Handpicked by Our Editors

What a Ride
Age 5+
4

What a Ride

Why We Recommend It

Eric Herman's quirky, funny CD encourages kids to chase their dreams. Bonus: Parents like humming along, too.

Read our full review
From Elmo to Eminem you can trust our children's music reviews.

Kids of all ages love music. For our littlest children, music helps build vocabulary and coordination. For our older kids, music expresses passions and angst. But finding kids' music that has messages you feel comfortable with can take some homework on parents' part. Luckily, our reviews give you what you need to know to choose and manage kids' music.

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New Music Reviews

showing: pop
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She Wolf by Shakira
Parents Need to Know...

that overall this album is mostly OK for young teens, but parents should still be ready to talk about certain issues. A discussion about healthy relationships might be in order since this album presents some iffy role models for kids ... read more

Age 13+
She Wolf
4
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"Fireflies" (CD single) by Owl City
Parents Need to Know...

that though the lyrics in this song are somewhat nonsensical, they contain no real show-stoppers in the way of profane language, sexual references, or other adult themes. read more

Age 10+
"Fireflies" (CD single)
3
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My World by Justin Bieber
Parents Need to Know...

that MY WORLD is an album full of clean songs about the typical tween concerns like crushes, breakups, and prom. read more

Age 10+
My World
3
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Echo by Leona Lewis
Parents Need to Know...

that even though there's a lot of emotional turmoil here, listeners also get a healthy dose of inspiration and motivation. Lewis deals with the weighty issues of loss and unrequited love, but manages to also remind her audience that ... read more

Age 10+
Echo
5
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"Tik Tok" (CD single) by Ke$ha
Parents Need to Know...

in general this is a fun, frivolous song about hitting the clubs and partying with friends. But several references to alcohol (including brushing teeth with Jack Daniels) may lead listeners to the conclusion that in order to party hearty, ... read more

Age 15+
"Tik Tok" (CD single)
3
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Glee: The Music, Vol. 1 by Glee Cast
Parents Need to Know...

that while the TV show Glee includes some eyebrow-raising moments, this soundtrack of cover songs from the show is a shade cleaner, offering no foul language or heavy references to adult themes like sex and drugs. read more

Age 10+
Glee: The Music, Vol. 1
4
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"Love Me" (CD single) by Justin Bieber
Parents Need to Know...

that there’s not a lot to worry about in this single: it lacks foul language and mature content, focusing instead on innocent -- and idealized -- puppy love. read more

Age 10+
"Love Me" (CD single)
3
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"Bad Romance" (CD single) by Lady GaGa
Parents Need to Know...

that this song is more of the same from Lady GaGa: she uses a celebratory tone to describe a dysfunctional relationship, making it seem more cool than wrong. The word "bitch" is repeated throughout, and there is one minor sexual ... read more

Age 12+
"Bad Romance" (CD single)
3
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"3" (CD single) by Britney Spears
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. read more

Age 16+
"3" (CD single)
3
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Celebration by Madonna
Parents Need to Know...

that a lot of the songs which have landed Madonna in hot water over the years -- "Like a Virgin," "Papa Don't Preach," "Like a Prayer," etc. -- are included in this collection, putting it out-of-reach for ... read more

Age 12+
Celebration
4
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Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel by Mariah Carey
Parents Need to Know...

that the sexiest thing about Mariah Carey remains her skimpily-clad promotion photos: as on past albums, the lyrics in her latest record omit foul language, egregious sexual references, and mention of most other adult content.   read more

Age 12+
Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel
3
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Kiss & Tell by Selena Gomez
Parents Need to Know...

that KISS & TELL is a typical tween album, giving clean accounts of common tween concerns like falling in love and following your dreams.   read more

Age 8+
Kiss & Tell
2
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"Live Like We're Dying" (CD single) by Kris Allen
Parents Need to Know...

that this first song from the most recent American Idol winner is fine for kids of just about any age, offering a snappy beat and absolutely no foul language.   read more

Age 8+
"Live Like We're Dying" (CD single)
3
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Love Drunk by Boys Like Girls
Parents Need to Know...

that this album is pretty clean overall, with no explicit sex talk, graphic language, or serious partying references.   read more

Age 12+
Love Drunk
3
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The Time of Our Lives by Miley Cyrus
Parents Need to Know...

that this short collection of songs is only iffy in a few spots and even then the questionable spots are pretty mild. Cyrus sings about driving to clubs and obsessing about certain boys on several songs. But in general, this is a group of ... read more

Age 10+
The Time of Our Lives
4
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Breakthrough by Colbie Caillat
Parents Need to Know...

that there's a whole lot of love on this release. From breakups to make-ups, infatuation to dissatisfaction, Caillat runs the gamut of romantic emotions. For all this love though, there is virtually no sexual references and only brief ... read more

Age 12+
Breakthrough
4
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"Falling Down" (CD single) by Selena Gomez
Parents Need to Know...

that in terms of foul language and adult references, Gomez gives no cause for concern with this song; however, her negative focus on romantic relationships is somewhat troubling.  read more

Age 8+
"Falling Down" (CD single)
2
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"Party in the U.S.A." (CD single) by Miley Cyrus
Parents Need to Know...

that even though this was the song that launched the Teen Choice Awards controversy over Miley Cyrus's accompanying dance performance, the song itself isn't the least bit risque. Sure, Cyrus sings about "movin' her hips" but ... read more

Age 11+
"Party in the U.S.A." (CD single)
4
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Guilty Pleasures by Ashley Tisdale
Parents Need to Know...

that this is not the sweet little Ashley Tisdale we met in the first High School Musical movie: her latest record edges one step closer to full-blown adulthood with several tunes that allude to intimate sexual situations and adult ... read more

Age 12+
Guilty Pleasures
2
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Here We Go Again by Demi Lovato
Parents Need to Know...

that though Demi Lovato doesn't use foul language or discuss adult themes like sex and drugs on this album, the record's overall message -- that romantic love is overwhelmingly hurtful and disappointing -- is a dismal one, especially for ... read more

Age 9+
Here We Go Again
3
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Battlefield by Jordin Sparks
Parents Need to Know...

that though this album doesn't include graphic language, sexual descriptions, or references to drinking and drugs, it does feature an overwhelmingly negative take on romantic relationships.   read more

Age 11+
Battlefield
3

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Common Sense Media's music reviews and ratings for all ages are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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