Music |
Justin Roberts
By
Published: Jan 01, 2008
Category:
Rock
Justin Roberts
Justin Roberts plays kid music that adults can actually enjoy.
I first became aware of his music from a collection of children’s songs by Starbucks. A fun song called “Nine Planets” was catchy and taught kids about each of the planets. Now, at concerts, Roberts jokes about Pluto — and the unfortunate obsolescence of his song. But from that song, I went on to explore and love his music. I also love how my kids love his songs.
Roberts writes music that addresses the experiences of kids. In “D-O-G”, he sings of a child longing for a dog and promising,
I’ll clean my room,
take out the trash.
I won’t act like a nut,
if I can get that mutt.
In “Giant-Sized Butterflies”, Roberts captures the mix of anxiety and desire for independence on that first day of school:
We’re in the car and we’re on our way.
When we get there, Mom, will you stay?
I might need the space,
but just in case…on that first day.
In “Meltdown”, Roberts describes sibling and family dynamics:
Brother and me were in the living room,
busy coloring chairs that we lay on.
No signs of gloom,
a quiet affair, that is, until I borrowed his crayon.
I cannot lie. It’s the one he loves the best
and I don’t know why I put him to the test,
but I had no idea he’d get this distressed.
Now he’s having a Meltdown.
Apparently, Roberts began a career as a Montessori schoolteacher in his hometown near Chicago. He wrote songs for the class; soon parents and colleagues encouraged him to record them. This collection became his first CD, Great Big Sun. He now has a total of six children’s CDs, one CD of adult music, and two CDs of religious songs — one CD of songs from the Hebrew Scriptures and one of songs from the New Testament.
Many of his songs show his keen sense of humor. His version of the Humpty Dumpty tale, “Humpty’s At It Again”, describes how the egg fellow couldn’t help but perch on the wall in order to catch a view of life on the other side. In “Thought It Was a Monster”, he tells of a child singing in his bed at night to drown out the scary nighttime sounds — when Dad comes in to settle the child down and they both hear a scary noise, Dad joins the child singing under the covers.
Roberts’ music has infiltrated multiple spheres of our culture. His song “Get Me Some Glasses” introduced a television sports show piece on MLB players who wear glasses. In addition, I know several Sunday School teachers who are using his collections of religious songs in their Sunday School programming. Finally, in these days of the requisite, end-of-the-school-year slide show, many of Roberts’ songs make ideal background music for those nostalgic photos of kids going on field trips, dressing up for picture day, and making best friends.
Mixed in with his kids’ CDs, Roberts’ drops in a few ballads that probably are lost on most kids but can evoke incredibly poignant images for moms and dads — catching stars (fireflies) with Dad, getting measured at the “growing wall” and wishing to be bigger, and savoring Grandma’s “from scratch” cooking.
Attending a Justin Roberts’ concert is pure fun. He travels almost every weekend all around the country, touring with The Not Ready for Naptime Players. Over the past few years, our family has gone to five of his shows; each one has been a joy.
During a performance, Justin and the musicians encourage the bigger kids to come down and dance in the front of the stage. Each song is interactive, with Justin and the band showing the kids how to place their hands on their forehead like a rhino’s horn for the song about an imaginary friend in “Our Imaginary Rhino” or how to pose for school pictures for “Picture Day.” Parents in their seats are singing, clapping and bouncing along with their babies and the tunes. After the show, Justin and the other musicians take time to be with the kids and sign autographs.
If you don’t think you can stand another round of “Farmer in the Dell” or “Fruit Salad (Yummy, Yummy)”, you’ll find Justin Roberts’ music a welcome relief.
— Guest Butler Dianne Wolkenhauer is a mom and music-lover from Southern California.
To buy “Great Big Sun” from Amazon.com, click here.
To buy “Pop Fly” from Amazon.com, click here.
To buy “Meltdown!” from Amazon.com, click here.
To buy “Yellow Bus” from Amazon.com, click here.
To buy “Way Out” from Amazon.com, click here.
To buy “Not Naptime” from Amazon.com, click here.
