Beauty in the Ear of the Beholder

My kids (all of them) have been on a real music kick lately. Which is great. I'd love for them all to grow up with an appreciation for music. Their selection in music, however, really makes me worry about the generation that should be paying for my Social Security benefits.

In no particular order, here are the songs that my kids most frequently request.

• You Can't Roller Skate in a Buffalo Herd (Roger Miller) - My favorite Roger Miller line? "Roses are reds, and violets are purple. Sugar is sweet, and so is maple syrple."
• I Got A Feeling (Black Eyed Peas) - Fergie has come along way from the Electric Company.
• Tik Tok (Ke$ha) - The fact that my little princess's favorite song is a party nihilist anthem takes a back row to the fact that it keeps her happy for 5 minutes. 
• Cheap Seats (Alabama) - Apparently we like both types.
• Centerfield (John Fogerty) - Can't wait until my boys are old enough to watch Bull Durham. When do you think that'll be? Like 8? 
• Never Say Never (Justin Bieber, featuring Jaden Smith) - My favorite Jaden line? "No pun intended I was raised by the power of (W)ill." Um, you intended that pun. 
• Baby (Justin Bieber) - I'm more than a little frightened by just how much this news story relieved my wife. And by how quickly I came to forgive Ludacris.
• Under the Mistletoe (Justin Bieber) - There is a pattern here, and it is far too Canadian for my liking.
• It's My Life (Bon Jovi) - At least in my car I can decide when it will start playing.
• We Didn't Start the Fire (Billy Joel) - I don't even get all of the references in there. 

I'd like it known here and now that I don't play all of these for my progeny; certain songs will only "work" in Mommy's car. Anyone who lets them in on the fact that I could technically play them are welcome to drive the wee ones around while they rock out to the Biebs.