Playlist of 30 Songs to Sing Baby to Sleep That Are Not Lullabies

Updated on May 15, 2017

To be real, I honestly don't know the words to most of the traditional lullabies. And, I certainly hear my fair share of kiddie songs when our 4-year-old is watching Netflix.

So, I loaded up a playlist on my phone. Even though not all of the songs have lyrics about babies and sleep, certainly the melodies can sound like a lullaby, right?

I snuggle with babe in the rocking chair, sing along, and eventually, he falls asleep. It's anyone's guess as to whether it's the music or not, but at least I get to enjoy some good tunes in the meantime.

Here are some of our faves in no particular order:

1. "Forever Young" - Bob Dylan

Lyrics pick:

"May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you

May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young

May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you"

2. "Three Little Birds" - Bob Marley

Lyrics pick:

"Don't worry about a thing
'Cause every little thing gonna be alright"

3. "Blackbird" - The Beatles

Lyrics pick:

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night"

4. "As Tears Go By" - The Rolling Stones

Lyrics pick:

"It is the evening of the day"

6. "Dear God" - Avenged Sevenfold

Lyrics pick:

"Dear God the only thing I ask of you is
To hold her when I'm not around
When I'm much too far away"

7. "Silent Lucidity" - Queensryche

Lyrics pick:

"Hush now don't cry
Wipe away the teardrop from your eye
You're lying safe in bed"

"I will be watching over you
I'm gonna help you see it through
I will protect you in the night"

9. "Beautiful Boy" - John Lennon

Lyrics pick:

“Close your eyes
Have no fear
The monster's gone
He's on the run and your daddy's here

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful
Beautiful boy

Before you go to sleep
Say a little prayer”

10. "St. Judy’s Comet" - Paul Simon

Lyrics pick:

"Little sleepy boy
Do you know what time it is?
Well the hour of your bedtime's
Long been past

And though I know you're fighting it
I can tell when you rub your eyes
You're fading fast"

11. "Lullabye (Goodnight, My Angel)" - Billy Joel

Lyrics pick:

"Goodnight, my angel
Time to close your eyes"

13. "Sweet Baby James" - James Taylor

Lyrics pick:

"Goodnight you moon light ladies, rock-a-bye sweet baby James"

15. "Songbird" - Fleetwood Mac

Lyrics pick:

"For you, there'll be no more crying,

For you, the sun will be shining"

"And I love you, I love you, I love you"

17. "Another Lullaby" - Art Garfunkel

Lyrics pick:

"Close your eyes my pretty child,
Though the night is dark and the wind is wild,
I will stand beside your bed,

Tonight there is nothing you need fear or dread.You can sleep now, go to sleep,
The rain falls and the windows weep,
I'm standing by to sing a lullaby."