Children's singer Raffi on his 50-year career, screen time and Ms.
Rachel
[October 22, 2026]
By R.J. RICO
Fifty years ago, Raffi was a struggling folk singer driving across
Toronto, lugging boxes containing his debut children’s album, “Singable
Songs for the Very Young,” hoping to convince stores to sell the record.
The album was a word-of-mouth hit and, coupled with 1980’s “Baby
Beluga,” transformed the Egypt-born singer of Armenian descent into one
of North America's most famous children's musicians. Raffi's fun and
heartwarming songs, including “Down By the Bay” and “Shake My Sillies
Out,” remain a mainstay for parents and teachers of young children, even
as the way kids consume music has changed significantly.
“Well, the technology changes; children don’t,” Raffi told The
Associated Press in a recent interview via Zoom from his home in western
Canada.
And the 78-year-old isn't done yet. His latest album, “Love is
Everywhere,” comes out Friday and features songs that celebrate
individuality (“No One Like You”), as well as “ABC Democracy” — a
pro-voting anthem that reflects his longstanding willingness to wade
into politics and activism. He's also marking the 50th anniversary of
“Singable Songs” with a special reissue Nov. 13.
Raffi spoke to the AP about the enduring appeal of his music, why he
once turned down a deal from the producers of “Shrek,” and his kinship
with Ms. Rachel, the children's entertainer who has been an outspoken
advocate for kids in Gaza and those detained by U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement. Remarks have been edited for clarity and brevity.
AP: What's the process of writing a Raffi song in 2026? And how is it
different from when you were working in the '70s?
RAFFI: What’s the same is that I’m considering my audience and what
songs would appeal directly to them, and what songs would stretch the
imagination of a child. And what’s different is that I’ve got 50 years
of songwriting behind me right now, so I certainly feel confident, more
so than ever, in what I’m doing.
It’s a good feeling to know that when I write and record a song now,
it’ll have a long shelf life. My fans still tell me that “Baby Beluga”
is the one song that will calm their child when needed, and I think,
“Wow, that song came out, what, 46 years ago?”
AP: The new album is called “Love is Everywhere.” At a time when so much
of what’s happening in the world is so frightening, is it harder to
write such hopeful songs?
RAFFI: The theme of the album is the power of love. This album is a
response to these times that, for so many of us, feel anxious and
worrisome. And the fact is that love is everywhere. You can say, “How is
that so?” And I would say to you, “Are there children everywhere? Yes.
Is there love everywhere? Yes.”
It’s so wonderful that there are others echoing this call of love, and
Ms. Rachel is doing this brilliantly. I’m such a champion of this kind
of effusive expression of love and caring for every child.
AP: What’s your relationship with Ms. Rachel? I know you’ve defended her
against some blowback she’s gotten, particularly regarding her comments
about the crisis in Gaza.
RAFFI: Well, Ms. Rachel is a “Beluga grad” (Raffi's term for children
who grew up listening to his music). We had a wonderful video meeting
about a year ago. I told her how happy I am with what she’s done on her
YouTube offerings.
And then I saw her very brave stance on the rights of Palestinian
children, like the right of any child, to live and thrive. When we say
every child, we mean it. How would anyone deny the children of any
region or any people the right to self-determination, to love and
respect? I’m right there with Ms. Rachel. Her heart and my heart
resonate well.
AP: When “Singable Songs” was released 50 years ago, kids were listening
on record players or cassettes. Nowadays, they're listening via Spotify
or YouTube. Has that changed how kids listen to music?
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Raffi poses for a portrait on Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, in Toronto.
(Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP)
 RAFFI: Well, the technology changes;
children don’t. It’s up to us adults, though, to make sure that the
technology that children are surrounded by doesn’t interfere with
the healthy development of their brains, hearts and imagination.
AP: One track that stood out to me from the new
album was “ABC Democracy.” What was the inspiration for that song?
RAFFI: I wrote “ABC Democracy” a year ago and released it as a
single. And then I found out that children loved that song. It must
be because I wrote the best first line of a song ever: “A, B, C,
Dee-mocracy!” They hear that, and they’re hooked because they love
the ABCs. And then there can be this conversation with mom or dad as
to, “Hey, what is this about?” Learning about our civic duties from
a young age — who could ask for more than that?
AP: What do adults tend to sometimes forget or get wrong about kids?
RAFFI: You don’t need to talk down to a child. Children are very
intelligent. They ask great questions.
You should respect the intelligence of the young learner — keep in
mind that young children are learning the most sophisticated tasks
of language acquisition, syntax, grammar and conversational skills
all without being in university.
AP: You’ve been clear about never wanting to exploit kids for cash
through advertising, toys, etc. What offers have you left on the
table?
RAFFI: You wouldn’t exploit those who you respect, right? Why would
you exploit the innocence of a young child who isn’t able to
appraise the sales pitch if you’re directly advertising or even
indirectly to children through fast food joints?
It’s not fair to young children to have someone they look up to
selling them things that they’re not old enough to understand.
So I’ve consistently left on the table all these offers, including
one from the producers of “Shrek” who wanted to make a “Baby Beluga”
film. We asked the question, “Will this movie be directly advertised
through fast food joints?” “Oh yes,” they said. So we said, “No
thank you. We don’t do that.”
AP: Finally, we had a lightning round of questions from kids that we
wanted to pose to you. Nine-year-old Coco asks, “Do you like apples
or bananas better?”
Raffi: Both!
AP: Four-year-old Miles asks, “What do you look like? Are you a
giant?”
RAFFI: Ha! (In deep voice) Yes I am! To a small child, I probably
look quite big, but no bigger than other adults. I’m about 5-foot-8
1⁄2.
AP: Six-year-old Walt asks, “What part do you play in ‘Bananaphone’?”
RAFFI: I’m the guy who sings about the banana and eats it too.
That’s me. A troubadour with a peel!
AP: Four-year-old Henry asks, “What’s your favorite song?”
RAFFI: It might just be “Bananaphone,” or it might be “Baby Beluga.”
I really like “Baby Beluga” because, you know, it’s a love song, and
when you love a beautiful creature like a Beluga whale, you want to
protect it.
AP: Seven-year-old Elsa asks, “How do you choose what to sing
about?”
RAFFI: Well, I just think of what would be fun for me, and then I
think of what would be fun for the audience that I’m singing with,
because they sing with me. That’s how I decide.
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