Listen to the Music

Space Cadet

Justin’s 16th album “Space Cadet” was released on July 14, 2022 and was nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for Best Album for Children. This collection of 12 new songs is a rocking journey that encourages listeners to dig holes, be unicorns, and explore the spacey universe of their own imagination. Featuring the Not Ready for Naptime Players with many special guests on synthesizers, vibraphones, horns, and even a string quartet.

Wild Life

Justin’s 15th album “Wild Life” was released on February 28, 2020. This collection of 10 new songs is an introspective exploration of the joys and fears of bringing a new one into this “wild life”. Featuring the warm sounds of cello, marimba, piano, and horns, this delicate recording captures the wonder of parenthood with its soothing sounds.

Justin Roberts’ Greatest Hits

A collection of Justin’s “Greatest Hits” from his nearly 20 years of making music for familes. A great gift for a new fan! 1. Willy Was a Whale 2. Henrietta’s Hair 3. Pop Fly 4. My Brother Did It 5. Giant Sized Butterflies 6. Meltdown 7. Recess 8. Billy the Bully 9. Little Raindrop 10. Airplane of Food 11. Trick or Treat 12. From Scratch 13. Our Imaginary Rhino 14. Obsessed by Trucks 15. Great Big Sun 16. Yellow Bus 17. School’s Out (Tall Buildings)


Lemonade

Lemonade is like no other Justin Roberts project! 12 new original songs recorded live in the studio. Ukuleles, banjos, upright bass, and handmade percussion played by Chciago’s finest musicians: Robbie Fulks, Gerald Dowd, John Abbey, Nora O’Connor and others.

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2016.
Produced by Liam Davis.


Recess

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2013.
Produced by Liam Davis.


Hansel & Gretel: A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2015.


Lullaby

Justin’s first collection of original nighttime songs for families released November 19th, 2012. Lullaby is for those wee small hours just before bedtime with elegant moments of chamber music, snatches of 70s soft rock, and sleepy bossa nova and R&B grooves. Featuring members of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Poi Dog Pondering, and the Not Ready for Naptime Players, this record marks a temporary departure from Justin’s signature power pop into the land of storks and sleepy polar bears.

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2012.
Produced by Liam Davis.


Jungle Gym

Jungle Gym ascends through the collective memories of childhood: from the joys of trick or treating and sleepovers to the magic stillness of snow days and gym class parachutes. The recording takes listeners on a journey through iconic experiences that kids will relate to and parents will remember. It’s an often funny and unexpectedly rocking ride: from magic moments sailing on a moonlit cardboard box, through the temporary traumas of getting lost, to the anticipation and wonder of a school fire drill. Giant pounding drums, vintage electric guitars, strange and fanciful time changes, soaring vocals and elegant French horns yearn toward the conquering heights of the jungle gym.

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2010.
Produced by Liam Davis.


Pop Fly

Pop Fly is Justin’s much anticipated sixth CD. He continues to take children’s music to new musical and lyrical heights with his unique “kindie” rock. Whether describing the occasional triumphs of a distracted outfielder or imagining all the magnificent creatures living inside Henrietta’s unkept hair, this recording brims with sounds that are more fountains of wayne than romper room.

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2008.
Produced by Liam Davis.


Meltdown!

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2006.
Produced by Liam Davis.


Way Out

Way Out is Justin’s fourth release and the first time he turned the knobs all the way up to eleven. The CD is filled with memorable pop hooks and singable catchy choruses, including the punk rock anthem “Day Camp,” the clever “Doctor Doctor” and the fully rocking “Picture Day” (about which The Independent said “[it] may be the greatest song ever written. Really.”). The songs will have the kids bouncing off the walls and the adults remembering their own pre-pre-pre-teen years.

“More than any children’s release this year, this CD makes you want to buy multiple copies and pass them out to friends—if only to prove that children’s music can be unaccountably great.” — Amazon.com Editor’s Review

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2004.
Produced by Liam Davis.


Not Naptime

Not Naptime is Justin’s third CD and features such concert favorites as “Brontosaurus Got a Sweet Tooth” and “Billy the Bully.” The song “Nine Planets,” though scientifically debatable, was a popular track on a recent Starbucks’ children’s music compilation. Not Naptime also features one of Justin’s personal favorites, the introspective “Moving.” Get ready to stay awake all night for this one.

“Roberts’s beguiling, often uproarious turns of phrase never cease to delight, from the title track (‘Don’t even start with those carpet squares,’ warns its naptime-phobic protagonist) to the breathtaking album-closing lullaby, ‘Last Night the Moon was Full.’ “ — Washington Post

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2003.
Produced by Liam Davis.


Yellow Bus

Yellow Bus is Justin’s second release and contains several of Justin’s most popular songs, including “Willy Was a Whale,” “One Little Cookie,” and “Yellow Bus.” This CD won Justin his first Parents’ Choice GOLD award and was featured in People Magazine. As Disney’s Family Fun magazine proclaimed, “Hop on the bus, you’re guaranteed to enjoy the ride.”

“After his enjoyable 1998 debut album, ‘Great Big Sun’, Justin Roberts tops himself with this immensely appealing, creative release with genuine all-ages appeal.”
 — Parents’ Choice

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2001.
Produced by Liam Davis.


Bright Becomes Blue

“Those of you who called for a moratorium on songs with Wizard Of Oz references after America’s ’70s hit “Tin Men” (and perhaps wished you had done so before that tune) may want to reconsider.” – Rick Cornell, Spectator Online

“”An exquisitely beautiful breakup album, Bright Becomes Blue ranks up there with the greatest tears in your beer …albums of the decade.” – Minneapolis City Pages, 12/99

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 1999.
Produced by Liam Davis.

Great Big Sun

Great Big Sun is Justin’s very first family CD. Many of the songs were written while Justin was daytime moonlighting at a Montessori school while his indie-folk band were rocking out at night. It features simple yet infectious songs like “Little Raindrop,” “If You Got 1,” and “Great Big Sun.” This is an intimate and folky affair, sure to become a soundtrack to your family’s life. A modern-day classic.

“Hands down the best made for children’s record of the past two years. Roberts sings of pancakes, pajamas, and little miracles.”
— St. Paul Pioneer Press

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 1997.
Produced by Liam Davis.


Why Not Sea Monsters?: Songs from the New Testament

The name of this band is “Why Not Sea Monsters?” It is made up of singer/songwriter Justin Roberts and producer/arranger Liam Davis. This CD contains all-original songs that are retellings of classic bible stories from the New Testament. Filled with Justin’s trademark wit, warmth and catchy hooks, these songs run the gamut. Get ready for a hilarious take on the story of the loaves and fishes to a moving portrait of the good samaritan.

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2005.
Produced by Liam Davis.

Why Not Sea Monsters?: Songs from the Hebrew Scriptures

The name of this band is “Why Not Sea Monsters?” It is made up of singer/songwriter Justin Roberts and producer/arranger Liam Davis. The songs are all original retellings of bible stories from the Hebrew Scriptures (aka: the Old Testament). Filled with Justin’s trademark wit, warmth and catchy hooks, Justin takes on topics such as Noah building the ark and Moses at the burning bush with sometimes silly and sometimes touching results.

All songs written and arranged by Justin Roberts © 2005.
Produced by Liam Davis.

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