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And that cover above?
Really?
I'm sure you're not trying to sell yourself as a role model, but c'mon Katy Perry, young girls are listening to your music!
"Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)"
There's a stranger in my bed,
There's a pounding in my head
Glitter all over the room
Pink flamingos in the pool
I smell like a minibar
DJ's passed out in the yard
Barbie's on the barbeque
Is this a hickie or a bruise?
Pictures of last night
Ended up online
I'm screwed
Oh well
It's a blacked out blur
But I'm pretty sure it ruled
Damn
Last Friday night
Yeah we danced on tabletops
And we took too many shots
Think we kissed but I forgot
Last Friday night
Yeah we maxed our credit cards
And got kicked out of the bar
So we hit the boulevard
Last Friday night
We went streaking in the park
Skinny dipping in the dark
Then had a ménage à trois
Last Friday night
Yeah I think we broke the law
Always say we're gonna stop
Whoa-oh-oah
This Friday night
Do it all again
This Friday night
Do it all again
Trying to connect the dots
Don't know what to tell my boss
Think the city towed my car
Chandelier is on the floor
Ripped my favorite party dress
Warrant's out for my arrest
Think I need a ginger ale
That was such an epic fail
Pictures of last night
Ended up online
I'm screwed
Oh well
It's a blacked out blur
But I'm pretty sure it ruled
Damn
Last Friday night
Yeah we danced on table tops
And we took too many shots
Think we kissed but I forgot
Last Friday night
Yeah we maxed our credit cards
And got kicked out of the bar
So we hit the boulevards
Last Friday night
We went streaking in the park
Skinny dipping int he dark
Then had a ménage à trois
Last Friday night
Yeah I think we broke the law
Always say we're gonna stop
Oh whoa oh
This Friday night
Do it all again
Do it all again
This Friday night
Do it all again
Do it all again
This Friday night
T.G.I.F.
T.G.I.F.
T.G.I.F.
T.G.I.F.
T.G.I.F.
T.G.I.F.
Last Friday night
Yeah we danced on table tops
And we took too many shots
Think we kissed but I forgot
Last Friday night
Yeah we maxed our credit cards
And got kicked out of the bar
So we hit the boulevard
Last Friday night
We went streaking in the park
Skinny dipping in the dark
Then had a ménage à trois
Last Friday night
Yeah I think we broke the law
Always say we're gonna stop
Oh-whoa-oh
This Friday night
Do it all again
We have satellite TV so I listen to SiriusXM's The Pulse a lot, and this song is played quite regularly. Whenever it comes on I groan, roll my eyes and turn it down. If Camryn is in the room, I'm sure to explain, "I hate this song."
The first time I said this she asked me why. I replied that I think what she's singing about is stupid and really inappropriate for kids.
Thankfully, my dear daughter is still young and innocent enough (whose ADD lets things fly right over her head quite a bit) to take my word for it.
She simply nodded and said, "Yeah."
If she inquired further I might like to say that many young people think the kind of partying described in that song is great fun and can't get enough. But I guarantee most people who have or do, have some regrets. I would probably go on to say that there are plenty of ways to have fun - being young and dumb - without being utterly irresponsible.
I might also venture to add that while I'm all for living it up, having fun, sewing your wild oats and all that jazz, it is certainly not something any 11 year old girl needs to be thinking about. That I know she's about to be thrust into a more grown-up environment and she's going to be exposed to a lot more as each year passes, but it's my job as her mother to protect her.
Not shelter. But yes, protect. At least some.
I want Camryn to know that I know where she's at because I've been there too. Truly. I remember my awkward tween years, and I definitely remember my teens.
If she wanted to know more about why I hate this song, I would tell her these things just aren't necessary. That I get angry at singers who don't think it's any big deal. Kids really are impressionable.
I would also tell Cami that I know it's also my responsibility to shield her from things I don't want her exposed to. I know that if I don't approve of it it's my prerogative to not let her see or hear about it.
But we all know there's only so much we can do as parents when popular culture is extremely pervasive.
I love pop culture! I love music, TV and movies. I think I have a great sense of humor, am not easily offended by taboo subjects and contrary to what I'm saying here, I am not a prude. I am an adult who knows how to process and filter the barrage of influences coming at me. I am the mother of a beautiful girl too.
That last part? Is a major perspective changer, and I guess I just don't get why a talented young woman wants to come off as such a stupid brat, and probably send a way wrong message to girls.
| Songversation: Take a current song that teens and tweens are listening to, share the lyrics, and offer a conversation that you might have with your child about the song. (inspired by Ooph) |
Just *thinking* about parenting my girls through the tween/teen years is scary -- and I'm apparently really out of touch! (I've never even *heard* of Katy Perry. Seriously, when did she get famous? I was in the USA all summer! Should her name be familiar?) But I think using pop culture as a jumping off point for those sort of 'growing up' conversations is a really good idea, and at least you're aware of what's going on in the world and which artists might be influencing her. It sounds like your'e on the right track!
ReplyDeleteYes. Filter for Camryn. It is your mommyjob. As adults, we realize that Katy is exposing the idiocy of rampant partying and the affect it will have on your reputation, but young girls just hear the fun...
ReplyDeleteGreat post--and oh so true. We do have to be that filter, but also, we have to help them weed through the messages, come to their own understanding, and hope that what we modeled helps them make the right choices. so tough!!!
ReplyDeleteWhile I think this is true, filter this song from her, explain that it isn't appropriate... However... I don't think that it is Katy Perry's job not to make songs like this. I think she is intended for a much older audience and NOT for the teen/tween group. Thank goodness there are moms out there like you who see that she is not a proper role model for your young daughter and take action according to the standards you want set for you children. I do not let my kids hear this song and do, in fact, turn the channel if it comes on, but when I'm in the car alone I will for sure rock out!
ReplyDeleteIt's the same for so many songs out there. There are a ton of super catchy songs I would love to let my kids listen to, but can't because of the lyrics. Let's just hope that we can find balance in this enough to protect them without making them rebel!
This was so great! I'm with you 100%. I'm like you in the fact that not many things offend me, but do we really need to allow our young children to be exposed to this stuff...if we can help it? I love the part about not sheltering them, but protecting them. Great post.
ReplyDeleteOh, wow. I've never heard the song (I'm an Alt Nation fan myself, which has its own issues). But I'm very disturbed.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, mom. This one is really hard, but it sounds like you handling it right.
Gosh, I can't believe the garbage that passes as music nowadays.
ReplyDeleteGirls have such a difficult time already with self worth and body image, artists nowadays really need to be careful about what they say and do. Yes they may be geared to an older audience, but kids do hear music.
Keep at momma, you seem to have a handle on the do's and don'ts of the situation. I may be seeking advice in the next 5 years.
Visiting from Mama Kat's, great post!!!
Okay, so somehow I'm behind on your blog, and I don't know how that's possible since I stalk you. I clicked on this story because I saw the little picture at the bottom of today's eff off post, thinking it was something you posted awhile ago and was like OMG, Jen has boobs on her blog!
ReplyDeleteI have to say I'm really glad you wrote this line at the top "I'm sure you're not trying to sell yourself as a role model, but c'mon Katy Perry, young girls are listening to your music!"
I think too many people expect celebrities, singers, athletes, actors, etc. to be role models when in fact they never claimed to be (as you point out.) Therefore, I think these people have the right to sing, act or do what they want (within the confines of the law) Just because they are in the spotlight and children can see their behavior doesn't mean they are role models and should have to change their behavior. I think it's up to parents (great ones like you) to protect kids from or monitor their exposure to songs, movies, or publicized (questionable) actions of celebrities. My mom was very strict with the tv I watched although she was less strict with the songs I listened to. I remember being Cami's age and singing songs and I no idea what they meant. In fact sometimes my mom would hear me singing and she'd tell me not to say that and I would ask why and she'd just say it's bad and I'd shrug and say okay.
I'm not really sure where I'm going with all this. It's ranty and rambly, I guess my point is Katy Perry and those like here aren't role models and I think it's up to the parents to teach kids what a good role model is. Which is kinda what you said in your post so I'm just going to shut up now.