Girl dancing with earbuds
Have you read any of those lists for dads of daughters here and here lately that are sweet and humorous and kinda make you feel weepy?

Yea, me too. So now for something completely different I present my (admittedly short) list of great pop songs for daughters (and sons). And there’s nary a Mini-Pop among the bunch!

The kind of music I like is what a co worker used to call “Happy White Girl Music”. You know what I’m talking about: those dancy songs that come on in a club and as soon as they hear a few beats you see all the girls squeal and go drag their boyfriend to the dance floor. HWGM is upbeat pop or dance music that gets you shaking your butt even when you’re sitting down; chair dancing!

But a lot of this music, with its sexually suggestive and increasingly risque lyrics, is absolutely positively no good for kids to listen to. S & M by Rhianna for example (What does sex actually smell like, mommy?) or Love Game by Lady Gaga (Hey Momma what exactly is disco stick and can I have one?). Fun songs for gown ups but no way in hell do I let my kids hear them.

But there are some fluffy songs out there that I have no problem putting on repeat because they have positive and empowering messages:

Almost anything by Kelly Clarkson. Great voice, real body, hasn’t gone totally skanky in the name of selling records. Songs are titled Mr. Know it All, Miss Independence, and I Do Not Hook Up. I could go on, but you get the point.


Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) by Beyonce


Up in the club, we just broke up
I’m doing my own little thing
you Decided to dip but now you wanna trip
Cuz another brother noticed me

I couldn’t care less what you think
I need no permission, did I mention
don’t pay him any attention
Cuz you had your turn
But now you gonna learn
what it really feels like to miss me

And chorus really says it all:
Cuz if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don’t be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

Lessons:
Overall theme of female empowerment
If a guy is stupid enough not to see how fab you are, move on and find someone who respects you.
Have fun on your terms and don’t let a no good dude drag you down

Firework by Katy Perry

Granted there are some songs by Katy Perry that I do NOT want my daughter to emulate (Ahem, Last Friday Night…) this one has powerful messages about self worth and optimism.

You don’t have to feel like a waste of space
you’re original, cannot be replaced

If you only knew what the future holds
after a hurricane comes a rainbow

And of course the chorus:
‘Cause baby you’re a firework
Come on, show ’em what you’re worth

Lessons:
You are unique and valuable
Good things will come your way
You are as beautiful as the fireworks
Be proud of yourself and never feel like you need to hide

Raise your Glass by Pink

At first it’s obviously a party song, but I think its about those kids in high shcool that get made fun of for being different (those dirty little freaks) and why they should be happy with who they are. Look at the lyrics:

So raise your glass if you are wrong
in all the right ways, all my underdogs
we will never be, never be anything but loud
and nitty gritty, dirty little freaks

Even the bridge has deeper meaning:
So if you’re too school for cool
and you’re treated like a fool
you can choose to let it go

Lessons:
Be strong even if you’re not ‘mainstream’
Being different is not wrong; be comfortable in your own skin
You can choose how to react to peer pressure

There’s also Rolling in the Deep by Adele which I would actually call Bitter White Girl Music, but let’s face it great voice, great song, great message.

Finally I can see you crystal clear
go ahead and sell me out and I’ll lay your sh$% bare
see how I’ll leave with every piece of you

don’t underestimate the things that I will do
Turn my sorrow into treasured gold
you pay me back in kind and reap just what you sow

Lessons:
Watch out for a woman scorned!
You really do reap what you sow; be kind, and thoughtful of people’s emotions. Treat others as you would like to be treated.

I’m feeling pumped up now! Where’s my iPod? I have some tunes to blast!

Do you have any favourite songs that your kids should listen to?