I don’t think I can say it any better than I did last year the day after the Grammys when I said, “Why are adults surprised that kids listen to raunchy music? Kids are only following their example.”
Last night, the Grammys once again gave us a true glimpse of who and what adults value in this world. And I couldn’t help but chuckle when I found out Beyonce received 10 nominations, winning six awards. This week it’s going to be difficult for Beyonce-fan moms to tell their own little girls, “You can’t go out dressed like that!” After all… Beyonce does it.
And how are moms going to impose boundaries on their teenagers cell phones, when they’ve got Beyonce’s hit song “Video Phone” (currently the 17th most popular video download on iTunes) blaring on the radio, spewing these lyrics:
What? You want me naked?
If you likin’ this position
You can tape it
On ya video phone
David pulled back the covers a few weeks ago here with his expose’ on Beyonce in our Youth Culture Window section of our web site.
Beyonce isn’t alone in her smut peddling. The top songs on the charts paint a pretty bleak picture right now. David’s current Youth Culture Window article about our kids’ daily increase in music saturation not only reveals an eye opening glimpse of some of the songs in the Top 10 right now, but also shares an interesting study about how much lyrics really affect kids. Fascinating stuff!
But I guess America would rather forget all the facts… and just keep awarding these “artists.”
Here’s a few of the awards given last night:
Album of the year
Taylor Swift, FearlessFemale pop performance
Beyoncé, HaloRap/sung collaboration
Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West, Run This TownRock album
Green Day, 21st Century BreakdownRecord of the year
Kings of Leon, Use SomebodyCountry album
Taylor Swift, FearlessSong of the year
Beyoncé, Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)Pop vocal album
The Black Eyed Peas, The E.N.D.Male pop vocal performance
Jason Mraz, Make It MineR&B song
Beyoncé, Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)Rap album
Eminem, RelapseRap song
Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West, Run This TownDance recording
Lady Gaga, Poker Face LElectronic dance album
Lady Gaga, The Fame
Click here for USA TODAY’s complete list of the winners.
Posted in Entertainment Media, Music, News, Sexuality, TV, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment
I had the same thought – except maybe complete with some fears about what my future kids will be into if the adult trends are any indication. – It could be pretty bad in like 14 years.
We need to think of a more up-to-date phrase than “smut peddling.” It’s so appropriate, but sounds so much like my dad. The older I get, the cooler my dad seems. and honestly the smut is being peddled.
Did you hear that lil’ Wayne is “singing” Bob Dylan’s part on the new We are the World thing. when they told lil’ they picked him to sing that he said, (I swear) “but I don’t know how to sing.”
Jon… good word. Any suggestions? 🙂
And that’s hilarious about Lil Wayne. I hadn’t read that. LOL