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"I Kissed a Girl" (CD single) (by Katy Perry, Pop)

common sense media says

Some same-sex lip locking.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Katy Perry's hit single about wanting to kiss a girl is flirty and really doesn't get graphic. She does present bisexuality as something temporary -- her experimenting with a girl might just be for the benefit of her boyfriend. Perry admits that she had a drink in order to build up the courage to go ahead with the kiss. The video features women in fishnets with Perry stroking herself very suggestively.

Positive messages: Talks about a girl's sexual experimentation with another girl -- but she already has a boyfriend. "I kissed a girl just to try it/I hope my boyfriend don't mind it" and "No, I don't even know your name/It doesn't matter/You're my experimental game."
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Some same-sex kissing, which may or may not have been a way to cheat on a boyfriend, but that's about it. The video features women in fishnets with Perry stroking herself very suggestively.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Perry definitely wasn't sober for the events of the song to take place. "I got so brave/drink in hand/lost my discretion" is the second line.

More on "I Kissed a Girl" (CD single)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about their own attitudes towards homosexuality and bisexuality. What might it feel like for a straight girl to have feelings for another girl? Does this song present stereotypes or debunk them? Why do you think this song is popular? Could this song have been played on the radio five years ago?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Katy Perry's catchy, swinging techno-pop tune is danceable, fun, and -- oh yeah -- about a girl kissing a girl. This follow-up to another one of Perry's homosexual-centric songs, "UR So Gay," is on top of the iTunes download lists.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
I KISSED A GIRL has a sound that's undoubtedly enjoyable, and Perry's low voice suits the club beat perfectly, making it more rockin' than the usual run of radio pop hits. It's also great to hear a song so sensual without being sexual. The lyrics, however, may present a problem to gay or gay-friendly parents; it's up to the listener whether hearing about a same-sex kiss as "no big deal" is also worth hearing about it as "not what good girls do." The video underscores both messages, setting Perry in a Moulin Rouge-like club surrounded by women in fishnets, but there's no same-sex romantic contact -- at the end Perry wakes up next to a man.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: July 10, 2008
Label: Capitol
Genre: Pop

This review was written by Emma Dinkelspiel
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Stop being Homophobic
the song is not inappropriate. It basically says that it is okay to kiss a person of your same gender without being gay or bi. I don't understand why same sex kissing is considered inappropriate. Overall I would say this song is good for eleven and up because they do mention drinking.

mathgirlie
teen, 14 years old
 
CSM is PREJUDICED!
I can't understand why CSM doesn't like this song! I mean, yeah, there's some questionable material, like Katy using a girl as a *game*, but other than that, there's really nothing wrong here. I think that CSM is a little prejudiced against gay/lesbian people!

Squid Kid
kid, 13 years old
 
This is a dirty song, believe it or not
This isn't a very good somg for kids to listen to. Well, you're probably saying "C'mon, N.M., this song isn't bad because she isn't homosexual and only kissed the girl to impress her boyfriend. It's kind of a dirty song with sexy issues in it (in my family, "sexy" is used to mean anything having to do with sex). There are drugs, and she kissed a member of her gender. It's almost like she promotes this. C'mon, Katy, give us a nice, clean song with no sexy topics in it. Whatcha' waiting for?

TheBookWorm101
kid, 13 years old
 
Thats Not Right
This song is a bad example to kids everywhere. What kind of person sings this? I don't like it. Catchy rhythm but horrible lyrics.

Lissya98
kid, 13 years old
 
ummm....
Not a fan of this song...dont think its right and it was very random... Love katy perry she has some songs that surprise me like your say gay and this song....

turtlekins
teen, 16 years old
 
WHAT?
OK, What? People are fine with cheating on a boyfriend + drinking... but we're not okay with two girls kissing? I think people need to figure out what is REALLY important... anyway, great song. Also, just because YOU wouldn't kiss a girl that doesn't mean that nobody else should.

MeTheCrazyOne99
kid, 13 years old
 
Iffy
I love this song, but it is kinda going too far, but I still LUV this song!!!! One of my fav's! But it is a very lesbian song, which is a bad message, it gives the message that being with the same sex is OK. That's not true! But I enjoy this song.

queenofrandom01
teen, 15 years old
 
for kids who can understand it
its not that bad! as long as ppls can understand and be mature about it its fine! and whats wrong with gay ppls or lesbian ppls? its wrong to be who you want to be? NO! there is nothing wrong with being gay but i myself am not just making a point

Hotaru Chan
teen, 14 years old
 
It's not THAT bad...
As long as kids can understand what is right and wrong here, I think it's fine. I can understand why people would think it's not appropriate, since the singer does pretty much use the girl she kissed as an experiment, but I don't think it's too terrible. Also, why is everyone saying that it's wrong to kiss another girl? That's being prejudiced against lesbians and gays. I myself am not lesbian, but I don't see anything wrong with it.

mypikachu123
kid, 13 years old
 
A girl kissing another girl?
I like Katy Perry. She's a good singer and I like this song. One concern though. Katy Perry talks about KISSING another GIRL. What is up with THAT? Parents must watch out for that one! Perry also says she already has a boyfriend.

Pit bull loverr
kid, 12 years old
 
Again a good song but not the best for kids.

ThenewWelxhGirl09
kid, 10 years old
 
Not the kind of song I would let my kids lsten to if I was an adult.
This song does have some messages that could send thoughts into kids mind like,"I kissed a girl just to try it I hope my boyfriend don't mind it" and "No, I don't even know your name it doesn't matter you're my experimental game." There are some references to drinking, but they aren't very big, "I got so brave drink in hand lost my discretion" She really is lesbian-like in this song.

ilovecookiez
teen, 14 years old
 
Catchy, but sick D:
I can't believe Katy Perry would come up with this... It's just nasty x_x I hope this isn't based on a true story...

deliaX713
teen, 16 years old
 
Mixed Messages, but good for mature tweens/teens
Yes, this song is about experimentation with the same sex but the only reason I wouldn't let children under 13 listen to it is because of its refrence to getting back at her boyfriend and getting drunk. Its perfectly reasonable to experiment, it's human nature to want to. I think that mature teens should listen to this, to understand that it is okay to be bisexual or homosexual. There is nothing wrong with it, and there should be more songs about it.

dr duck
teen, 15 years old
 
Sexy, rebelious single is for teens.
Its fun. But iffy

Minimimi
teen, 14 years old
 
guys shes an artist she writes catchy songs that arent to serious you guys acutally beleive she kissed a girl?!?! ^.^ you amuse me..

chocolatelover4
kid, 12 years old
 
What the heck
I don't get it? Isn't she a gurl! "i kissed a GURL and i liked it!" ew thats so lez!

MeTheCrazyOne99TWO
teen, 14 years old
 
.....???
Honestly, I love this song. It's almost the catchiest song on "One Of The Boys". But I'm not allowed to listen to it. But are you serious? You think this song is BAD? It's not even REAL! Katy is just SAYING that she got drunk and kissed a girl, listen she GOT DRUNK. Well not really, this song is all FICTIONAL. Even when she says sexual phrases she's just SAYING it. That's what pop stars do. They WANT you to THINK they're like that to encourage that behavior and message and to look "cool". This is just a silly, stupid, fake song. So don't get all worked up, OK? But still not the best thing to sing about. Hey, it's way better than "Peacock"!

BlueZebrae
kid, 12 years old
 
Thumbs Up! <3
The beat is really fun without being annoying, and you have to admit Katy Perry has some style. And if you're on the line about this because of the lesbian vibe, that's your opinion, but I think homosexuals are people too, and I sing this song loud and proud! And I agree that CSM is prejudiced against gays.

CrazyBlu4Eva
kid, 10 years old
 
Weird.Okay for older teens.
Okay,so the singer is a girl,Katy Perry.It can be weird saying the main lyrics,"I kissed a girl and I liked it."when you're a girl.

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