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Circus

(2008, Pop, by Britney Spears, Label: Jive)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Pop princess sings mainly about -- surprise! -- sex.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–14

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Some songs celebrate clubbing and partying, as well as the idea of acting in certain ways to get attention. On some tracks Spears shows off a strong character and talks about not being victimized or fooled.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    On "Mmm Papi" Spears moans and sings seductively ("Lil' miss fast car, I can really get far, and don't break my heart, let's make out (Let's make out! Let's make out!)." "Lace and Leather" is a sort of vocal strip tease that talks about lingerie and high heels.
  • Language:

    "Hell" is said once and "b-tch" is sung on the song "Lace and Leather." "Blur" includes the line, "This sh-t is way too f--king bright." But the expletives are edited out. The song "If You Seek Amy" contains a play on words you wouldn't want your tweens and teens to repeat.
  • Consumerism:

    A few songs include references to Spears buying what she wants. Having money is equated with power: "I get things, everything I wanted / My own way, your time, goldmines."
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    "If U Seek Amy" makes references to smoking and drinking cocktails. "Blur" is about someone who can't remember what she did the night before, as if she in a drunken blackout.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Circus

Parents need to know that this is a steamy album with lots of seductive lyrics -- as well as moaning and purring. While many of the songs are catchy and danceable, the words and messages don't waiver much from the central theme: sex.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Britney Spears the singer and Britney Spears the media object. How does Spears' music differ from her public image? How does she treat the media on this album -- including the title's allusion to a "media circus?" Do you think she is hurt or helped by all the tabloid attention she has received? Why do you think that many of her songs refer to her publicized scandals?

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Our Members Say

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See all 16 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    great but some things to watch out for

    i aggree with common sense all Britney seems to focus on now adays is singing and talking about sex. the songs may sound good but listen closley to the words and watch the music videos ( there inaprpreat) but still i love the songs!

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Negative message

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    My Circus Album Review

    I think it should be on for 17 and many parents would not let their kids listen to her music because of the sexual messages in her lyrics. Great album and debut!

  3. I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 2.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Sad. Why does Spears sound like a chipmunk nowadays? Sex filled content songs like Mmm papi and If you Seek Amy are full of it. Britney thinks she's so great and gorgeous well NEWS FLASH! There are hotter people out there who don't advertise their sexual lives on CD'S!

  4. I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    awe great song bad video!!!

    the song by itself is OK but the music video is REALLY NOT GOOD! They show britney waking around in her bra and undies! and the basic point of the song when she says "all eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus" it means all the boys are foucusing on her and how sexy she is! GROSS!

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    Umm, iffy for anyone under 15.

    Britney Spears... I'm not gonna get started. The only songs I have off this album are Womanizer, Circus, and Shattered Glass. Which are all pretty appropriate songs. If U Seek Amy is said so fast in the chorus that it spells out F.U.C.K ME. So thats obviously not appropriate. and there is a song that says "this sh** is way to f***ing bright... which isnt good either haha.

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