Children’s Song Medley: A playlist of classic and popular hits everyone knows
Nursery songs that have been sung for generations.
Many of you may have had your grandmother or mother sing them to you when you were little, or sung them yourselves with gestures at kindergarten, daycare, or school.
In this article, we’ve picked out classic nursery songs, focusing on those that children still love today.
From timeless favorites that evoke nostalgia to relatively new songs that have recently become popular in early childhood settings, we’ll introduce a wide range.
Please enjoy this playlist of nursery songs that will bring back memories of your early years.
[Children’s Song Medley] A Classic & Popular Hit Playlist Everyone Knows (1–10)
Goat MailNEW!Lyrics: Michio Mado / Music: Ikuma Dan
A very unique children’s song featuring the absent-minded White Goat and Black Goat.
The lyrics are by Michio Mado, who also wrote “Zō-san,” and the music is by Ikuma Dan.
Its charm lies in the heartwarming world where you can’t help but laugh at the endless loop of the two writing letters back and forth without ever conveying their messages.
First broadcast on NHK Radio in 1953, the song has long been beloved on programs like NHK’s “Okaasan to Issho.” Try singing it together as a parent and child, smiling at the thought that it would be quicker if they just met and talked in person.
snailNEW!Monbushō Shōka (Ministry of Education Songs)
Many people can’t help but hum a tune when they spot a snail on the roadside after the rain, struggling earnestly to move forward.
Some listened to it as children and now sing it with their own kids.
This piece captures a child’s pure curiosity as they call out to the snail, asking, “Where is your head?” It was included in 1911 as a Ministry of Education shoka in Elementary School Songs (Volume 1).
Despite its relaxed image, its light and rhythmic melody is part of its charm.
Beloved across generations, this classic song also offers a chance for parents and children to engage with nature together.
Ten thousand feet in the AlpsNEW!
When it comes to hand-clapping songs played face-to-face by two people, this is probably the one everyone thinks of.
Its melody originates from the American marching song “Yankee Doodle,” but the snappy Japanese lyrics give it a unique charm.
The “Koyari” mentioned in the lyrics refers to a rocky peak near the summit of Mount Yarigatake in the Japanese Alps, at an elevation of around 3,000 meters.
The song paints a grand scene of dancing in such a place.
It spread nationwide after being featured on NHK’s “Minna no Uta” in August 1962.
It’s perfect for livening up a hand-clapping game by changing the tempo, and if you sing it while hiking or camping, the landscape will overlap with the world of the lyrics, making for unforgettable memories!
Mountain MusiciansNEW!German folk song
An endearing, picture book-like piece in which the animals of the forest become musicians and hold a concert.
In this song, mountain friends like squirrels and little birds appear one after another, each showing off their favorite instrument.
With a structure that layers on words imitating the timbre of the instruments, it carries a lively joy that makes your body start moving all on its own.
It became widely known in Japan after being featured in April 1964 on NHK’s “Minna no Uta,” sung by Dark Ducks.
Since then, it has been sung for many years on educational programs and the like.
Part of its charm is that you can enjoy it with gestures and hand motions, too.
What color do you like?NEW!Lyrics and Music: Osamu Sakata
You can almost picture a child cheerfully holding a crayon and saying, “This is my favorite color!” This magical song, which teaches the joy of expressing what you love out loud, was born from composer Osamu Sakata’s experience of children excitedly telling him their favorite colors one after another.
It debuted in June 1992 as NHK’s “Song of the Month” on Okaasan to Issho, and the album “Donna Iro ga Suki” was also released.
It might be fun to sing during drawing time and try to guess which crayon your child will pick up first!
Piglet-raccoon dog-fox-catNEW!Lyrics and Music by Naosumi Yamamoto
A very fun play song where animal names connect in a shiritori-style chain.
Because the structure repeats the animals’ names, it’s easy to remember, and even children who have just started talking might be able to imitate and sing along.
The charm of this piece lies in the parts where you mimic animal sounds.
The humorous sound of the words may be a curious and amusing highlight.
Originally released in August 1999 as a song by Masako Saito and the Suginami Children’s Choir, it became widely loved after being performed on the NHK program “Okaasan to Issho,” and it remains popular today.
Be sure to sing it together as a parent and child, adding cute gestures to match each animal.
seaNEW!Lyrics by: Ryūha Hayashi / Music by: Takeshi Inoue
A well-known school song that conjures up vivid images of the vast blue sea.
It’s also famous that lyricist Ryuha Hayashi and composer Takeshi Inoue both came from Gunma Prefecture, which has no coastline.
Perhaps that’s why the piece overflows with pure awe and longing for a scene they encountered for the first time.
Introduced in a Ministry of Education textbook in 1941, it was later selected in 2007 as one of the “100 Best Japanese Songs.” Many people may find childhood memories of singing it coming back.
It’s a classic that brings gentle moments, inviting parents and children to hum along together.