The Champion in Me

Review

Common Sense Media says

Gold medal rock from Olympic soundtrack.
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
 
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this song from the Olympic AT&T Team USA Soundtrack is about working hard to achieve your goals. The single's video shows the band rocking out on stage interspersed with clips of Olympic athletes.

  • Positive messages3
    Super-charged lyrics are all about tackling hurdles and working hard to achieve your goals: "You said that mountain's too high/you said that ocean's too wide/I've heard all new beginnings started with an end/Watch this journey I take/turn into something I make."
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism3
    This single is part of the Olympic soundtrack album titled the AT&T Team USA Soundtrack. The album also endorses the Olympics and the televised coverage of the events. Although the album promotes AT&T, all proceeds from the album sales are being donated to Team USA.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
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What's the story?

3 Doors Down is just one of a number of artists (including Nelly and Sheryl Crow) who have contributed tracks for the Team USA Soundtrack (proceeds from the album goes to support U.S. athletes). Expect to hear a lot of this rock song about going for the gold in life, as it will be featured heavily on the televised Olympic coverage.

Is it any good?

 

If you need a song to get your adrenaline pumping and your game face on, this track delivers. The thunderous vocals from lead singer Brad Arnold and serious hard rock guitar riffs give this song an appealing edge, keeping it from becoming too sentimental or cliche. The lyrics are straightforward and get right to the point that being a champion requires lots of hard work and dedication: "Everyday I try and I'll do everything that it takes to become the one/what I've always wanted to be." Can you picture the Olympic montages now?

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What families can talk about

Families can talk about how music and sports go together. Can you think of other times besides the Olympics when music is used in sports? Do you think a song like this will help NBC promote its Olympic coverage? Does the song and video get you excited for the Olympic games? Also, do you think having financial support from major sponsors and musical groups gives the U.S. team an unfair advantage against other countries?

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
Adult
October 19, 2010
AGE
11
 
Question
About three-fourths of the way through the song, during a part where there's some instrumental stuff and some low-key talking in the background, it sounds like the lead singer uses the s-word. Help? I really love this song - love the message, love the beat, love the drums, love the guitar - so I'm hoping I'm wrong.
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This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
Artist:3 Doors Down
Release date:August 1, 2008
Label:Universal Republic
Genre:Rock
Parental advisory:No
This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 

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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.
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BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
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FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
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