10. The Wolfgramms - "YGG Medley"
Photo Copyright Amelia Lyon
The Wolfgramms are five siblings, all under the age of 13, who play their own tween pop. They also happen to be the children of Haini Wolfgramm, former member of '80s R&B group The Jets! On this episode, they perform a medley of songs normally sung by characters on the show.
from Season 1, Episode 10: "Greetings"
9. Smoosh - "Pajama Party Time"
Photo Copyright Matt James
This female musical trio of sisters (duo on the show) play a live in-studio version of their original tune "Pajama Party Time."
from Season 1, Episode 5: "Sleep"
8. The Aquabats - "Pool Party!"
Photo Courtesy The Aquabats
The Aquabats, whose front man is Yo Gabba Gabba! co-creator Christian Jacobs, enthusiatically invite everyone to their pool party, via high-energy pop punk ska. This version of "Pool Party!" is a remake of the original that appeared on the band's Myths, Legends, and Other Amazing Adventures of The Aquabats!, Volume 2 album.
from Season 1, Episode 2: "Summer"
7. Supernova - "Up and Down"
Photo Courtesy Nick Jr.
Two things make this performance stand out for Yo Gabba Gabba!'s audience: the band perform "Up and Down" while jumping on trampolines, and guitarist Jodey Lawrence repeatedly slings his guitar all the way around his body. "Up and Down" originally appeared on Supernova's 1995 album Ages Three and Up.
from Season 1, Episode 8: "Careful"
6. The Aggrolites - "Banana"
Photo Courtesy Nick Jr.
Ridiculously upbeat ska from Los Angeles' Aggrolites. Simple? Yes. Effective? Definitely!
from Season 1, Episode 3: "Fun"
5. The Postmarks - "Balloons Make Me Happy"
Photo Courtesy Nick Jr.
Balloons, like the music of The Postmarks, are wistfully beautiful, lighter than air. So, it makes perfect sense that The Postmarks should perform this quiet ode to a favorite toy of kids everywhere.
from Season 1, Episode 19: "Love"
4. Cornelius - "Count Five or Six"
Photo Courtesy Nick Jr.
Cornelius (aka Keigo Oyamada) and band thunder through a live in-studio version of this 6/4-meter song from his 1998 album Fantasma. This may be the coolest counting song for kids ever!
from Season 1, Episode 15: "Share"
3. The Salteens - "I'm So Happy I Can Dance"
Photo Courtesy Nick Jr.
This Motown-influenced handclapper guarantees full dancefloor participation! And the Phil Collins/"You Can't Hurry Love" multi-image video style is fun, too. A perfect encapsulation of The Salteens' super sunny sound.
from Season 1, Episode 6: "Happy"
2. Shiny Toy Guns - "House of Spooks"
Photo Courtesy Shiny Toy Guns
Let's see, a tiger, a lioness, a knight, and a banana playing a song about a haunted house...no, wait, it's Shiny Toy Guns! Renamed "The Shinys" for this episode, the band bring by their buzzing electropop sound just in time for Halloween.
from Season 1, Episode 13: "Halloween"
1. The Shins - "It's OK, Try Again"
Photo Courtesy Nick Jr.
They may or may not change your life, as Natalie Portman famously claimed they would in the movie Garden State, but The Shins definitely changed the face of Yo Gabba Gabba!. Their live in-studio performance on the last episode of Season 1, featuring The Shins' chiming guitars and high-register vocals (and a rockin' banjo!), set the musical bar even higher for Season 2 of Yo Gabba Gabba.
from Season 1, Episode 20: "Imagine"
