Handpicked by Our Editors

"Wash Your Hands" (CD single)
Age 3+
4

"Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

Why We Recommend It

Feel like a broken record about clean hands? This cute ditty may make an impression and send kids to the sink.

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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"Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)" (CD single) by All Time Low
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a pretty tame song, aside from the "police scene, chalk line" analogy to feeling hurt by the object of your affections -- and the reference to drinking tequila shots as a way to cushion the blow. read more

Age 14+
"Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don't)" (CD single)
3
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Scream Aim Fire by Bullet for My Valentine
Parents Need to Know...

that this metal-meets-punk album contains four-letter words and violent imagery, but also some very sweet content about love and separation. read more

Age 15+
Scream Aim Fire
4
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"I Don't Care" (CD single) by Fall Out Boy
Parents Need to Know...

that this song is about "finding happiness in misery," even if it means presenting a life of vanity and selfishness. There's mention of a cigarette and very minor innuendo in a few lines, but that's it. Side note: The video is a little ... read more

Age 12+
"I Don't Care" (CD single)
4
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Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace by The Offspring
Parents Need to Know...

that The Offspring's edgy songs contain four-letter words and a lot of violent metaphors. On the plus side, the lyrics are so clever -- and sometimes barely audible -- that they don't come across as really offensive. Songs also explore ... read more

Age 14+
Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace
4
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Bang Bang Boom Cake by Tiny Masters of Today
Parents Need to Know...

that this band boasts an average age of 12 and, together, weigh less than one typical teenager. Their intense, punk-rock expressions of outrage over the world they are inheriting are visceral, powerful, and perhaps somewhat naive. read more

Age 8+
Bang Bang Boom Cake
4
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Louder Now by Taking Back Sunday
Parents Need to Know...

that Taking Back Sunday's lyrics allude to emotionally heavy subject matter, but so obtusely that they are wide open to interpretation, and will go over many heads. Most parents will have very little patience with the pretentious attitude. read more

Age 13+
Louder Now
3
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Greatest Hits by Blink-182
Parents Need to Know...

that "clean" versions of Blink-182 albums are surprisingly well-produced and skillfully edited, and a viable option for families uncomfortable with occasionally explicit lyrics. read more

Age 14+
Greatest Hits
3
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You Could Have It So Much Better by Franz Ferdinand
Parents Need to Know...

that these intelligent and witty songs contain just a few violent images and drinking/drug references. read more

Age 14+
You Could Have It So Much Better
4
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Sleeping in the Nothing by Kelly Osbourne
Parents Need to Know...

that the edited version holds together just fine from a musical and lyrical point of view, but still contains some explicit language in a song about date rape. read more

Age 15+
Sleeping in the Nothing
3
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Here's to the Mourning by Unwritten Law
Parents Need to Know...

that this CD could be rated "R" for "Redundant" -- also for some sexual content, drug references, and swearing. read more

Age 16+
Here's to the Mourning
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Gold Medal by The Donnas
Parents Need to Know...

that The Donnas are a breath of fresh air, especially for girls who would rather play with their guitar distortion boxes than their belly-button piercings. read more

Age 12+
Gold Medal
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Chuck by Sum 41
Parents Need to Know...

that this is exciting and energetic Nuevo-punk plus music with a message. read more

Age 14+
Chuck
4
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The Chronicles of Life & Death (Death Art Version) by Good Charlotte
Parents Need to Know...

that Good Charlotte gets to the heart of the matter with graphic (but PG-rated) imagery. Some fans might find it irritating that there are two versions of this CD, with the only variation being the bonus track. read more

Age 14+
The Chronicles of Life & Death (Death Art Version)
4
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The Chronicles of Life & Death (Life Art Version) by Good Charlotte
Parents Need to Know...

that this band gets to the heart of the matter with graphic (but PG-rated) imagery. Some fans might find it irritating that there are two versions of this CD, with the only variation being the bonus track. read more

Age 14+
The Chronicles of Life & Death (Life Art Version)
4
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American Idiot by Green Day
Parents Need to Know...

that there are four-letter words and a few drug and alcohol references that make contextual sense in this long-awaited punk rock opera. Your mileage will vary, but there's nothing to worry about for most literate, sophisticated older ... read more

Age 15+
American Idiot
4
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Tyrannosaurus Hives by The Hives
Parents Need to Know...

that slightly edgy lyrics notwithstanding, this album is a lot of fun. This CD will be especially inspiring to young students of rock guitar. read more

Age 13+
Tyrannosaurus Hives
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Phantom Planet by Phantom Planet
Parents Need to Know...

that the overall message of adolescent angst is in the quirky, guitar-driven music. read more

Age 12+
Phantom Planet
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Splinter by The Offspring
Parents Need to Know...

that this contains edgy songs well sung, but there's lots of drinking, sex, and dubious portrayals of women here. But then again, they're punk. read more

Age 16+
Splinter
4
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Blink-182 by Blink-182
Parents Need to Know...

that this gutsy album will resonate with teenage boys -- whether or not their parents like it. There is talk of sex, swear words, and drinking, but nothing too explicit. read more

Age 14+
Blink-182
4
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Ocean Avenue by Yellowcard
Parents Need to Know...

that this CD has interesting songs and performances, all PG-rated, a refreshing change from today's overprocessed pop. Notice the terrific harmony vocal arrangements, and the quirky fiddle. read more

Age 10+
Ocean Avenue
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The Young and the Hopeless by Good Charlotte
Parents Need to Know...

that this album is a minefield of behavior to be avoided, or a rich source of conversation about tough subjects like alcoholism ("The Story of My Old Man"), crack cocaine ("The Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous"), obsessive love ("My Bloody ... read more

Age 14+
The Young and the Hopeless
4

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About Our Reviews

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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