Brought to you by Electric Ireland.
The car is stuffed with raincoats and wellies. Your bag is overflowing with snacks and baby wipes.
Finally, after months of preparation, you’re on the road to your first ever music festival with the kids.
There’s just one little problem: regardless of where they’re off to (or how fun filled the destination) children tend to dislike car journeys longer than 12 minutes in duration.
Our advice? Crank up the car stereo and create a Spotify list featuring all ten of these classics… and whatever you’re having yourself.
By the time you reach Stradbally the whole family will be rearing to go.
10 Classic Tunes to Teach Your Kids…
1. Queen: Bohemian Rhapsody
Critics have long speculated over the meaning of its lyrics, but it’s unlikely your kids will give a hoot as they bellow along to the chorus. All together now… ‘Scaramouche, Scaramouche, will you do the Fandango?‘
2. S Club Party: Reach
There ain’t no party like an S Club party and Electric Ireland are bringing the group formerly known as S Club 7 to the ‘Throwback Stage’ at Electric Picnic this year. Rehearse the words en route to the festival and get ready to reach for the stars…
3. The Beatles: Yellow Submarine
Bonkers enough to reel in the most impatient kid, the lyrics to this song are a joy in themselves. Plus it boasts one of the catchiest choruses ever written.
4. Creedence Clearwater Revival: Bad Moon Rising
Full of hurricanes a blowin’ and rivers overflowin’, it’s still a tune you can blast out at least twice on a long journey. The line “There’s a bad moon on the rise” is often misheard as “There’s a bathroom on the right.” Choose whichever version you please.
5. Aretha Franklin: RESPECT
Nothing like a Motown classic to pass the time. Added bonus? This one involves a little bit of spelling too.
6. Ace of Base: I Saw the Sign
Jenny Berggren of everyone’s favourite 90s Swedish pop group Ace of Base will be making an appearance at a certain Irish music festival this summer (Hint: check out the Throwback Stage at Electric Picnic). Best brush up on the words so you can sing along. And don’t forget that epic key change…
7. Guns ‘N’ Roses: Sweet Child o’ Mine
Release your inner Axel Rose and take your crew back to 1987 with a rendition of this absolute belter. Interestingly this is a song that started life as a guitar exercise and was written in five minutes.
8. The Flaming Lips: Do You Realise
One of few songs that can make you happy when you’re sad (and vice versa), hearing your kids wail along to this one may bring a tear to your eye. Nevertheless, it’s a glorious, life-affirming track that deserves to be passed down to the next generation.
9. Queen: Bicycle Race: Freddie Mercury and co. get another honourable mention here, simply because of the sheer joy this song seems to give children. ‘All I wanna do is bicycle bicycle BICYCLE’!
10. 5ive: Got the Feelin’
Your teenage dreams are about to come true: The three remaining members of 5ive (Rich, Sean and Scott) will make an appearance at Electric Picnic, performing on the Electric Ireland ‘Throwback Stage’ this year. Make sure your offspring can ‘na na na na nana naaaah’ along to the chorus.
Electric Ireland is the official energy partner of Electric Picnic. And we’re bringing 90s chart sensations 5ive, S Club Party and Jenny Berggren from Ace of Base PLUS a heap of nostalgia-filled fun and frolics, to our ultimate Throwback Stage at Stradbally this September.
