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Good Girl Gone Bad (by Rihanna, Pop)

common sense media says

Hot hits are filled with sexy double entendres.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this album's lyrics contain a lot of playful sexual innuendo ("Got all the drive but a whole lot of boom in the back/You look like you can handle what's under my hood") that might go over younger kids' heads. There's also some provocative content on the subject of handling anger and control issues in relationships in songs like "Breaking Dishes." Several brand names are mentioned too.

Positive messages: A lot of subtle sexism, along with the assumption that men are in charge of relationships. There's also a "stand up for yourself, girlfriend" message here and there -- this one's all over the map.
Violence: One song describes breaking dishes and burning a cheating lover's clothes.
Sex: A lot of innuendo, explicit in a couple of instances: "I'm hot like the block/Ugh Huh you like that/know you wanna bite that" and "My engine's ready to explode, explode, explode/So start me up and watch me go, go, go, go."
Language: The word "ass" appears once.
Consumerism: At least five brand names mentioned (cars and handbags), and an insert advertising makeup and ringtones.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Good Girl Gone Bad

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about Rihanna's maturing image. She's no longer a kid, and her song lyrics reflect her development as an artist. What does a song like "Breaking Dishes" say to you? How do you handle your anger when you have a fight with someone you love? Is breaking something (like dishes) a better outlet than starting a physical fight? Are there other solutions that might be more effective?

What's the story?

What's the story?
In one sparkling, danceable track after another, Rihanna explores many aspects of love and relationships on GOOD GIRL GONE BAD. As a young woman coming into adulthood, the artist celebrates her own sexual power on songs like "Push Up on Me" ("Let's play a game, I won't be a tease/I'll show you the boom, my sexy little thing"). She finds a creative outlet for expressing anger at a cheating lover ("I'm breaking dishes/up in here all night…I ain't gonna stop until I see the police lights" on "Breaking Dishes"); and she stands up for the power of open, honest communication on "Say It" ("Emotions running wild/I could feel it when I'm next to you/Something's on your mind…blow your secret open wide").

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The songwriting is predictable and mostly ho-hum. Messages are all over the road, with two parts codependency to one part self-esteem at every turn. But it's the loving production and hypnotic rhythm tracks that make this "good girl gone bad shine." Girls and young women negotiating the ups and downs of relationships will find a lot to love, anyway.

Vocally, Rihanna is most successful on the upbeat, danceable tracks, where her sassy spirit (and generously applied digital effects) help beef things up. Her voice is maturing, but still a little weak and thin for emotive ballads.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: June 5, 2007
Label: Island
Genre: Pop

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 
 

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What parents & educators say

6

Most useful reviews by all members

xo_with_love
teen, 14 years old
 
Good Girl Gone Bad
I LOVE this CD

dfeeel2
teen, 17 years old
 
The Revolution of Pop Music!
Rihanna really shines in this album. She parts ways with her overly Carribean influenced sound, and breaks into an edgier, funner sound. I suggest the album (Reloaded) to those above 13. Umbrella is an undeniably catchy, anthematic song. Tracks like Push Up On Me, Please Don't Stop the Music, Lemme Get That, etc. demand attention and party music to it's very best. With GGGB, Rihanna has revolutionized pop music in the 2000s. Just take a look at the facts. She stands at the top of the biz, being the female solo artist with the most number one hits this decade. 3 of the 5 came from this album, including the Reloaded version. Excellent album, keep it up Rihanna.

JJLee
kid, 13 years old
 
Gasp
it had sexual things not appropriate for ages under 9

mathgirlie
teen, 14 years old
 
12 and up....
There is some innuendo ("set me up and watch me go go go") but only in select songs like "Shut Up and Drive" and "Push Up On Me" - the rest are danceable and fine for most kids over twelve!

samhighley123
parent of and 4 , 6 , 9 , 11 , 12 year old
 
Everyone will want a listen!
My kids love it! 3&5 like "Disturbia", 8 likes "Question Existing", and 10&11 LOVE "Lemme Get That" and "Rehab". A bit of references to doing actions that my toddler can't do, but this is a very good album. Me and hubby love it too!

emily12
teen, 16 years old
 
The Music is Awesome but...
The music is really good and i have cought myself singing "Shut up and drive" and "breaking dishes" and other songs but the whole cd is like...not fun enough. I like rihanna because she seems real and open and fun. but love songs and sad songs and that just make you want to lay down! i want to jump up and dance more!

VideoGamer65
kid, 11 years old
 
Well...
I have this song on my Mp3 and listen to it all the time.Most of the objectionable content I hadn't noticed until CSM pointed it out.In the song "Shut Up and Drive" she mentions a Cadillac car.She mentions the word "a--" and "b----" but those are the most explicit things I heard.

pianocutie95
teen, 16 years old
 
catchy tunes, if she'd change the words
I think probably the ONLY track I am allowed to listen to off this CD is "Disturbia". She has a great voice, and she shouldn't waste it with trashy lyrics for trashy songs. Everything in this world DOES NOT HAVE TO BE ABOUT "YOU KNOW WHAT!"

Katy0
teen, 17 years old
 
Savory Dance-Pop
"Good Girl Gone Bad" features many great songs with hypnotic beats, so it's unfortunate that there's a lot of innuendo.

jakek6
teen, 15 years old
 
13 and up.
Good songs, but some sexual behavior. One use of a**.

gsayi2
teen, 16 years old
 
its raining
yeah umbrella is okay shut up and drive is possibly the worst song ive ever heard . Sexual content is too much on this album. Rhianna my as...

bookworm112
teen, 16 years old
 
Still loving it...
Rihanna is a young and talented artist who I have to admit I didn't like for a while. When I first of heard of her, I thought she was just like all the other party girls in the rap industry today. But when I heard the song "Pon De Replay" she proved me wrong! It was catchy and completely clean. But as Rihanna got older, so did her music. Her second album, A Girl Like Me, featured the song Break it Off, a catchy tune that's just a little bit explict. Now she's made three albums in less than two years. Good Girl Gone Bad is the perfect balance of catchy dance songs and love ballads. Some of my favorite songs on this album are Rehab, Umbrella, and Shut Up And Drive.

markb86
adult
 
No one under 21 years of age should be allowed to buy this album!
I have a feeling all the songs on this album are suggestive, except for one that is violent. I have also heard the liner notes have pornography. If artists are going to do this, they may as well go to the adult industry!

LittleMinajWarrior
teen, 14 years old
 
Lovin it so much! Great comeback, Rihanna!
This is the entrance of the new and the now Rihanna. This album is amazing, and the first one I heard by her. It's also my favorite Rihanna album. It's incredible. You wouldn't expect such a good album after the last two failures. Get Reloaded! This album is fun, catchy, danceable, awesome, epic, cool, and everything but bad! A little bit sexier, but not really bad. The only songs off of here I don't like are Sell Me Candy and Lemme Get That. This album is truly epic. Better than Rated R, which comes next, which is her REAL revealing of her dirty side. My favorites on this album are Disturbia, Don't Stop The Music, Push Up On Me, and Good Girl Gone Bad. This album is so cool! These are upbeat party songs, that don't even focus on drinking, smoking, or drugs. By the way, why even put product placement on here? Who cares? It's not like they're putting a commercial in their songs, they got permission, and they have the money. It's not like it's a problem, nobody cares. You can't stop dancing after you listen to this. And it's also hard to stop singing the music. This is real pop.

corneater
parent of 12 year old
 
A few suggestive themes but it's ok for the most part
The cd is just ok, but some of the suggestive themes get annoying after a while. I don't mind most songs that contain a few provocative themes but, however this cd is loaded with to many ideas including to that behavior. The cd was just ok, 4 me. It wasn't my fave but, I guess it could've been worse. Rihanna is a sell out in my opinion though, which makes it hard 4 me to take the cd seriously. Overall....she did ok.

Karluveva13
teen, 14 years old
 
NICE CD
I love "disturbia" it is a very cool song. I like to dance to this song with my brother. The other songs on that CD is cool 2. I think this song is for the ages 11+. Rihanna did a good job!!

pink-netty
teen, 15 years old
 
good cd
the music is kind of average and what you'd expect. some stuff is not suitable for little kids

lilyallen101
teen, 17 years old
 
Good music gone bad
All of these songs on this album are explicit in some way. It is very upbeat and my fave album ever! Pause for 15+.

nygurl
teen, 17 years old
 
Wow
Rihanna really changed within a year and I respect her as an artist. She's trying to steer away from her innocent image and if that's what she wants to do, then hey. That's her. Some songs did contain some sexual content and I was surprised because the music on her first two albums were very clean and appropiate. If you listen closely to her lyrics, then you'll hear what I'm talking about. But, she is an adult and she is growing up. I love Breakin' Dishes and Umbrella was a cool hit for a while. Other songs were good too. I wish Rihanna the best of luck.

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