The best ABC songs for kids is such a fun topic for me to write about, and I’m so happy that Cool Mom Picks asked me to share my favorites. For my band, Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could, rock ‘n’ roll is just like the ABCs. It’s the foundation for everything we do: It’s in the songs we write, the attitude we express, and the uplifting energy we try to pass along to kids and families.
Since releasing our new single, D Is For Dancing, I’ve been listening to a lot of ABC songs for kids, as you can imagine! So I put together a playlist just for you, of 17 of the best ABC songs for kids that help teach the alphabet.
This playlist brought me back to some of the classic ABC songs that I loved listening to with my own kids and introduced me to some brand new gems too. I’m drawn to the more creative and entertaining approaches — how do you keep rewrapping the same package? Besides “Happy Birthday,” it must be up there as one of the most popular songs in the world! I think I found some interesting twists on the old model, and I hope you enjoy listening — and watching, with links to their accompanying videos below.
“D Is For Dancing” by Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Of course I have to start with the song that inspired this ABCs playlist. If you want some insight into the songwriting process, it all began when I wanted to write a fun dancing song to end our concerts; a rocker that could appeal to little ears as well as to the hips and feet of moms and dads. One day, the lyric “D Is For Dancing” popped into my head. It stuck as a chorus and then it dawned on me that this was going to be an ABC song for kids. Much to my chagrin I needed 25 more besides D!
I started alliteratively moving my way through the alphabet, playfully associating the 26 letters with musical themes. (“R’s got the rhymes, S is swinging, T’s right on time.”) It all came together and I even had time for a guitar solo (thanks to Matt Beck, guitarist for Matchbox Twenty) plus the original ABC song at the end. It turned out to be a fun and rewarding challenge to have these songwriting restrictions, and it helped to have so many great ABC songs for kids to inspire me!
“Look at All the Letters” by Laurie Berkner
This next one is by my friend, Laurie Berkner. She has an amazing talent for writing beautiful, crazily catchy, creative, and memorable songs for kids and families, and this is a great example. I had the pleasure of playing bass and singing on this recording from her album Waiting on the Elevator. I loved performing it live. Surprisingly, it took a bit of rehearsal and concentration on my end to get it all down and remember which letter came next—I thought I knew the alphabet! I love the “L” alliteration in the lyric, “La-la, look at all the letters.”
“ABC You A G (feat. Stella Freelon)” by Pierce Freelon and Nnenna Freelon
From their Grammy-nominated album, AnceStars, Pierce Freelon and his mom Nnenna, are making soulful, loving, smart, and rich music for the whole family. I love how playful and descriptive this track is, with alphabet sequences like, “You’re a nerdy oracle pirate…” (I’d like to meet one!). The duet with his daughter, Stella, couldn’t be any sweeter. They’ve captured a pure moment.
“Crazy ABC’s” by Barenaked Ladies
Back when I was in my grown-up band, From Good Homes, we were fortunate to open a few shows for Barenaked Ladies. Their shows were a hoot—wild, silly, innovative, and so musical. When I saw that they recorded a kid’s record, Snacktime!, I couldn’t wait to hear it. It’s a perfect thing for them to create. I love how atypical all of the word choices are: “A is for aisle, B is for bdellium, C is for czar…” The song really gets you thinking and grinning at the same time. Listen closely to the fade out; it has some great banter.
“Alphabet Soup” by Tom Chapin
I’ve met Tom a few times and he is the sweetest. Always gracious, funny, and warm, exactly like his music. I love how creative, wholesome, and family-friendly this one is from his album, Moonboat. The songwriting is brilliant, each letter of the alphabet representing a different food, from apple to zucchini. It reminds me of trying to spell out words with a big bowl of alphabet soup, which I know I did as a kid!
“The ABC’s of Love” by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
My tune “D Is For Dancing” was inspired by my love of old ‘50s and ‘60s music, so I was happy when I found this gem by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers. I knew there must be an old soul classic ABC song for kids out there, and sure enough, this one had reached No. 8 on the US R&B charts in 1956. My mom and dad, who were high school sweethearts at the time, must have loved it. It’s such a sweet sound and I love the innocence of his voice. Timeless.
I hope “Fruitphabet” makes you want to explore more of Andrew & Polly’s music. They are incredible, and this is one of the best ABC songs for kids and a great example of how clever and playful their music is. It’s engaging, endearing, and musically rich. It puts a smile on your face hearing all the fun they’re having with the fruit alphabet. I love their lyrical solution for Z – Zat’s all the fruits!
“Vitamin Alphabet” by Billy Jonas Band
Another one of the best ABC songs for kids happens to be this playful tune, from Billy’s 2009 album Happy Accidents. What a great idea to do a vitamin alphabet! It’s constructed to be a rhyming fill-in-the-blank game for kids; a perfect way to engage and have some fun — wait until you hear what “X” is for. I didn’t realize until I started making this playlist that he co-wrote the song with the amazing folk songwriter David Wilcox…so cool. If you can, go see Billy live. He’s a one-man-band, master percussionist who’s created an attachable drum set for his body made of recycled water bottles and plastic tubs. I’d take Billy’s vitamins any day.
“The Alphabet Song” by the Three Stooges
My brother and I would watch TV every Saturday morning as kids, including shows like The Three Stooges. I didn’t know they did an alphabet song until I started researching the best ABC songs for kids. The moment I heard it, I was transported back to being a kid in my pj’s, slurping a bowl of cereal and spitting out half it as my brother and I howled at the slapstick humor.
This song is from the innovative album Here Come the ABCs, a whole record exploring the alphabet. Even if you don’t yet know “Alphabet of Nations,” if you know They Might Be Giants, you know it’s going to be some highly creative, smart, and incredible music. Listen to the little string of 26 (well, technically 25) countries that correspond with the alphabet. BTW, where is West Xylophone?
“Get You a Friend” by Alphabet Rockers
Just for their name alone, I had to include the Alphabet Rockers from Oakland, CA in a list of the best ABC songs for kids. This track is from their Grammy-winning album, The Movement. It’s bursting with their trademark positivity, uplifting grooves, and call for empowerment, and the beautiful lyrics are about being a true friend. It’s a perfect intro to discovering more from this groundbreaking group.
What would a best ABC songs playlist be without a Sesame Street cut? They’re the original trendsetters in the alphabet song genre! There are so many tunes to choose from, but I went with Kermit the Frog singing “African Alphabet” with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. It’s so beautiful, it could be an alternate cut from Paul Simon’s Graceland album. In fact, Simon performed a version of the song with Ladysmith Black Mambazo on Sesame Street that’s worth watching too.
Related: See the new Jim Henson Idea Man documentary trailer
“ABC” by the Jackson 5
The first album I ever owned was The Jackson Five’s Greatest Hits, so this one has a special place in my heart. It was Easter in 1971 and I was in third grade, and my dad bought us all a 45 single of “Polk Salad Annie” by Tony Joe White after hearing it on the radio. While it’s a great song, for a third-grader…maybe not so much. The Jackson Five were on the Billboard charts with “Rockin’ Robin,” and that was more my jam. So, when I didn’t respond so well to my dad’s cool 45, we went down to the local Woolworths and I went straight for the J’s in the record bin. We couldn’t get home fast enough. (Thanks, Dad!)
“Alphabet Dub” by Elizabeth Mitchell
Elizabeth Mitchell’s music is pure heart and soul. There’s something unnamed, something transcendent in her music. Who else would have mashed together an ABC song for kids with “Johnny Too Bad?” Back in 2006, we put on a Family Jamboree on Long Island where I live. It was planned as a beautiful summer day of music, and Liz and her family were on the bill. Well, it rained and was unseasonably cold. The show went on anyway, and it was truly special to watch Liz and her family sing under the tent as the rain poured down. I think you’ll love how simple and magical this ABC song for kids is.
“Alphabet Tebahpla” by Danny Weinkauf
This ABC song for kids wins for having the most clever title, but also happens to be the funkiest ABC song for kids out there. It’s not surprising since Danny Weinkauf is an amazing bass player; he’s played for They Might Be Giants, as well as leading the Red Pants Band. This track is from his totally awesome 2017 album, Totally Osome and it reminds me of a ‘70s radio hit that would have me dancing around my room as a kid. I hope yours get into it too.
“Abby’s Alphabet Soup” by Ralph’s World
This is one of the best ABC songs for kids because it helps teach children how to pronounce each letter of the alphabet. Like the rest of Ralph’s songs, this one’s a gem. His songwriting craft is rock-solid and he makes it seem so effortless. We’ve played a few shows together and each time I’ve left so inspired to write and create a similar connection with an audience like he does. (And no offense Ralph, but I might not want to be sitting in the front row when you play this one live.)
I love that there’s a gospel version of the ABC song for kids, and it happens to be the perfect way to end my ABC song playlist. Genevieve Goings is the amazing artist driving the Choo Choo Soul train along with Constantine “DC” Abramson. Dynamic and captivating, Genevieve is an artist who continues releasing hit after hit. With 25 million YouTube views, this song might just be the actual gospel of ABC songs for kids. I’ve never heard those letters sung quite so soulfully.
I hope this list will inspire you to search for more cool ABC songs for kids, or even write one of your own. Take it from me, it’s as easy as learning your ABCs! – Brady
Photo: Randee Daddona
Three-time Grammy nominee Brady Rymer is one of the top talents in the independent family music scene today. Making infectious, high-energy rock ‘n’ roll for kids and families, his trademark smile lights up the band’s live performances and shines brightly in his recordings, expressing the warmth, fun, and positive spirit of the family experience. Catchy melodies and song lyrics connect children to stories of confidence, diversity, friendship, and family. Visit bradyrymer.com for the latest news and performance updates.
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