These aren’t any sing-along songs that Barney ever heard, Or at least won’t admit to

You know him. You love him. That big, lovable, purple dinosaur Barney. Ahhhhhh . . . he does bring back the memories.

But when it comes to singing along with songs from the radio, our favorites are . . . ummmmmm, how can I say this . . . not exactly what you’d find on a Barney cd.

I wish I was in Tijuana, Eating barbecued iguana.

Ahhhhhh yes, who can forget that classic from the 80s – “Mexican Radio” by Wall of Voodoo. I’ve always loved singing along with that song because I have such a horrendous singing voice, that this song is literally the only song I can sing along with and actually sound like the guy singing the song. (I tried singing Elton John’s “Rocket Man” one time, but I almost permanently injured my man parts.)

The words to the song are a lot of fun. Plus, I like the part where you get to make a funny noise with your lips, sounds kinda like a machine gun in an old movie.

I hear the talking of the DJ . . . Can’t understand, just what does he say!

The favorite song the kids like to sing along to is “Mr. Roboto” by Styx. Ahhhhh, yes, and who wouldn’t want to croon along with Dennis DeYoung, the lead singer. Dennis DeYoung, who has the personality and charisma of an appliance salesman from Sears, but he doesn’t have quite the range on his singing voice.

I’m not sure why my kids find this song so much fun. Maybe because it’s just so plain stupid. It’s kind of like me and my bad movies – I can’t help but watch.

I’d take requests on the telephone, I’m on a wavelength far from home.

My all time favorite just-for-fun-to-sing-along song is “Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon. There’s nothing like a song that features a good howl in it. The kids and I crank this one up real loud. And every time it comes to a howl in the song, we all let loose with off-key howls (if that’s even possible) that are bad enough to wake the dead, and then kill themselves all over again.

If you ever pass a car and it looks like all the passengers are howling at something, remember, there’s no need to panic or call the authorities (what authorities actually handle werewolf sightings. Well, I guess you could call the song police, because I’m sure our singing is in violation of at least 14 ordinances – and that’s just in our state. I hate to think what happens when we cross the state line.). We’re just singing along. And while it’s not quite normal, the moment will pass . . . eventually. But probably not as soon as you want it to.

I understand, just a little. No comprende, it’s a riddle

My daughter and I like to sing along with Mick Jagger and the Stones on “Get off of My Cloud.” But we only sing the chorus. I’ll sing the main part, and she’ll sing the backup part. And what makes it really funny is that she will only sing it in this very monotone voice.

It’s almost like someone is forcing her to sing along with it or something, and she might be embarrassed. You think that’s possible?

Naaaaaaaaaa!

I feel a hot wind, on my shoulder. I dial it in from south of the border

And one of my favorites from way back is Grazing in the Grass, but you have to listen to the one with the lyrics. The bad part is, you hardly ever hear this song on the radio any more. But luckily for us, I downloaded the song for my IPod so we can enjoy whenever we want!

I’m so good to my kids.

You don’t sing the whole song on this one – just the part that goes real fast and is kind of a tongue twister – “I can digitdigitdigit, you can digitdigitdigit, . . . well, you get the idea.

I’m on a Mexican Radio. I’m on a Mexican Whoa-OH radio.

So if you’re ever driving down the road and pass a car that looks like it’s filled with a bunch of deranged singers in the car, my best advice is just to keep driving, and don’t look back.

And whatever you do, don’t roll down your windows!