Dolls have long been companions to children, and there was a time when one doll captured the attention of kids across the country. Legend has it that Raggedy Ann was created when cartoonist Johnny Gruelle’s daughter brought him a faceless rag doll she found in her grandmother’s attic. Gruelle drew a face on the doll and added a button in place of a missing eye, and the beloved children’s toy was born.

Raggedy Ann went on to star in children’s books, the first of which appeared in 1918, and soon her brother Raggedy Andy joined the fun. The pair even had a dog named Rags. Eventually, over a thousand stories were written about the fictional siblings. They even starred in cartoons, and their images graced all kinds of merchandise. June 12 keeps the story — and nostalgia — of the beloved dolls alive with National Raggedy Ann and Andy Day. Let’s celebrate them with music!

So for today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs about dolls or from doll-related bands would you like to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played
HALEY – Raggedy Man
Hole – Doll Parts
New York Dolls – Personality Crisis
The Dresden Dolls – Coin-Operated Boy
Portugal. The Man – Dummy
Marcy Playground – Paper Dolls
Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
Gully Boys – Russian Doll (bonus)