Katy Perry: "Firework"

Katy Perry: "Firework" (I wanted to end my blog with a bang. What better bang than fireworks shooting from Katy Perry's boobs?)

About: The song is an inspirational song about reaching one's full potential. I like the positive message of the song, and how the lyrics urge you to love yourself and not being afraid to share what is beautiful about you. I really think the uplifting message about there being a spark inside of everyone is something that tweens having a rough time can relate to. The video is interesting, as it shows a larger girl coming to terms with her size and jumping into a pool with her friends, a gay teen kissing another boy at a party, a young boy sticking up for his mom in an abusive relationship, etc. The video may be inappropriate for younger tweens, depending on the parents. There is a scene with some domestic violence (not graphic), the gay kiss, and fireworks shooting out of Katy Perry's bosom. But video aside, I think the song is appropriate for all tweens.

Review: I think the song has a great message for tweens. Tween years are awkward and rough for a lot of tweens. They aren't all the same size, they aren't all maturing at the same rate, some are figuring out their sexuality isn't necessarily mainstream, some are having problems at home and trying to reconcile that with school life, and some are bullied and/or teased, being made to feel less than. The song is positive, and is about loving yourself, and finding what is special about you individually and sharing it with the world. Tweens sometimes need reminded that though they may be too young to be grown-ups, or too old to be kids, they are still special individuals capable of great things.

Ages: 9 and up (song), video at parents discretion, though I would say 12 and up would be fine

Similar Artists: 
Miley Cyrus
Britney Spears
Pink

Taylor Swift: "Back To December"

Taylor Swift: "Back To December"

About: The song is a song of apology and regret. The protagonist is reminiscing about a relationship at its peak, recalling the downfall of the relationship, and expressing regret over everything that went wrong. In the lyrics Taylor apologizes, expresses remorse for the failed relationship, and even hopes that someday the relationship can be rekindled. In the video, Taylor is singing in a room, and a guy is walking away down a wintery road. Each one has some sad facial expressions, and it is kind of a depressing video.

Review: I really had to include the song. Allegedly Taylor Swift wrote the song about her romance with Twilight hunk Taylor Lautner, making the song sort of a big deal among middle school girls. The whole Taylor-Taylor thing was a big deal, and girls love thinking about the whole romance thing while listening to it. I don't know if it makes them feel like maybe they vicariously dated Taylor Lautner or what, but they dig this song. They are a little young to have failed relationships, but they have crushes that didn't work out, and they relate to Taylor's lyrics.

Ages: 11 and up

Similar Artists: 
Miley Cyrus
Carrie Underwood
Miranda Cosgrove 

Selena Gomez & The Scene: "Who Says"

Selena Gomez & The Scene: "Who Says"

Summary: In the video Selena Gomez leaves a photo shoot (in what appears to be New York) and then wanders around the city barefoot while lyrics to her song pop up in the taxi, in the sky, and in the cityscape. The song is about accepting yourself and loving yourself. Selena sings about how she may not be what everyone else considers to be beautiful, but she considers herself to be beautiful and perfect just the way she is. She calls into question anyone that says otherwise, as we are all in control of our own self-image.

Review: Selena Gomez is a popular tween actress right now, starring in Disney's "Wizards of Waverly Place", a popular tween show. Tween girls used to like her a lot more before she started dating Justin Bieber. Despite Selena's Bieber transgressions, her song is still a hit, as I hear girls singing (or attempting to sing it) in the hallways. I think the song is a little redundant and cheesy, and the video is pretty much boring. I also think it is ironic that she's singing about not being that beautiful when she's Selena Gomez... obviously she's pretty. But I can see why tween girls would like the song, as the tween years are awkward ones. It is nice to have anthems for loving yourself in spite of our flaws and differences.

Lady Gaga: "Born This Way"

Summary:

The video begins with the description of an alien race and a battle between good and evil. The imagery in the video is of the LGBT community and birth for the most part. The lyrics are about acceptance, and describe that no matter what it is that we feel separates us from one another, that we were all created perfectly. The song has been described as an anthem for the LGBT community, but the lyrics also discuss race. Dance sequences in the video show people of all different races joining together despite differences. Symbols used in the video, such as the purple triangle, support the LGBT movement.

Review:

I love me some Lady Gaga, but this video really borders on inappropriate in my opinion, especially for tweens. I was a little surprised at a lot of the imagery, some of it bordering on a complete birth video (goo and all). Also, there is a ton of partial nudity, and lots of images that I am not sure a tween would really understand. Tweens love this song, and a lot of them are really into Lady Gaga. I appreciate the lyrics in the song, and how Gaga is trumpeting equality and acceptance. However, I'm going to err on the side of caution and not recommend this video for tweens at all.

Willow Smith "Whip My Hair"

 

Summary:

In the video Willow Smith enters a bland, white, routine school and spices things up. With her colorful appearance and dance moves, Willow begins changing things up immediately. Pretty soon she unleashes her hair, dipped in paint colors, and begins whipping it back and forth (well, I really couldn't think of a better phrase here). She begins literally painting the walls and the people, adding color and personality to an otherwise bland and banal surrounding. On a deeper level, the lyrics in the song profess self-love and rising above conflict. Maybe I'm stretching it, but Willow sings about rising above haters and whippin' yo hair anyways. To me this is about being yourself and doing what makes you happy, no matter what is being said. Fine, I probably am stretching it. But it makes me happy.

Review:

The song is catchy, and young Willow Smith is age appropriate for young tweens. Her lyrics are appropriate, and the subject matter works well with tweens. It really helps that she is tween age herself, as tweens feel comfortable relating to her. Her song is fun and catchy (though I'll admit that it gets a bit annoying). Her video is wholesome and entertaining, and if you're trying really hard to steer your tween away from some of the other questionable music materials out there, I think this is a good, wholesome way to go. Now good luck getting it out of your head.

Age: 8 and up

Similar Artists:

Demi Lovato

Selena Gomez

Taylor Swift

Justin Bieber "Baby"

 

Summary:

What would a tween blog be without the Biebs? Here is Bieber in his popular video for "Baby." The video takes place in a bowling alley. The song is about a young teen experiences heartbreak for the first time. The song even features the rapper Ludacris, giving Biebs some street cred. In the song Bieber is trying to get back his first love, offering her everything, and singing about the pain of losing one's first love. In the video Bieber is chasing the girl around, trying to impress her with his super cool dance moves in the bowling alley. He's like, "baby, baby, baby, ohhhh...." And probably it works.

Review:

I'm not a huge Bieber fan. In my opinion, he looks and sounds a little too much like a teen girl for me to really get it. I mean, if I want to listen to a girl, I will. Bieber just confuses me, really. But tween girls are obsessed with him. The day I mentioned Bieber in a 6th grade classroom, there was standing, screeching, and nearly a riot as girls fought over which one was going to marry him. SERIOUSLY. I learned really quick to not ask a whole lot about Bieber unless you want to hear a WHOLE LOT about Bieber. I guess the song hits home with the age group, as lots are experiencing infatuation and loss for the first time at that age. And for some reason Bieber's non-threatening androgyny is like crack for tween girls. Thus, "Baby" is a HUGE hit.

Ages: 9 and up

Similar Artists:

I think tween students would be pissed if I put anything here, because according to them? NO ONE can compare to the Biebs.

Taylor Swift: "Mean"

Taylor Swift: "Mean" Music Video

Summary:

The video is a recording of Taylor Swift at the Country Music Awards show. The song is about being teased or somehow tormented by others and eventually overcoming that. In the lyrics Taylor points out how someday she's going to rise above it all, and be successful in spite of her naysayers. While she grows as a person, the people who have brought her down will only remain "mean", stunted in personal growth. A line that really sums up the song as a whole is, "Someday I'll be living in a big ole city/ And all you're ever gonna be is mean."
Review:


I really liked the song, and it is easy to see why Taylor is such a favorite among tweens (especially girls). Her lyrics are easily relatable to things going on in young girls' lives. I think this song will inspire a lot of tweens to rise above the teasing and pettiness that can happen in middle (and even high) school, and realize that we aren't defined by the comments other people make about us. Taylor is a great example, having been teased and bullied herself, and then growing up to be a famous singer. Tweens can understand that it happens to lots of people, and that it gets better. Also, you should be careful who you tease. They may grow up and write a song about you.

Victoria Justice: "Freak The Freak Out"

Victoria Justice: "Freak The Freak Out" Music Video

Summary:

Victoria Justice is the protagonist on a popular Nickelodeon show titled 'Victorious'. Victoria Justice is simultaneously pursuing a singing career, and fusing it with the show a la Hannah Montana. In an hour long special of the show Victoria premiered her new song "Freak the Freak out." The song is about being unsatisfied with someone who just isn't listening or responding in the way you'd like them to, and thus requiring you to then freak out. The video is the cast ensemble of the show all singing and dancing to the song.

Review:

The song is super catchy. I actually bought it on iTunes for my son, and was walking around humming it for a day or two. You can like the song even if you don't like the show, they're separate really. The show is a springboard for the song, but the song it its own thing. I speak from experience, because the show definitely isn't my favorite. The song is pretty age appropriate, without explicit language or sexual innuendos. However, the words "freak the freak out" sort of resemble the f*bomb a little, so younger listeners might have parents that disapprove. The first time I heard my son say the lyrics I thought he was swearing. Other than that, it's a catchy song with banal lyrics.


Ages: 10 and up


Similar Artists:
Miranda Cosgrove
Selena Gomez
Demi Lovato
Miley Cyrus

Big Time Rush: "Boyfriend"

Big Time Rush: "Boyfriend" Music Video

Plot:


The song is sung by Big Time Rush, a carefully designed boy band with a show in Nickelodeon. The song is about wanting to be someone's boyfriend, and despite being a couple minutes long, I really can't say too much more than that about the lyrics. The plot of the video is apparently the band visits a futuristic society through a time portal, wants to date a futuristic girl, meets Snoop Dogg, and then they come back. All the while, they still really want to be someone's boyfriend.


Review:


The song is *really* catchy, and I am really surprised Snoop Dogg is in it. Either he really likes BTR, or he's selling out big time to support his marijuana habit. Either way, I was just floored. He even sings in it. That's right, the rapper that came out with "Murder was the Case that they Gave me" is now in a music video on Nickelodeon. Anyways, tween girls are digging this band. The show is appropriate, and the video isn't bad really. The fact is, compared with a lot of other things on the market, this video and song are really tame.




Ages: I would say 11ish and up. Do they need to be worried about b-b-b-b-boyfriends much earlier?


Similar Artists:

Justin Bieber
Miranda Cosgrove
Selena Gomez