Hit Songs You Can Jam to with Yr Parents

Your parents + today’s hit music = awkward.

Why do your parents seem to walk into your room when the dirtiest songs are playing? “Birthday Sex” just isn’t what your mom wants you listening to, and why did she have to stop talking right when Jeremih starts singing about hitting that g-spot? “Ummm…. he means the groovy spot, the spot when you are feeling groovy.... So how was your day, mom?”

We say, don't put yourself at the mercy of parents, your iTunes shuffle, and fate. Take matters into your own hands by making a mix of songs you can play around your parents shame-free . . . songs they might even enjoy listening to. But don't make the songs too good—you don't want a parental pal at your next concert.

“Fire Burning” by Sean Kingston

Your parents will be happy about this reggae-flavored club banger because it’s got a good message: If there’s a fire, you have to call 911! Sure, there’s some sexual content, but your parents won’t be able to understand any words beside Kingston shouting, “Somebody call 911!” They spent the first five years of your life telling you this, and they’ll be glad it made an impression. Now if someone can just write a hit about looking both ways before you cross the street, your parents will be reeeeeeally happy.

“Viva la Vida” by Coldplay

Coldplay just settled out of court with a guitarist named Joe Satriani who was suing them because he felt “Viva la Vida” sounded just like one of his songs. And he wasn’t the only one—soft rocker Cat Stevens chimed in and pointed out this song was uncomfortably close to one of his, as well.

Why is this good? Do your parents like plagiarism? No, they don’t, but that's not the point: if you put this song on—no matter what decade your parents grew up in—it will probably remind them of some other song they like.

“Paranoid” by the Jonas Brothers

Don’t hate—sure, the J Bros. are about as edgy as a trip to Grandma’s, but when they’re on, these squeaky-clean boys can write some solid pop songs. Plus, the fact that you listen to a family-friendly band comprised of Evangelical Christians who wear purity rings is only gonna come in handy when the next Ludacris single comes out and your mom gets wind of the lyrics.

"You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift

The important thing is to let your parents know you are listening to Taylor Swift. Even if they don’t like country, every parent now loves Taylor Swift. The press painted her as a victim, and they feel the need to support her after “that rude Kanye West interrupted her at the Grammys!”

“That was the VMAs, dad.”

“VMAs, SUVs, PCs, how do you expect me to keep all these things straight!”

But watch out! Some songs aren’t as parent-friendly as they seem. Britney’s new song "3" is pretty deceptive—it begins with her counting (your parents want you to be good at math), it mentions Peter, Paul and Mary (your parents like the sixties), but oops! It’s kind of about a threesome. Not really a subject matter you want to have come up in the same room as your parents. Ever.

What bands and songs can you listen to with your parents? Do they try to stop you from listening to questionable content, or do they just give you the tsk-tsk? Or are your mom and dad totally down with Top 40 hits?

Related post: Your Parents vs. Your Music