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Taylor Swift. Image: Nicole Alexander, Creative Commons Attribution 3.0.

Is Taylor Swift’s new album too dark for kids?

As young fans rush to purchase the latest Taylor Swift album, some parents question whether the dark material on “The Tortured Poets Department” is suitable for kids.

The album contains seven explicit songs that all come with warning labels, which means the lyrics can include such things as strong language, violence, sex or substance abuse, notifying parents it “may be inappropriate for kids.” The seven songs which have caused a stir for moms of “Taylor Tots” — a term describing younger Swift fans – are “The Tortured Poets Department,” “Down Bad,” “But, Daddy, I Love Him,” “Florida!!!,” “loml,” “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” and “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived.”

Members of Facebook group Taylor Swift’s Vault have been busy discussing the issue, with moms of young fans saying they are shielding their little ones from the themes of sex and violence. “I feel bad for all the Taylor Tots. because most parents are not going to deem this album appropriate,” member Crystal Barkley posted, according to “The Daily Wire.”

Some parents said they were less worried about the curse words than about the harm and violence. Casey McDonald Smith wrote that it was the “self-harm, violence and death talk” she’s “not feeling comfy with at this second.”

“I’m going to sleep on it and give it a few more listens before I decide how I’m going to approach it with my 9 year old,” another mom added. Kilee Herlin admitted she’s not sure it’s right for kids. “I have been debating this myself,” Herlin wrote. “Not because of swears, but just because of the deep, mature feelings. It’s definitely got some darkness.”

The double album also hints at her relationship with Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs. The couple publicly confirmed their relationship in September 2023 when Swift attended her first Chiefs game. Fans have speculated that the songs “The Alchemy” and “So High School” are both about Kelce.

But it’s not just the dark lyrics some are objecting to. Thousands have posted to Facebook excerpts of questionable lyrics that also include what they perceive as bashing  Christianity, demeaning parents and Swift comparing herself to Jesus on the cross.

“Almost half the songs on Taylor Swift’s new album contain explicit lyrics (E), make fun of Christians and straight up blaspheme God,” ” says one post by Michelle Barnes. It goes on to list additional lyrics.
Is this the music you want your kids listening to?
Do you think I’m overreacting?
Read the lyrics below and decide for yourself:
🎤Guilty as Sin
What if I roll the stone away?
They’re gonna crucify me anyway
What if the way you hold me is actually what’s holy?
If long-suffering propriety is what they want from me
They don’t know how you’ve haunted me so stunningly
I choose you and me religiously
Another song:
🎤The smallest man who ever lived
I would’ve died for your sins, instead, I just died inside
Another song:
🎤 But daddy I love him
I just learned these people only raise you
To cage you
Sarahs and Hannahs in their Sunday best
Clutchin’ their pearls, sighing, “What a mess”
I just learned these people try and save you
‘Cause they hate you
Another song:
🎤 God save the most judgmental creeps
Who say they want what’s best for me
Sanctimoniously performing soliloquies I’ll never see
Thinkin’ it can change the beat
Of my heart when he touches me
And counteract the chemistry
And undo the destiny
You ain’t gotta pray for me
Me and my wild boy and all of this wild joy
If all you want is gray for me
Then it’s just white noise, and it’s just my choice

–Alan Goforth | Metro Voice

Image:

Nicole Alexander

Creative Commons Attribution 3.0

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