Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Zoe Armstrong: Five Ways to Fake a Break and Avoid Parenting Burnout
Lianne Castelino and Andrea Howick: How Do You Deal With Nightmare…
Is your child's music parental-controlled?
Filed under: Just For Moms, Big Kids, Just For Dads, Development/Milestones: Babies, Gadgets
Ellie and I both love music and we share my iPod. Together, we created a playlist of her favorite songs and we rock out most days on our way home from school. Since she graduated from what she calls "baby songs", we have found that our taste in music is fairly compatible. I often share with her songs I like and many end up on her playlist of favorites as well.
I remember as a child being told by my mother that every song tells a story. This prompted me to really start listening to the words of songs, instead of just the music. Knowing the words to songs didn't always mean that I understood what they meant. As a child, I could sing every word of Afternoon Delight, but I didn't have a clue that the song was about having sex in the afternoon.
Which is why my husband and I are at odds over the music Ellie listens to. He feels that the stories that some songs tell are too mature for her to hear. He thinks music, like television, should be parental-controlled. I agree with him on some level because there is a lot of popular music that is blatantly violent or sexual. But a lot of songs, even if they are about sex and love, are over Ellie's head. Unlike television, which gives you an image to go along with the words, music lets you make up your own pictures. When I would listen to Afternoon Delight, I imagined a delightful afternoon. I heard the other words, but since I didn't understand their meaning, I created my own, innocent story.
Ellie's current favorite song is Shakira's Objection (Tango). To me, the song tells a story about a woman who is angry about a love triangle from which she can't seem to break free. Ellie thinks the song is about tango dancing. I think this proves my point.
What about you? Do you worry about the lyrics of the songs your little ones are listening to?
I remember as a child being told by my mother that every song tells a story. This prompted me to really start listening to the words of songs, instead of just the music. Knowing the words to songs didn't always mean that I understood what they meant. As a child, I could sing every word of Afternoon Delight, but I didn't have a clue that the song was about having sex in the afternoon.
Which is why my husband and I are at odds over the music Ellie listens to. He feels that the stories that some songs tell are too mature for her to hear. He thinks music, like television, should be parental-controlled. I agree with him on some level because there is a lot of popular music that is blatantly violent or sexual. But a lot of songs, even if they are about sex and love, are over Ellie's head. Unlike television, which gives you an image to go along with the words, music lets you make up your own pictures. When I would listen to Afternoon Delight, I imagined a delightful afternoon. I heard the other words, but since I didn't understand their meaning, I created my own, innocent story.
Ellie's current favorite song is Shakira's Objection (Tango). To me, the song tells a story about a woman who is angry about a love triangle from which she can't seem to break free. Ellie thinks the song is about tango dancing. I think this proves my point.
What about you? Do you worry about the lyrics of the songs your little ones are listening to?
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- Here in dc since dec, 6 2006 retired FED BOARD GOV,inventor ,writter, FORMER GOVERNOR (founder of the republic of )DERIAN DOUGLAS HICKMAN
- Why should anyone listen to a _____, what makes her an expert? Harpo is jus an actress, all she does is sit on her tush & claim she knows it all. ...
- If a governor or former military general was not on tv you you believe he was if you were told
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Beyoncé and Blue Enjoy the Big Apple as Jay Dedicates "Glory" to All Parents at SXSW
Beyoncé enjoyed her second of two strolls around New York City with daughter Blue Ivy in just as many days today. Meanwhile, Jay-Z had Bey and Blue on his mind when he performed "Glory" at the South by Southwest music festival. Hear him dedicate the song to all the parents in the audience in today's PopSugar Rush.
-
Carlo Ponti Honors Mom Sophia Loren with Song
Cameras caught up with Carlo Ponti, the internationally renowned conductor, who has led the Russian National Orchestra in Neapolitan Song, a tribute to his iconic mother Sophia Loren. In the interview the classical conductor talks about his love of music, growing up the son of world-famous parents and how Sophia likes being a grandmother.Ponti talks of growing up in the spotlight as Sophia Loren and famed Italian film producer Carlo Ponti's son.
-
Drake Releases His New Song, 'Girls Love Beyonce'
It seems everyone loves Beyoncé these days, including rapper Drake who has debuted a new song called "Girls Love Beyoncé." Drizzy Drake seems to have a new fascination with releasing news tracks in the middle of the night. His latest song called "Girls Love Beyoncé" dropped late last night online and features James Fauntleroy on the hook. While the toned down song throws love to Jay-Z's wife Beyoncé, it's actually kind of a depressing song with Drake admitting he's lost hope in his love life.
-
Britney Spears' New "Ooh La La" Song Will Be on 'The Smurfs 2' Soundtrack
Your favorite 'X Factor' judge Britney Spears has been busy tending to her family and personal life these days, but it seems she has squeezed in some time to release new music! Brit confirmed via her Twitter that she is recording a song for the film 'The Smurfs 2' soundtrack. Here's what she tweeted: "Remember that surprise song I recorded for my boys? It's coming soon! #OohLaLa for #TheSmurfs2 :) Stay tuned for more".
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
4-24-2007 @ 3:25PM
Trixy said...My husband loved the band "Kiss" when he was younger and to his parents dismay sang all of the words to their songs.Now that he is grown he realizes he didn't even know what the words meant, but just liked the tune.He cringes to think his parents thought he was going to be a devil worshiper when he grew up. As long as you aren't exposing Ellie to rap music and obvious inappropriate songs, I'm sure the songs are fine for her. I don't think at the age of 6, unless they've been explained to her, that she has a clue as to what the real meaning of the song is.
Reply
4-24-2007 @ 3:49PM
Nicola said...I'm with Trixy. I grew up listening only to my parent's music (they didn't allow "baby music") and knew all of the lyrics to my own personal favourites. I interpreted them in ways that made sense to me at that age. As an adult, I have many funny flashbacks when hearing one of these "oldies", remembering my thoughts about and childhood interpretation of the song.
As long as you're not dealing with language that you don't want repeated or violent imagery, I don't see any problem in her listening to whatever you enjoy.
Reply