If you're like me, you constantly have music playing in your head. Often, the songs shift without warning and you find yourself humming the theme song to Barney one minute and the newest J. C. Penney jingle the next.
The songs that are most prevalent in my mind's radio, probably due to the fact that I have a little brother and niece, are nursery rhymes. They exist on their own tier above all other music, so naturally, I ranked them.
Here are the eight best nursery rhymes. And yes, I did purposefully choose most of these videos for their poor animation quality.
8. Five Little Speckled Frogs
I learned this one from my little brother. It's insanely catchy and my family sang it daily for a while, so it had to make an appearance on this list. The only issue is that it's rather modern compared to a lot of the other songs on here, so I feel bad about including it among the greats. But whatever.
7. Goosey Goosey Gander
Any song that calmly chants of an assault is worth a deeper analysis, and this rhyme is no exception. Just spend some time in thought about this one, and you'll be better off for it.
6. It's Raining, It's Pouring
This song was featured on Little Bear, the best children's show that has ever existed and that will ever exist. Aside from that, this tune tells a chilling tale of an aging man, probably in need of some assistance, suffering a fall and sleeping well past his alarm. In the alternate lyrics, the man on the Moon is the one snoring, and I honestly don't know which one is scarier.
5. The Ants Go Marching
Yes, another song from the 20th century, but this one is too good to pass up. It constantly played in the back of my head throughout high school and continues to sporadically haunt me in college. At least it's catchy. Listen at your own risk.
4. Jack Be Nimble
We used to draw candlesticks and apple pies so that my little brother Jackson could pretend to be nimble and quick. I am a little biased toward this song because I associate it with such great memories, but I do believe it has stood the test of time, unlike many others.
3. Hey Diddle Diddle
I just know there's some deeper meaning behind this one, but I've never had the guts to look it up. Either way, it's a classic that will never be forgotten, even well after humanity has left the Earth.
2. Wynken, Blynken and Nod
If you ever want to see me cry, just play this song. The only stipulation is that it has to be the Joanie Bartels version.
1. Sing a Song of Sixpence
Every time I mention this one, no one has any clue what I'm talking about. I'm here to change that. The storytelling power of music is at its full capability in this song, this hymn, this ode to humanity and times past. Not only is it catchy, fun to learn and satisfying to hear, but it's also a reminder of the true power of music in my life. To the British man or woman who wrote this, thank you.
