Singing Children Are So Hot Right Now

Featuring a children's choir/chorus seems to be a foolproof formula for a good song

M.I.A. - Paper Planes

Thanks to Pineapple Express I think everyone has heard this song (as Clive Dangerously once asked, how many facebook photo albums do you think are titled "Get High Like Planes?"). Kids from Brixton sing along in the chorus about taking your money. Very creative on M.I.A's part since the song samples The Clash's "The Guns of Brixton".

Justice - D.A.N.C.E 

I think Justice needs to give the London based Foundation for Young Musicians Choir a little more credit since they are the ones singing this entire song. 

Peter Bjorn & John - Nothing to Worry About

Please go listen to this if you have never heard it. It's a perfect steering wheel drumming sing along song. Chanting children start the song and form the chorus.

Passion Pit - Little Secrets

Passion Pit has been righteously hyped beyond belief, and I am joining the rest of the music blogosphere by professing my love for this electro-pop group. "Little Secrets is one of my personal favorites off of their debut album "Manners".  Love the lyric "have you ever felt so goddamn strong/how come it takes some people so damn long". Anyways, this song also has kids singing backup in the chorus line "up and up I keep on climbing/ higher and higher and higher higher and higher and higher." That shit's catchy.

Yeasayer - 2080

Probably the most well known track off of their album "All Hour Cymbals".  Children join in at the ending chorus. Makes the song more powerful I think.

What exactly do children add to these songs?  Contrast? Innocence? Juxtaposition? Metaphors? Not entirely sure but it seems to result in some good music.