"Fred Rogers was so good at so many things - rocking a cardigan, controlling puppets, speaking very straightforwardly to children- that it often obscures another skill: he was a damn fine musician, writing a performing hundreds of songs during the show's masterful run. Figuring out the best Mister Rogers' songs is mostly all about thinking about why the series was so successful to begin with."
"Part of the reason why a piece of kids' entertainment stands the test of time is nearly always connected to music. The reason we still love Sleeping Beauty is because of the brilliant way Disney adapted the classic ballet by Tchaikovsky and, essentially, turned that music into a bunch of pop songs. Nobody thinks about it, but the great visuals in kids' entertainment are almost always not the reason something is amazing."
"The same is true for Mister Rogers' Neighborhood, to an extent. Yes, we love Fred Rogers' style, but arguably, the words he spoke and the songs are the real reason the show is so enduring. Contemporarily, the descendant of Mister Rogers; Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood,also finds its way into the hearts and minds of children through the helpful songs. And though I think some of the Daniel Tiger songs are great, it's hard to top the originals from Fred himself."
Fred Rogers excelled at many skills — rocking a cardigan, controlling puppets, speaking plainly to children — but songwriting was a core talent. He wrote and performed hundreds of songs during the show's run. Musical strength contributed significantly to the series' longevity, similar to how Tchaikovsky's music underpins Sleeping Beauty's appeal. Great visuals are rarely the sole reason children's entertainment endures; music and lyrics matter more. Mister Rogers' words and songs provided emotional clarity and lasting resonance. Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood continues the musical legacy with helpful songs, yet many of Fred Rogers' original songs remain harder to surpass in impact.
Read at Fatherly
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