A few months ago, 'Child of the Devil' by Jebroer started echoing through our home: "Child of the devil, mama, you don't have to cry, lalalalala… at my funeral." It's got an irresistibly catchy beat that my kids love. But I've heard fellow moms voicing concerns about children singing along to Top 40 tracks like this—or older hits like 'Drinks and Drugs.'
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With kids aged nearly 8 and 12, they're already exposed to this music at school, so influence is limited. Still, as a parent and believer, I see no real harm. Radio 538 plays constantly in our house, bringing these songs naturally into our routine.
I get why strict believers might object, but I don't share those worries—even as a person of faith who doesn't believe in the devil. It's a stretch, anyway. That's the perspective I share with my children when these tracks come on. The lyrics might mean something other than they seem; I'm not entirely sure myself. Banning them only amplifies appeal, much like forbidding smoking (as I explored in a recent post). Instead, I seize the moment for open dialogue.
Our chats typically start with me asking what they think the singer means. They usually focus on the fun, thumping chorus. My daughter chimes in: "Mom, the devil doesn't even exist!" This leads naturally to discussions on faith, God, the devil—and evolution, since my husband Frank insists we're descended from apes 😉. Our kids hear both sides and decide what resonates.
These songs often spark enriching conversations, which I value far more than avoidance. I didn't love the music video (just watched it now for the first time), but the talks make it worthwhile.
Image used via Shutterstock
