"Womanizer" (CD single)

 Review

Common Sense Media says

Britney's back (again) with smackdown on cheaters.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this single (the first song off the Dec. 2008 album Circus) marks Spears' latest attempt at a career comeback. Although it has a general aura of sexiness and talks a lot about "womanizing" -- i.e. using women for sex -- most of the lyrics include pretty general terms, and the song's cheating theme isn't discussed in great detail. In the song, Spears is assertive and confident, demanding respect and telling men that she doesn't have time for those who might betray her.

  • Spears portrays a strong female character who refuses to be used by men: "To think that I, would be a victim not another, say it play it how you wanna, but no way I'm ever gonna fall for you, never you, baby." The target of her declarations is a cheating, womanizing man (who's described as being a charmer and having lots of girls).
  • Not applicable.
  • The song has a generally sexy feel and is all about a man who uses women for sex (i.e., a "womanizer") -- but the lyrics don't include many outright sexual references: "You got me goin', you're oh-so charming, but I can't do it, you womanizer." Spears use a seductive voice on certain lines.

What's the story?

It's comeback time again for Britney Spears, and this time she's taking on no-good, two-timing men. The lead single off Spears' sixth studio album, Circus, WOMANIZER is an electro-pop dance mix that spotlights the writing and producing skills of newcomers The Outsyders (the duo of Nikesha Briscoe and Rafael Akinyem).


Is it any good?

 

The opening lines of the song offer glimpses of the old Spears, full of spirited sexiness. But there's also the feeling that Spears is still trying to play catch up with current pop styles, attempting to jump into today's sound after being out of the loop for so long. Granted, some moments during the song will make you want to dance -- like the flirty refrain "Boy don't try to front I (I) know just (just) what you are (are are)," which revisits the Baby One More Time era.

But the chorus kills all hope for a cool sound when Spears repeats (ad nauseam) "womanizer, womanizer, woman, woman, womanizer" in a way that sounds like an annoying elementary school chant. But that's mostly the failing of the songwriters, who seemed to have simply run out of clever lines for Spears to sing.


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What families can talk about

Families can talk about how artists use life experience in their music. Do you think Spears used her own real-life struggles to inspire/inform her "comeback" songs? Do you think this song is meant to address a specific person in Spears' life? Would people still be interested in Spears if she hadn't experienced so many problems?


This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
Kid, 12 years old
January 5, 2010
 
BOO!!!
When my friend clicked play on the music video "Womanizer" I didn't even know what this was so I wanted to watch it. But right before it played I say the rating TV-14. I was so mad at my friend! This is a inappropriate music video for Freshman's even! Too much behavior that is off limits.

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Kid, 12 years old
July 22, 2010
 
Brittney Spears new songs are not as good as before. And i don't see what the problem is with this song except that it's BAD.

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Teen, 16 years old
August 24, 2009
 
Good song.
Good song! Although Womanizer means someone that uses a girl for sexual acts, this song is pretty good. When u listen to it you don't think of that, you think of a guy thats a straight-out player. The only reason i put good message on this was because she's refusing to give into the risk of being hurt in a relationship, which i think is good.

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Teen, 14 years old
February 23, 2010
 
Good song
good song. i like it

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Adult
November 15, 2009
 
Age Appropriate Category
I give this on for 17.

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Kid, 11 years old
June 22, 2009
 
a horrible song!
my friend hears and sings it every single second it has innapropiate things.

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Kid, 12 years old
February 16, 2009
 
loved it!

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Kid, 13 years old
October 7, 2010
 
I don't like this song. It dosn't mean you don't. don't get mad at me. I bet lots of you who posted good reviews on this, posted bad reviews on a diferent topic. Maybe even one I liked. (Excuse my spelling) (Oh so thats how you spell "Excuse" not "Escuse" cool)

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Parent of 19 year old
September 24, 2009
 
DOWN WITH BRITNEY!!!!!!!!!
the song is fine but again her videos are so out of line! instead of showing her in her underwear they show her naked! yeah thats right naked! Britney spears is not a good ROLEMODEL!

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Teen, 16 years old
January 3, 2009
 
I love this song so much! I seriously honk I listened to it like 10 times just today! It just sounds very very cool and the lyrics are actually really good, too. Listen to this song! You will absolutly love it!

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This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
Artist:Britney Spears
Release date:September 29, 2008
Label:Jive Records
Genre:Pop
Parental advisory:No

This review was written by Jacqueline Rupp
 

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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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.

 

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