My 10 yo daughter was just invited to go with a friend to see Bruno Mars in concert at the fair this Fall. I'm just not so sure he's the most appropriate singer for 10 year olds. I only know a couple of his songs and for the most part they seem ok, but it bothers me that his song "Lazy Song" is such a fun, upbeat song that young kids would really gravitate towards and then he's got that line in there that maybe tomorrow he'll meet a really nice girl and have some really nice sex, followed by a "bored prostitute voice" saying "Oh yeah, that's great". Why does that have to be in there? It really bothers me because I just don't see the point of it. That being the case, though, it makes me wonder what his other songs are like. I spoke to the friend's mom and she said that she assumed that since it was at a fair, it would be kid-friendly. I'm not so sure. I know Metallica (who I happen to like but don't really want my kids listening to) has played there and we saw Jeff Dunham the ventriloquist, there and his show was funny but pretty vulgar and "adult" at times. The fair usually has one night where the entertainer is geared towards younger kids, and it'll be someone like Justin Bieber or Selena Gomez and this year they have Big Time Rush. I think that's the kid-oriented show this year and that a Bruno Mars show would be directed at more of an adult audience. What do you think? Am I worried over nothing? Should she go? I'm leaning strongly towards no, but wanted to hear what others think.
So, we decided not to let her go for several reasons. For one, even though I know she hears words, phrases and themes that are in his songs just by listening to the radio, watching TV, going to school, etc. and one concert isn't going to corrupt her in and of itself, we figure why add to that exposure if we don't have to? She's got plenty of time to go to concerts. Like one person said, what's the rush? I did look up lyrics to a lot of his songs and while some of them are quite sweet and very unoffensive, some of the themes he chooses really aren't what I need her exposed to if I can help it. Yeah, I know a lot of the phrases and themes do go over their heads, but I can't be sure which ones are and which ones aren't. Also, as several of you pointed out, it's not just the lyrics and themes in the songs she'll be exposed to, but the atmosphere at a concert. I know the crowd will be much older than her on the average and I'm sure they won't tone down their own behavior for the sake of the odd 10 year old that's attending. Additionally, like one poster asked, she's not necessarily a FAN. She knows a couple songs from the radio and that's it. I think her interest isn't so much in seeing him as it is in just going to a concert with her friend. We can make that happen with a more appropriate group. She understands our decision and realizes that there will be other opportunities. I'm happy with our decision and the fact that we're strong enough to say, "we know that'd be fun, but we just don't think it's appropriate right now". I think we may have opened her friend's parents' eyes also as they've been doing some research of their own and are now agreeing that it may not be the best show to bring their kid to. Thank you all for all of your input. It was really much appreciated!!!
Bruno Mars is more an artist for adults, in my opinion. I wouldn't let my 10 year old go. But that's just me.
I love Bruno Mars.
I agree with your friend - since it's at a fair, it will be kid-friendly. Even if it's not, one sentence from Bruno Mars isn't going to undo all your good parenting.
Sure, let her go. It's a great opportunity.
I think it depends on her maturity level. I agree that Bruno is probably geared more toward adult but in my opinion, I've heard much worse than the Lazy song.
My daughter and I are very open with each other on all topics and discuss songs, lyrics, meanings, etc.
I probably would allow my daughter to go but keep in mind that I am pretty open minded, I know she listens to all types of music and the word sex in the lyrics is not going to make her go out and try it. My daughter is 16
What matters is that it bothers you and you have to make a decision that best fits your family.
Is She a FAN of his??
I would let MY 10-year old go, but I think everyone's 10-year olds are different so I think it depends on your daughter and the type of person she is.
I have banned Kesha and Lady GaGa and some other artists from our house because their lyrics are just dirty and wrong. However, I have not banned Bruno Mars or some of the other artists with questionable lyrics. I have noticed that my daughter doesn't even listen to the words, she just dances along with the song. Once she was listening to that Hinder song "Lips of an Angel" which is about cheating so I said "what's this song about?" and she said "a beautiful girl with pretty lips like an angel." So kids don't GET it.
I also remember that song "Seduce Me Tonight" from the Flashdance soundtrack. I used to listen to that ALL the time when I was a kid. Well, I thought the lyrics were "So Juicy Tonight" and I thought it was about getting together and drinking juice!!
My daughter would be fine at the concert and be fine afterward. I can't imagine her being "harmed" by any of the lyrics. I'm usually more concerned by what the kids SEE, since my daughter seems to be more influenced by things she sees. I would not want her at a Britney Spears concert or Lady Gaga because she'll want to start dancing and dressing like them!! I'd actually even be concerned at a Selena Gomez because I don't like the sexy dancing.
If your daughter has strong values from you, she should be fine. I took my daughter to see No Doubt when she was 8 and all she remembers was the bright lights and the singing.
But...it's your call mama!!
Well...I probably wouldn't either, but mostly because I have only been to one concert in my life and am guessing while at concerts they probably sing the songs non radio edited.
The billionaire song, which I'm not sure he would sing, being that its a duet, but his part of being a "billionaire so freaking bad" non edited is actually "billionaire so Fwording bad".
So yah, I would have the tendency to say 10 is too young. Although, me personally I love Bruno Mars songs! :)
I would let her go if I was sure she would be the friend's parent at all times. If she was just being dropped off, parents meeting up with them later, NO WAY. I don't like all those lyrics either, but she's probably heard it already, if not at your house, on the school bus, etc. Most suggestive lyrics are go totally over the heads of my 9 and 11 year olds, so I usually don't call any more attention to it by demonizing anything (though I DO often find I NEED to say something in the car right as the "really nice sex" line comes on). I think you can downplay it or have a frank discussion on words you don't use and your values, etc, but I wouldn't keep her from going to the concert over a few words. I would think Bruno Mars wouldn't be stripping on stage or anything. I'd probably give a no for more controversial performers like Taylor Momsen or Kesha.
Other songs are about marriage, undying love (would die for that person, sweet but not suitable for a 10 yr old in my opnion), working hard, love, heart break, dancing in the nude, killer on the run, lady pimps. The unedited versions do have some swears, so that may come up.
Personally if she is not listening to the music then no need to go to the cocnert. A few of his songs are on the radio so if you listen to current hits stations you may have heard them. To me his music is geared towards mature high schoolers and up.
Just The Way You Are is one of my favorites he sings, I would let me daughter listen to that one (she is only 5 years old). The rest of his music I keep for my ears only, not suitable for kids under 16 (again just my opnion).
Just because it is at the fair does not mean it is family friendly. I work at different venues and you have the non-family friendly stuff later at night, after 9pm because by then kids should be in bed. If a parent lets the kids come we are not resposible for the swear words and lyrics that change because they are the unedited versions.
No, absolutely not. I don't think his music is geared towards kids at all. I always turn that Lazy song off when it comes on the radio even though they bleep out the word sex. 10 is too young for a concert like that. I would not let my daughter go.
i don't think Bruno Mars is appropriate for a girl of her age, but you have to decide soo...
If you are that concerned, I think you should get a hold of the whole album & judge for yourself.
But, for me, no, I don't think I'd be comfortable with a 10 yr old going. Bruno Mars is not making kid's music, like Selena Gomez & Justin Bieber are. The crowd makeup will be different & most likely inappropriate for a 10 yr old girl.
Bruno Mars is a great influence for kids. I am not a mother who urges kids to sing about sex but I allow my kids to listen to Bruno Mars and go to his concerts all you moms who say no to Bruno, you're just overreacting. Don't be so odd. All you moms sound like is ' oh every song by Bruno Mars is inappropriate my child is absolutely not allowed to listen to or go To a concert of Bruno Mars'. Wow Sad
Updated
Actually it was not a prostitute, it was Phillip Lawrence. You'd know if you watched the music video
To: Verado263
Hi,
This is a toughie.... I just looked on your fair website and his opener is Raphael Saadiq who is a multi-grammy winning R&B artist. how fabulous to have your daughter get a taste of old school R&B!
I don't think it will be kid friendly at all. Just cuz it's at a fair means nothing. I took my daughter (9) last year to see Sheryl Crow (Colbie Callait opened) at the Iowa State Fair and the other 'patrons' were NOT behaving appropriately at all (this year I will be re-living my high school years to see Def Leopard.... sans kids!!!!).
I don't think kids really "get" the lyrics. I mean think of some of the stuff we listened to in the 70s and 80s (reference Def Leopard above!!!!). So, the lyrics to grenade and his other songs don't bother me that much. My daughter did say that she thinks anyone who would catch grenades is probably crazy. hee hee.
I'm a bit liberal as a parent.... I don't shy away from that stuff, we talk about context and stuff - she has the unedited version of "Billionaire" with the Fword on her Ipod - but we talk about why she can't play that for everyone and what the song means and how it's not appropriate in certain contexts to use that word or those ideas.
Even being liberal, however, I wouldn't let her go alone or with just friends or another parent that I wasn't comfortable would be able to have those conversations with them after the show - no way no how.
I would have to be with her so that we could talk about whatever it is that she's exposed to afterwards (or I can reach in and grab people and shake them if needed...lol).
Also having said that - my daughter likes Big Time Rush (blech) so I would maybe try to get the girls to go see them instead.
Good luck.
I wouldn't. I don't think his songs are kid appropriate. I hate that Nick channel plays that one song Grenade. The song is basically that he would do anything for this girl and she doesn't even notice him. The video isn't bad, its him pushing an upright piano to her house, but the lyrics of the song drive me insane.
Just found the lyrics:
Easy come, easy go
That's just how you live, oh
Take, take, take it all,
But you never give
Should of known you was trouble from the first kiss,
Why were they open?
Gave you all I had
And you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked,
Cause what you don't understand is
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same
No, no, no, no
Black, black, black and blue beat me till I'm numb
Tell the devil I said “hey” when you get back to where you're from
Mad woman, bad woman,
That's just what you are, yeah,
You’ll smile in my face then rip the breaks out my car
Gave you all I had
And you tossed it in the trash
You tossed it in the trash, yes you did
To give me all your love is all I ever asked
Cause what you don't understand is
I’d catch a grenade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same
If my body was on fire, ooh
You’ d watch me burn down in flames
You said you loved me you're a liar
Cause you never, ever, ever did baby...
But darling I’ll still catch a grenade for ya
Throw my hand on a blade for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
I’d jump in front of a train for ya (yeah, yeah , yeah)
You know I'd do anything for ya (yeah, yeah, yeah)
Oh, oh
I would go through all this pain,
Take a bullet straight through my brain,
Yes, I would die for ya baby;
But you won't do the same.
No, you won’t do the same,
You wouldn’t do the same,
Ooh, you’ll never do the same,
No, no, no, no
I think you are dealing with personal choice here. If you aren't comfortable, then respect your feelings and just pass on it. Simply say you have plans. You shouldn't have to allow something for your child if you don't find it appropriate. Shell be thirteen soon enough and have all sorts of crappy music on her iPod. Lol why rush?
