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
Why do kids want iPods?

Teen music expresses complex emotions that young teens feel but can't articulate. That's why kids 12-14 want MP3 players -- so they can download music that speaks to their wild emotions and listen to it privately.

A good place to start: MP3 players are an expensive way to support the teen music habit. Establish rules before kids go online about how much and what kind of music is OK to download. Oh, and make sure kids do so legally!

Music Reviews

Browse Genres

See all 25 Genres...

Show Reviews for:

New Music Reviews for Early Teens (ages 12-14)

shakira-she-wolf-album-cover.jpg
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
mayer.JPG
Battle Studies by John Mayer
Parents Need to Know...

that in both his lifestyle and music, John Mayer is just a little too mature for younger kids -- engaging in public relationships with various women and singing about adult topics like substance use and one-night stands.  read more

Age 12+
Battle Studies
4
chris_brown.JPG
"I Can Transform Ya" (CD single) by Chris Brown
Parents Need to Know...

that  this combo rap-R&B song by Chris Brown offers lots of references to girls and material goods, but it doesn't incorporate profane language or graphic descriptions of sex, drinking/drugs, and violence.  read more

Age 13+
"I Can Transform Ya" (CD single)
3
Esom-single-cover.jpg
"Empire State of Mind" (CD single) by Jay-Z
Parents Need to Know...

this single is milder than most rap songs and cleaner than most of Jay-Z's other works. There are a few questionable traits to the song, however, that make it best for teens and up. First, there's the use of the N-word, plus a few other ... read more

Age 14+
"Empire State of Mind" (CD single)
4
ladyg.JPG
"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
taylors.JPG
Fearless Platinum Edition by Taylor Swift
Parents Need to Know...

that like all of Taylor Swift's music, her new FEARLESS PLATINUM EDITION CD/DVD is great for tweens: it contains nothing offensive, yet it's relevant enough for young adults to like. read more

Age 12+
Fearless Platinum Edition
4
51z39qcPISL._SS500_.jpg
I Told You I Was Freaky by Flight of the Conchords
Parents Need to Know...

that although this album's humor is good-natured and mainly self-effacing, the language and sexual themes make the songs only appropriate for older audiences. The album covers adult themes like prostitution, the male anatomy, and ... read more

Age 14+
I Told You I Was Freaky
3
usher.JPG
"Papers" (CD single) by Usher
Parents Need to Know...

that this song touches on a serious topic: divorce. Usher doesn't use swear words or go into graphic detail about the intimate details, but his general description of an exceptionally difficult marriage and subsequent break-up will still ... read more

Age 13+
"Papers" (CD single)
3
madonna.JPG
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
mimi.JPG
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
drake2.JPG
So Far Gone by Drake
Parents Need to Know...

that though this album is by no means clean -- with more than a few curse words, sexual descriptions, and references to partying -- it's certainly not the dirtiest or most shallow record out there, offering some introspective lyrics that ... read more

Age 14+
So Far Gone
4
new_moon.JPG
"Meet Me on the Equinox" (CD single) by Death Cab for Cutie
Parents Need to Know...

that like Twilight the movie and the Twilight Saga book series, this song from the New Moon movie soundtrack is OK for tweens but a bit too much for young children: it's fairly clean throughout yet includes one light mention of sex.  read more

Age 13+
"Meet Me on the Equinox" (CD single)
3
jay z 1.JPG
The Blueprint 3 by Jay-Z
Parents Need to Know...

that though Jay-Z runs in the most hardcore of rap circles, he's also interested in achieving mainstream success with his records; as a result, even the explicit version of this album is a type of "rap-lite" that includes some ... read more

Age 13+
The Blueprint 3
4
blg.JPG
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
51GgXoJnvrL._SS400_.jpg
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
taking_woodstock poster s.jpg
Taking Woodstock Movie Soundtrack by Various Artists
Parents Need to Know...

that while the songs on this soundtrack lack the gratuitous sex and drugs included in much of today's music, these themes are still present in a more muted way -- which could lead kids to want to initiate a larger discussion about this ... read more

Age 14+
Taking Woodstock Movie Soundtrack
4
Chris-Brown22.jpg
"Changed Man" (CD single) by Chris Brown
Parents Need to Know...

that this song seems like Brown's apology to Rihanna following his felony arrest for making criminal threats against her. But it's important to note that there's no mention of domestic violence, fighting, or abuse in the lyrics and no ... read more

Age 12+
"Changed Man" (CD single)
3
51Rtyo4XIKL._SS400_.jpg
Jessie James by Jessie James
Parents Need to Know...

that this album is filled with mature content. James sings about infidelity (as a good thing!), making love, and looking hot. In one song she advocates arson as a way of getting back at an ex. The flirty singer keeps things somewhat PG-13 ... read more

Age 14+
Jessie James
4
51DryYFfaML._SS400_.jpg
I Get Around by K'Jon
Parents Need to Know...

that this album is very teen- and even tween-friendly. There's no bad language, and the LP ignores the trend to include lots of sexy dialogue in the R&B songs. In fact, there are a lot of good messages here, and K'Jon sings about ... read more

Age 13+
I Get Around
4
tis.JPG
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
61SfbTFm07L._SS500_.jpg
(500) Days of Summer Soundtrack by Various Artists
Parents Need to Know...

that this is a collection of retro-rock and modern songs that mirrors the romantic trials that are the centerpiece of the movie. While there are a few moments not appropriate for all listeners (namely the Black Lips' teen rebel anthem ... read more

Age 14+
(500) Days of Summer Soundtrack
4

Recommended Music Lists

See more lists >

Find Music by Title


A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

About Our Reviews

Common Sense Media's music reviews and ratings for early teens 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.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.