Rock & Roll Lullabies

All your naptime troubles will seem so far away once you pop in this CD of Beatles classics, remade as soothing lullabies. You can't help but sing along to mop-top masterpieces, such as "Hey Jude," "Strawberry Fields Forever," "Yesterday," and "Yellow Submarine."

You'll have to stifle the urge to belt out the chorus of "We Are the Champions" at the sight of your slumbering child, thanks to the lullaby renditions of Queen. The British band's iconic hits -- "Bohemian Rhapsody," "We Will Rock You," "Fat Bottomed Girls," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" -- get remixed with softly plunking xylophones and swelling synthesizers.

There won't be any cryin' in the nursery while listening to this album of baby-friendly Aerosmith anthems. Steven Tyler's hard rock songs sound surprisingly soothing when arranged with marimbas, bells, and flutes. The lineup dips heavy into the band's greatest hits catalog, showcasing such songs as "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing," "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)," "Cryin'," and "Amazing."

Chances are you wouldn't think of inviting Axl Rose to your nursery. But that sweet child o' yours will be knockin' on the sandman's door after listening to Guns N' Roses' metal classics reimagined as peaceful lullabies. These jukebox favorites turned soothing melodies include the classics "Welcome to the Jungle," "Paradise City," "November Rain," and "Live and Let Die."

Still haven't found the lullabies you're looking for? Try Rockabye Baby's versions of U2 hits. Songs by the Irish superstars include "With or Without You," "Beautiful Day," and even "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (a grizzly name, to be sure, but no less sweet-sounding). You'll love watching your little angel's eyelids droop -- the sweetest thing indeed.

Coldplay's pretty melodies already work well as soothing lullabies -- but sound even more lovely in these instrumental-only renditions. Miles more sophisticated than simple nursery rhymes, the alt-rock songs lull babies to sleep -- and offer parents a little peaceful satisfaction, too. Songs include such favorites such as "Yellow," "Trouble," and "God Put a Smile Upon Your Face."

Enter Sandman -- that's both a promise of sleep and track 3 on this album of retooled Metallica' tunes. Metalhead moms and dads will love the irony of rocking their child to sleep while playing sugarplum versions of earsplitting classics, such as "Fade to Black," "Nothing Else Matters,""Master of Puppets," and "Anesthesia (Pulling Teeth)."

Tell your little wailer, "no baby, no cry," then play this album of Bob Marley classics-turned-lullabies. Though the Rastafarian icon's tunes are fairly chill as it is, the Rockabye Baby treatment makes nursery essentials out of Reggae favorites "Jammin," "No Woman, No Cry," "I Shot the Sheriff," and "Could You Be Loved."

For those about to nap, you'll salute this album of AC/DC favorites turned into sleeper songs, with blaring guitars and drums traded for gentle mellotrons, vibraphones, and bells. Little ones will snuggle all night long to the soundtrack of "Highway to Hell," "You Shook Me All Night Long," and "Rock and Roll Ain't Noise Pollution."

Even if you long ago discounted The Cure as too dark and gloomy, you'll have nothing to wallow about while listening to the New Wave band's songs reinterpreted as soft lullabies. Instead, the band's postpunk melodies make beautiful ballads your baby will love, including "Just Like Heaven," "Boys Don't Cry," "Lovesong," and "Friday I'm in Love."

Does your screamer need to be sedated? School your spawn on the history of punk rock by playing these lullaby versions of The Ramones. For punk parents, there's no greater slam to the man than rocking your kids to sleep listening to songs such as "Rock 'N' Roll High School," "Teenage Lobotomy," "Blitzkrieg Bop," and "Judy Is a Punk."

When you're rattling the cradle, you'd be wise to heed Gwen Stefani's mantra: "Rock Steady" (and while you're at it, "Don't Speak"). For more parenting prowess, give this album of No Doubt favorites a spin. Remixed as keyboard-plunking lullabies, additional songs include "Hey Baby" and "Underneath It All." No doubt about it, a sleeping baby means a happy parent. Ah, the simple kind of life.

When your baby's fitful sleep turns you into a basket case, it might be tempting to throw up your hands and sigh, "Good Riddance." Instead, turn to these baby-friendly Green Day songs. Think "Longview," "When I Come Around," "American Idiot," and "Sweet Children" played as soothing instrumentals -- no boulevard of broken dreams in sight.

We might not trust Radiohead's Thom Yorke to babysit, but we'll admit that his experimental rock songs make unexpectedly impressive nursery bedfellows. Surreal cult favorites turned into ambient lullabies "Karma Police," "Paranoid Android," "Knifes Out," and "Airbag" become comforting sleep aids sure to help both you and your child unwind.

Other than his signature teddy bear (known as the Dropout Bear), there's not much about Kanye West that seems particularly destined for the nursery. But on this newly released album, Kanye's hip-hop tracks become gentler tunes sure to inspire some serious shut-eye from your little one -- without screams of "Hey Mama"escaping from the crib. Slip oin this CD and listen to such radio hits as "Gold Digger," "Jesus Walks," "Love Lockdown," and "Through the Wire."

This will be released in May 2010.

Copyright &copy 2010 Meredith Corporation.

Looking for more baby-friendly, parent-approved lullaby tunes? Be sure to check out these classics, both old and new!