An Elder Millennial Play List for Today’s Preteen Girls
I am feeling a bit nostalgic. My daughter is 12, soon to be 13. And I know it is always the case, but have you all noticed how music is not the same as it used to be? But no, really. I like a lot of ‘today’s hits’ I am not here to shout get off my lawn, but when it comes to music that will seriously empower my preteen daughter to thrive in this life and society, I cannot seem to find many songs from now that will rise to that occasion.
So, I am going to try to make a playlist for her. Old school style, like when we used to burn cds for each other, remember? But now it is a YouTube or Pandora playlist.
So far I know that she needs to get her headphones hooked up to some Ani Difranco. She already knows enough about Ani, me being who I am, an Ani fan at age 16 and someone who will talk nonstop about how Ani’s music changed my life to anyone who wants to listen. But, as any parent might attest to, it sure is hard to get your kid to like what you liked at their age! But here let’s add Not a Pretty Girl and Swan Dive to the mix.
I hope Alanis Morisette is an easier listen for my kid, so she has to go on the mixed tape too - my favorite and most empowering are You Learn and Not the Doctor.
Next, Indigo Girls. I was a young bisexual afterall. Before it was cool, right? Closer to Fine is really all you need, sorry fam. I know. There are so many good ones but for the preteens, start light.
Dar Williams is next. I still love her. I cry at most of her stuff. It just happens. From my teen and preteen days it was As Cool As I Am that made me feel something relevant to teen drama days.
Tori. Tori. Tori. My Queen. My beautiful Queen. I wish I could take my daughter to a Tori concert right now. She will heal you, cure you, empower you, and set you on fire with liberation. Take to the Sky is my go-to as a mom, woman, and let’s see how my kid feels about it.
I had to throw in some Pink - Stupid Girls. Remember this? It empowered me that is for sure! I felt seen!
And we really do not have a lot of bands like Veruca Salt anymore, and preteen girls should know the Seether!
I was also really fortunate to be an early teen when No Doubt came out with Just a Girl. What a gift!
I am a mom trying to navigate the what the …..is happening of 2021 as an adult and through the eyes of my preteen daughter and her friends. I just want to make sure that she has all of the tools she needs to prepare for middle school and high school and above all, value herself, cherish and respect her body, and enjoy and grow her mind and intellect.
What would you put on a playlist for today’s teens and preteens? Why? I would love to hear about it in the comments!