Are explicit lyrics keeping you and your child away from the Top 40? Here are 7 positive, age-appropriate new songs to play in the car or at a birthday party. We call them the kid-friendly songs, 2019 edition.
1. You Need to Calm Down — Taylor Swift
Love her or hate her, the pop princess’ new feel-good tune tells haters to take a step back. It’s a great song for kids dealing with bullies at school, with lyrics like, “I’ve learned a lesson: that stressing and obsessing about somebody else is no fun.”
Swift’s song addresses internet bullies and prejudiced people in the real world — and the music video is colorful, cute, and LGBTQ-inclusive. Look out for cameos from stars Ellen DeGeneres, RuPaul, Adam Lambert, Laverne Cox, Adam Rippon, Todrick Hall, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, the new Queer Eye cast, and even Swift’s former rival Katy Perry.
2. Old Town Road — Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
This country-rap combo tied the record for the most consecutive weeks at the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 list. It’s a favorite at college parties and elementary school events alike; the feel-good beat and cheeky lyrics are fun for the whole family to sing along to.
The most offensive word in the song is “boobies,” which your kid has probably already heard on the playground. Check out the “official movie” (music video) above for some good old Western fun.
3. I Don’t Care — Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber
These two heartthrob pop artists collaborated on a sweet song about their committed relationships. The lyrics are positive, talking about how easy it is to feel comfortable in a new place with someone you love by your side, even if you don’t “fit in.” The music video is also family-friendly and full of fun green-screen effects.
4. Sunflower — Post Malone and Swae Lee
Popular rappers collaborated on this tune for the new animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. The song is gentle and soothing, and the music video combines the lyrics with clips from the movie. Its message is positive, and it’s just as kid-appropriate as the movie.
As a side note, if you haven’t seen Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse — buy it now! It’s one of the best films we’ve seen in forever.