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"Poker Face" (CD single) (by Lady Gaga, Pop)

common sense media says

Thinly veiled sexual references put this out of tween reach.


parents & educators say
  • 64% say sexual content is an issue
  • 36% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that while this song's lyrics don't include explicit sexual descriptions or graphic language, they do contain euphemisms ("I'm bluffin' with my muffin") that allude to mature sexual situations.

Positive messages: Lyrics seem to approve of deception when trying to woo someone: "I won't tell you that I love you / Kiss or hug you / 'Cause I'm bluffin'."
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: A couple of eyebrow-raising references, such as: "I'll get him hot, show him what I've got," and "When it's love / If it's not rough / It isn't fun."
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on "Poker Face" (CD single)

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the consequences of building relationships based on deception. What could ultimately happen to a relationship in which people hide their personalities at the outset? How does it feel to bury your true thoughts in front of someone you care about? What's more important -- winning or forming a bond based on mutual respect?

What's the story?

What's the story?
The dance-floor domination continues for Lady GaGa with the single POKER FACE, off her album The Fame. The songwriter-turned-singer keeps her good thing going in this song, recapitulating the same formula -- infectious grooves, strong vocals, and simple, sing-able lyrics -- that made "Just Dance" a huge success. Though she steers clear of swear words or adult language to get her message across, the message itself -- that you must play games to win someone's affections -- comes through in lyrics like "He can't read my poker face … After he's been hooked I'll play the [card] that's on his heart."

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Like on "Just Dance," where she sang about blacking out from too much alcohol on the dance floor, the message on "Poker Face" trumps the music, with GaGa giving a somewhat troubling account of how playing games to win over the object of your affections is not only acceptable but even fun. Parents should talk to teens about how this approach can end in heartache when everyone eventually has to lay all their cards on the table.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: October 28, 2008
Label: Interscope Records
Genre: Pop

This review was written by Stephanie Bruzzese
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11
Based on 11 parent & educator reviews:
  • 64% say sexual content is an issue
  • 36% say language is an issue
  • 27% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

Most useful reviews by all members

GodBelieverGirl
kid, 13 years old
 
Catchy and Iffy
This is one of my favorite songs, it is so catchy. But she says things like "I'll get him hard, show him what I've got", "When it's love if it's not rough it isn't fun, fun" and "I wanna roll with him a hard pair we will be" other than that, I luv it!

Welchgirl09
kid, 10 years old
 
It'll be fine if you don't let young kids listen to the lyrics, and don't let them know the artist
Well, when the lyrics said,".....I'll get him hot, show him what I've got! and ".....when it's love if it's not rough it isn't fun". Lady Gaga is disgusting and weird! DO NOT LET ANY KIDS UNDER 9 READ LYRICS PLEASE! In other songs she's written you hear, "I wanna take a ride on your "disco stick", and "I want your "vertigo stick".SHE IS THE MOST DISGUSTING, INAPPROPRIATE BEING! It'll be fine if you don't let young kids read the lyrics, or know the artist;because they might go around trying to listen to other Lady Gaga songs and overhear inappropriate things unsuitable for them.

Squid Kid
kid, 13 years old
 
Another stupid pop song that mentions sex. Seriously, Lady GaGa? What's with all the sex?

CritiNumba1
teen, 16 years old
 
Average
This song has a great beat, I am a big time Gaga hater, but this is the best song by her. I have it as a ringtone. But she says things like "I'll get em hot, show em what I've got" repeatedly. And she goes "If love ain't rough, it ain't fun, fun!" She also talks about gambling a lot. Good beat.

chupy12
kid, 10 years old
 
come on people! its a great song!(all of the lady gaga songs are)i and the people saying the vid is innapropriate are wrong theres no nudity at all in the video!

clone
kid, 11 years old
 
Terrible for every body !
Terrible,do all Lady ga ga songs have to mention sex and poker face ?That song hardly makes any sense.

ThenewWelxhGirl09
kid, 10 years old
 
Good for mature seven and plus
This is inappropriate for anyone under 7, if they're not mature like MY seven year old bro. This has things like"I've got 'em hot, show him what I've got" and"When it's love and its not rough its not fun" Lady Gaga has problems.....gross problems...I agree with my old account..Welchgirl09.my OLD account.

Gaga4GaGa
kid, 13 years old
 
This contains some seriously nasty euphemisms.
I used to love this song until I discovered some of the provocative euphemisms. It is a little too much for children, but for some reason it keeps popping up in kid movies. But I also want so gasp at you guys!!!! You gave LoveGame an iffy for 13+ and this on for 14?????? WHAT?????!!!!!!!! LoveGame you KNOW what is being said. Poker Face you don't!!

Music4Life
teen, 14 years old
 
Very catchy and I love this song, but the 'bluffin with my muffin' line wasn't really needed...

jfreighgiuhg
teen, 17 years old
 
Lady Gaga hides in your closet
I will say she has some of the weirdest cloths ever. Then, on top of the fact she has as no talent and gives kids nightmares. Move over Freddy, there is a new monster on the block. For me I will stick to Sum 41, Bullet for my Valentine, Rise Against, Green Day, and Yellowcard. At least these groups have talent. Oh yeah just remember, her poker face will deceive you of her evil plans of world domination.

PopQueenGirl
kid, 13 years old
 
Cool Song but Iffy Content
Highlights: This song has a great beat and is one of my favorites. Sexuality! She says "I'll get him hot\hard show him what I've got." and she says "When it's love if it's not rough it isn't fun, fun." Gambling: Sayings such as "A little gambling it is fun when your with me" and "Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun" More Sexuality: " I wanna roll with him, a hard pair we will be" and "bluffin with my muffin"

kenzierainbo
kid, 9 years old
 
Its not for under 7- but for 8 and up is my opinion
The only thing is what I dont like is the sexual lyrics somewhere in this song but it is catchy. Like "I'll get him hot, show him what I got'' or ''When love isnt rought it isnt fun''

Welchgirl101
kid, 13 years old
 
It is OK for ages 9+ but don't let anyone under 9 hear the lyrics.
It is the least inappropriate song by Lady Gaga; all it has is ".....when it's love if it's not rough it isn't fun".

Little Critic ...
teen, 15 years old
 
Fun
It's barely inappropriate, this song is catchy and fun. But it's almost immature to say that this song is more inappropriate than love game. Poker Face has an awesome beat. I'd let kids 8 and up listen to this. But don't let kids under 10 read the lyrics.

cabbe
parent of and 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 18 year old
 
Love It!!!!!
Very catchy! You have to actually listen to the lyrics to understand the message so I don't find it a problem.Plus it says I won't kiss or hug you would you rather wnat your child kissing and hugging boys or listening to a innocent song?? I hope you choose the latter one!!!!!

ilovecookiez
teen, 14 years old
 
Meh
I used to love this song, but nowI'm kinda bored of it, it's still very good though :)

MeTheCrazyOne99
kid, 13 years old
 
P-p-p-poker face p-p-poker face! LOL
Poker Face has an awesome beat, it is one of my favorite songs, and my favorite song by Lady Gaga. Although I hate Lady Gaga herself, I love this song! But it has inappropriate phrases: Let's look: "Baby when it's love if it's not rough it isn't fun" :O<< ouch, "I wanna roll with him a hard pair we will be"<

Welchcritic09
kid, 10 years old
 
Midly explicit, but GaGa isn't good. "Iffy" for ages 2+.
GaGa is a perverted and INSANE psycho. Song...sex..."I've got 'em hot, show him what I've got", and "'..Cause baby when it's love if its not rough then its not fun". Messages and/or role models:She mentions Russian Roulette, ad in "Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun" I know most kids don't know what that means, but that still could bring bad thoughts if they asked. She is a perverted--possibly drunk--person. NEVER LISTEN TO HER SONGS!!!This is a WARNING.

FezesAreCool
kid, 12 years old
 
Good song but sex references like 'I'll get him hot show him what I've got' and 'When it's love if it isn't rough it's not fun'. One very minor violence reference ('Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun') but nothing innapropriate.

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