“The Little Tune that Ran Away” was the follow-up to “Genie the Magic Record,” both zany escapades that barely stop to breathe. In it, Peter Lind Hayes plays the part of a meandering melody to the hilt, running everyone ragged who dares to chase him. But before the story, you’ll also hear a song recorded for adults by Hayes, “Life Gets Teejus.” Like his work for children, it borders on the bizarre.
“Sparky’s Magic Piano” was the second in a series about a boy who was forever learning lessons through hallucinatory experiences. The first record, “Sparky and the Talking Train” found Sparky hearing messages through train whistles that no one else could detect. When Sparky expresses displeasure with having to take piano lessons, his piano plays serious tricks on his mind (or was it a dream). This record was written and produced by Alan Livingston who, fifteen years later, brought the Beatles to Capitol Records.
“Daddy Comes Home” is an unusual story record written by Delmar Molarsky for Children’s Record Guild. This is a dad (played by Lee Sweetland) before television, computers and all the distractions of modern day life that were to manifest themselves later on. His arrival home from work signals FUN! Molarsky’s daughter, interviewed by historian David Bonner for his book “Revolutionizing Children’s Records,” said that this record
“Completely reflected his idea of what a father should be like. He himself was very much like the daddy in that record. He came home from a long, boring day in the advertising business and got down on the floor to play with me and my brother…he wasn’t at all the stuffy Leave It to Beaver dad of the TV sitcoms who smoked a pipe, read the paper, and dispensed words of wisdom.”
Life Gets Teejus, Don’t It?
Peter Lind Hayes
The Little Tune that Ran Away
Peter Lind Hayes
Sparky’s Magic Piano
Produced by Alan Livingston
Daddy’s Home
Shep & the Limelites
Daddy Comes Home
Story by Delmar Molarsky
Oh My Papa
Eddie Fisher
Run, Rabbit, Run
Big Jon Arthur
With thanks to Kiddie Records Weekly!