Search - Barry Louis Polisar :: Naughty Songs for Boys and Girls

Naughty Songs for Boys and Girls
Barry Louis Polisar
Naughty Songs for Boys and Girls
Genres: Folk, Children's Music
 
  •  Track Listings (20) - Disc #1

Barry Louis Polisar, little kids' answer to Adam Sandler, clearly was on the receiving end of some flak around the time he recorded 1978's Naughty Songs for Boys & Girls. "I've had to listen to my share of adults who a...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: Barry Louis Polisar
Title: Naughty Songs for Boys and Girls
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Rainbow Morning Music
Original Release Date: 4/1/1978
Re-Release Date: 4/1/1993
Genres: Folk, Children's Music
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 780938634521

Synopsis

Amazon.com
Barry Louis Polisar, little kids' answer to Adam Sandler, clearly was on the receiving end of some flak around the time he recorded 1978's Naughty Songs for Boys & Girls. "I've had to listen to my share of adults who are concerned that I might be giving children bad ideas," he writes in the CD liner notes, but "if my songs were acceptable to absolutely everyone, I wouldn't feel as if I was doing anything worth noting." That said, and rebel spirit intact, Polisar pelts his listeners with a perfectly polished batch of wacky, imagination-stretching, roundly hilarious songs suitable to any parent/child team willing to poke fun at itself. Included are the perfectly reasonable "Don't Put Your Finger up Your Nose" (which carries the equally logical lyric, "Don't stick your finger in your ear / 'Cause then your ear will find it hard to hear"), "Never Cook Your Sister in a Frying Pan," and "You Can't Say Psbpsbpsb on the Radio"--"psbpsbpsb" being the equivalent of a raspberry. There's also a smidgen--thankfully not an overdose--of sweet fare on this disc, in the form of "With a Giggle and a Hug and a Tickle and a Kiss" and "You're as Sweet as Sugar on a Stick." There's only one track on Naughty Songs conceivably capable of inciting young listeners to rebellion, and that's the exceptional last tune, the anthem "Marching Shoulder to Shoulder," featuring the fictitious Front for Kids' Liberation, led by Polisar. "One, two, three, four / Lower the doorknobs on the doors! / Five, six, seven, eight / Don't eat the dinner on your plate!" demand the Front's members. After spinning this disc in its entirety, one gets the sense that there's probably no better advocate for those under three feet. By refusing to make nice on his records and instead zooming in on the not so warm-and-fuzzy aspects of kids' lives, he gives them oft-overlooked props. That he's so funny is the kicker that ought to convince more folks to give him a listen. --Tammy La Gorce

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CD Reviews

Naughty Songs is a classic
You? | Capital of the Free Worldİ | 11/21/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a teenager in the early 80's I bought the LP version of this for my sister's tenth birthday. I hadn't yet heard it, but comparing it to the other kiddy records and knowing my sister would probably play it continuously for the next few months made me think I could probably stand hearing songs like "My Mother Ran Away Today" over and over rather than the Strawberry Shortcake Rap or whatever insipid swill was passing as wholesome family entertainment. Not only did I stand it, but I actually liked this record. It was subversive and musical enough to satisfy me and silly enough to make my sister happy. Probably the only song we ever sang together was "Never Cook Your Sister in a Frying Pan." Twenty years later I have children of my own. To this day I admonish my kids singing "Don't Put Your Finger Up Your Nose," though I had forgotten most of the words and none of my family had heard the original until we came across the cassette of this at the local library last week. Everyone enjoyed listening to the album, laughing and singing along with nearly every tune (I admit I even like the sweet songs). Thus I feel compelled to say something favorable on behalf of Polisar's collection of good humored folksy songs. It's too bad the negative reviews here resort to insult and hyperbole. That probably says more about the commentators than the record itself. Fortunately this isn't another Loony Tunes, Strawberry Shortcake, Pokemon or Disney record. It is lovingly hand-crafted idiosyncratic fun in the vein of Shel Siverstein or Roald Dahl. I guess it isn't for everyone. Grandma always said I had a puny sense of humor which may explain the appeal. I don't know much about human emotions or connections to children but this record made enough of a positive impression on my family that I decided to make my first comment on Amazon in praise of Polisar's classic."
A throwback to when we weren't so darn sensitive!
A. Sargent | Maryland | 03/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This guy played my pre-school to a packed house and I remember it vividly. We had the albums and played them in our neighbors basement incessantly. I directly blame (or credit) Barry for my sense of humor even now as I purchase this album for my son. Barry teaches that everything doesn't have to be so darn serious and we really don't have to tip toe around everybody afraid that we might ruffle a few feathers. The world is an absurd place and Barry gets kids ready to laugh it all off when things get out of control!"
I too grew up with this album
Allison J. Halterman | Fredericksburg, VA | 07/05/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Someone, my mom I think, bought me this album, in record form, when I was a kid. I played that thing for years and LOVED it. I can still remember most of the songs, and sing some of them to my 3 year old. She loves "don't stick your finger in your nose." I'll be picking up a cd for her soon, perhaps for her birthday. Personally I find nothing offensive in his music. Only humor."