Popular children’s entertainer releases new single in response to ‘rise of fascism’

Omar Sachedina sits down with popular children's entertainer Raffi to discuss the message he hopes fans will take away from his latest release, 'ABC Democracy.'

For decades, the man who has been called the most influential children’s entertainer in the English-speaking world has created and performed music that parents today are sharing with their own children.

“There are Beluga grads now in tens of millions of homes,” Raffi recently shared, in reference to his hit song “Baby Beluga,” which he released in 1980.

“And they often tell me what an emotional experience it is for them to relive their love of music with their kids… And that’s music to my ears.”

But now, at the age of 77, he’s lending his voice to a more political theme: democracy.

The message of his latest release, ABC Democracy, is to highlight its importance to his youngest fans, he says.

Raffi wrote several other songs for causes he believes in: Salaam Shalom is a song he wrote in 2004 about peace in the Middle East, Turn This World Around, which he wrote in 2001, was inspired by the words of Nelson Mandela, and Green Dream, from 2016, is what he describes as an “anthem for a green future.”

His latest creation, he says, is a song about preserving democracy -- his response to the times.

CTV News sat down for a conversation at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory of Music, where he was part of a Symposium called “Music and the Mind,” on the importance of music education for children.

The symposium also marked the global launch of the Conservatory’s music education program for babies and toddlers, “Smart Start,” in Toronto, which 5,000 children have attended over the past decade.

Here’s what he had to say:

This interview has been condensed for clarity

Why did you feel the need to write this piece, ABC Democracy, now?

The idea came to me in response to these times. We live in a time where south of the border, fascism has been on the rise, and it is so in other countries around the world. I think it’s really important for families to have, to be inspired to learn about a citizen’s duty to keep a democracy alive and strong. Democracy is not a spectator sport. You have to, as a citizen, be a part of creating the conditions that allow liberty to thrive, you know? So, I wrote ABC Democracy as an upbeat, joyful song celebrating the spirit of liberty, freedom, joy.

To people who say this theme is a little intense for children, what do you tell them?

I wrote ABC Democracy as a joyful celebratory song, and I think the song works with kids as well as older ones, but with kids especially because the first line, “ABC Democracy.” It brings the familiar to kids with a word like democracy that kids can grow with, they can grow into… So when it’s fun, the learning happens naturally, easily. And I think children, I already know, I’m seeing how young children are loving this ABC Democracy song because they know the first few letters.

When you see the state of the world right now, more tribal, more polarized, what do you think?

You know, in our times, it’s so important for us to remember our common humanity. It’s in the heart that our music lives. What kind of music is it gonna be? Is it gonna the music of nurturance, love and compassion, empathy, inclusion, diversity, or is it going to be something constrictive, you know? So, all of us can be inspired by the young child because the infant of every culture is the universal human, a six-month-old.

Physiologically, it’s the same human being across cultures. And so, my philosophy of child honouring comes from knowing that children are universal, their irreducible needs are universal, and it behooves us to respect them. And to honour our young, and that’s the best way that we create a culture of inclusion where we all belong.

Are you scared about the state of the world?

I pray every day to be of service. This is my response to the times that we’re living in. I pray to be of service.

Are you praying harder these days?

I pray daily for gratitude and for inspiration.

A lot of parents are feeling anxious about the world we’re living in right now. Do you think that’s justified?

I think the current times that we live in stress us out. I know this from my own experience. I hear it from friends and colleagues. These are tough times. We never thought that south of the border, democracy would be challenged by the rise of fascism. I never, never thought this would be the case. So, you know, that’s just one example of how tough it is. And I think our best response is to be a harbinger of light, to shine.

You’re wearing your Order of Canada pin right now, which speaks to what a treasure you are in this country. You strike me as too humble to perhaps have an answer to this, but what are you most proud of?

My dog’s love for me, does that count? Of course it can. I’m just honoured to be a friend to millions of families. It used to be just Canada and the United States, but now it’s all around the world because we live in the digital age, where music can be streamed. In apparently 192 countries, my music is streamed, right? What do you think about that? It’s incredible. I’m very grateful. So, it keeps a guy like me ticking, you know? And I feel joyful to still be making music.

You chose not to have children, and yet you have this remarkable ability to connect with millions of them. Where does that come from?

Learning that a young child is a whole person, deserving of respect, was a key learning of my life. Respect has been the core value throughout my career. That’s why I’ve never done any commercial endorsements. That’s why I’ve never aimed my music directly in advertising to children. Never. I wouldn’t do that. I respect my young audience. I’ve learned so much over the years. I’ve learnt so much, and I’m grateful to be able to put that learning into practice musically, joyfully.