This episode of Experimental Tunes and Children considers the songs, sounds and stories of playgrounds. From sampled sounds of children playing to singing, skipping and clapping games across different locations and time periods, adventure playground soundscapes and retellings of childhood exploits and music inspired by them.
XTC, Playground, 2000
Grethe Agatz, Play Song, 2005
Tony Schwartz, Clap Games- NYC 1, 2, 3 and a Zing Zing Zing, 1953
Ewan MacColl and Dominic Behan, Skipping Rope, Bouncing Ball and Counting Rhymes, 1958
Bounce Ball, Can You Fool Your Shadow? Game and Concept Songs for Children
Andrew Gunsberg, 1982
Karoly Cserepes, Choco Choco La La, My Name is Elvis Presley (Childrenβs Games), 2018
Who Stole The Cookie? NYC Kids Rhymes, Songs for Children from New York City, 1978
Andrew Gunsberg, Bubblegum, Game and Concept Songs for Children, 1982
The Free Design, Bubbles, 1998
Skip Rope Games, Sally Ate a Pickle,1955
East Londonβs Adventure Playground, Glamis Adventure Playground in Shadwell, 2017
Tiny Tim, Neighbourhood Children, 1968
Triangle Adventure Playground 2021-2022 Soundscape
Masakatsu Takagi, Festival In The Forest, 2001
Lady Allen Adventure Playgrounds, Pathe, 1970s
Howard Finster, Kids Games, Riddles, Walking and Singing, 1984
Background image is from Dreamscape, a year long collaborative project with artist Amy Leung, Anson Primary school pupils and Camden Arts Centre for reimagining and building new spaces for play.