Tune In To Your Kids' Party Music - It May Shock You!

As a party planner, I know the importance of music and the need to stay current. That's why I first started listening to music that my kids were listening to and I have been doing this for a few years now.   I let them pick the station almost every time we get in the car together, they don't even need to ask - it's just a ritual.

Enjoy music with your teens. I have to admit I really enjoy some of the songs my kids listen to and it's a great way to connect with them.  Through my kids' music, I better understand them and their world.  Not only do I get a good idea of what they’re being exposed to, but I learn what I need to address with them or restrict from them. The flip side is I hear new music I love and by showing an interest in their world, they are more open to hearing my opinions.

Discuss music messages and ask questions.  Lots of what kids talk about and think about is a reflection of the music they listen to or is the artist's reflection of how our youth live today. If you want insight to the world your kids live in (it's definitely a different world than you live in) listen to their music. Think back to the 50's, 60's and 70’s, the generational disconnect was clearly illustrated by the music of the day. By listening to my kid’s music with them, I learn some of their lingo, the names of people they talk about, and how their generation views relationships, violence, sex and drugs.

In addition, by listening together, I have the opportunity to address these important issues because many times a song or its lyrics will ignite discussion. These types of discussions are non-confrontational and seem more natural then a lecture about sex or drugs. It's also an opportunity to teach my kids to form their own opinions and question the message in a song (translation: "what their friends may be doing").

Tune in.  Below, I have listed the Top 10 Pop songs from the day I wrote this October 10th, 2011 - 50% refer to sex, 30% refer to getting drunk, 1 has bad language.  If you watch the music videos for each, you can increase the percentages for all three.  Music videos are another story. What goes over most kids' heads on the radio, hits them over the head in video.  The rule in our house is no MTV or VH1 - I pretty much consider it rated R material.

For example, I have really come to love Lady Gaga's "You and I".  I sing along in the car and it's a fave of my boys and mine.  That was until...I watched the official music video.  It scared me!  I don't know if I really can think of it the same way again.  After watching, the music video's bizarre images now replace the sweeter ones I had imagined representing the song. I'm so happy our house rule is no VH1 or MTV, because I wouldn't even know where to start a discussion about most of this video with my boys. 

I also LOVE Adele's 'Someone Like You'  - great song, great voice, clean.  It was #1 so I guess there's hope for all of us!

Top 10 Pop Songs - 10/10/2011

1. Song Title: Someone Like You - Artist: ADELE
2. Song Title: Moves Like Jagger - Artist: Maroon 5
   
3. Song Title: We Found Love (feat. Calvin Harris) - Artist: Rihanna
4. Song Title: Stereo Hearts (feat. Adam Levine) - Artist: Gym Class Heroes
5. Song Title: You Make Me Feel... (feat. Sabi) Artist: Cobra Starship
6. Song Title: Yoü and I - Artist: Lady GaGa 
   
7. Song Title: It Girl - Artist: Jason Derulo
   
8. Song Title: Cheers (Drink to That) - Artist: Rihanna
   
9. Song Title: In the Dark - Artist: Dev
   
10. Song Title: I Like It Like That Artist: Hot Chelle Rae
    

Let me know what you think?

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