Wal-Mart CDs

[scrapquitler]

It surprised me that so many artists WILL allow their work to be tampered with in this way.

I think that generally the artists allow it because they have to have a 'radio edit' anyway if they want to have mainstream radio exposure.

 

[anna_chronistic]

Am I the only one who sometimes prefers the edited/radio versions? Not for all songs -- particularly the ones that just replace the language with dead air (which, like a previous poster said, just serves to highlight the word rather than disguise it, in most cases)-- but the ones that are actually (IMO) better in the "clean" version?

I'm thinking, for example, of "Let's Get It Started" by the Black-Eyed Peas. I bought the song on iTunes months after it came out -- having heard only the radio version -- only to discover that those were not the words to the song at all. I hated the "real" (truly artistic, I suppose some would say) version. Sometimes the original version is so full of gratuitously filthy language that I think it actually detracts from the song.

I wouldn't consider myself a prude, but when the singer/rapper is swearing for every other word, I don't know, I guess I just think that's lazy song"writing."

Perhaps it also has to do with my reality (everyone has their own!) in which people do not just swear indiscriminately, use pejorative terms for women or different ethnicities, etc., in everyday language. Yes, I have purchased the "real" version of songs intentionally in the past, but sometimes -- again, IMO -- the radio edit really is better.

 

[zoemurr]

I went in to buy HSM3 on DVD. I wanted the "extended version" with the out-takes and interviews and such, but I didn't see it. I asked if they had it. They said they did, but they had to keep it behind the counter as it had some material that may be inappropriate for children.

I took it home and watched it before the kids.. It didn't even have a "gosh-darn" in it. No idea where they were going with that. I think it was because the out-takes were un-rated. Still, it is a Disney movie.

 

[zalansky]

thank you OP for posting this!!! I bought myself the Eminem CD yesterday at Target. LOVE it. My husband wanted to listen to it and I decided to get him his own copy for his car. Went to Walmart and got it today, got home and saw this thread. I would not have had any idea and would have opened it! I returned it right away and went to Target and got the unedited CD for him. So thank you again! I would have wasted $12.

On a side note as others have mentioned, the CD is great. I am not usually a fan of this kind of music and I am sure I am not the demographic either (then again Eminem is only a 3 years younger than me...but I have to say this album is awesome. You definitely can't be offended by explicit words though, if you are forget it. You can tell he put his heart and soul into this one.

 

[Pigeon]

I went in to buy HSM3 on DVD. I wanted the "extended version" with the out-takes and interviews and such, but I didn't see it. I asked if they had it. They said they did, but they had to keep it behind the counter as it had some material that may be inappropriate for children.

I took it home and watched it before the kids.. It didn't even have a "gosh-darn" in it. No idea where they were going with that. I think it was because the out-takes were un-rated. Still, it is a Disney movie.

 

[luvsJack]

Am I the only one who sometimes prefers the edited/radio versions?.

I'm with you. I prefer the edited version and it makes it much easier to allow dd to pick out her own CD's while we are in WalMart.

When my sons were in jr high/high school, one liked Rap and the other Alternative Rock, grunge rock and such. When older ds would buy a Rap CD, there were always warnings on the label and if there wasn't an edited version, he couldn't buy them (someone 18 or older had to). But, younger ds could go buy something in his genre and there were no lables, no restriction of who could purchase. Dumb me thought "oh, HIS music doesn't have all the vulgar language" HA. It had just as much.

 

[johnsontrio]

thank you OP for posting this!!! I bought myself the Eminem CD yesterday at Target. LOVE it. My husband wanted to listen to it and I decided to get him his own copy for his car. Went to Walmart and got it today, got home and saw this thread. I would not have had any idea and would have opened it! I returned it right away and went to Target and got the unedited CD for him. So thank you again! I would have wasted $12.

On a side note as others have mentioned, the CD is great. I am not usually a fan of this kind of music and I am sure I am not the demographic either (then again Eminem is only a 3 years younger than me...but I have to say this album is awesome. You definitely can't be offended by explicit words though, if you are forget it. You can tell he put his heart and soul into this one.

What I was trying to say earlier but got rushed is that if you like or can tolerate this genre of music, Eminem definitely shows a lot of growth and maturity through his writing on this album. I bought it originally because I was taking DD to see the Jay-Z and Eminem concert and really don't like sitting through music I haven't heard before. I have been listening non-stop to this CD in the car for 2 weeks. Everytime I hear it, I hear something I hadn't heard before.

His lyrics are humorous, ironic, heartfelt, tragic... many, many emotions expressed through his writing. The melodies are catchy and I am surprised to find that I like this album. The one downside to his concert, he had so many special guests that each played their own music that he actually only played maybe 4 songs from this new album. He did not play the songs that are more on the ballad end of the spectrum which are the songs I like the best.

It was great seeing him live. He looked very present in the moment and very healthy. I hope for his sake and that of his girls, he can remain in recovery.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

Every Wal-Mart, one reason I get all my metal and rap cds from Best Buy. I want the cursing and all.

OT: For "Keeps Getting Better" by Christina Aguliera where is the unedited version? I got a edited version of the song on accident.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Am I the only one who sometimes prefers the edited/radio versions? Not for all songs -- particularly the ones that just replace the language with dead air (which, like a previous poster said, just serves to highlight the word rather than disguise it, in most cases)-- but the ones that are actually (IMO) better in the "clean" version?

I'm thinking, for example, of "Let's Get It Started" by the Black-Eyed Peas. I bought the song on iTunes months after it came out -- having heard only the radio version -- only to discover that those were not the words to the song at all. I hated the "real" (truly artistic, I suppose some would say) version. Sometimes the original version is so full of gratuitously filthy language that I think it actually detracts from the song.

I wouldn't consider myself a prude, but when the singer/rapper is swearing for every other word, I don't know, I guess I just think that's lazy song"writing."

Perhaps it also has to do with my reality (everyone has their own!) in which people do not just swear indiscriminately, use pejorative terms for women or different ethnicities, etc., in everyday language. Yes, I have purchased the "real" version of songs intentionally in the past, but sometimes -- again, IMO -- the radio edit really is better.

We don't swear indiscriminately (or any of the other things your reference) in our family either. In fact, people often tease me that I still talk like a preschool teacher even though I have not taught it in over a decade because I pretty much never swear. Hearing it in a song does not translate to it getting used in reality in my family--and IF the kids pay attention to the lyrics and wonder what is up it is a great springboard for discussion. I also agree that just strings of obscenities are lazy writing (song, movie, book, you name it) and there are songs that are too full of them for me to like at all. I guess I don't want to think I love a song, or the kids to go on about loving a song--only to look like fools because they are talking about the watered down version--and don't really have an understanding of what the song is about.

I guess I'll have to listen to Lets Get It Started again. I know the Black Eyed Peas would be heavily edited for US airplay but I do not recall noticing anything overly terrible in that song versus their norm. It is entirely possible i just didn't notice though.

 

[browneyes106]

For unedited CD's I usually go to Best Buy or FYE. Also Wal-Mart sells CD's that have edited songs to avoid references to certain slurs about disabled people or suicide.

 

[MK2thcleaner]

I guess I'll have to listen to Lets Get It Started again. I know the Black Eyed Peas would be heavily edited for US airplay but I do not recall noticing anything overly terrible in that song versus their norm. It is entirely possible i just didn't notice though.

The other version is "Lets Get Retarded."

 

[anna_chronistic]

We don't swear indiscriminately (or any of the other things your reference) in our family either. In fact, people often tease me that I still talk like a preschool teacher even though I have not taught it in over a decade because I pretty much never swear. Hearing it in a song does not translate to it getting used in reality in my family--and IF the kids pay attention to the lyrics and wonder what is up it is a great springboard for discussion. I also agree that just strings of obscenities are lazy writing (song, movie, book, you name it) and there are songs that are too full of them for me to like at all.

Wow, after I re-read my post, I realized I sounded totally like a prude, and seemed to be mentioning the Black-Eyed Peas song as an example of gratuitous swearing and all things bad about songs, which was not my intent. As a PP mentioned, the "actual" words are "Let's get retarded." I vastly prefer the "Let's Get It Started" radio-edit, because I dislike the way people throw around the word "retarded." I also apologize if it sounded as if I was saying all people who listen to songs with lots of swearing, themselves swear constantly. My goodness, for someone who makes my living communicating, I certainly didn't express myself well!

To clarify, yes, I agree there are absolutely songs (and movies) that can be rife with foul language, and still have a lot of merit (either as plain-old entertainment, a message, or both). One of my favorite movies is "Boondock Saints," and that film is chock-full of language I would never repeat, doesn't portray various ethnic groups well, and has a lot of the type of humor that I typically do not find amusing. But it has a thought-provoking message, is somehow a mix of reverence and total irreverence, and has Willem Dafoe in drag -- so I love it! I also like a lot of songs with a hard edge, and I agree that Eminem's newest CD has a lot of great stuff on it.

I guess I make a distinction between music/movies with a message (or at least that skillfully entertain!) and those with simply appalling lyrics or that actively promote behavior I abhor. I think the newest song by Eminem and Rihanna is fantastic. As another poster mentioned (I think in a different thread), it shows both sides of an abusive relationship and is a very evocative song. On the other hand, I hate the song by 21-gun Salute -- "Don't Trust Me."

On the other hand, heaven knows my taste level can be questionable. Watching Project Runway -- and having views completely opposed to the judges' most weeks -- has shown me that! Tastes can be different, and different is not a value judgment. I simply have a deep-seated uneasiness about entertainment that glorifies violence, misogyny, bigotry, etc. Although I think many people are capable of separating entertainment and reality, I feel like our entertainment becomes our reality far too often. I just started reading Gavin de Becker's "Gift of Fear," and I was stunned at the rates of violence in the US versus other countries. I can't help but attribute some of that to our preferences in entertainment.

I think the fact that you discuss those actions/language/situations that are questionable or disturbing in media with your kids is the best way to mitigate the effect of those things, and is both admirable and (I expect flames here) uncommon for many, many families. (I want to say most, but I have would have to find data to back that up!)

I guess I don't want to think I love a song, or the kids to go on about loving a song--only to look like fools because they are talking about the watered down version--and don't really have an understanding of what the song is about

This just reminds me of the "If You Seek Amy" Britney Spears song. For about the first month it played, I enjoyed it, blasted it every time it was on the radio, and tried to figure out what story she was trying to convey. The lyrics didn't really make sense to me, but I was still enjoying the song. When a friend finally explained it to me, I was so sheepish. It seemed obvious then what the actual "message" was!

 

[sbell111]

And that is why we buy any CD we want at Target and not WalMart. I can choose what my kids do or don't listen to all on my own. I don't need WalMart to do it.

WalMart isn't choosing what your children are listening to. They are choosing what they sell. There are loads of things in the world that we need or want to buy. Many of those items are not available at WalMart.

Just the other day, we had to make an emergency purchase of an Angel Dear pink bunny security blanket. They aren't available at WalMart, so we bought it at Strasburg.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm one who doesn't care if the cd is edited or not. Does blurring out the curse words really hurt the music? I guess that with some artists, you wouldn't hear much though.

 

[NHdisneylover]

The other version is "Lets Get Retarded."

Thanks. I have looked and I guess I don't know because we don't actually own that song--I thought we did It would appear I have only ever heard the edited version (oh, and I despise the use of retarded like that, but I still like that song--fun beat).

Wow, after I re-read my post, I realized I sounded totally like a prude, and seemed to be mentioning the Black-Eyed Peas song as an example of gratuitous swearing and all things bad about songs, which was not my intent. As a PP mentioned, the "actual" words are "Let's get retarded." I vastly prefer the "Let's Get It Started" radio-edit, because I dislike the way people throw around the word "retarded." I also apologize if it sounded as if I was saying all people who listen to songs with lots of swearing, themselves swear constantly. My goodness, for someone who makes my living communicating, I certainly didn't express myself well!

To clarify, yes, I agree there are absolutely songs (and movies) that can be rife with foul language, and still have a lot of merit (either as plain-old entertainment, a message, or both). One of my favorite movies is "Boondock Saints," and that film is chock-full of language I would never repeat, doesn't portray various ethnic groups well, and has a lot of the type of humor that I typically do not find amusing. But it has a thought-provoking message, is somehow a mix of reverence and total irreverence, and has Willem Dafoe in drag -- so I love it! I also like a lot of songs with a hard edge, and I agree that Eminem's newest CD has a lot of great stuff on it.

I guess I make a distinction between music/movies with a message (or at least that skillfully entertain!) and those with simply appalling lyrics or that actively promote behavior I abhor. I think the newest song by Eminem and Rihanna is fantastic. As another poster mentioned (I think in a different thread), it shows both sides of an abusive relationship and is a very evocative song. On the other hand, I hate the song by 21-gun Salute -- "Don't Trust Me."

On the other hand, heaven knows my taste level can be questionable. Watching Project Runway -- and having views completely opposed to the judges' most weeks -- has shown me that! Tastes can be different, and different is not a value judgment. I simply have a deep-seated uneasiness about entertainment that glorifies violence, misogyny, bigotry, etc. Although I think many people are capable of separating entertainment and reality, I feel like our entertainment becomes our reality far too often. I just started reading Gavin de Becker's "Gift of Fear," and I was stunned at the rates of violence in the US versus other countries. I can't help but attribute some of that to our preferences in entertainment.

I think the fact that you discuss those actions/language/situations that are questionable or disturbing in media with your kids is the best way to mitigate the effect of those things, and is both admirable and (I expect flames here) uncommon for many, many families. (I want to say most, but I have would have to find data to back that up!)



This just reminds me of the "If You Seek Amy" Britney Spears song. For about the first month it played, I enjoyed it, blasted it every time it was on the radio, and tried to figure out what story she was trying to convey. The lyrics didn't really make sense to me, but I was still enjoying the song. When a friend finally explained it to me, I was so sheepish. It seemed obvious then what the actual "message" was!

Don't worry about it--it IS hard to come across clearly on these boards--goodness knows I am aware of that Thanks for the compliment--I do try to talk to the kids a lot about a huge variety of topics. I also agree I do not like glorying violence and the like either, but somehow (at times) it seems you can enjoy the MUSIC in a song without caring about the lyrics, but I sitll feel better knowing what the lyrics are than just thinking I love something and being totally off base about what it is. Just my hang up
Funny, they can listen to ANYthing they want, but my DD13 has very conservative tastes. Her favourite artists are Kenny Loggins and Buddy Holly. She also loves musicals (Wicked being at the top of the list), Shania Twain and Kenny Chesney.
DS11 brings more to talk about in (musically anyway) with his love of a strong beat. He loves Micahel Jaskson, David Guetta, Black Eyed Peas (and just Fergie), Lady GaGa, and Gwen Stefani (as well as a lot of older and tamer stuff).
and not getting the Seeking Amy song (I had to look that one up--I don't know it). I have things like that happen too.

 

[debbi801]

When my oldest was in elementary school and suddenly into rap and hip hop music, i bought most of his CDs from walmart for that specific reason. By the time he was towards the end of middle school, i didn't bother any more.

The new Eminem CD is awesome, BTW.

 

[bored]

I'm one who doesn't care if the cd is edited or not. Does blurring out the curse words really hurt the music? I guess that with some artists, you wouldn't hear much though.

That's the sad part!

 

[wvjules]

I downloaded it from iTunes last night. I think every song had "explicit" on it. lol I am just now listening to it.

For some reason I find him very sexy. Not handsome, cute or hot but sexy. Stange?

I'm not even going to tell you who else I think that about.

 

[jen0610]

For some reason I find him very sexy. Not handsome, cute or hot but sexy. Stange?

I'm not even going to tell you who else I think that about.

He is one of those ones, that there is just something about him that makes him sexy. Like you, no clue why he's sexy....he just is.

 

[wvjules]

Not crazy about "Cold Wind Blows" but maybe it will grow on me. lol