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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

More of a WWYD than AIBU but I need advice.

20 replies

SeaDevilscanPlay · 22/11/2013 21:22

DS1 is 12.

His school do a singing contest every year at Christmas. DS entered last year and won, so they have asked him to come back to open the show. Really pleased for him.

He was told he needed to pick a song, and I said I would download the backing track. He has been thinking about it for ages. Tonight he came to me and said he wanted to sing Joleene by Dolly Parton. He does like Country Music, which he gets from me Blush.

My heart tells me that if thats what he wants to sing and it makes him happy, then do it, but my head is telling me to advise him against it, because he might get ripped to shreads.

WWYD?

OP posts:
CoffeeTea103 · 22/11/2013 21:24

He sounds lovely. What type of song did he sing the previous year?

LaurieFairyCake · 22/11/2013 21:25

It's a song sung by a woman who's lost her man

I think you should steer him somewhere else or someone will video this and it will haunt him forever

MrsRajeshKoothrappali · 22/11/2013 21:26

Ooo, I don't know.

He may well have the piss ripped out of him.

Could he sing Delta Dawn?

picnicbasketcase · 22/11/2013 21:28

I would discuss the lyrics and point out that its written for a woman to sing about a man, and so it's not really suitable. Encourage him to choose something else, maybe listen to some songs together and point out ones you think he'd be great at.

Original poster
SeaDevilscanPlay · 22/11/2013 21:30

He sang a Kelly Clarkson song last year.

I did mention its a woman's song, but he doesn't seem to mind. I also suggested 9-5 but he just shrugged.

I had the idea of maybe emailing his teacher and asking her to have a word with him, or maybe telling him that they want him to sing the track he won with.

OP posts:
sanityawol · 22/11/2013 21:32

What about a different version of Jolene. Just had a quick Google and loads of bands have covered it... White Stripes included...

That way DS gets to sing the song he loves, but maybe a slightly cooler version.

I can sympathise DD is also 12 and very much goes against the crowd. It's bloody brilliant having an independent thinker.

Your DS sounds great - sure it will go well for him

Sparrowlegs248 · 22/11/2013 21:32

The Whire Stripes covered 'Jolene' have a look. I would show it to him, advise him that others may think its girly, and let him make his own mind up.

sanityawol · 22/11/2013 21:34

x posts Notta Grin

Sparrowlegs248 · 22/11/2013 21:34

The Whire Stripes covered 'Jolene' have a look. I would show it to him, advise him that others may think its girly, and let him make his own mind up.

Original poster
SeaDevilscanPlay · 22/11/2013 21:35

Oh Fantastic, will get him to have a look.

I want him to be himself, but I dont want him to be ridiculed.

OP posts:
LimitedEditionLady · 22/11/2013 21:37

Right im going to be completely honest,id say tell him its not the right song.I know the nice answer is yes it will be lovely leave him to it and he has got great musical knowledge and its refreshing to hear he likes the music.Truthfully he is 12 and although he is mature some people are just stupud and may puck at him for it.Im honest.

LimitedEditionLady · 22/11/2013 21:42

White stripes would be cool,didnt know they did that,yeah go down that route thatd be cool.

Ememem84 · 22/11/2013 21:42

Walking in Memphis by Marc someone? That's a great man country song.

Ememem84 · 22/11/2013 21:42

Or. As others have said white stripes did a version of Jolene.

Sparrowlegs248 · 22/11/2013 21:46

He could prepare his audience by posting links to various UBER cool white stripes songs if hes on facebook, and drop the Jolene song in there somewhere! He could really rock it!!

Corygal · 22/11/2013 21:50

It's quite full on;

Jolene, jolene, jolene, jolene
Im begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene...
Please don't take him even though you can
Jolene, jolene

for a 12 year old, straight or otherwise, I would have thought.

mistlethrush · 22/11/2013 21:53

DS was going to have a go at 'born to be wild' in a school competition..

K8Middleton · 22/11/2013 21:59

Hmm. You can be all cool and right on about it which is fine if you have an adult and an adult arena but I think would be a mistake at 12. Children don't tend to have the emotional maturity to deal with the potential negative implications of singing that particular song.

I would have a discussion about the implications of singing lyrics like "I'm begging for you please don't take my man" and expressly point out that some people may perceive that as him being gay and how would he feel about people thinking of him like that? Because some people will do even if they shouldn't and of course we know there is nothing wrong with being gay but some people are prejudiced and some are just plain ignorant.

I think you have a responsibility as a parent to prepare your child and help him make an informed decision. Then afterwards you support him regardless.

Corygal · 22/11/2013 22:00

Miley Cyrus did Jolene, quite well. I would still worry it was a bit heartfelt for a school shindig.

ChameleonCircuit · 22/11/2013 22:22

If he likes Country music, how about Sunshine On My Shoulders by John Denver or I Told You So by Randy Travis/Carrie Underwood?

I just had a listen to the White Stripes' version of Jolene and it's dire!

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