..and my singers actually really LOVE these!
Let’s get real: Disney songs have had their moment. For a while. Maybe too long….ha!
Don’t get me wrong — “A Whole New World” and “When Will My Life Begin?” are classics — but if your young singer wants to sound a little more like what’s current (without lyrics that make parents cringe), there are plenty of clean, FUN pop songs that aren’t from a movie soundtrack. Yes, it’s true!
Here are six of my go-to favorite clean pop songs for kids (no Disney!) that work beautifully for lessons, auditions, and talent shows (not to mention car sing alongs!)
1. “Fight Song” – Rachel Platten
Empowering, catchy, and written in a comfortable range for most young voices. Great for building confidence and breath control — it’s practically a mini pep talk with a beat. My younger students love to sing this one, and many of them have used in talent shows, in fact!
2. “Brave” – Sara Bareilles
This one teaches phrasing and dynamics beautifully. Plus, it’s all about speaking up and being yourself — which is what singing lessons are really about for the younger ones, am I right ? This one has some good challenges,too, as far as working with a section that could potentially be “high belt”, though with kids this does NOT need to be the case.
3. “Fly Me to the Moon” – Frank Sinatra (or your favorite jazzy version!)
Old-school cool never goes out of style. Kids love the swing feel, and it’s a fun introduction to rhythm and musical style outside of pop. Well, it IS pop, but pre-Beatles pop is a totally different vibe !
A student told me this was popular on TikTok, so there you go.
Another note: the range is small, so it’s not intimidating. I’ve had many kids and teens request to work on this classic!
4. “Breakaway” – Kelly Clarkson
A little pop-rock, a little country, and a whole lotta heart! It’s relatable for older kids and tweens learning to express emotion without shouting. Ok, so this is from a movie soundtrack…. but still! Avril Lavigne wrote it , therefore it is cool.
5. “What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong
A classic for tone, control, and connection. Perfect for students who love meaningful lyrics — and parents love this one, too. EVERYONE smiles when they hear this one. It may be simple, but sometimes that is all you need! This is a song that is just timeless, and let me tell you: all ages in my vocal studio love this one.
6. “Count on Me” – Bruno Mars
Simple, joyful, and all about friendship. Great for duets, small groups, or any singer who’s still learning to stay on pitch and connect to lyrics. I’ve used this one with teaching groups,too. It just works, and we can all agree Bruno rocks. Teachers, you can assign this one with confidence!
Bonus Tip:
If your singer loves a specific pop artist (like Olivia Rodrigo or Billie Eilish), start with acoustic or early songs by those artists — they’re often cleaner, lighter, and easier to sing than their latest hits which may be too mature lyrically or even vocally.
“Clean” versions are also available for many of the more current songs, so just be sure you double check before things get awkward….!
And remember: the best song is one your child connects to. Technique can be taught — but FUN? That’s what keeps them singing forever and ever!
I hope you enjoyed this list of six fun but clean pop songs for kids and tweens!
My rule as a singing teacher that works with children is this: they MUST love their song. This is just one tiny list of fun songs that are clean, but that kids love to sing. I’ll have more. Stay tuned….
And in the meantime, if YOU have a young singer that is motivated but needs some help, I LOVE working with young singers! Book a lesson now!