Quick poll - my sons' elementary school (grades 3-5) has a lip sync contest later in the year. It's a HUGE deal and the whole school, plus parents, come to the final competition.
My 5th grade son has made the finals the past 2 years and is hellbent on winning so he and his friends are working on their song choice now. The front runner by far is Uptown Funk by Marc Ronson and Bruno Mars. The school has ultimate say over whether or not a song is OK to use, but they've let in some questionable songs in the past (Wanna Be from Spice Girls comes to mind...just creepy at this age).
If you were watching this, would the reference to liquor and the last stanza, which includes "if you're sexy then flaunt it, if you're freaky then own it" bother you? I'm on the fence...I'd love to be able to have them do a version where that liquor line and last section are edited out but unfortunately, the sound player at school only works consistently with actual CDs, not CDs that you burn on your computer so editing out a line or section isn't really a great option.
Thanks for your feedback!
Due to the fact that it sounds like he is saying "Uptown fu*k you up", I think I would choose something else. Something safe would "Happy" by Pharrell Williams, or "The Fox" by Ylvis.
No way they're going to let you use this song. The line that says "if you're sexy then flaunt it" and the line about the cup and "put liquor in it" are deal breakers. So is the repeated line about "hot damn, hot damn". Your 5th grader needs to look at lyrics and find a song that has zero references to drugs, alcohol, sex or any swear words, even "tame" ones. The kids aren't allowed to say "damn" or "hell" in class, so the school will not allow it in a talent show.
Use this as a teachable moment for your son and his friends. If they are having trouble finding something "acceptable", what does that tell them about the music industry and what it markets to children?
I'm no prude and my son probably said "dammit" at age 4, and I'm not naive about what goes on between kids on the school bus. But a school talent show, nope. I suggest you steer him in another direction early so he isn't disappointed and so he has time to focus on what really counts, which is preparation for something truly entertaining for all ages.
I'd say no. Pick another song.
Nah...other good songs out there.
Happy or Shake it Off?
No, I think this song is pretty inappropriate for that age group. I would have him pick something else.
Lip syncing is a thing in schools? SMH
Find a KidsBop version. Usually inappropriate words are switched out for better, more kid-friendly ones.
I've heard worse, so not sure (my son's TK had I'm Sexy and I know it, so that word is not a deal breaker for all schools). Funk sure sounds like something else in the song and I would think that would be the reason for a no. Here are the lyrics:
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
I said Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
Uptown Funk you up, Uptown Funk you up
I love Uptown Funk. I think it's ultimately up to the school. If the school was okay with it, I would let my kid use it. But that's me.
Surely all the kids in the school will be sitting there singing along with the song, using the F word...
I can just see the person at the school shaking her head saying "But I didn't know that this is what the song said!"....(naive)...
I'd opt for another song.
Go to You Tube or the recent Ellen show where this is performed.. Listen to the lyrics yourself and then ask yourself the question.
I know there is a website (I forget the name) that checks lyrics etc. I was substituting in music class last month and before each song was presented to me to play for the class, it was run through that program to pick up any offensive lyrics. If something popped up as questionable, it was thrown out.
When my daughter was in middle school, they would not allow any songs that had ANY reference to drugs, alcohol, physical harm or sex. I think they took it a little too far because her friend wanted to sing a song that had no actual reference to any but if you really analyzed it you might have come up with drugs.
I don't know this song though so not sure how they might take it.
