Yes, You Can Listen to Chappell Roan Songs with Your Kids

Declared the Best New Artist of the Year at the Grammys, Chappell Roan's songs are hummed—or belted—by adults and kids alike. But some parents might raise eyebrows at song titles like “Red Wine Supernova” or lyrics like “A sexually explicit kind of love affair.”

The good news is that with a bit of careful song selection, you can enjoy Chappell Roan’s music with your kids. While some tracks explore adult themes, others are more suitable for family listening.

Let’s explore how to pick the best Chappell Roan songs for your children. Plus, we'll highlight some of the themes and messages in her music.

Who is Chappell Roan?

Chappell Roan may be a newcomer to some, but she's no overnight sensation. This singer-songwriter has been crafting her unique sound for years, and now she's finally getting her well-deserved moment in the spotlight. As London-based music industry expert Nikki Camilleri notes, "Roan is emerging as a powerful voice for her generation."

Chappell Roan also stands out with her distinctive style. Camilleri notes that “Her vibrant and catchy songs have earned her the title of ‘queer pop superstar.’ Her creative visuals, engaging lyrics and unique fashion sense have particularly resonated with younger audiences."

Understanding Chappell Roan's content

Chappell Roan’s music brings a lot to the table for young listeners.

According to jazz and blues pianist Steve Nixon, “The melodies are bold and expressive, which allows kids to connect with her music on multiple levels. The dramatic performance style and layered production give them something substantial to hold onto beyond just a memorable chorus. This type of dynamic listening boosts memory retention, concentration and pattern recognition skills.”

Regarding her lyrics, Julie Baron, LCSW-C, a licensed clinical social worker, says that Roan’s songwriting is deeply personal.

“This includes her experiences with same-sex relationships as well as her advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community,” she elaborates. “These themes of identity exploration and experimentation resonate deeply with adolescents, who are navigating their own paths to understanding who they truly are.”

Does Chappell Roan's music have any warning labels?

Chappell Roan has released one studio album called “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess.” This album carries a Parental Advisory label due to its explicit content.

Camilleri notes that many of Chappell Roan’s songs contain sexual language, so it’s important for parents to review which tracks are labelled as ‘explicit’ to make informed choices.

“Several of Chappell’s more daring songs come with an explicit label, suggesting they may include profanity or themes that could be seen as sexual, violent or offensive,” she explains. “This is usually indicated by an ‘E’ symbol on music streaming platforms. The presence of this label helps listeners understand what to expect and allows them to choose appropriate tracks based on their audience and personal preferences."

What age group is Chappell Roan's music for?

Shanella Karunaratne, a licensed professional counsellor, points out that Chappell Roan primarily appeals to individuals in their late teens and twenties. However, she notes that many children today are exposed to popular music at a much younger age.

To assess whether Roan’s music is age-appropriate for your child, Dawn Friedman, MSEd, a parent educator and clinical counsellor, recommends asking yourself if you would be comfortable with your child singing along.

She explains, "For instance, would you be okay with your child belting out 'Pink Pony Club' while you’re at the store? Or how about 'Casual'? Reflecting on these questions can help you decide which songs are appropriate for your family."

Are Chappell Roan songs kid-friendly?

Here are some of Chappell Roan’s most popular songs. We’ll take a look at which age groups these tracks appeal to and the themes they explore:

My Kink is Karma

Nixon characterizes this song as a vibrant and theatrical anthem, packed with intense language and a message driven by revenge that pulls no punches.

“It’s all about witnessing karma come back to someone who wronged you, and the confidence in how it’s delivered makes it resonate even more,” he notes. “The song’s progression keeps the energy levels high, making it thrilling to listen to, but its explicit lyrics and strong themes make it less suitable for younger children, being more appropriate for older teens and adults.”

• Watch the video

Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl

Gloria Kopp, an educator at Academized.com, notes that this Chappell Rong song is most appropriate for listeners aged 14 and older.

She points out that it offers a sharp and satirical critique of media and beauty standards. “This song can serve as a great starting point for discussions about media literacy,” she adds.

However, Caley Rose, a music educator, points out that this song may have lyrics that some parents may have concerns about. "This song isn't explicit in terms of language," she explains.

"It uses the term 'fugly,' which parents can decide how they feel about on their own. 'Telling secrets there on the mattress' could be perceived as a term for more mature subject matter. It also uses the word 'asses' and 'sexy,' even though it's not labelled E for explicit on streaming platforms like Spotify."

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California

Rose says that this is one of the most kid-friendly Chappell Roans songs. She notes, “The lyrics are straightforward and free of any suggestive content, focusing instead on the desire to achieve one’s dreams.”

Nixon adds that a significant theme in the song is about embracing uncertainty. He explains, “The way she delivers each line feels intimate, almost like having a heart-to-heart with someone who is trying to understand their emotions. It’s not just about relocating; it encompasses all the experiences that come with venturing into the unknown.”

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Pink Pony Club

Kopp suggests this song for children aged ten and older. She notes, “The lyrics focus on themes of self-discovery and freedom.” However, she advises parents to be aware that the song touches on nightlife and personal freedom, which may require further conversation with younger listeners.

For parents with younger kids, Nixon points out that there is a radio edit of the song available. “While the original version contains some explicit language, the radio edit removes those elements while preserving the essence of the song.”

Watch the video  

Listen to the clean version

Hot To Go

This song by Chappell Roan is a hit among kids. Kopp describes it as “upbeat, danceable, and featuring fewer mature themes compared to some of her other songs.”

Although there are some suggestive lyrics, Nixon points out that the song’s production focuses on bright and punchy sounds that enhance its energetic vibe. He adds, “It has a beat that keeps the energy flowing, making it easy to dance along without overthinking.”

Watch the video

Listen to the clean version

Alternative listening options

Use content filters

Chappell Roan’s music is widely accessible across various platforms, including local radio stations, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube and more. To help ensure a safe listening experience for children, parents might want to create personalized playlists that include clean versions of her songs whenever possible and activate the explicit content filter.

For instance, on Apple Music, it’s recommended to turn on content restrictions to prevent access to explicit tracks. Similarly, Amazon Music offers a “Kids” filter that can effectively limit exposure to adult content.

Rose also highlights that there are many clean versions of Roan’s songs available on Spotify. “I’ve noticed several ‘PG’ or ‘kid-friendly’ Chappell Roan playlists created by users on streaming platforms,” she shares. “Ultimately, it’s up to each parent to decide what’s best for their kids.”

Look for radio edits

Parents can ensure their children enjoy Chappell Roan’s music safely by opting for radio edits.

As Camilleri explains, “Radio edits or ‘clean’ versions are songs that have been altered to eliminate explicit language, making them suitable for a broader audience. You can easily find these ‘clean’ versions of her tracks, as they are usually what you hear on public radio stations.”

Opt for covers

There are also more suitable covers of Chappell Roan’s songs for younger audiences. For instance, Kidz Bop, a brand famous for making popular songs kid-friendly, has released a version of Chappell Roan’s hit “Good Luck Babe.”

Create playlists

Parents can easily create customized playlists to manage their children’s music choices. Spotify, for example, provides features that are designed for kids, allowing parents to oversee the songs their children can access.

Nicole Roder, LCSW-C, a licensed clinical social worker and certified dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) therapist, also recommends using Apple Music for music management.

Roder shares, “I use Apple Music to make my playlists. I have a special playlist in my music app called ‘Kids,’ which includes only the songs I enjoy with my children. Additionally, I subscribe to Apple One and share it with my family, allowing my kids to listen on their own devices. I also use the Screen Time feature in my settings to set parental controls on the type of content they can access."

Tips for discussing her music with kids

Talk to your children

Parents often wonder if today’s pop music is appropriate for their kids. This concern is rooted in the understanding that music has long been a powerful medium for exploring emotions and concepts, as noted by Nixon.

He explains that “Roan’s songs can serve as excellent starting points for discussions about self-expression, confidence, and creativity.” When a lyric raises a question, it presents an opportunity for dialogue. Kids are inquisitive by nature, and music helps them process their feelings and experiences. Listening together makes the experience interactive rather than just passive listening."

Friedman points out that Roan’s music also allows parents to engage in conversations about her lyrical content with their children. She remarks, “We can discuss why we might accept some of Chappell Roan’s lyrics while rejecting others (if that’s our stance) and reflect on how we make those choices.”

Ask questions

Just like you would check in with your child about their day at school or their friends, Baron suggests that parents should also ask their kids about the Chappell Roan songs they enjoy

She points out that engaging teens in thoughtful conversations works best when parents remain nonjudgmental and seek to understand their opinions and preferences. “Make sure to listen,” she adds. "If you’re concerned that your younger child or teen is listening to music that might not be appropriate, begin by asking what they like about it, how it affects their emotions, and what it means to them personally. Starting with open-ended questions can help reveal what aspects of the music resonate with them and how they perceive its content."

Offer age-appropriate guidance

Baron emphasizes that because Chappell Roan’s music often explores mature themes, it’s essential for parents to have age-appropriate discussions about her songs and their values with their children.

“Regardless of whether parents enjoy or approve of Chappell Roan’s music, these conversations create valuable opportunities to connect with their children and teenagers,” she notes. “It’s essential to use language and concepts that are suitable for their age and to answer questions directly without going into excessive detail. Keep in mind that these discussions should be ongoing.”

Other practical listening guidelines

Set limits

Setting limits is always important in life, whether that's screen time or snacks. Music is no different, as some can contain mature themes and suggestive lyrics.

According to Baron, "Parents should limit music and other media content that uses sexually explicit or profane language and mature themes by any artist as best they can, particularly for younger kids under 10."

Once children grow older, Baron says parents have much less control over what their pre-teens see and hear. "By this point, parents are better off holding lines and limits within the environments they can affect, such as when spending time together (barring workarounds with air pods) and through available parental controls on devices," she explains.

Baron stresses that it is important to set limits with transparency and understanding. She notes, "Certainly by grade 8 and beyond, allowing teens open exploration of themselves through music becomes a rite of passage and important for teens’ social and identity development."

Listen to their playlist

Roder suggests it may be more suitable for younger children to listen to clean versions of Chappell Roan’s music. However, she believes that older kids should be able to select their own music.

“Music serves as a powerful means of self-expression, and children often connect with songs that relate to their experiences and concerns,” she explains. “Rather than curating playlists for your kids, consider allowing them to make playlists for you. This presents a wonderful opportunity to understand what’s happening in their creative minds!”

Have fun

Parents may have reservations about Chappell Roan’s lyrics, but Baron believes that much of this content often flies over younger children’s heads. Rather than banning the music altogether, she recommends letting kids have fun without fixating on the lyrics.

Baron explains, “For younger audiences, many lyrics may be completely lost on them. They are drawn in by the music and vibrant visuals like makeup and costumes in videos. Generally, as kids and teens mature, their understanding of song lyrics becomes more nuanced. We can all remember singing along to a favourite song in our childhood without realizing it had a deeper or more suggestive meaning!”

Experts

• Nikki Camilleri is a London-based music industry expert.
• Julie Baron, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in treating adolescents, emerging adults, and their families.
• Gloria Kopp is an educator at Academized.com, an online platform that provides academic writing services and assistance to students.
• Shenella Karunaratne, LPC, is a licensed professional counsellor.
• Dawn Friedman, MSEd, is a parent educator and clinical counsellor.
• Steve Nixon is a jazz and blues pianist and founder of Freejazzlessons.com.
• Nicole Roder, LCSW-C, is a licensed clinical social worker and certified dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) therapist.
• Caley Rose is a music educator and creator of Music with a Message, a SEL (Social Emotional Learning) music assembly program.