Circus

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Pop princess sings mainly about -- surprise! -- sex.
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
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a steamy album with lots of seductive lyrics -- as well as moaning and purring. While many of the songs are catchy and danceable, the words and messages don't waiver much from the central theme: sex.

  • Some songs celebrate clubbing and partying, as well as the idea of acting in certain ways to get attention. On some tracks Spears shows off a strong character and talks about not being victimized or fooled.
  • Not applicable.
  • On "Mmm Papi" Spears moans and sings seductively ("Lil' miss fast car,
    I can really get far, and don't break my heart, let's make out (Let's make out! Let's make out!)." "Lace and Leather" is a sort of vocal strip tease that talks about lingerie and high heels.
  • "Hell" is said once and "b-tch" is sung on the song "Lace and Leather." "Blur" includes the line, "This sh-t is way too f--king bright." But the expletives are edited out. The song "If You Seek Amy" contains a play on words you wouldn't want your tweens and teens to repeat.
  • A few songs include references to Spears buying what she wants. Having money is equated with power: "I get things, everything I wanted / My own way, your time, goldmines."
  • "If U Seek Amy" makes references to smoking and drinking cocktails. "Blur" is about someone who can't remember what she did the night before, as if she in a drunken blackout.

What's the story?

The follow-up to her less-than impressive CD Blackout, CIRCUS finds Spears back in familiar territory. The dozen tracks are a collection primarily about no-good, two-timing, deceptive guys, while the rest range from seductive celebrations of sexy men ("Mmm Papi" and "Lace and Leather") to a tribute to her children ("My Baby").


Is it any good?

 

With Circus, Spears addresses her critics and attempts to prove that she's still got it. The album resurrects

the pouty-faced pop singing of the star's youth -- with mixed results. You'll hear some "Baby One More Time"-type vocals as well as an ultra-sugary sweet ballad ("My Baby"). There are some addictive beats and hooks on the album, most notably on the successful "Womanizer" and "Radar."

 

But sex in all its variations reigns. The song "If You Seek Amy" has a sly double entendre (say it slowly and you'll get it). And her try at Latin rhythms on "Mmm Papi," finds her using an older man. Kids will probably just want to download the hot singles, not the entire album. And that's probably a good thing.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about Britney Spears the singer and Britney Spears the media object. How does Spears' music differ from her public image? How does she treat the media on this album -- including the title's allusion to a "media circus?" Do you think she is hurt or helped by all the tabloid attention she has received? Why do you think that many of her songs refer to her publicized scandals?


This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
Parent of 19 year old
September 24, 2009
 
awe great song bad video!!!
the song by itself is OK but the music video is REALLY NOT GOOD! They show britney waking around in her bra and undies! and the basic point of the song when she says "all eyes on me in the center of the ring just like a circus" it means all the boys are foucusing on her and how sexy she is! GROSS!

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Teen, 14 years old
October 31, 2009
 
great but some things to watch out for
i aggree with common sense all Britney seems to focus on now adays is singing and talking about sex. the songs may sound good but listen closley to the words and watch the music videos ( there inaprpreat) but still i love the songs!

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Teen, 15 years old
October 13, 2009
 
Sad. Why does Spears sound like a chipmunk nowadays? Sex filled content songs like Mmm papi and If you Seek Amy are full of it. Britney thinks she's so great and gorgeous well NEWS FLASH! There are hotter people out there who don't advertise their sexual lives on CD'S!

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Parent of 5, 7, and 14 year old
February 27, 2009
 
Errrm - not for my pre-teen!
Full of sexual innuendo and alcohol and drug references. The worst is the song “If You Seek Amy”, which is actually pronounced “F.*.*.K. me”!

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Teen, 14 years old
July 12, 2010
 
I HATE THIS CD I LIKE HER OLD MUSIC
i love britneys older songs those where good these suck

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Teen, 16 years old
April 25, 2010
 
ugh britney spears
If You Seek Amy which means F*** Me

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Kid, 10 years old
January 31, 2010
 
I love the song. but I do think it is bad for kids to see under 8. I think there is a little sex. so far this is my favorite artist. Iv'e only seen 4 music videos. And the lion might be scary for some kids.

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Adult
October 29, 2009
 
My Circus Album Review
I think it should be on for 17 and many parents would not let their kids listen to her music because of the sexual messages in her lyrics. Great album and debut!

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Parent of 11 and 12 year old
January 14, 2011
 
Typical Spears
I am surprised no one has brought up the Song "If You Seek Amy"... A CLEAR homophonic name that can be interpreted as “F-@-C-K me”. Even the video leaves NO question as to what "If You Seek Amy" stands for as men during one chorus thrust their groins at Spears in a VERY sexual manner and Women do the same in the next... I think she is just looking to sell whatever she can..... a warning should be on this one.

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Kid, 13 years old
August 7, 2010
 
AMAZING CD
I LOVE this CD! I got it for Christmas three or four years ago, and I still listen to it! I especially love the songs Blur and Circus. If U Seek Amy is sort of innuendo, but if a kid, for some reason listens to it, they probably won't get what it means, it took me a few months when I first got it. Not that I'm saying that you should let your five year old watch it, I'm just saying that if they hear it once or twice, it's not that big of a deal. Overall, some censored swearing (f,s...) but nothing TERRIBLE.

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This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
Artist:Britney Spears
Release date:December 2, 2008
Label:Jive Records
Genre:Pop
Parental advisory:No

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

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