Handpicked by Our Editors

"Wash Your Hands" (CD single)
Age 3+
4

"Wash Your Hands" (CD single)

Why We Recommend It

Feel like a broken record about clean hands? This cute ditty may make an impression and send kids to the sink.

Read our full review
Some music videos are so inappropriate. Why do they appeal to teens?

The teen years are about rebellion and protest. And sex. And longing. All the things that go into a good rock 'n' roll, rap, hip hop, or R&B song or video. Teens look to musicians as icons, and teen music and music videos on MTV outwardly express lots of the inner anguish of teen years.

A good place to start: Listen with your teens. Download something they recommend. Share their world, and they'll open up to yours.

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New Music Reviews for Teenagers (ages 15-17)

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"Russian Roulette" (CD single) by Rihanna
Parents Need to Know...

that RUSSIAN ROULETTE is about a girl holding a gun, deciding whether or not to shoot herself. The song ends with a gun going off.  Though the song includes no graphic language, it does contain references to suicide that will disturb ... read more

Age 15+
"Russian Roulette" (CD single)
2
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Before I Self Destruct by 50 Cent
Parents Need to Know...

that although this album might not be as sick and twisted as Eminem's Relapse, it does focus on violent threats and imagery. 50 Cent talks about shooting people that don't see things his way and discusses more varieties of guns than most ... read more

No Kids
Before I Self Destruct
2
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"Tik Tok" (CD single) by Ke$ha
Parents Need to Know...

in general this is a fun, frivolous song about hitting the clubs and partying with friends. But several references to alcohol (including brushing teeth with Jack Daniels) may lead listeners to the conclusion that in order to party hearty, ... read more

Age 15+
"Tik Tok" (CD single)
3
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"Forever" (CD single) by Drake
Parents Need to Know...

that the lyrics in FOREVER are extra mature in just about every way, including plenty of references to violent situations, mentions of drug use, sexual allusions, and swearing.  read more

Age 15+
"Forever" (CD single)
3
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"3" (CD single) by Britney Spears
Parents Need to Know...

that they should listen closely to these lyrics: the words themselves are harmless enough, but strung together, they tell a story about having sex with multiple partners at once. read more

Age 16+
"3" (CD single)
3
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Man on the Moon: The End of Day by Kid Cudi
Parents Need to Know...

although Kid Cudi sings mellow, thought-provoking rhymes, there's too much profanity and sexual references to make this album OK for kids. Talk of pot-smoking and women's bodies, plus lots of the "N" word make this album a no-no ... read more

Age 15+
Man on the Moon: The End of Day
4
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Rebelution by Pitbull
Parents Need to Know...

there are very few tracks on this album that don't contain sexual references or swearing. The most popular single off of this album, "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)" is probably the tamest song on the CD. The album contains ... read more

Age 15+
Rebelution
4
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"Run This Town" (CD single) by Jay-Z, Kanye West, Rihanna
Parents Need to Know...

that, in terms of violent and sexual content, this isn't the worst of Jay-Z's music. However, its focus on bragging about being the best merely reinforces the infamous and dangerous sense of rivarly that pervades the rap and hip-hop ... read more

Age 15+
"Run This Town" (CD single)
4
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"Best I Ever Had" (CD single) by Drake
Parents Need to Know...

that though this track offers a positive overall message about appreciating women for who they are rather than how they dress, it still includes explicit language and vivid sexual descriptions. read more

Age 15+
"Best I Ever Had" (CD single)
4
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"Every Girl" (CD single) by Young Money
Parents Need to Know...

that just about every line in this song includes a graphic reference to sex and/or substance use. read more

No Kids
"Every Girl" (CD single)
1
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THE E.N.D (Energy Never Dies) by The Black Eyed Peas
Parents Need to Know...

that for the most part this is a clean album, but expletives and mature references are sprinkled throughout. Many songs are fine for teens. "One Tribe" and "Generation Now" actually raise important issues. However some songs like ... read more

Age 15+
THE E.N.D (Energy Never Dies)
5
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"Make Her Say" (CD single) by Kid Cudi
Parents Need to Know...

that this song includes graphic references to various sexual acts, extremely explicit language, and plenty of boasting about being rich and famous.  read more

Age 16+
"Make Her Say" (CD single)
2
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"D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)" (CD single) by Jay-Z
Parents Need to Know...

that this single is pretty mild, save for the repeated use of the word "nigger." Jay-Z takes aim at rappers who use Autotune (the audio processor that creates near perfect pitch) and other electronic production techniques in ... read more

Age 15+
"D.O.A. (Death of Autotune)" (CD single)
3
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Relapse by Eminem
Parents Need to Know...

that this album glorifyies rape and murder, and many tracks portray Eminem as a serial killer. Eminem also raps about his addiction to prescription drugs, which includes the brand names of pills. read more

No Kids
Relapse
2
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Fantasy Ride by Ciara
Parents Need to Know...

that while this album doesn't contain a lot of four-letters words, the sexy nature of many of the songs makes it questionable for kids' ears. Although the sexy messages are generally shrouded in metaphors and analogies, savvy listeners ... read more

Age 15+
Fantasy Ride
3
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"3 A.M." (CD single) by Eminem
Parents Need to Know...

that this song is full of grotesque, unapologetically violent lyrics about murderous, sociopathic impulses. The video is full of ultra-violent scenes of blood, gore, and murder -- Eminem is seen in a bathtub filled with "blood" ... read more

No Kids
"3 A.M." (CD single)
1
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"We Made You" (CD single) by Eminem
Parents Need to Know...

that even though this is one Eminem song that surprisingly doesn't contain profanity, it's still not appropriate for kids. With crass comments about women's body parts, sarcastic quips regarding homosexuality, and various references to ... read more

Age 15+
"We Made You" (CD single)
3
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"Birthday Sex" (CD single) by Jeremih
Parents Need to Know...

that this song is ALL about sex. Jeremih sings about how he treats a woman on her birthday and it's a far cry from cake and ice cream. The sexy talk isn't misogynistic, instead focusing on catering to a female companion's every desire. ... read more

Age 16+
"Birthday Sex" (CD single)
3
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"Sugar" (CD single) by Flo Rida
Parents Need to Know...

that although this song starts out innocently enough, with the artist describing how he loves to kiss his lady, it goes progressively downhill, ending with some not-so-subtle descriptions of the other sexual activities they engage in. read more

Age 16+
"Sugar" (CD single)
3
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"Day 'N' Nite" (CD single) by Kid Cudi
Parents Need to Know...

that this song revolves around using drugs as a means of escaping difficult emotions like depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Though Kid Cudi refrains from using graphic language, the bleak, drug-related lyrics send a grim message. read more

Age 15+
"Day 'N' Nite" (CD single)
3
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Scream by Chris Cornell
Parents Need to Know...

that aside from a couple of swear words here and there, the lyrics contain nothing overtly shocking. However, most songs deal with dark themes that reflect Cornell's battle with depression -- pretty dark territory. read more

Age 15+
Scream
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Common Sense Media's music reviews and ratings for teenagers are based on child development principles. We give you trustworthy information so you can pick what's best for your family. We may know media, but you're the expert on your kids.

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