 | 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. |
"Mean" (CD Single)
- By Taylor Swift
- Genre: Country
Common Sense Media says
Age-appropriate anthem for kids who've been bullied.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this single is about being bullied, and is autobiographical for Swift. It's an inspiring anthem for anyone who has ever been picked on to rise above it and realize that one day their life will be bigger and better, and that those bullies will always just be "mean." Like other Swift songs, the lyrics are clean; the references to bullying aren't graphic. Bullying is a relevant and touchy topic for tweens and teens, so this song offers a great opportunity to talk about the many ways kids can hurt each other and ways to prevent and deal with it.
What's the story?
Spunky country sweetheart Taylor Swift gets back at anyone who has ever picked on someone in "MEAN," a banjo-driven single from her third album, Speak Now. Like most of her self-written songs, this one touches on personal experience, letting Swift get the last word. With lyrics like "someday I'll be living in a big ol' city, and all you're ever gonna be is mean," Swift shows kids that it's better to take the high road with bullies and know that their lives are not defined by someone's cruel comments.
Is it any good?
Don't cross Taylor Swift -- she may write about it in a song that could end up winning a Grammy. It's unclear if "Mean" is about any ex-boyfriend in Tinsel Town per se, but it is (according to the singer) about a "boy from the past who crossed the line over and over just by being mean." It's more country than Swift's other singles, but full of the same vulnerability, honesty, and a little bit of fierceness that make all of her songs relatable and relevant for tweens and teens.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about what it means to be bullied. Have you ever been bullied? How did you feel? How did you deal with it?
Have you ever witnessed someone else being bullied? What can you do in those situations? Should you tell a parent or grown-up?
The lyrics "I bet you got pushed around, somebody made you feel cold,
but the cycle ends right now, you can't lead me down that road, because
you don't know what you don't know." What do you think this means? How
can the cycle of bullying be broken?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
I LOVE it!!! Relates to everyone!!
I love the way this song is about someone who has been bullied and how they can still have a great life afterwards. "Someday I'll be living in a big 'ole city, And all you're ver gonna MEAN. Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me. And all you're ever gonna be is MEAN" It is something everyone can relate to as most people have been bullied or seen a friend being bullied.
It also has a stronger country feel then most of her other songs. I absolutely love it!
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AGE
The "mentions of weapons" are figurative language. So there's really no problem, and the mention of her bitter bully being "drunk in a bar" is not viewed positively, so it's a pretty clean song.
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AGE
Okay song with a good message
Good song. Not my favorite, but good lyrics. I rated it 9+ because 9 year olds and up can probably better relate to this song, though bullying occurs in earlier ages.
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AGE
Great song with good message.
I'm not a big Swift fan (I do love country music, though), but this song has been on repeat for at least ten minutes. I think this song is very empowering for tweens. Unlike some of Taylor's other songs that suggest girls can't live without boys, this song has a good message. There's no problem putting this on a playlist for any young girl. CSM is definitely off the mark for this one.
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AGE
I think this song is more of an abusive relationship rather being bullied.
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AGE
Good for bullied kids
This is more country than most of Taylor's songs (I'm not a big fan of country), but I really like it. There's a reference to getting drunk in a bar, but that's about it. The references to violence were used abstractly. I think this song has a positive message about not letting a mean person bring you down, although some of the lyrics are fairly harsh ("All you are is mean/and a liar /and pathetic/and alone in life").
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AGE
Good song that talks about sticking up to a bully
I love this song from taylor swift, one of my favorites from her new album. I love how she talks about not letting a bully get to you. Reccommend this to any taylor swift lovers or anyone who feels bullied.
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AGE
MUSIC video is weird, but songs kijnda ok
In the Music Video some appear to be drunk, first a guy seems to be gay, but he just wanted to be a fashion designer
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AGE
Amazing Singer
Great Song for kids who have been bullied :)
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Kid, 10 years old
May 18, 2011
AGE
TayTay!
fantastic for kids like me who have been bullied,cyber-bullied, and teased. i LOVE this song
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| Artist: | Taylor Swift |
| Release date: | October 19, 2010 |
| Label: | Big Machine Records |
| Genre: | Country |
| Parental advisory: | No |
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