by Divemistress of the Dark on 04 Jan 2009 17:33
Sorry I'm late to the party, but maybe some Brazilian or African music? A lot of Western music is derived from themes sometimes found in traditional music (a good example is the old hit 'Lion Sleeps Tonight' by The Tokens; it's a version of a traditional African song called 'Mbube', the most famous version of which was recorded by Mariam Makeba.)
Just a few more thoughts...
'Gone Fishin',' Taj Mahal
'One Piece at a Time,' Johnny Cash (Another kids' classic: "Boy Named Sue")
'Umabarauma,' Jorge Ben (great song about soccer)
'You Are My Sunshine'...Everybody on earth has covered this, from Aretha Franklin to Bing Crosby
'Hoodoo Voodoo,' Wilco and Billy Bragg
(depending on the kid) 'Magneto and Titanium Man,' Paul McCartney & Wings
"Goober Peas," another traditional song that's been covered by everyone...
"Erie Canal" - There's a great version by Bruce Springsteen
"Battle of New Orleans," Johnny Horton
"Big John," Jimmy Dean
"Saginaw Michigan," Lefty Frizzell
"Last Date," Pearl Jam
"Froggy Went a Courtin," Elvis Presley, Doc Watson or Bob Dylan
"This Land is Your Land," Woody Guthrie
"Strawberry Jam," Michelle Shocked
(Maybe I'm a weirdo, but when I was a kid I loved the song "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" by Gordon Lightfoot....and "Beer Beer Beer" by the Clancy Brothers....)
This is just off the top of my head...I'll keep thinkin'.
On Google - site:stewartcopeland.net "your keyword here" - thanks DM!!