By: Hayley Strahs

Graphics Editor

The genre of “kids’ music” consists of songs written for, but rarely by kids. Songs such as Johnny Johnny Yes Papa, Cocomelon’s entire discography, along with various songs sung by adults with 2000 listeners on Spotify consist of lifeless lyrics with the sole purpose to entertain little kids, who can barely understand words at all. People should stop letting their kids listen to “kids’ music” and instead expose them to the millions of clean songs that already exist, instead of low-quality children’s songs.

Aside from designated children’s songs, millions of clean and lighthearted songs already exist that parents and kids can both enjoy. There is a common misconception that genres such as rap and rock all contain expletives, when in reality, thousands of clean songs within the genres exist. With the main benefit of kids’ music being a lack of obscenities, the vast library of clean and instrumental music proves music made specifically for kids is unnecessary.

Kids raised on designated kids’ music often feel alienated when around children raised on popular music. Every family has their own criteria for when their kid is “old enough” to listen to mainstream music, which can lead to children not knowing the same music as their friends. Karaoke, dance parties, and singing in general can become stressful for kids who don’t know the same music as their peers. By letting kids listen to popular music meant for all ages, discrepancies between ages of maturity won’t cause kids to be left out when with their peers.

From a technical standpoint, most kids’ music is mind-numbingly simple. Basic chord progressions with little variation are the hallmark of children’s songs. With groups such as Cocomelon pioneering the kids’ music industry and promoting annoyingly simple chord progressions, these songs rarely expose kids to interesting music. Without taking into account children being excluded or kids’ music only containing simple chord progressions, most kids’ songs are objectively annoying. Artists make children’s’ songs to satisfy one age group, and these songs routinely bother parents and older children. Letting kids listen to music meant for all ages keeps everyone happy and avoids parents taking out their annoyance on their kids.

Young kids should not listen to Cocomelon and other kids’ artists, and parents should instead expose them to clean music for all ages. Raising your child on songs meant for kids can lead to them feeling alienated when singing with their friends and being unfamiliar with complex music. With general music being more accessible than ever before, children and parents are in the perfect position to leave designated kids’ music behind.