Books You Can Sing
by Nikki Belshe Lanza, MNLM, MT-BC
Singable books are a simple joy that I have as a music therapist and parent! Books that can be sung are more engaging for those that you’re reading with, and singing is also a great way to reinforce learning (helloooo, ABCs!). Plus, singing with others is a wonderful way to bond and share songs that we love.
Music therapist Sarah Coury-Rios has already written a great post on interactive picture books, so I’m just sticking with singable books for this post.
Bonus win: The books listed below are beautifully illustrated!
Books You Can Sing
Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World (written by Bob Thiele)
The Beach Boys’ Good Vibrations (written by Mike Love & Brian Wilson)
Beatles’ Octopus’s Garden (written by Ringo Starr)
Car’s Good Times Roll (written by Ric Ocasek)
Coldplay’s Strawberry Swing
Judy Collins’ Over the Rainbow (written by Harburg)
John Denver’s Country Roads
John Denver’s Grandma’s Feather Bed
John Denver’s Sunshine on My Shoulders
Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind
Bob Dylan’s If Dogs Run Free
Bob Dylan’s Forever Young
Broadway’s Singing in the Rain
Eric B. & Rakim’s Move the Crowd
Aretha Franklin’s Respect (written by Otis Redding – did you know?)
Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive (written by Fekaris and Perren)
The Go-Go’s We Got the Beat (written by Charlotte Caffey)
Guns n’ Roses’ Sweet Child O’ Mine
John Lennon’s All You Need is Love
John Lennon and Paul McCartney’s In My Life
John Lennon’s Imagine
John Lennon’s With a Little Help from My Friends
Kenny Loggins’ Footloose
Bob Marley’s Get Up, Stand Up
Bob Marley’s One Love
Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds adaptation, Every Little Thing
Fleetwood Mac’s Don’t Stop (written by Christine McVie)
Tim McGraw’s Humble and Kind (written by Lori McKenna) – another version here!
Johnny Mercer & Henry Mancini’s Moon River
The Monkees’ Davy Jones recorded Your Personal Penguin by Sandra Boynton (and it’s so fun!)
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors
Pixies’ Where is My Mind (written by Black Francis)
Elvis Presley’s Love Me Tender (this is the version I have, though there’s also a version illustrated for younger children)
Otis Redding and Steve Cropper’s Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s My Favorite Things
Simon & Garfunkel’s The 59th Street Bridge Song (written by Paul Simon)
Nancy Sinatra’s These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ (written by Lee Hazelwood)
Cat Stevens’ Peace Train (adaptation)
Twisted Sister’s We’re Not Gonna Take It (written by Dee Snider)
Jack White’s We’re Going to Be Friends
Pharrel Williams’ Happy
Gary Wright’s Dream Weaver
Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton’s Puff the Magic Dragon
Ylvis’s What Does the Fox Say?
Chime in!
What are your favorite songs that are books? Comment below to let us know!
