What makes Nursery Days by Woody Guthrie notable?

Nursery Days is significant for its role in popularizing children's folk music, paving the way for artists like Pete Seeger and later children's musicians. It received positive attention for its engaging and educational content, becoming a staple in many families' music collections and influencing generations of singers and songwriters in the genre. Released in 1956, Nursery Days marked Woody Guthrie's venture into children's music, following his influential work in the American folk movement. This album came during a period when Guthrie was transitioning from his earlier social and political songs to creating material aimed at younger audiences, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter.

Who is Nursery Days for?

Nursery Days works well if you're into playful sing-alongs for kids, short bursts of joy and whimsical melodies for imagination.

How many songs are on Nursery Days?

Nursery Days has 6 tracks, running approximately 15 minutes.

Released 70 years ago

Nursery Days

Woody Guthrie · 1956

15 min · 6 tracks · country music

A playful collection of children's songs that blend folk melodies with whimsical lyrics to engage young listeners.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Wake Up — This opening track sets the tone for the album with its cheerful invitation for children to start their day, embodying Guthrie's playful spirit.
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Clean-O — With its catchy tune and simple lyrics about cleanliness, this song effectively combines fun with a vital lesson for young listeners.
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Put Your Finger in the Air — This interactive song encourages physical movement, making it not only entertaining but also a way to engage children actively during playtime.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

47 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

This album effectively engages children with its playful melodies and interactive lyrics, marking a notable shift in Guthrie's work.

What we noticed

The album features simple, repetitive melodies designed to be easily sung along with by children.
Each track typically employs a call-and-response structure, encouraging listener participation.
The instrumentation is minimal, often featuring acoustic guitar and light percussion to keep the focus on the vocals.
Lyrically, the songs use playful language and themes that resonate with young audiences, such as playtime and daily activities.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 7/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

playful sing-alongs for kids
short bursts of joy
whimsical melodies for imagination
engaging rhythm for dancing

Maybe skip if you

seeking deep lyrical content
preferring longer listening experiences

Where this album fits

Career context: Released in 1956, Nursery Days marked Woody Guthrie's venture into children's music, following his influential work in the American folk movement. This album came during a period when Guthrie was transitioning from his earlier social and political songs to creating material aimed at younger audiences, showcasing his versatility as a songwriter.
Stylistic neighbors: Pete Seeger· Bob Dylan· Lead Belly