We listen to rock music pretty much. They’ve commented on things like the little blue man song and things like that. Usually just “turn it up” and then they start singing. But a couple of weeks ago we were on a car trip and I was listening to Sting “Fortress Around Your Heart”. My 7yo can be quite intense about things when she’s really interested in something. I hear from the back seat in her intense voice, “Can you put it back here? I can’t hear the words he’s saying.” Sting’s voice does tend to blend in with road noise I’m afraid. But she’s never asked that before about any song ever. I’m thinking to myself, “Wow, what a song to decide she wants to hear the words.” It’s all full of symbolism and I’m not even sure she’d understand that he’s trying to make up with someone whom he has upset. Whatever, we go on with our lives.
Then today the Police are on the radio singing Sting’s “Every Breath You Take” where Sting says “I’ll be watching you” several times. I hear from the backseat a little 2yo voice saying, “Mama, he be watching us?” She sings songs, mimics, parrots, whatever you want to call it, but this is the first time she’s ever asked a question about what the person is singing.
So now I’m wondering what it is about Sting that they find so interesting? And does he have this effect on all children?
Stop listening to him. Stop listening to him now. Haven’t you ever read the Pied Piper of Hamlin. He is going to lure your kids away and join his Tantric Sex Cult. They will never be the same and won’t ever speak to you again.
Of course I could be completely off base and your kids just like him.
HUGS!
Sqrl
Same here. My kids have just gotten to the age where they want to listen to their own music while they’re doing chores or just hanging out. One cd that’s always in is the Police. My son loves it.
My only rationale for it beyond the development of individual taste in music is that some of Sting’s music–especially his lyrics–sound like he’s thinking out loud. Like he’s telling you something instead of just singing some words to go with some music.
My son loves King of Pain and why? It’s visual for one thing. I remember vividly how I used to borrow my brother’s cassette so I could listen to Ghost in the Machine. I was about my son’s age and I really got into the lyrics and the alternating rhythm.
My daughter loves Steely Dan. Yeah, Backstreet Boys, NSync…and Steely Dan. Now that has a lot to do with the fact that she’s grown up hearing it, but there has to be something in the sound of the voice, the way the lyrics fit the music or the imagery that catches those little minds and grabs their attention.
The real trick would be getting Sting to sing something about cleaning your room or taking out the garbage…that would be great.
struuter
Because your kids have taste where they sit. 
I could just hear it now:
“Fortress Around Your Stinking Pile of Dirty Clothes”
“If You Love Somebody (Clean Your Room)”
“A Brand New Schoolday”
“If I Ever Lose My Faith In You (You’ll Be Grounded)”
Yeah, that’d really go over big with the youngsters.
Hey man, I’ll take whatever help I can get.
And you are mighty clever to whip those up–could be a good idea for its own thread.
‘Don’t Stand So Close To Me (or You Need Your Diaper Changed)’
or even some music from other bands…
‘Load (the Dishwasher)’–Metallica
‘Heartache Tonight (if You Don’t Take Out the Garbage)’–Eagles
Oh, hey…sorry about the hi-jack. My apologies.
They like it because the words are mostly comprehensible and they rhyme.
Simple as that.
Comprehensible? Wait let me look that up in my Roget’s…tick…tick…tick…tick…That’s what I thought it meant.
You think that a seven-year-old can comprehend Fortress Around Your Heart? My husband doesn’t understand it.
Anyway, yeah, it’s probably something like that.
“Ten Summoner’s (Bedtime) Tales”
And I too like Sting and Steely Dan… I had a babysitter when I was in 2nd grade that turned me on to Sting, and my parents have listened to Steely Dan for a long time. I also like Supertramp, Billy Joel… but I like a lot of new stuff too (Foo Fighters, Smashmouth, Toad The Wet Sprocket).
I’d also like to point out to SoMoMom that the Eighties’ songs are now officially Oldies, so a lot of Police and Sting material is getting airplay on the “Best of the 80’s, 90’s, and today” radio stations. My kids sing along all the time to Tears for Fears’ “Everybody Wants to Rule the World”, and the Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams are Made of This”, which I don’t mind so much, but I’m getting really tired of “Red Red Wine” (not to mention Madonna’s ill-advised dance-mix cover of “American Pie”).