of a sour patch. And I don’t mean the candy kind.

It’s a sunny pop song about how this leaf sprouted on the family tree, which could be a metaphor for anything that graces your life. The new found presence of a baby, befriending someone new who has touched your life at the exact moment you needed them, finding a forgotten chocolate bar in the depths of your pantry.

Sounding more indie alternative than children pop, it has flavors of sounds by artists like Guster, Pete Yorn or Ben Folds. It’s one of those songs you can blare out of your car stereo when the kids aren’t around and still feel cool. I love songs like this – short, sweet, and leaves you satisfied.

And with lyrics like “Of all the branches in the forest, you have chosen me,” who can’t help but feel warm and grateful for that “bright leaf on a dark tree”?

Especially when that bright leaf is a great song like this one.

You can buy Underbirds music on CD Baby http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/underbirds

 

Filed Under: kid music, Kid Tune Tuesday

Who’s a smarty pants?

18 October 2013 by 18 Comments

I’m not sure what I love more. How smart my kids are, or how smart they think they are.

It all starts when I stumble upon a scene that, at first glance, looks innocuous. But upon further inspection, I realize my children have been up to something and their cover is blown.

In those moments, I love to imagine what my kids were thinking. Probably something like “he he he…Mommy won’t ever suspect I’ve sneaked a few chocolate chips while I was using the pantry as a hideout during a fierce run of Hide and Seek.”

But the smear of chocolate on her cheek is a dead giveaway.

My kids have some good, sneaky ideas, but their execution usually falls flat. Because they tend to overlook minor details.

Like candy residue.

The list of things my kids try to pull off and don’t think I’ll notice are endlessly adorable.

Things like:

Shorts shoved under the dresser instead of making their way to the dirty clothes hamper.

A pair of scissors left on the pantry shelf, used to pry open candy after dinner while I was showering.

My Little Pet Shop goodies in my shoes, which were in their right spot, after someone must have had their own private fashion show in my closet.

The iPad/iPhone/Kindle/Nook/gaming device moved three feet from it’s original position.

Once said device is woken up, Angry Birds are staring at me instead of the social media app I had open 30 minutes ago.

Hands that are wet but have no soapy fragrance after a trip to the bathroom.

The grapes I had on the table for a snack seem to have sprouted legs and walked away.

First drafts of birthday and Mother’s Day cards strewn about the playroom. It’s called a trash can, kids. Use it next time to keep me in suspense.

Thankfully all of this mischief is benign and non-malicious and harmless. Sure, I hope it doesn’t turn in to real and serious trust issues as they get older. But for now, it’s completely kid-appropriate behavior. I do confront the kids to make them aware that I’m on to them, and that they should probably come clean. Their confession is served with a crafty smile and received with a chuckle on my part. Then I ask them to be more honest.

And save some chocolate chips for me.

What funny things have your kids tried to get away with? Leave a comment below, or continue the conversation on my Facebook page or holler at me on Twitter.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

The Fox on Kid Tune Tuesday…

8 October 2013 by 3 Comments

“Gina, have you heard “The Fox” song on Kids Place Live yet?”

My husband asked this question a few weeks ago, and I had to honestly answer that I hadn’t. Since then, I have heard “The Fox”, and I still don’t really know what he says.

I know. You’re thinking, “Wow, Gina, you’re a month late to the party.” Yes, I realize this. I wanted to feature this earlier, but had other time-sensitive goodies I wanted to introduce you to this month.

You know how I know I’m so late? As of yesterday, the video for this song had over 95 million views. That’s right, 95 and six zeros after it. And it was released just over a month ago. In it’s first two weeks on YouTube it garnered 40 million views. That, my friends, is viral at its quickest.

If you’ve been hiding under a rock, let me fill you in. “The Fox” is a zany song by the comedy duo Ylvis, Norway’s answer to “Flight of the Chonchords“, but without the intellectual sophistication of a “Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros“. Picture Josh Groban and a hypothetical brother of Josh Groban making an oddball track about animals, and you may just come up with “The Fox.”

This band of brothers, Bård and Vegard Ylvisåker, created “The Fox” as a joke to launch the third season of their talk show in Norway, aiming to make it as bad as they could. Perhaps that’s what makes it so alluring. Flanked with folks dancing in a dark wooded forest in the vein of “Gangnam Style”, complete with night club laser beams and folks dressed in animal costumes, there’s no way anyone could look at this and think it was high art.

Speaking of “Gangnam Style”, lots of comparison has been made between these two. Both songs and accompanying videos have gone viral and taken over the internet. To a certain degree, both rely on outlandishness, a catchy hook and beat, and a sense of humor. But there is also a common thread of conviction and commitment to performing seriously and passionately about something that’s outrageously ridiculous that makes it attractive to a certain audience, and you can count me as one of them.

Like when my brothers and I couldn’t get enough of Weird Al Yankovic as kids. Listening to the antics, it felt like we were in on the joke. And I loved every minute of it.

This song is an earworm of the stickiest kind. Listen to it once, and you’re bound to blurt out Fraka-kaka-kaka-kaka-kow! or Gering-ding-ding-ding-dingeringeding! later on in your day. And, truth be told, the guys of Ylvis do have good voices.

If you watch other videos from the duo (like “Stonehenge”) you’ll quickly realize this song was not created with the idea of being a kid song. But it’s silly and nonsensical, yet has an adult music feel to it with it’s Autotune and house music beat, and some kids are drawn to this kind of thing.

Because they probably like to feel in on the joke, too.

Besides, what seven year-old doesn’t like singing the double entendre of an elephant going “Toot”?

 

Filed Under: humor, kid music, Kid Tune Tuesday
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