Opinion: If ‘Baby Shark’ represents the worst of children’s music, this is the genre’s best
On this particular evening, it was our special date night, marking the first one since our daughter joined us. As we rushed back to my mother’s house with our newborn, being inexperienced parents, I caught a peculiar yet recognizable sound.
Raffi Cavoukian, commonly known as “Raffi,” gained popularity in the 1970s with soothing songs like “Baby Beluga,” “Bananaphone,” and “Mr. Sun.” It had been over two decades since I last listened to his music, but his tunes remained deeply imprinted within me, much like the lines from “Goodnight Moon” or the comforting texture of my grandmother’s hand-knitted blanket.
Unlike Raffi’s collection, many contemporary kids’ songs have drawn harsh criticism for being overly sugary sweet, with comments like “nauseating,” “awful,” and “enough to drive any caring parent to utter madness.” This is a concern shared by both children and parents, given the significant role music plays in a child’s early development.
Opinion
In recent times, we’ve found ourselves relying heavily on measurable, comparative methods to assess children’s education. However, classical music and many forms of art often fail to conform to this mold.
As a film critic, I’ve come to appreciate the profound impact music has on shaping our emotional landscapes, even in the most vulnerable stages of life. The evidence suggests that music plays an instrumental role in soothing infants’ stress and fostering the brain areas responsible for speech comprehension. Moreover, studies have revealed that music can nurture qualities like sharing, empathy, and trust among young children, providing them with a healthy avenue to process and express their emotions.
As a follower, I can’t deny that many of today’s children’s songs carry a significant influence from “Baby Shark”. This catchy tune, which made waves by breaking into the Billboard Top 40 and accumulating millions of streams per week before the 2016 election, could almost be called a “treasure trove”. The song, despite its repetitive nature, stirred immense curiosity and attracted substantial investment. It expanded into themed merchandise, a 100-date tour, and even found a home on Nickelodeon.
In the flow of trending tunes like “Baby Shark”, some songs and musicians manage to leap beyond their time periods. With pocket-sized jukeboxes now a part of us everywhere, granting instant access to virtually every song humankind has ever created, it’s incredible how vast our musical choices are. Despite the endless array of options available, my spouse and I find ourselves repeatedly drawn back to Raffi, who has become an almost constant companion in our household.
Opinion
Compared to many other parts of the U.S., Los Angeles stands out as a stronghold for music education within public schools, while in most places, involvement in the arts often hinges upon whether one’s family has the financial means to cover related expenses.
Raffi, born in Egypt in 1948 to survivors of the Armenian genocide, spent most of his childhood in Toronto after moving there at age 10 with his family. Musicians like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen inspired him to pursue a career as a folk singer for years. However, according to his autobiography, he disliked performing for intoxicated audiences who didn’t seem to care whether he was there or not.
During the mid-1970s, Raffi found himself playing music for kids at a school where his relative worked. This experience sparked a passion within him. Over the subsequent two decades, he released over a dozen studio albums and enjoyed one success after another, eventually earning the title of the most renowned children’s singer in many English-speaking regions by some estimations.
Instead of most contemporary kid’s music, Raffi stands out with his soft, James Taylor-like vocals and straightforward, acoustic arrangements. His voice is clean, calming, and delightful without becoming overly sweet or cheesy. He isn’t just an excellent children’s musician, but as one critic stated, “he’s a fantastic modern folk singer who simply sings children’s songs.
In a serene manner, Raffi’s music was brought forth during the tumultuous 60s and 70s, an era mirroring our current times. Similar to Cat Stevens for younger audiences, Raffi creates music that underscores love, compassion, and the value of every individual, embodying his longstanding commitment to environmental conservation and children’s welfare. His most famous song, “Baby Beluga,” encourages children to embrace their individuality by swimming freely while still feeling secure and cherished by their parents. The song “One Light, One Sun” calls upon listeners to respect our planet as a treasure, and “Everything Grows” teaches us that we are all constantly evolving, even adults like “mamas” and “papas.
In Raffi’s music, there’s a sense that difficult subjects shouldn’t be avoided when it comes to children. However, what truly drives and communicates in his songs isn’t sadness, but rather the overwhelming presence of love.
Stunned by the election results, life continued as usual,” he posted on social media the day following the November vote, followed by a quote from Leonard Cohen: “There are kids at dawn, reaching for affection, they’ll always reach in that direction.
As a film enthusiast, I’ve always admired Raffi and his unique approach to entertainment. Despite his enduring popularity, it seems he could be even more celebrated than he is now. A 2015 Vulture profile shed light on an interesting aspect of his career – when the creators of “Shrek” sought to make a film based on “Baby Beluga,” Raffi respectfully declined due to concerns about direct marketing towards children. Similarly, he turned down the opportunity to perform at Madison Square Garden, expressing apprehension that the venue might be too overwhelming for his audience.
At the age of 76, Raffi continues his touring journey. When I was considering purchasing tickets for my daughter’s first birthday, I encountered a notice: “A Raffi concert is ideally meant for children who can speak, sing, or clap along for extended periods. Although infants are allowed, they might not find the boisterous concert singalong to their liking.
I told my daughter, as I continued cooing and gushing, ‘Now there’s something exciting ahead for us to anticipate.'”
This version maintains the original meaning of looking forward to something while making it more natural and easy to read.
Cornelia Powers, a talented author, is currently penning a book that focuses on Bessie Anthony, her distant relative who was a renowned golfer.
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2025-01-07 14:32