Time to Play!

Next up: songs about children's games. Basically, any sort of either game kids play together or a children's song with specific actions, or hand-clapping games. Some may only loosely fit this category.


"Hokey F---in' Pokey" - Psychostick
I'm just linking because there's some strong language in this. The f-word is right in the title. But, as you can probably tell, the song references the Hokey Pokey, a dance that they make kids do a lot in the lower grades of school or at the roller rink or something.

"London Bridge" - Fergie
Here's another kind of inappropriate song. There is some swearing in it. Anyway, the title refers to "London Bridge," the landmark that inspired a children's song and game. Here's a video of kids playing the game if you don't know what it is or don't remember. They try to catch the kids walking under the arm bridge when it falls down.

"Follow de Leader" - Soca Boys


The title of this song alludes to the game "Follow the Leader." The song itself is a version of the game, with the singer telling people which dance moves to do.

"Hello Operator" - The White Stripes


The song refers to the Miss Suzy handclapping game, where one part goes "hello operator, please give me number nine, and if you disconnect you, I'll kick your little behind..." Here are the lyrics from the song:

“Hello operator

can you give me number nine?

can I see you later?

Will you give me back my dime?”

"Simon Says" - 1910 Fruitgum Company

The song and the title are a game where you do what one person says, basically like "Follow the Leader" but usually stationary whereas you walk around in Follow the Leader.

"1, 2, 3, Red Light" - 1910 Fruitgum Company

Another song from the 1910 Fruitgum Company, this reminds me of the game "Red Light, Green Light" that kids play, where you're racing but the person in charge says if you can move ("Green light") or you have to stop ("Red light"). The lyrics refer to a girl refusing a boy's advances:
"Ev'ry time I try to prove I love you,
1, 2, 3, Red Light,
You stop me"

"Chain Hang Low" - Jibbs

This song references the children's song "Do Your Ears Hang Low?", which it seems like I learned a little dance or hand motions to at some point, hence its inclusion here. Children sing in the background, and it plays of the lyrics of "Ears Hang Low" and uses the same melody. Here are some lyrics that echo "Ears Hang Low":

 “Do your chain hang low
Do it wobble to the flo'
Do it shine in the light
Is it platinum, Is it gold
Could you throw it over ya shoulda
If ya hot, it make ya cold
Do your chain hang low”

"The Hand Clap" - Hurricane Chris


Some lyrics in this song reference "Row Row Row your Boat":

“Row, row, row ya boat

Gently down the stream

Ain’t nobody in that club feelin like me”

Well, that's it for the children's games/songs post. Next up: nursery rhymes and lullabies, childhood and adolescence, and a hodge-podge post. I might also do a Schoolhouse Rock post since that's for children.