Music P!%nography For the Masses

*The following post uses the "p word" several times. I wanted to make sure your filter didn't block it, so I have "edited" the word. Hope that's not too confusing. Carry on...

Every generation questions the music of the younger generation. It's my right as a parent and I'm darn sure going to exercise it.

"Turn down that garbage!"

"You call that music?"

I sound just like my parents. I'm not proud of myself, but it's reality.

So I know it sounds a bit cliche when I say that much of the music being played on your typical top 40 music station is essentially p!%nography. Before you start calling me an antiquated geezer, please know that there are some people in the music industry who agree.

Recently, Mike Stock, a successful record producer from Britain, declared that pop music today is “99 percent soft p!%nography.” I think he's right.

From the themes to the content to the music videos, many in the music industry are proving the axiom that "sex sells." Walt Mueller's CPYA blog suggested that parents view Katy (of "I Kissed a Girl" fame) Perry's new video for her hit "Teenage Dream."

Wow.

I would characterize the video as the "p" word. It's a catchy tune.  But the video is truly shocking stuff. If it was being marketed to an adult audience, it would be bad enough. But the song has "teenage" in the title. And it was number one on iTunes last week.

Oh, and did I mention that Miss Perry served as the host of Nickelodeon's Kid's Choice Awards this year? it's troubling, to say the least.

But maybe I'm just being an old fart and I should just let kids be kids. Oh, did I mention that number two on iTunes was Ke$ha's song "Take it Off?" Yeah, I never can pronounce her name right, but I know she's pretty big with the youngsters these days. Her song isn't a metaphor for something bigger. It's just about taking your clothes off.

There is some great commentary on this issue in the most recent edition of the Christian Index. Author Rebecca Hagelin has some really good things to say.

Parents should take notice. And stay on guard. But don't freak out. Keep calm. Keep talking with your kids. Don't move into record burning territory. That's rarely productive. Even for small town Florida pastors.