Interview: NYPL Sings! and "Are You Ready to Move?" by Chelsea Condren, Early Literacy CoordinatorJuly 23, 2018

To continue celebrating the release of NYPL Sings!, NYPL’s first album of original children’s songs written and performed by NYPL staff, let's take another look into the method behind the music, with our continuing interview series! (Our recent interview with Abilene Castillo, who co-wrote the song "Every Day is a New Day," is available here.)

As we find ourselves in the hazy, lazy days of summer, it's tempting to find the nearest building with air conditioning and lie down to cool off. (If your little one is grumpy in the heat, check out our interview with songwriter Joey Piccoiotto about the track "Dealing With Feelings!") 

Songs for Our Children coverWhile we all deserve a break, it's important to remember that our little ones are always on the go, and that's how they learn best! NYPL Sings! reminds us how wonderful and crucial it is to sing and rhyme with young children, but that it's also important to move our bodies and theirs. Movement isn't just about healthy living, it's about freedom of expression! Plus, we all have to get our wiggles out sometimes.  

"Are You Ready to Move" is an irresistible R&B dance track with instructional dance moves for every member of the family.  Fittingly, every contributing singer on NYPL Sings! is featured in the chorus of this song, so it's an extra special part of the album.

We spoke to Jonathan Clark—who co-wrote this song with album executive producer Emily Elizabeth Lazio, Shauntee Burns (she raps!), Jordan Nieves, and Jennifer Gaeta—about the songwriting process and how to get over any adult fears about dancing in public!

This song breaks up the genre of the album a little bit—this is the first song with more of an R&B feel, and there's a rap! Where did the inspiration come from? 

This song came about after doing 6 to 8 storytimes a week at preschools, with groups of 40 to 60 kids, and realizing that every book I read and every song I sang needed to be as engaging and interactive as possible. I wanted to write a song that had the feel of books like Press here and Can you make a scary face to get kids moving, singing, listening, and responding to directions. I originally envisioned the only music being percussion, like the sound of a drum corps. I am also not much of a singer, so I presented in a "speak-singing" fashion which may be where the rhythmic feel came from.
 

This track has the most songwriters and performers of any on the album. How did so many of you collaborate in the writing process and what was it like?

Unlike most of the songs on the album, this song existed only on paper when I submitted it. I wrote the words to the verses in 15 minutes on the train on my way to work one day. I told Emily Lazio that she could do whatever she wanted with the song, so she wrote the chorus, recruited folks to create the beats and music, and enlisted Shauntee Burns to write and sing the rap section of the song.

I wasn't even planning on singing the song but Emily asked to me to come into the studio for some background vocals, then tricked me into singing the verses and chorus. I didn't hear the completed track until about a week before the album was released and I thought it sounded amazing. It was really cool to plant a tiny seed and then see a fully formed song grow out of it.
 

Movement and dance is such a fun way to promote expression and rhythm in little ones. What are tips you have for readers who may be self-conscious about busting a move with their children?

Young children are the least judgmental of all humans. They are also still developing their motor skills so they are easily impressed by rapid clapping and a spin move!

View all posts by Chelsea Condren