"3" (CD single)

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Lyrics' double meaning expresses yearning for threesome.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that they should listen closely to these lyrics: the words themselves are harmless enough, but strung together, they tell a story about having sex with multiple partners at once.

  • Takes a casual stance on what could be risky sexual behavior.
  • Though she's recently managed to get her life somewhat back on track, Spears' long-term turmoil and not-so-innocent songs don't make her a great role model.
  • Not applicable.
  • The entire song is about three people having sex together.

What's the story?

After a successful comeback concert tour, bubblegum-pop princess Britney Spears is looking to keep up the momentum with "3," a new single from her second greatest hits album. Though the song's title seems innocent enough, the track's premise is anything but: the entire tune is about having a threesome (three people engaging in sex together at once). There's no foul language or graphic descriptions of this, but the message is pervasive and unmistakable; for example, "Three is a charm, two is not the same / I don't see the harm, so are you game? / Lets' make a team, make 'em say my name / Lovin' the extreme, now are you game? / Are you in, livin' in sin is the new thing."

 


Is it any good?

 

Britney Spears has never been known for having exceptionally strong vocals, and "3" is no exception. To help mask her lack of chops, the song employs just about every production trick in the book, courtesy of producer Max Martin -- the same guy who produced Katy Perry's "I Kissed a Girl." Though the end result sounds way over-produced, it also carries a slick beat that will undoubtedly make the song a club favorite.


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What families can talk about

  • What are the potential pitfalls associated with having multiple sexual partners?

  • What are the advantages of being in a monogamous relationship?


This review was written by Stephanie Bruzzese
Kid, 11 years old
October 9, 2009
 
hate it!

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 16 years old
November 14, 2009
 
Oh come on ppl!
What eve people- look this is a great up beat song. We warm up and dance to it in dance class ALL THE TIME- because it's a great song. Yes if you actually listen to the lyrics closely the double meaning isn't exactly appropriate, but really ppl, do you think that if your child listens to this song they are gonna go off and do what the song is sayin? Uh, no. Cuz kids rnt stupid, its a catchy song, and kids, tweens, teens, who ever like to listen to fast beat songs, so get over it, and why don't you over protective parents listen to it for a sec, it's just a fun dance song, you might find yourself tappin your toe.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 17 years old
October 8, 2009
 
I couldn't care less about the promiscuity: It's just plain bad
Now, in the grand scheme of things, I don't really care about the lyrical content as long as its creative and has meaning. It almost goes wihout saying that Britney (or her producer/manager) never had, does not have, or never will have, a single shred of creativity. This song is a testament to that claim: A third-grade vocabulary; whiny, annoying vocals; and painfully overdone themes that lack any coherent message or even entertainment for that matter. Sometimes it is fun to sit back and listen to an extravagantly silly song (Psychostick, for example) but it even fails to do that simply be taking itself seriously. How can anyone honestly take this seriously? It just goes to show that the public doesn't care about music anymore, not that it ever has within the past 30 or so years. Music has become a side-activity, something to listen to in the car on the way to school or work, or a backing beat to dance to. All in all, it's sickening to think that this banal, trite song overshadows real artistry. Skip out on this one.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
July 4, 2010
 
good song that younger kids wont understand.
OK i have to admit i love this song but im not a fan of what its about. I mean what person writes a song just about threee people haveing sex together it's GROSS....... but yet the song doesent scream that is what it is about. Its very vauge useing lines like "Getting down and repeate." "What we do is inesent. Just for fun and nothing ment." even thoughyounger kids wont fully understand what its talking about its best to save this song until they get a little older.

Flag as inappropriate 
Adult
April 21, 2010
 
Grow Up!
Like your kids are even gonna realize what this song is about! I didn't realize until after the first time I heard it and I am a grown adult. It is redeculious that you would not let your children listen to this catchy song because of what it's actuially saying.

Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 9 years old
June 15, 2011
 
OK FOR TEENS
If you are Little You wont Understand. If you are 6 Or up that is a different Story.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 17 years old
April 4, 2010
 
Racy, Nasty, Not Worth Your Time
You may have enjoyed going through the years with Britney, but this "hit," is one to cover tween ears for. 3 is explicit, and displays the bad message of cheating while shining the spotlight on sex. Discription is not detailed, but is also not hinted. Keep your distances.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 15 years old
March 5, 2010
 
Ugh oh I just bought this...
oh god I just bought this song I didn't know it was about that! I hear it every day in P.E. and I go to a Catholic school where we have chapel twice a week! Also, check out my review on Tik Tok by Ke$ha. Today my friend's mom was singing to this in the car with us! I highly prefer Paramore.

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 16 years old
January 21, 2010
 
so I say that it is inapproprate for anyone under 15 because it is about a three some and that is not okay for a 11 year old to listen to

Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
December 15, 2010
 
i love the song

Flag as inappropriate 

This review was written by Stephanie Bruzzese
Artist:Britney Spears
Release date:October 6, 2009
Label:Jive Records
Genre:Pop
Parental advisory:No

This review was written by Stephanie Bruzzese
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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