(New York, NY) - In another first in a career entering it-s sixth decade, the legendary singer/songwriter Neil Sedaka is set to release his first ever children's album on Razor & Tie Entertainment on January 6th, 2009. WAKING UP IS HARD TO DO, which also includes a coloring book, is a collection of classic Neil Sedaka hits that have been reinvented as children's songs. The album brings Sedaka into the world of children's music, a genre he has not taken on before.
Sedaka's inspiration to re-pen his classic hits comes from the love of his grandchildren, "I set out to make a record that would be entertaining for my grandchildren ... and quickly realized it would be a record that other children would really enjoy," says "Papa" Neil Sedaka. Five year old twin granddaughters Charlotte and Amanda provide the backing vocals on the album. Tracks include "Where The Toys Are," "Happy Birthday Number Three," and "Lunch Will Keep Us Together."
Sedaka enjoyed great success last year with THE DEFINITIVE COLLECTION, a retrospective that helped Sedaka celebrate his 50 years in the music business. In its first week of release this album of hits entered the Billboard Top 200 Album chart at #22, marking Sedaka's first return to the charts in 27 years.
Brooklyn-native Sedaka began his prolific career as one of the original creators of the "Brill Building" sound and has sold over 60 million records worldwide. He has been inducted into the Songwriter's Hall of Fame, has had a street named after him in his hometown of Brooklyn, and was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Neil was recently honored with a tribute at Avery Fisher Hall at New York's Lincoln Center. "Neil Sedaka: 50 Years of Hits", a benefit for The Elton John AIDS Foundation, showcased Neil's songs, with performances by Connie Francis, Dion, Paul Shaffer, Natalie Cole, Clay Aiken, Renee Olstead, and Captain and Tennille. In addition to Neil's extensive touring schedule, he composed his first classical piece, "Joie De Vivre", which had its world premiere with the Kansas City Symphony in 2007, and included the composition on his most recent Australian Symphony Tour including the Sydney Opera House. Neil is currently in the studio working on a new album and just collaborated with Grammy winning Producer David Foster on his first ever salsa tune which Neil sings in both English and Spanish. Sedaka's musical talents know no limits, and he continues to enjoy creating the beautiful music that has endured now over fifty years.
WAKING UP IS HARD TO DO track listing:
1. Waking Up Is Hard To Do
2. Dinosaur Pet
3. Where The Toys Are
4. Lunch Will Keep Us Together
5. Happy Birthday Number Three
6. Laughter In The Rain
7. Rubber Duckie
8. Is This The Way To Cross The Street?
9. Little Devil
10. I Go Ape
11. Baby's First Christmas Lullabye