‘Barney & Friends’ Musical Director Recalls Getting Death Threats Over The Show’s Songs: ‘It Was Frightening’

‘Barney & Friends’ Musical Director Recalls Getting Death Threats Over The Show’s Songs: ‘It Was Frightening’

It’s pretty well known that kids couldn’t get enough of Barney’s catchy tunes back in the day, but it seems parents felt the total opposite.

“Barney & Friends” musical director Bob Singleton recently reflected on his time working for the show on the narrative podcast “Generation Barney,” opening up about the negative reaction his work often got from adults.

He recalled in one part of the episode:

“When I was nominated for a Grammy, a local talk radio station said, ‘Hey, this is great,’…Then someone called in and said, ‘I wish I could get my hands around the neck of that guy. I would just, I would really like to take him out.'”

 

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Singleton furthered that as the series – which first began airing in 1992 – maintained its popularity over the years, public frustration about the music grew and so did the personal attacks. He shared:

“My email address was out there, and I was getting people sending me emails … that [were] threatening me and my family with horrible, horrible death and dismemberment and terrible things.”

And added:

“It was frightening.”

Despite the backlash from parents, “Barney and Friends” continues to be a beloved childhood memory for many millennials today.

What do you think about the music from Barney?