A. Taking a moment to check out song lyrics can provide a great opportunity to discuss song messaging and language with your kids. As they get older, they\'re going to listen anyway, so it might be useful to put your two cents in now. Here\'s a list of Web sites that offer lyrics to most of the popular artists:

And here are some questions you might want to ask yourself as you read through the lyrics:

Sex: Is the sex talk implied, or is it explicit and discussed graphically? Is the artist singing about promiscuity, cheating, unsafe sex, or age-inappropriate behavior?

Language: Is there language that someone might find offensive, such as profanities and racial slurs? How strong or abusive are the words? Are we talking occasional playful potty talk or constant swearing and hate words?

Violence: Is there talk about guns, blood, bombs, terrorism, or general violence? Anything that would scare your kid or give him bad ideas?

Social Behavior: Does the song display positive ways to behave? Or does it bring up anything negative relating sexism, racism, or people with disabilities?

Commercialism: Are brand names mentioned in every line? Does the song seem to be a commercial for goods? Also, notice what kinds of products are mentioned -- fast food chains or alcohol?

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco Use: How excessive are the references to drugs or alcohol? Is every song about doing or dealing drugs, getting drunk, or smoking? How detrimental are the references: Does the song discuss having a sip of beer or getting drunk and passing out every night?