Hound dog

• International music press has reported this week that Queen’s song Fat Bottomed Girls has not been included in a greatest hits compilation aimed at children.
• Joke headlines aside, should children be exposed to music with questionable themes or lyrics?
• A parent or caregiver should always be part of a conversation and some sort of relationship when engaging with music.

Should we censor, or change, the way popular music is presented for kids?

• Famously, Elvis Presley serenaded a literal Hound Dog rather than the metaphorical villain of his 1950s hit.
• In America, there is a huge industry for children’s versions of pop music via the Kidz Bop franchise.
• The Muppets’ cover of Bohemian Rhapsody, replacing the original murder with a rant from Animal, is divine.

Should music ever just be for kids?

• Caregivers should be able to make an informed decision about whether a particular song is appropriate for their child, however they consider that in terms of context.
• When considering potential harm for younger listeners, factors like volume and tone can be more dangerous than whether or not there’s a questionable lyric.
• Let’s remember, too, lots of “nursery rhymes” aimed at children are also quite violent if you listen to their words closely.