 | 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. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
"Dear John" (CD Single)
- By Taylor Swift
- Genre: Country
Common Sense Media says
Swift has harsh words for an ex; OK for older tweens and up.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this single, off of Ms. Swift's new album, is rumored to be about singer John Mayer. The lyrics are a little bitter, talking about a one-sided, rather unhealthy relationship, with the subject of the song playing with a too-young heart, but the song avoids talk of sex or bad language. The topic of this kind of relationship is a little mature for younger kids, though; best for older tweens and up.
What's the story?
Taylor Swift hasn't made a secret of the fact that her music could be a page out of her diary. With high-profile romances and breakups with some of Hollywood's most eligible bachelors, the stories that come through in her lyrics become much more interesting. "DEAR JOHN" is a sad, somewhat bitter song about an ex that played and betrayed her heart.
Is it any good?
If there's anything to be learned by Taylor Swift's album Speak Now, it's to be really nice to her and never break her heart. Or else. In "Dear John," Swift croons about a past relationship that was wrong from the start. The "John" in this single, rumored to be John (a-hem "The Player") Mayer, gets some harsh words from the sweet country songbird: "Maybe it's you and your sick need to give love and take it away. You'll add my name to your long list of traitors who don't understand." Ouch. The music is slow, sad, and intense, and Swift tells off the guy in question: "Dear John, don't you think nineteen's too young to be played with your dark twisted games, when I loved you so? I shoulda known." Yet another anthem for wronged girls everywhere...
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the rumor that this song is about a fellow signer, John Mayer. What do you think about the autobiographical lyrics and themes in Swift's music and the public relationships that she's had with other celebrities?
Do you think it's fair that Swift may be writing about other celebrities in
her songs? Does it make you want to buy the music more when there is
added drama like this?The lyrics are about a one-sided, unhealthy relationship saying, "Don't you think nineteen's too young to be played by your dark, twisted games when I loved you so?" What do you think about this song? Can you relate to the lyrics or the relationship?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
July 25, 2011
AGE
Good song for tweens and up
A little slow at first but good song
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AGE
Ok.
Not one of my favourites, but there are no issues with it.
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AGE
Great!
I love Taylor! Amazing singer & amazing song. I love how all these songs are about what she feels and real-life situations. Some lyrics are harsh, but it's an amazing song overall.
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AGE
Taylor Swift is a good role model for a lot of kids, I don't understand why this song is 'only appropriate' for kids over the age of twelve. This song is great, it may not be a perfect example of how to handle a relationship, but Taylor wrote the song to tell her story and maybe keep other people from making the same mistakes.
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AGE
This is one of my favorite songs. It expresses the pain of being played by the guy you loved and trusted and overcoming and rising above it. It has no foul language or sexual references unlike other songs these days. I feel it's appropriate for all ages. It's gives the message that you should be careful in your relationships and if the other is hurting you it ok to end it. It also says that you can get up again and "shine like fireworks" when someone has hurt you. I do not agree with common sense in saying it's for older kids. What more to you want, Taylor and her songs are clean, beautiful, and you can relate to them. They give you advice for problems in your life and let you know that life is not always fairytales although it's fun to live like that.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 13, 2011
AGE
SERIOSLY 6 YEAR OLDS SING HER SONGS
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AGE
Good song
This song was pretty (though really long) .
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Kid, 11 years old
April 12, 2011
AGE
I love Swift!!!!!! I think the song is kinda long though. Some of the lyrics are kinda harsh we don't know John Mayors side of the story maybe he thinks shes a brat and wants everyone to treated her like a princess and think shes always right, idk. I DO NOT AGREE WITH COMMON SENSE ITS FINE FOR 8 AND UP!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
I'll pray for you John
I haven't heard this song, but I assume it's about her sending a letter to some kid who may have accidentally heard one of her songs on the radio, and now is unable to hear. I'm still waiting for my letter, hope it arrives soon
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AGE
Great story, great song, luv the movie!
I love this song and the movie "Dear John". It's sweet, a wonderful piece by Taylor Swift, she's a real artist. I would've rated it "6 and up" but it promotes the movie, which is 10 and up to me, just sayin. -out
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| Artist: | Taylor Swift |
| Release date: | October 25, 2010 |
| Label: | Big Machine Records |
| Genre: | Country |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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