One of the things kids adored—and parents perhaps merely tolerated—about Barney & Friends was the endless stream of catchy songs sung by the purple dinosaur and his friends. The tunes about friendship, community, and love were memorable but sometimes grating for those who heard them on repeat. Musical director Bob Singleton, who helped create the show’s infectious soundtrack, opened up about his experience on the new podcast Generation Barney, sharing how he received unexpected backlash when people discovered his role in the beloved series.

“When I was nominated for a Grammy, a local talk radio station said, 'Hey, this is great,'” Singleton recalls. “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.'"

As the Internet grew and more people gathered online to discuss the show, the negativity intensified. Singleton described receiving disturbing emails. “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,” he shared in the podcast’s second episode.

Despite the unexpected hostility, Barney & Friends remained a cultural phenomenon throughout the 1990s, captivating young audiences with its cheerful songs and messages. Singleton’s work helped shape the soundtrack of a generation, even if the show's popularity occasionally brought its creators into the crosshairs of frustrated parents. Generation Barney dives into these behind-the-scenes stories, exploring the enduring impact—and occasional controversies—of the show that defined a childhood era.