Let Go - Avril Lavigne

Good messages, fairly run-of-the-mill teen pop.

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Common Sense rates it
4
Heard the music? Review it
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Music details
  • Artist(s): Avril Lavigne
  • Genre: Soundtrack
  • Label: Arista
  • Parental Advisory: No
  • Edited Version: No
  • Release Date: 06/04/2002

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that the record has no overtly sexual material or challenging language, and is appropriate for tweens and up. Kids believe Lavigne is a real individual and, as such, for parents, she's a pretty safe idol.

Families can talk about how Avril Lavigne arrived on the music scene as "the anti-Britney Spears" -- a girl who doesn't bare her body to be heard and who hangs around the skater crowd and thinks for herself. Does her individualism and realness sell records as well as follow-the-crowd sexuality? Is it a nice relief not to always be dwelling on sexual matters?

Message

Social Behavior:

No problems here. If there's a message, it's a positive one of individualism.

Consumerism:

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

One anti-pot message.

Violence

Sex

Very little, at least in specific terms. "Sk8er Boi" references a single mother but otherwise typical "teen in love" stuff, without the details.

Language

Again, some very brief wordplay. The only overt curse word on the entire record is a single "ass."

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Tony Hicks

The marketing of Avril Lavigne's debut LET GO album pushed her as the opposite of the Britney Spears/Christina Aguilera MTV teen pop movement, and there was a built-in audience of disaffected kids just waiting for this record. Billed as a 17-year-old rebellious songwriting prodigy, Lavigne is much more bark than bite. There are lots of typical "lonely teen in love" lyrics, but with a bit more guitar. Lavigne's approach makes sense as she was starting to write music when singers like Alanis Morissette were peaking. Only the songs Lavigne writes are much less biting (there nothing close to Morissette's infamous driving-nails-into-a-man's-back lyrics from "You Oughta Know"). That may change as Lavigne gets more songwriting -- and life -- experience.

Is it any good?

4
In truth, Lavigne has to be considered a godsend for so many parents. While she's billed as a strong personality who plays guitar and writes songs instead of flaunting her looks, there's a bit of sexual wordplay in "Things I'll Never Say," when Lavigne says "I'd say I want to blow you...AWAY." There's one drug reference, in the song "Too Much to Ask" but it's in an anti-pot context. "'It's funny when you think it's gonna work out/Till you chose weed over me, you're so lame." The song title "Naked" refers to emotions being stripped away. All and all, it's a positive message.Lavigne does have talent. A mediocre singer and guitarist so far, she nevertheless has very solid songwriting chops for someone so young.
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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 17 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/11/08 by pugparent Kid contributor, age 9

I like sk8er boi.

The only song i really like is sk8er boi. The rest have good messages but i just really like sk8ter boi. *starts singing quietly* he was a skater boy i'll talk to you later boy...
5


Posted on 02/08/08 by Mojo Kid contributor, age 12
5


Posted on 01/21/08 by AustinA123 Kid contributor, age 15

Great CD from Avril Lavigne.

I LOVE Avril Lavigne, so, I love this CD. Like her others, it has messages in MOST of the songs, such as 'Too Much to Ask', or 'Complicated'. But some, like, "Sk8er Boi" are purely fun, (but also 'Sk8er Boi' has a small message to not judge people on the outside) The only curse word in this ENTIRE CD is 'ass'. There is a play on words in "Thing's I'll Never Say" (If I could say what I wanna say, I'd say I'd wanna blow you....away/If I could say what I wanna see, I'd say I wanna see you go down...on one knee.) Avril is VERY talented, as a singer, a songwriter, and a producer. Buy this CD!
1


Posted on 10/08/07 by xToTheEndx Kid contributor, age 14
4


Posted on 09/26/07 by DexterSmith Adult contributor
5


Posted on 08/16/07 by Joshjb Kid contributor, age 13

The almost-perfect debut album.

Let Go is definitely one of the best debut albums out there. With songs like "My World" and "Mobile" it really shows how Avril is just a simple girl who grew up in a small town, and just moved into the real world. But that's not all the album is about. Her main inspiration came from her relationships. Good - "I'm With You", "Things I'll Never Say" and the smashing hit "Sk8r Boi". And bad - "Losing Grip", "Unwanted" and her no. 1 debut single, "Complicated". Most of her songs are in the Rock/Skater-Rock genres, but not all. "I'm With You" is a fan-favorite ballad, which is also the fourth single off of "Let Go". Yet there are some songs that are not as fan-favorite as others, overall, it's an album worth buying. Avril Lavigne speaks her mind, and has proved with this album, that she's Nobody's Fool.
5


Posted on 08/11/07 by Beluu Kid contributor, age 16

Gret breakthrough

This album, which is the first of the girl who’s been proclaimed as the “punk princess” is a very well achieved pop record. The melodies and lyrics of the songs written by Avril herself tell us about the life of a teenager who’s been brought up in a small town and has always dreamt of something more. Ballads like the successful “I’m with you” and the beautiful “Tomorrow” show us a great talent and voice which blended together make a ballad you can’t miss. The harder, rockier songs show how much of a rock chick Avril is, although she’d be better defined as a pop artist. The only song that seems to be a little “off topic” is “Nobody’s fool” which has some rap influences but is not as well achieved as its rockier sisters. It still is a nice song to listen at certain times.
5


Posted on 08/10/07 by xsum41x Adult contributor

You need this album!

In Avril’s very first album, she stole the hearts of millions of teenagers worldwide. In this very album, she carved her identity in history forever. This album is the very reason Avril is who she is today. Despite being a young teenager, Avril Lavigne done something the majority of people her age could never do. She spilled her innermost thoughts; her biggest regrets; her happiest and darkest feelings onto paper for the whole world to see, and used her amazing musical talents to make millions from it. Today, she might say “Complicated” is just a stupid song about a failed teenage relationship, but it was with this very track that all those people still listen to her today. Although I can’t say I like every song on this album, I can say that each and every track is worth a whole-hearted listen. “Sk8er Boi”, the instant classic, “I’m Nobodies Fool” and “Losing Grip” remain my three favourites to this very day. My least favourite track has to be “Some Things I’ll Never Say”, a slightly irritating track that I still steer clear of putting on my ipod. But as a whole, this album is an excellent homage to Avril’s sheer diversity in music; one minute, you could be rocking along to a fast, instantly lovable anthem, the next, getting your anger out by singing along with a hate-filled power-ballad. I may be only one person , but I would recommend this record to anybody who feels some sort of disfunction in their life. So get a copy, sit back, relax, and Let Go.
5


Posted on 08/10/07 by Jerome Adult contributor

It's Not That Complicated

Just when the world of music was being bombarded with bubblegum pop, along came Avril Lavigne. You must have already heard her infatuating debut single, Complicated, a mid-tempo pop song about staying true to yourself--either that or you've been living under a rock for a while. With her tie adorned tank top and camo pants signature, Lavigne seeks for something different, as she confesses in Anything but Ordinary (Is it enough to die? Somebody save my life! I'd rather be anything but ordinary please). The seventeen year old drop-out chick from Napanee, Ontario will tell you to fuck off if you ask her to trade her so-called "anti-Britney" attitude to sexy bare-your-soul outfits. Let Go is a collection of pop rock songs with oh-so catchy melodies à la once-you-hear-it-you-will-not-forget-it. Fruit of collaborations with The Matrix, Clif Magness, Sabelle Breer, Peter Zizzo and Curt Frasca, Let Go succeeds in delivering something fresh yet not rubbish to our ears. Losing Grip and Unwanted could have been songs Alanis Morissette would have dedicated to her early hearbreakers at the age of seventeen. I'm With You and Tomorrow are acoustic guitar driven pseudo-lullabies; the former being a proof this girl can actually sing, while the latter may easily be heard in a TV series for its sweet melodies and Lavigne's ear-friendly mellow voice. Forget the grammar for a while in Sk8er boi and give in to its punk-ish tunes. She sure may not be your next sexy obsession, but Avril Lavigne is sure destined to conquer the charts. Forget the words one hit wonder when thinking about Lavigne, because this girl will be around for a while.
4


Posted on 04/01/07 by moviecritic Kid contributor, age 14

Great Artist

Avril Lavigne is very amazing with music. this was her first CD and she was awesome, and STILL is. The language is pretty mild (@$$) for example. ITS JUST GREAT GO BUY IT IF YOU HAVEN'T YET!

See all 17 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 3 reviews.

4


Posted on 09/26/07 by DexterSmith Adult contributor
5


Posted on 08/10/07 by xsum41x Adult contributor

You need this album!

In Avril’s very first album, she stole the hearts of millions of teenagers worldwide. In this very album, she carved her identity in history forever. This album is the very reason Avril is who she is today. Despite being a young teenager, Avril Lavigne done something the majority of people her age could never do. She spilled her innermost thoughts; her biggest regrets; her happiest and darkest feelings onto paper for the whole world to see, and used her amazing musical talents to make millions from it. Today, she might say “Complicated” is just a stupid song about a failed teenage relationship, but it was with this very track that all those people still listen to her today. Although I can’t say I like every song on this album, I can say that each and every track is worth a whole-hearted listen. “Sk8er Boi”, the instant classic, “I’m Nobodies Fool” and “Losing Grip” remain my three favourites to this very day. My least favourite track has to be “Some Things I’ll Never Say”, a slightly irritating track that I still steer clear of putting on my ipod. But as a whole, this album is an excellent homage to Avril’s sheer diversity in music; one minute, you could be rocking along to a fast, instantly lovable anthem, the next, getting your anger out by singing along with a hate-filled power-ballad. I may be only one person , but I would recommend this record to anybody who feels some sort of disfunction in their life. So get a copy, sit back, relax, and Let Go.
5


Posted on 08/10/07 by Jerome Adult contributor

It's Not That Complicated

Just when the world of music was being bombarded with bubblegum pop, along came Avril Lavigne. You must have already heard her infatuating debut single, Complicated, a mid-tempo pop song about staying true to yourself--either that or you've been living under a rock for a while. With her tie adorned tank top and camo pants signature, Lavigne seeks for something different, as she confesses in Anything but Ordinary (Is it enough to die? Somebody save my life! I'd rather be anything but ordinary please). The seventeen year old drop-out chick from Napanee, Ontario will tell you to fuck off if you ask her to trade her so-called "anti-Britney" attitude to sexy bare-your-soul outfits. Let Go is a collection of pop rock songs with oh-so catchy melodies à la once-you-hear-it-you-will-not-forget-it. Fruit of collaborations with The Matrix, Clif Magness, Sabelle Breer, Peter Zizzo and Curt Frasca, Let Go succeeds in delivering something fresh yet not rubbish to our ears. Losing Grip and Unwanted could have been songs Alanis Morissette would have dedicated to her early hearbreakers at the age of seventeen. I'm With You and Tomorrow are acoustic guitar driven pseudo-lullabies; the former being a proof this girl can actually sing, while the latter may easily be heard in a TV series for its sweet melodies and Lavigne's ear-friendly mellow voice. Forget the grammar for a while in Sk8er boi and give in to its punk-ish tunes. She sure may not be your next sexy obsession, but Avril Lavigne is sure destined to conquer the charts. Forget the words one hit wonder when thinking about Lavigne, because this girl will be around for a while.

Kids Reviews

There are 14 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/11/08 by pugparent Kid contributor, age 9

I like sk8er boi.

The only song i really like is sk8er boi. The rest have good messages but i just really like sk8ter boi. *starts singing quietly* he was a skater boy i'll talk to you later boy...
5


Posted on 02/08/08 by Mojo Kid contributor, age 12
5


Posted on 01/21/08 by AustinA123 Kid contributor, age 15

Great CD from Avril Lavigne.

I LOVE Avril Lavigne, so, I love this CD. Like her others, it has messages in MOST of the songs, such as 'Too Much to Ask', or 'Complicated'. But some, like, "Sk8er Boi" are purely fun, (but also 'Sk8er Boi' has a small message to not judge people on the outside) The only curse word in this ENTIRE CD is 'ass'. There is a play on words in "Thing's I'll Never Say" (If I could say what I wanna say, I'd say I'd wanna blow you....away/If I could say what I wanna see, I'd say I wanna see you go down...on one knee.) Avril is VERY talented, as a singer, a songwriter, and a producer. Buy this CD!
1


Posted on 10/08/07 by xToTheEndx Kid contributor, age 14
5


Posted on 08/16/07 by Joshjb Kid contributor, age 13

The almost-perfect debut album.

Let Go is definitely one of the best debut albums out there. With songs like "My World" and "Mobile" it really shows how Avril is just a simple girl who grew up in a small town, and just moved into the real world. But that's not all the album is about. Her main inspiration came from her relationships. Good - "I'm With You", "Things I'll Never Say" and the smashing hit "Sk8r Boi". And bad - "Losing Grip", "Unwanted" and her no. 1 debut single, "Complicated". Most of her songs are in the Rock/Skater-Rock genres, but not all. "I'm With You" is a fan-favorite ballad, which is also the fourth single off of "Let Go". Yet there are some songs that are not as fan-favorite as others, overall, it's an album worth buying. Avril Lavigne speaks her mind, and has proved with this album, that she's Nobody's Fool.
5


Posted on 08/11/07 by Beluu Kid contributor, age 16

Gret breakthrough

This album, which is the first of the girl who’s been proclaimed as the “punk princess” is a very well achieved pop record. The melodies and lyrics of the songs written by Avril herself tell us about the life of a teenager who’s been brought up in a small town and has always dreamt of something more. Ballads like the successful “I’m with you” and the beautiful “Tomorrow” show us a great talent and voice which blended together make a ballad you can’t miss. The harder, rockier songs show how much of a rock chick Avril is, although she’d be better defined as a pop artist. The only song that seems to be a little “off topic” is “Nobody’s fool” which has some rap influences but is not as well achieved as its rockier sisters. It still is a nice song to listen at certain times.
4


Posted on 04/01/07 by moviecritic Kid contributor, age 14

Great Artist

Avril Lavigne is very amazing with music. this was her first CD and she was awesome, and STILL is. The language is pretty mild (@$$) for example. ITS JUST GREAT GO BUY IT IF YOU HAVEN'T YET!
5

Posted on 10/05/06 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 11

I love this song

This songs rocks! I love this song. I love Avril Lavigne! She is sooo cool. 5 Stars! Thanks, Tonya
5


Posted on 06/08/06 by frisko Kid contributor, age 16
4


Posted on 10/28/04 by lman1023 Kid contributor, age 12
See all 14 kids reviews >

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