Another RANT about music lyrics...

"What's a menage a trois?"

Now that's a question you don't expect while grilling up some black bean burgers...

But when your child forgets to have you to approve the iTunes list - THIS is what your conversations revolve around.

Needless to say, that song is GONE!

Just last week I sang Katy Perry's praises, today I ripped her song from one of the iPods in our home.

Ladies and Gentlemen, here is my new and improved LYRICS FROM THE SOAPBOX!

Katy Perry's LAST FRIDAY NIGHT
Rhianna's S & M (now from THAT title, you should KNOW, right?)
Enrique Iglesias TONIGHT (this version is OK, just know that the chorus in the original version does not say "tonight I'm loving you" - replace the L-word in that phrase with the F-word) Enrique? REALLY?
Cee-Lo Green's FORGET YOU (once again - this F-word ..."Forget" is not the same F-word in the original song. Yes, the original song is called F*** YOU!

How long do I spend looking at song lyrics? Hours.

How many times have I contacted the school, coaches, teachers about songs my children are hearing while in their care? Too many.

How often have I talked to my kids' friends about the awful messages today's music sends? Quite often.

My kids spirits, minds and bodies? Priceless.

Just an FYI, here are some other links to popular songs over the last year - be sure to take a look, you might be surprised what they are REALLY SAYING!

Black Eyed Peas' IMMA BE
Lloyd's BEDROCK
Rhianna's RUDE BOY
Kevin Rudolf's LET IT ROCK

Now, please keep in mind...
These are songs that are played on the radio...there are songs EVEN WORSE than these that your kids can easily get on their iPods.

I have had people bash me in the comments section saying I am a crazed psychopath mom who hovers too closely to her children's business...

Here's my response...
Until the are 18 years old, their business IS MY BUSINESS! What is on their facebook, in their emails, getting pumped through iPods, notes in pockets...and so on and so on...

They are my responsibility.
Sure it would be WAY easier to say, "It's none of my business." Would save me a whole SNOT-load of time to NOT be so careful of what they are exposed to...

But they are my responsibility.
They are precious gifts entrusted to me to do my very best to raise them to be productive members of society. RESPECTED members of society.

I guarantee you this type of music is where SELF-RESPECT starts breaking down.
What goes in, comes out.
Think about it.

Would love to hear your thoughts on this matter.


Peace out, Mamas!

Lady Gaga - P!NK - Katy Perry - speak the TRUTH

*UPDATED*

I am supposed to be setting up my FED UP FRIDAY rant - but instead I am praising some of the top POP STARS of today. Odd for me I know...

Well, if you have read my blog for any length of time you know my SOAP BOX is pulled out quite often for lyrics to today's music. Numerous times I have ranted and raved about the under-the-radar content of the songs we allow our kids to listen to. I have mentioned (and then been brutally bashed) that my teens MAY NOT buy a song for their iPods WITHOUT my approval first.

Soulja Boy RANT
Lady Gaga RANT
Fed Up with Song Lyrics

Well, today I am actually singing the praises of three artists that I would probably just chalk up to inappropriate music. So, those of you who came to bash - you will be disappointed because I am actually thrilled with Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, P!NK and their latest songs and here is why...

Even though I have had issues with their songs on the past, I feel these three women have stepped up, recognized an issue and used their fame to get the message to the population of teens that NEED this message more than anyone. In my past rants, my issues were based in the ages of my children and my complaints were about friends THEIR age listening to music that was NOT aimed at 10 yr olds. My complaint was more toward the parents who don't monitor the music more than directed at the artists themselves.

My 3rd runner-up is the latest song by Lady Gaga, BORN THIS WAY.
(this video link is simply to the audio - not the actual video of this song)
CHECK OUT THIS VERSION though, these kids are AMAZING!

Lyrics

Now, let me preface this review-of-sorts with the disclaimer that there are lyrics in this song that many may find questionable but I am simply basing my opinion of her attempt to have a positive message.

What I like about this song is the underlying message: God made me this way and he doesn't make mistakes. Too many teens feel the need to judge and criticize when someone is different and this is where bullying begins. The message that no one has the right to judge is a good message... still not sure I love ALL of the song but I give Gaga props on her good try at positively influencing youth.

"Whether life's disabilities
left you outcast, bullied or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause baby, you were born this way"


2nd runner up is (UPDATE) OK...one of my readers (thank you Patti) just shared THIS video with me from P!NK, I like it even better! It's the CLEAN version and is just the words with her singing - LESS THAN PERFECT



P!NK's RAISE YOUR GLASS
(disclaimer: this video is quite strange, has some sexual content and bad language which is a shame because it overshadows the lyrics which is where the GOOD message lies.)
Lyrics

Once again, I need to forewarn you, there are profanities in the un-cut version of this song. I do not enjoy hearing the F-word when I am listening to music so, I would suggest you listen to the CLEAN version of this song.

What I like about this song is the overall message: Celebrate who you are ESPECIALLY of you don't follow the crowd. Be true to you, first! Don't sell out to be what someone ELSE thinks is cool.

P!NK is the first person to act like a goof - just check out the video, she loves being a dork! This is something that needs to be embraced by teens today...just have fun, be you, "cool and popular" is SO overrated and steals who you were really meant to be right out from under you.

"So raise your glass if you are wrong, in all the right ways,all my underdogs,
We will never be never be anything but loud
and nitty gritty dirty little freaks"



\Now, my NUMBER 1 pick is Katy Perry's FIREWORK




Do you ever feel like a plastic bag

Drifting throught the wind
Wanting to start again


Do you ever feel, feel so paper thin
Like a house of cards
One blow from caving in


Do you ever feel already buried deep
Six feet under scream
But no one seems to hear a thing


Do you know that there's still a chance for you
Cause there's a spark in you


You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July


Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y


Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gunna leave 'em fallin' down-own-own


You don't have to feel like a waste of space
You're original, cannot be replaced
If you only knew what the future holds
After a hurricane comes a rainbow


Maybe you're reason why all the doors are closed
So you could open one that leads you to the perfect road
Like a lightning bolt, your heart will blow
And when it's time, you'll know


You just gotta ignite the light
And let it shine
Just own the night
Like the Fourth of July


Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what you're worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y


Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe-awe-awe"


Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
It's always been inside of you, you, you
And now it's time to let it through


Cause baby you're a firework
Come on show 'em what your worth
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
As you shoot across the sky-y-y
Baby you're a firework
Come on let your colors burst
Make 'em go "Oh, oh, oh!"
You're gonna leave 'em all in awe-awe-awe
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon
Boom, boom, boom
Even brighter than the moon, moon, moon

So, that's that.
I won't say that there aren't things that bother me or that I feel are questionable but sending the message that YOU WERE BORN TO SURVIVE, BORN TO BE BRAVE, BORN THIS WAY is SO important for teens who are struggling to fit in.
As parents we have to be careful not to just give them free reign, but at the same time we need to also remember they are NOT living in the world WE lived in. It's not safe, it's mean, it's filled with HATE.
Taking the good with a little (off color words/themes/humor) may be the only way to get to some kids. They are a dying breed, teens.... literally.

Looking forward to your comments!

Peace out, Mamas!

Fed Up Friday!

Well, it's actually Saturday...wee hours of the morning but I had some writing to do for MomLogic.com - you can click and see all my articles! And then of course you can scroll down and read all the nasty comments people feel compelled to leave. Sad. Very sad. But those of you who have read My SoS for a while know darn well that my support of Kate Gosselin brought far worse...so, one could say I am hardened to trolls!

Anyway, I am starting a new regular Friday post called... I know, you can just look at the title and I don't need to re-type it but... I like to...

FED UP FRIDAY!

I am reserving Fridays as my day to go off on anything that is of particular bother that week and I invite you all to join in the fun and leave comments pertaining to my rant! Fun? I thought you'd like that! And if you find it especially insightful, I would love for you to shoot some of your readers this-a-way!

LYRICS, LYRICS, LYRICS are my gripe this week!

Many of you may remember my rant about Lady Gaga or my abhorrance of that Soulja Boy SUPERMAN song. Catch yourself up if you haven't had the pleasure...get your puke bucket ready!

As a mom of two tweens (and a 4 yr old, but he doesn't sing radio songs yet) I am always on high alert for the underlying meaning in the songs my kids want to listen to. MetroLyrics.com has become my best friend... and saved me a ton of money b/c after looking up a song I responded to their iTunes purchase request with a resounding, "NOFREAKINGWAY!"

My latest UNFAVORITE SONGS.... (click for lyrics)

CARRYOUT by Justin Timberlake and Timbaland

TIK TOK by Ke$ha

IMMA BE by Black Eyed Peas*

*I absolutely LOVED this song when it first came out... the beat ... Fergie... until my son said, "Mom, I just looked up those words...you aren't gonna believe what he says!"

My rant is done. You can do with this info what you wish... just my own version of a PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Have a PEACELOVIN' weekend!