76 sunflowers

Our household has always been one that has enjoyed listening to music be it in the house or the car, watching music DVDs and, when we can, catching it live. When pregnant with "E" I would enjoy listening to it loud in the car on the daily commute, sitting up late watching live DVDs and generally enjoying my CD collection never worrying about what I was listening to. Now, as a mother of two, I have been subjected to Nursery Rhymes and In the Night Garden CDs for car journeys but the children are now outgrowing this genre and, although they still enjoy Disney's Tangled soundtrack, they are taking interest in our musical tastes - hoorah! But..... I am finding myself having to police my CDs very carefully.

My favourite band is The Killers and I have played their CDs on many a car journey. Up until now they have been known as Brandon's band as I didn't really want "E" and "A" running around saying how much they liked The Killers. But, she is now 5 and can read the CD covers and the backdrop on the stage set and she just thinks it is a funny name! A case of me worrying about nothing?

Lately I have rediscovered my love of James and put a CD on to listen to in the car. Later, at home, "E" starts singing her heart out,

"How was it for you? How was it for you? How was it for you?"

Further lyrics in the song state "I'm so possessed by sex I could destroy my health". Oooops! Big parent fail. Luckily those words had not become ingrained to her musical memory!

That incident though got me thinking. What is suitable lyrical content for children to hear? Is it ok when the meaning just goes over their heads anyway? I remember when I was about 9 singing Madonna's Like a Virgin and not having a clue what it meant, so need I be worried about "E" innocently singing "How was it for you?"?

"E" is becoming more aware of female singers and, rather worryingly, how they look. She is already passing judgement on those she sees in the media. Looking through pictures of this year's Camp Bestival she pointed out Eliza Doolittle:

E: "I like her, she's pretty, she's wearing a beautiful dress"
Me, in my head, "But I wear more than that to go to bed!"

Channel hopping to find cbeebies the other day she asked me to stop on a music channel; oh my, Cher Lloyd's 'Swagger Jagger' had caught her eye! Intrigued, I had to stop and watch. "E" sat and bopped her head along, I sat and hoped it would end soon. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate a range of music genres and I liked some of Cher Lloyd's X Factor performances but I didn't want my little girl liking her. Why? Maybe it was the amount of make-up? The highly styled hair? The club dancing and exposed midriffs?! My word I feel old as I sit typing this! I didn't even know what she was singing about it so I had a look online:

Swagger Jagger

U should get some of ur own...

...u can't stop looking at me, staring at me

be what I be

U can't stop looking at me

So get up out my face

(Lyrics courtesy of You Tube)

(According to the fan site www.cher-lloyd.co.uk a 'Swagger Jagger' is "someone who copies other peoples originality and unique style", in case you were wondering.)

Call me a snob but I don't want "E" swaggering around singing that - and I want her to learn to spell properly too. I would just prefer her to like female performers that are songwriters and use their talent first and foremost. Someone like Kate Nash or Lily Allen.

Ah, but then there is the whole sweary bits issue!

I was listening to Kate Nash whilst baking recently and "E" came in and asked who it was. She had a little head bounce and really liked it, however I had to skip some tracks due to parent paranoia that she would pick up on the one naughty word like 'shit' or 'bitch' and once again I would be guilty of parent fail. I did however make sure she missed the song 'Dickhead'

Why you being a dickhead for?

Stop being a dickhead

Why you being a dickhead for?........etc

from 'Dickhead' written by Kate Nash

I will save that for her to play when the boys start getting to her in high school!
Earlier this year I got to see Kate Nash perform in Bath. During her show she spoke about opportunities for teenage girls becoming songwriters and performers on their own merit and not being judged on looks. She stated how she had been called unattractive before and the media had picked up on an image of her with - heaven forbid - spotty skin. But she summed up alot about how today's female performers are putting out the image of perfection to young girls, one of whom is my, easily led by a pretty face and dress, 5 year old daughter.

This is my face

Covered in freckles

With the occasional spot and some veins...

....This is my body

No matter how you try and disable it

Yes I'll still be here

And this is my mind

And although you try to infringe

You cannot confine

And this is my brain

And even if you try and hold me back

There's nothing that you can gain

from 'Mouthwash' written by Kate Nash

So I would rather she be influenced by the types of Kate Nash, with a few sweary bits when she's old enough to get it, but for now she can listen to the edited versions while I go in search for some talented songwriters with something interesting to say.

Or I have just completely missed the market for her age. What are primary school children meant to listen to? Any suggestions?

(images from celebrity-pix.co.uk, unrealitytv.co.uk, lyricsbond.com & sofeminine.co.uk)

After an August of up and down weather, no family getaway and 24/7 children I woke up today with mixed emotions. It was the last day of the summer holiday and I looked back on August with sadness as we never made it to the beach. I looked forward with sadness as "E" starts Year 1 tomorrow and "A" starts pre-school - where the last year has gone I don't know. However, it was a glorious day here with sunshine and a pleasant breeze - perfect. "E" had her best friend "L" over to play and I spent the hours chatting away with her Mum who, over the years, has become a fabulous and supportive friend.

Later I had a wander down the garden and found some things that made me wonder;

is it really September?