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Little Voice

(2008, Pop, by Sara Bareilles, Label: Sony / BMG Import)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 12.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Smart, soulful songs serve up girl empowerment.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Positive messages for girls about love and not getting caught up in unrealistic stereotypes: "'Cause I don't care for you fairy tales...Once upon a time in a faraway kingdom/Man made up a story said that I should believe him/go and tell your white knight that he's handsome in hindsight."
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Just one allegorical mention of suicide: "The earth that is the space between/I'd banish it from under me...to get to you/Your unexpected love provides my solitary's suicide...oh I wish I knew."

  • Sex:

    Lots of talk of love and loss, but nothing explicit. Lyrics often discuss abstract desires: "Sleepless nights you creep inside of me/paint your shadows on the breath that we share/you take more than just my sanity/you take my reason not to care."

  • Language:

    One crude word: "Get down to the heart of it/no it's my heart you're s--t out of your luck/Don't make me tell you again my love love love love."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Brief references to smoking and alcohol: "I could use another cigarette, but don't worry daddy, I'm not addicted yet/One too many drinks tonight and I miss you like you were mine" and "Cinderella's on her bedroom floor/she's got a crush on the guy at the liquor store."
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Little Voice

Parents need to know that Sara Bareilles is not your average pop tartlet. Sure, she sings about crushes and break-ups, but this singer/songwriter is a modern girl who takes an independent, thoughtful look at love and relationships on her debut album. Although there are a few references to mature topics such as smoking, for the most part, Bareilles provides positive girl-empowerment messages.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how the media promotes certain romantic conventions and how women buy into these myths. Bareilles confronts this on "Fairytale," where she discusses fairy-tale ideas of female subordination. In what ways do modern fairy tales exist in film, TV, and music? How do these stories depict women? Are women usually seen in a role of power, or are they in need of a man?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    BluePanda
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Perfect for tweens and up.

    I ? Sara Bareilles! She Rocks!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    mango.grl
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Great Music

    Sara Barellis is a wonderful role model for female young adults and the music is great... Me and my friends all love it.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    WOWitsme
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 4.0

    i love a few of these songs

    my favorites are love song, one sweet love, bottle it up, and many the miles. it has a good message and i love the lyrics to fairytale no sex or violence and only one cuss word (you're shit out of luck)

    This review...

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  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    super mello
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    great music for teen girls

    this ios great music to listen to after abreakup, or any time your just feeling down. its also great if you want to listen to pop music and sing your heart out. its beautiful misic that empowers girls, and its definetly not the typical pop music filled with dirty lyrics and offensive messages.

    This review...

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  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    edwardlover82
    Lives in Oklahoma
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
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