Will You Be My Friend? Explained

Will You Be My Friend?
Type:	Album
Artist:	The Roches
Cover:	The Roches - willyoubemyfriend.gif
Released:	1994; re-released 2007 with bonus track
Genre:	Folk, children's music
Label:	Baby Boom Music
Producer:	Stewart Lerman, Suzzy Roche
Prev Title:	A Dove
Prev Year:	1992
Next Title:	Can We Go Home Now
Next Year:	1995

Will You Be My Friend? is a studio album by the American folk trio the Roches, released in 1994 on Baby Boom Music.^{[1] [2]} It was the group's only album of children's music. Suzzy Roche considered it among the most satisfying albums on which she had worked.^[3] The Roches' brother and some of their children appeared on the album.^[4] The title track is about having to make friends at a new school.^[5]

Critical reception

The Orlando Sentinel deemed the album "an all-ages delight." The Salt Lake Tribune called it "quirky, brash and wistful."^[6]

AllMusic called the album "a true children's album, featuring songs all thematically aimed at younger listeners ... That the Roches are able to manage this without alienating their adult audience is a testament to their strengths as a band."^[7]

Track listing

1. "Do the Boodanee"
2. "Disappointed"
3. "Will You Be My Friend?"
4. "Rover"
5. "Uncle Dave"
6. "The Laundry"
7. "Postcard"
8. "When Kids Are Mean"
9. "My New Bicycle"
10. "Here We Go"
11. "Little Bitty Betty"
12. "Lovey"
13. "Goodnight"

Notes and References

1. News: Bream . Jon . Neal . Justin . Musicians serve up 'Sky Blue Catfish' for small set . Star Tribune . 1 Apr 1994 . 1E.
2. Web site: The Roches Biography by Jason Ankeny . AllMusic . 26 August 2022.
3. News: Durchholz . Daniel . BIG ON SMALL FRY . St. Louis Post-Dispatch . 16 Apr 1995 . 4C.
4. Kohn . Martin F. . Music — Will You Be My Friend? by the Roches . Parents . June 1995 . 70 . 6 . 159.
5. News: Marcel . Joyce . For the Roches, family harmony is a way of life . The Republican . May 19, 1994 . Springfield . WK4.
6. News: TUNE IN THESE FAVORITES . The Salt Lake Tribune . 12 May 1995 . C7.
7. Web site: Will You Be My Friend? Review by AllMusic . AllMusic . 26 August 2022.