"Ordinary Girl" (CD single) (by Miley Cyrus, Pop)

common sense media says

Clean, cute song from Hannah Montana's final season.

parents & educators say

75% say there are positive messages
50% say there are positive role models

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that although this song has a bit of a snotty attitude at times ("Miss Popular, always on the road, put my best foot foward, gotta get on with the show / Everywhere I arrive, I get high fives, they pay me larger than life, but I'm just an ordinary girl"), it's still a super-clean track that includes no worrisome adult content whatsoever. Miley's latest projects may be more grownup, but this one is fine for tweens.

Positive messages: While a few lyrics are a little hard to swallow (for example, even though Miley's extra famous and gets paid "larger than life," she's just an "ordinary girl,") the tune has an overall positive message about seeing through money and materialism to the human being underneath.

Positive role models: While Miley has engaged in some more grownup behavior of late (see her album Can't Be Tamed for examples), she still keeps her Hannah Montana show and music tame.

Violence: Not applicable.

Sex: Not applicable.

Language: Not applicable.

Consumerism: Not applicable.

Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

Families can talk about how a young star like Miley Cyrus can balance the benefits of fame with its drawbacks. How much should a girl like Miley be expected to put on a good public face no matter what she's feeling inside?
How much privacy should young stars be given by the fans who love them?
Is it confusing that Miley puts out age-appropriate songs like this, but also is trying for an adult image and sound with other projects?

What's the story?

Much to the disappointment of Hannah Montana fans everywhere, the show will end with its fourth and final season, Hannah Montana Forever. "ORDINARY GIRL" is one of the first songs to be released from the season's soundtrack. In this tune, the show's young star, Miley Cyrus, sings about how she feels glad for the success she's had, but she also wants people to understand that she's still an "ordinary girl" at heart. At times, she takes this message just a little too far; for example, she talks about being "paid larger than life" yet still mentions occasionally "being bored." For the most part, however, she gives an honest, heartwarming account of what most tweens experience as they grow up: "Sometimes I'm lazy, I get bored, I get scared, I feel ignored, I feel happy, I get silly, I choke on my own words / I make wishes, I have dreams, and I still want to believe anything could happen in this world for an ordinary girl."

Is it any good?

It's too bad that the mediocre songs on Miley's recent album Can't Be Tamed don't sound more like this one. The track's solid, snappy guitar hook is backed by catchy percussive clapping and a chorus of cute young voices -- a set-up that sounds more suited to Miley's maturing vocals.

Music themes & details

Music Details

Released on: July 6, 2010
Label: Disney
Genre: Pop

This review was written by Stephanie Bruzzese

Review It

What parents & educators say

Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:

75% say there are positive messages
50% say there are positive role models
50% say they noticed product placement

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

Meow314159
teen, 15 years old

SHE HAS MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER!!!!!!!!!

She has two totally different sides! She pretends to be Hannah, a sweet innocent little creep who sings about happy stuff just to make money. But ACTUALLY she is doing all this bad stuff and what bothers me is that most parents don't even know about it!!!! SERIOUSLY?! If you are a parent right now, I am BEGGING you to go look Miley up on google images, also look up her videos for "Who Owns My Heart" and "Can't Be Tamed." Is this what you want your kids listening to? Meanwhile she is singing songs about how she is an "Ordinary Girl!" Your kids should know that it's NOT ordinary for a 17 year old to be acting like this! If she really wants to be a grown-up singer, she has to stop being Hannah or else we will have more and more little girls looking up to her. I don't think they realize that she is pole dancing in some of her videos.....

What other families should know

Music Details

Artist

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"Ordinary Girl" (CD single) (by Miley Cyrus, Pop)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on "Ordinary Girl" (CD single)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Music themes & details

Music Details

Review It

Review "Ordinary Girl" (CD single)

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

SHE HAS MULTIPLE PERSONALITY DISORDER!!!!!!!!!

very good

you're *NOT* and ordinary girl!

Miley Cyrus is fake.

ok song, but miley is terrible.

Hypocrite!

Ordanary girls don't get over 1000 dollars in there allowence....

The keyona2001

Hard to swallow

The lyrics are okay; I wish someone else sung it

for older kids

Normal Girls get in trouble for acting trampy

all kids over 7 should hear this

SHUT UP UGLY

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you're NOT and ordinary girl!