Music - Beware language

[Lori]

Well, I'm posting this in the Lounge as I didn't know for sure where it would belong.

Has anyone heard the new re-mixed version of the Snoop Dog / Akon song,   "I Wanna Love You"  ?  I heard it yesterday on SkyRock and couldn't believe my ears...  For those of you who are easily offended at foul language, read no more.

The new title is "I Wann F**k You" and Snoop's snicket talks about how the girl's P***Y is, well I think you get the message here.  I really couldn't believe it.  The entire song is like this.  These rappers are SO SO popular among French youth.  Is this really the type of English language we want them to go around singing or speaking?????   My daughter happens to know this is outrageous.  If she spoke this type of langauge, I might have to kill her.  However, do most French parents understand this?

I am sure the French DJ's know what is being said.  If they don't, they SHOULD.  I think the F word is pretty universally known, but the rest of it was absolutely unbelievable.

Anyone heard it?

 

[Dave]

Hi Lori,

      I have not heard the 'song' in question but it reminded me of some friends who last year took their 10 year old son and a few of his friends to McDonalds in Cahors on his birthday, while there they had to complain to the staff because they were playing some rap songs with explicit language, she told me that everyone seemed to not understand or if they did were not concerned. They complained to McD in France and had no response, I did tell them that it would have been a good idea to complain to the American parent company but in the end they gave up so I don't know if McD in Cahors still play the music.

     As an aside we were discussing 'French Populaire' words with our neighbour and their 10 year old piped up with F**k they were astonished and asked where he had learnt it and sad to say he replied that it was from the English boys at his school, in their defense I bet it was in exchange for a few bad words of 'French Populaire'...! I am amazed that stations like Skyrock have it on their playlist.....but then am I just turning into "that miserable old g*t" that I said I would never become when I was sweet 16....

best regards

Dave[:)]

[Will]

I don't think it occurs to the French that words like that could be offensive to some English speakers. A little while ago the most popular ring tone for mobile phones in France, or so the ads in the TV mags said, was 'f**k you' (printed in full without asterisks). It's perfectly innocent and has been going on for years. Some 40 years back some kids who had been on a trip from my school to France came back with the story of a Frenchman who worked in the place they were staying telling them that English girls found him really attractive and wanted him to make love to them, because they kept telling him to 'f*** off'.

[Lori]

Dago - that is exactly what I was saying to my daughter last night.  I can just picture it now, happy French families popping into their local McD's or shopping at Jennyfer or Pimkie (where they play popular music) and this type of stuff is aired.  Can't you just see it now, French (and otherwise) kids singing to the latest music trends...  I'm not sure what I would do, but most likely would have to ask the singer if they had ANY idea what they were saying..

For anyone interested, here are the lyrics.  Have your aspirin ready.

 

http://www.moron.nl/lyrics.php?id=93175&artist=Akon

[Meg]

Who says romance is dead?!

EDIT. I remember liking some music when i was pre/ early teens with really explicit lyrics. I knew what the swear words were but it didn't really occur to me actually how rude it was, a lot of the meaning i just didn't understand!! It is only now i look back i see how shocking it was!

[Lori]

Yes, I can deal with the F word.  Hey, I've been known to use it here or there myself (shame on me).  It was the rest of the lyrics that really bothered me.   On top of the fact that these "singers" are idolized by young people (very young).  I don't see how on earth this version could air in the U.S. with the Federal Communications laws.  Why is it allowed to air on radio stations here?

 

[Unknown]

I find the whole music business really scarey.  You have the pussycat dolls prancing around with virtually nothing on.  I'm no prude, but when your 13 year old daughter loves them its very worrying.  I don't want to stop my kids listening to music, I encourage it, but why do pop artists rely on sex?  I know why really, because they are talentless five minute wonders, but their five minutes of fame could have a life long effect on our young, impressionable teenagers.

I so wish something was done about it.

[fulcrum]

With Britney Spears' and Paris Hilton's genitalia "alledgedly" floating around on prime internet sites. I suppose that it is to be expected that lyrics such as the ones you describe will be there too.

[Meg]

[quote user="Lori"]

Yes, I can deal with the F word.  Hey, I've been known to use it here or there myself (shame on me).  It was the rest of the lyrics that really bothered me.   On top of the fact that these "singers" are idolized by young people (very young).  I don't see how on earth this version could air in the U.S. with the Federal Communications laws.  Why is it allowed to air on radio stations here?

 

[/quote]

Lori, do you think that youngsters actually understand what the other lyrics actually mean though? I doubt they do.

[YCCMB]

I've been struggling with this for a while, since listening innocently to my phone radio on the beach at Royan one day. There I was, dozing in the sun, with 50Cent informing me through my headphones that he was a "Motherf***in S.O.B". At the time, I was amused that they play this stuff all the time, and no doubt don't have a clue what's being said. On reflection, though, I can see that it might introduce some rather more colourful vocabulary to the odd English class at the local Lycee...................

Mind you, I have the same problem with my students here. They come to English lessons having picked up some very "colourful" vocabulary from their co-workers, many of whom clearly find it highly entertaining to teach the new Polish bloke to speak "colloquial" English.[6]

[Lori]

Meg & Mog - I think some do and some don't understand the actual meaning of the lyrics.  Whether they understand them or not (often depends on their age), they still want to KNOW them and sing along.  One of my daughter's best friends, who speaks no English and is suffering in her 5eme English class, sings perfectly (in English) to most of the popular American songs played here.  Does she know what she is saying, I doubt it, but this is, more or less, my point.  Is it really good for our youngsters to be going around singing about F***ing this and that girl's P***Y.  I don't think so.

Believe me, I am no prude either.  I have no problem with adults listening to, saying, doing whatever they wish.  I can get pretty colorful myself.  I just don't think lyrics this graphic should be hammered out on the radio every 10 seconds and made into number 1 best sellers by youngsters who buy the CD's, whether they understand them or not.  My daughter is constantly being asked to translate these American rap songs, particularly the foul language used in them, so I guess they all don't know exactly what is being said, but somewhere, someone should think about the ramifications.

 

 

[Meg]

I see your dilemma Lori. Made worse by the fact your Daughter is having to translate them.

I do remember hearing a few years ago that Walmart would refuse to sell any music containing such lyrics. Therefore they were  in some way controlling the pop industry in the States. I don't remember where i heard or read this.

I agree with Dotty.......the way some of these singers dress gives such a negative body image to young girls who are quite impressionable. I supposed it is highlighted recently by the 24 hour music video stations.  It makes me so sad to see very young girls dressing like Britney.

[WJT]

I agree, it is shocking and very sad. The offensive language aside, glamorising drugs and pole dancing is just as shocking if not more so in my opinion. I too have noticed these lyrics when listening to the radio in the car etc..

[KathyC]

[quote user="Meg and Mog"] It makes me so sad to see very young girls dressing like Britney.
[/quote]

Presumably wearing clothes bought by their parents. ( Who keep complaining how difficult it is to say "no" when all the other kids wear them!)

[Lori]

It just seems to be becoming part of daily life here.  I'll have to ask my American friends if the explicit song is being aired over there.  I really doubt it.  The FCC has rules on what is allowed on the air.  Even when I went to YouTube it notes you need to be 18 and a member to view the video, however, just below on the list the song is there without the warning.  Apparently, people complained about it being freely available with all their other music and they put a warning up, but that really doesn't work when it is listed just below without the warning.

I know kids will be exposed to all sorts of things.  I'm not ancient, I remember being 13 years old.  Only now days the depths to which some rappers, TV programs, music videos go is taking us to a new level of low.  The more and more we put "adult content" out there, the more and more mainstream it will become.

If you have actually read the link I posted (I know some of you have) and you have children (or perhaps don't), it is hard for me to believe you wouldn't be angry.  I know if I was in the company of others when this song began to play, I would be uncomfortable.  To me, it isn't far from porn on the radio (and I have nothing against porn for ADULTS), only radio cannot distinguish the listener's age.

[Unknown]

I'll Be Around (1954 recording)
From More Real Folk Blues (MCA CHD 9279)

Well I'll be around to see ya baby
Well I'll be around no matter what you say
I'll be around, yes I'll be around
To see what you're puttin' down.

You know you told me that you loved me
You know you told me and I hope it's true
Well I'll be around, yes I'll be around
To see what you're puttin' down.

You know I called you in the morning
You know I called you darling to come back to the Wolf
But I'll be around, yes I'll be around
To see what you're puttin' down.

You know I loved you for myself
You know I love you, I don't love nobody else
Well, I'll be around, I'll be around
I don't want you runnin' around.

Not sure why you wouldn't want your daughter to listen to this?

 

[Lori]

Robin - I hear what you're saying.  I did say I don't really have a big problem with the F word.  I said it was the rest of the lyrics that bother me.  I couldn't shield my daughter from any of this as it is plastered all over the TV and radio 24/7.  All I can do is explain to her that this type of language is considered rude and I don't want to hear her repeating it.  Most adults would find it offensive. 

This version of the song is NOT aired on radio or TV in the U.S.A.  I checked it out.  So, why is it aired here?  Is it under some "we are less prudish than those guys over there."  I doubt it.

So, if I understand you, you have no problem with youngsters listening to lyrics like this 24/7.  This is only a little sample.

D-O-double G and I’m here to put this d**k on you
I'm stuck on p***y ‘n yours is right
Wrip ridin’ them poles and them doors is tight
And I’ma get me a shot for the end of the night
Cuz p***y is p***y and baby your p***y for life

[Chorus: Akon]
I see you windin’ ‘n grindin’ up on that pole
I know you see me lookin' at you and you already know
I wanna f**k you, you already know
I wanna f**k you, you already know

Hope I don't get killed for posting this bit.

 

 

[WJT]

Lori, perhaps it is just a very liberal attitude and we must get used to it [:(]. I have just seen this and I am just as shocked, the article states that there were only two teachers that complained.[blink]

http://www.expatica.com/actual/article.asp?subchannel_id=102&story_id=34772

[Lori]

Absolutely amazing.

 

[Unknown]

Robin, what did Muddy actually say he wanted to do to his 19 year old baby?

There are many songs that can be interpreted as sexual, but they tend to leave it to the imagination.  Think about 'Young Girl' by Gary Puckett.  To me its a song about an under age girl being lust after by a man.  I don't have a problem with my kids listening to this as the lyrics aren't specific.  Bur the lyrics to the aforementioned song are pretty self explanatory.

[Ford Anglia]

My lads listen to some American rapper, (I think), "singing" that there are:

"Too many niggers,

Not enough hoes", (Whores, I believe). Incredible.

Actually this thread reminds me of two things.

Firstly a VERY funny story in the "Petit Nicholas" series, entitled: "Djo-Djo".

Secondly, it reminds me of the day my Alsation chewed off about 6 of the 9 raspberry canes I'd just planted. I was understandably annoyed, and said so to my wife. I used the word b*gger in the sentence to decribe the miscreant, at which point my not-yet-talking two year old suddenly copied that VERY word out of the whole sentence.

Guess who's fault it was?[Www]

[Dick Smith]

Once when I gor home after a testing drive bringing the kids back from Woodcraft Folk my son asked Julie, "Mummy, what's a dilatory tw*t?"