I will lose all street cred when I tell you I listen to music from The Backyardigans in my car – a lot. Here are my top 10 songs from the animated show, which airs on Nick Jr. and Noggin. I have written similar lists for Sesame Street and Veggie Tales.
10. Aha! from Whodunit
The best thing about this violin-driven 20’s style tune is how Pablo spends the whole song bragging about what a great detective he is. After the song, he goes to Mystery Manor to find some missing jewels.
Sample lyric:When something strange happens, and no one knows why/You need a great detective, and I’m that guy.”
9. We’ll Get You What You Want from TheLegend of the Volcano Sisters
This lively Italian song has the boys (the Legendary Luau Brothers) asking the girls (The Volcano Sisters) what sacrifice they must bring to stop the girls from making the volcano erupt. As you can see, this show isn’t shy about mixing Italian music with a Hawaiian story.
Sample lyric: Do you want a new lei or a rare seashell?/We know what we want and we will not tell/Some tasty fruits or delicious mints?/We know what we want and you’ll get no hints.”
8. Into the Thick of It from The Heart of the Jungle
This Gilbert & Sullivan-style ditty features very low notes from Tyrone and very high notes from Pablo and Uniqua as they search for the Heart of the Jungle. They move quickly through the jungle, but they have no idea where they are going.
Sample lyric: “This tree looks so familiar/We’ve been here once before/You’re right, except it wasn’t once/It was three times/Or four.”
7. PU (Stinky Swamp Song) from Knights Are Brave & Strong
In this big band blowout, Brave Knight Uniqua has the help of Tyrone and Pablo as she tries to navigate the Stinky Swamp. The trio considers what horrible smells could possibly compare to the swamp.
Sample lyric: “Never smelled a smell like this/Like a hot dog rotting in the bun/Like the smell egg salad makes when it’s left out in the blazing sun.
6. Drumming, Drumming from Cave Party
Austin and Tasha, who are Hill Cave People, pound Calypso beats on their steel drums as they wait for Valley Cave People Pablo, Tyrone and Uniqua to show up so they can all howl at the moon.
Sample lyric:”Boom digga boom digga boom boom boom/That drum sound shakes my big rock room.”
This is a great song to sing when you start the car. I’ve never heard “Kenyan High Life” music before, but judging by this tune, it must be bouncy and fun. Pablo, Austin and Uniqua sing this song as they blast off to Mars to investigate a strange “boinga” sound they keep hearing. Tyrone and Tasha of Mission Control sing along.
Sample lyric: “It’s millions of miles away, but if you leave real soon/The shuttle will shuttle you there today/Just hang a right at the moon.”
4. The Rules from Monster Detectives
This is a really cute 60s’ guitar song that Detective Tyrone sings with Uniqua on the way to Pablo the Soccer Monster’s castle. Tyrone advises Uniqua on the rules she must remember on their quest to retrieve her lost soccer ball. Rule No. 1 is to stay quiet, while Rule No. 2 is to avoid playing soccer with Pablo. If Uniqua does that, she will also become a soccer monster.
Sample lyric:”If I play with that monster, I’ll be a monster too/Hey that might be pretty neat/It might be fun to do.”
3. Float Flutter Fly from Quest for the Flying Rock
It’s hard to pick just one song from “Flying Rock,” which has the best music of any episode. “Float Flutter Fly” starts with the tune of “Hail, Hail the Gang’s All Here,” before it breaks into a mesmerizing disco beat. The kids sing this song at the beginning and end of the episode, as it contains the magic spell that will make the rock fly. The other great songs from this episode are Questing Questing, Shake Your Body and Trudge Trudge Trudge.
Sample lyric:”Oh rock, Oh rock on hilltop high/Float, flutter, flyyyyy”
2. Rad Moves from Surf’s Up
Surfers Tyrone and Pablo sing this upbeat Afro-pop song as they travel to Tiki Beach to ride the perfect wave. They are later joined by Austin, the Mystery Lifeguard. The three boys compare dance moves, as well as their special surfboard tricks.
Sample lyric: “Can you do the swim? You know I can swim/But there’s no phony baloney when I break this in/Watch me now, hey!”
1. Dance, Little Worman, Dance from PolkaPalaceParty
I can never get this song out of my head, and I dont mind. Cowboy Tyrone starts the song (and the episode) by playing this polka song on his tuba. As he travels to a surprise birthday party with Sherman the Worman, he is joined by Cowgirl Uniqua on clarinet, Cowboy Pablo on accordion and Cowboy Austin on drums. When they arrive at the party, the Ramblin’ Polka Cowboys bring the house down with their polka jam.
