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The Young and the Hopeless (by Good Charlotte, Punk Rock)

common sense media says

Sometimes rude, crude, and lewd, and humorous.

parents & educators say
See all 15 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this album is a minefield of behavior to be avoided, or a rich source of conversation about tough subjects like alcoholism ("The Story of My Old Man"), crack cocaine ("The Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous"), obsessive love ("My Bloody Valentine"), and suicide ("The Day That I Die").

Positive messages: "Riot Girl" praises body piercings, tattoos, and attitude. "The Day That I Die" describes suicide.
Violence: "My Bloody Valentine" describes stalking a rival boyfriend and ripping out his throat. "Hold On" refers to an abusive father. "The Day That I Die" contemplates suicide.
Sex: In "Girls & Boys," the "girls with the bodies like the boys with Ferraris/?. She'll get what she wants if she's willing to please."
Language: Occasional crude language describes rich celebrities (they "piss and moan"), while direct and forceful terms depict an alcoholic father ("The Story Of My Old Man") and a murderous boyfriend ("My Bloody Valentine").
Consumerism: Despite isolated references to "Ferraris," "Christina," and "Britney," the lyrics do not extol name brands.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: "The Story Of My Old Man" describes a father's alcoholism, and that of his father before him: "Monday he woke up and hated life/ Drank until Wednesday and left his wife."
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Young and the Hopeless

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the self-destructive, dangerous behaviors discussed in the songs.

What's the story?

What's the story?
We hear the tinkly strains of an antique music box morph into punk rock guitar crescendo, only to end in a splintering crash, in the first two minutes of THE YOUNG AND THE HOPELESS. This might symbolically signal Good Charlotte's intentions to deal with leaving the nursery and with growing up in a world that's sometimes exciting, often tedious, and probably unreliable. "The Anthem" describes education thus: "And my high school it felt more to me/ Like a jail cell a penitentiary/Go to college, a university/ Get a real job that's what they said to me/ But I could never live the way they want." Contempt for rich whiners drives "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous."

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
When you listen to some of the subversive themes on this CD, it's no wonder the band is popular with young teens. But if rebellion is the name of Good Charlotte's game, it's spiced with self-aware humor that keeps them out of the principal's office, and a flickering optimism, found in tracks like "Wondering," that maybe love conquers all.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: September 1, 2002
Label: Sony Music
Genre: Punk Rock
This review was written by Cynthea Riesenberg
 
 

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What parents & educators say

11

Most useful reviews by all members

Bloody Gorgeous
teen, 16 years old
13
 
I Love This Album!!
I Love Good Charlotte! Their Music is Great! I only gave it a 13+ Because You Really need to Understand These Songs. The Songs Tell a lot of Emotional stories including love and suicide. One of the songs, Hold On, is my favorite. It's so sad, you must see the Music Video! I cried the first time I saw it (My Schools [first and only] Suicide Prevention Assembly. Funny How they dont Happen Anymore) The only song you might worry about is, another one of my favorites, My Bloody Valentine. The Album IS Great Though!! GOOD CHARLOTTE ROCKS!!
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alpha1014
teen, 16 years old
12
 
Great CD!
I love Good Charlotte and all their works. I think that you really need to understand the issues, though. It tackles a lot of strong emotions, and is probably best for someone in middle-high school. Grades 5 and under should probably avoid it.
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itisme
adult
 
not good at all
This is a dull album, in which all of the songs sound similar. This would be fine but they all sound bad. Good Charlotte's voices are really high pitched and after a few minutes the catchy rythems and high voices will really get on your nerves
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childsplay176
adult
 
A great album. but it cpntains some mature content.
This album is very good, but parents need to know that it has some strong violent content. It's okay for teens, but I definately recommend discussion with parents.
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alex549us3
adult
 
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bradley4846
teen, 17 years old
13
 
Great Album
Surprised in how good this album is, theres really nothing bad, some violence. Most innapproprite song is "Lifestyles of the Rich and the Famous" (whcih includes a drug refrence and violence)
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ElmoRock3113
adult
 
Awesome CD! These songs were great!
I liked the music in this CD. They are great musicians and it's for the most part clean. One song you might want to stay away from is 'Bloody Valentine'
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GCluver123456789
adult
 
It is a really good cd.I only listened to 3 songs that were oh so fine.
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Forknose
adult
 
Where is the Negative-Star?
Man I HATE Good Charlotte. They ripped off Green Day but did it horribly. Their songs are as dry as blink-182's Enema of the State and did I mention that I HATE this band.
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weszu
teen, 18 years old
 
It was worth getting
Good Charlotte is an ok band. They are a little popish, but not enough to bother me. To me there is no bad content in this album, besides a tiny bit in "Bloody Valentine" (nothing that bad.) The content about someone commiting suicide is about not commiting suicide, so that is definetely nothing bad. Overall the album was ok.
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bleurgh
adult
 
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wookiepie93
teen, 18 years old
 
Really good but a few things to watch out for.......
Good Charlotte is an excellent band and they take on some issues which are good to think about such as what happens when a parent is abusive or drinks, being so obsessive in love that you would kill someone, and the issue of suicide. These things are why i gave this album red for violence. I would not download the song My Bloody Valentine and you might not want to download The Day That I Die but the issues are good to think about. I LOVE THE NEW SINGLE THE RIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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watsername(my ...
teen, 16 years old
 
MY MD. PUNK
MY 3 FAVE THINGS ABOUT GOOD CHARLOTTE 1. THEY ARE FREAKIN AWSOME 2. THEY COME FROM WHERE I LIVE, ANNAPOLIS.MD. 3. THEY HAVE A GREAT LIFE STORY 4.i have another reason THERE MUSIC IS FUN AND GREAT TO LISTEN TO IN THE CAR ON MY IPOD DOC.
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xTHE EDG3x
teen, 14 years old
10
 
great punk/rock album
this album was really good it talks about things that most people have to deal with and it gave good Charlotte a deserved push. I'm impressed with the sound elements great album with positive messages. "Hold on" talks about never giving up while the "young and the hopeless" talks about growing up. you will get some cussing but nothing that would be bleeped.Overall great album from my backyard band from md.
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pepper770
adult
11
 
Great album, Great role models, Some mild references to drugs and violence.
First off, this is a great album. One of their best. Their music may be inappropriate for very young children. It all depends on what your views and morals are. I'm 20 and my mom brought this record for me when I was 12. I personally think Good Charlotte are great role models for kids unlike other bands that are around right now. They make mild references to some violence and some drugs. But this record is mainly for tweens and teens.
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ON: Content is 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
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