As a mother of a newly minted tween daughter about to enter middle school, this song makes me want to scream.
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.
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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) |
