If you’re a young singer, it’s important to have a range of clean songs (i.e. kid appropriate songs) under your belt. When you’re auditioning for a singing competition, it’s also a good idea to choose songs that have clean lyrics. Here are some good songs for kids for you to choose from, suitable for all ages.
So, what are some good songs to sing with clean lyrics and what are the best age-appropriate songs for kids to perform? Whether you’re looking for a perfect talent show number with clean lyrics or a hit to sing along to in your bedroom, this article gives you some of the best suggestions.
Are you looking for age-appropriate songs to sing and do you struggle to find songs with clean lyrics? Are you looking for the right song to sing at a competition? Below we give you 29 age-appropriate songs suggestions with clean lyrics.
What are kid appropriate songs?
You’re never too old to start singing, but sometimes songs that are popular in the charts may not be age-appropriate. Some songs can use swear words, or may contain sexist, violent or racist material, which can also be inappropriate.
It’s important to make sure you choose so-called ‘clean songs’ that not only match your vocal ability but also deliver an age-appropriate message through lyrics. A lot of the music that you hear on radio stations has undergone ‘clean editing’, basically meaning that the lyrics won’t match the ones on the original recordings. So, before searching for the lyrics of your favourite song you’ve heard on the radio, it’s a good idea to make sure you look for the clean song version.
If you’re in a singing competition, or you are looking to apply for one, then choosing a song to sing with clean lyrics is as equally as important as choosing a song that shows off your vocal ability.
Clean songs with clean lyrics for kids to sing
Children between the ages of 9-12 are more likely to struggle to find age-appropriate songs. At this stage, you’re not quite in the teen category but you also don’t want to be singing ‘babyish’ songs. You can see this age as an exciting time to transition from basic kid-friendly classics to clean versions of chart hits.
It’s harder to connect with your audience and display emotion through lyrics (skills that a competition judging panel would be looking for) if you can’t relate to the songs subject matter. A child’s love for a pop song is usually nothing to do with their relationship to the lyrics, but instead the melody of the song. It’s easy to fall into a trap of wanting to sing a pop song that you like the sound of but has inappropriate lyrics.
A good example of age-appropriate pop songs with clean lyrics that you can draw inspiration from, are the compilation albums from Kidz Bop.
Family friendly songs
#1 Dance Monkey by Tones and I
This fun song could be the perfect opportunity to show off some energetic dance moves, really honing your performance technique and audience engagement at a competition. With the lead singer of this song having a distinct voice, you shouldn’t try and directly mimic her style- always make it your own.
#2 Good Feeling by Flo Rida
Not all rap songs are inappropriate. Some have pretty positive messages to give. This rap is a good alternative to the typical pop songs that you may choose to sing at a talent show.
#3 Counting Stars by One Republic
In the key of C# minor, this song explores a lower range of the voice. It may be a good idea to search for higher or lower backing tracks if the original key doesn’t sit well with your voice.
#4 Roar by Katy Perry
This power-pop single has clean lyrics, with positive mental health messaging, and is the perfect opportunity to show off your vocal ability with its runs and high belting notes.
#5 Shake It Off by Taylor Swift
In the key of G Major, this up-tempo pop track is one of Swift’s first departures from her classic country-pop music. Why not try adding some dance moves to this number and elevate your performance as an artist?
#6 You’ve Got a Friend In Me from Toy Story
This sweet Randy Newman song was used as a theme tune for the 1995 Disney/Pixar animated Toy Story, and encourages friendship and loyalty, with clean lyrics too.
Songs for 10 year olds to sing
#7 A Sky Full Of Stars by Coldplay
This catchy, repetitive song is a great choice for ten-year-olds to sing. There aren’t too many vocal leaps or runs so you could add some adlibs and harmonies to this track and get it sounding cool. In the key of G-flat major, it’s an easy go-to for your set list.
#8 Party In The USA by Miley Cyrus
In the key of F major, this song isn’t too challenging to sing and is a fun cleaner choice if you love Miley Cyrus, who can sometimes be a bit risqué.
#9 I’ll be there by Jess Glynn
This song requires a slightly bigger vocal range from E3 to D5, meaning it could be a good song to explore both your chest and head voice. With melodic leaps and runs, it would be a good idea to sing this song once your voice is fully warmed up, to reach your maximum potential and get it sounding great.
#10 Pretty Shining People by George Ezra
A great pop song with catchy repetitive lyrics, George Ezra is a modern artist who has a great selection of kid-friendly songs. If this one isn’t up your alley, then I’d recommend taking a look at a few more of his songs as he has a mix of mellow, acoustic singles to more energetic tunes.
#11 Clown by Emilie Sandé
In the key of G Major, Sandés mellow ballad is a great choice if you want to connect to the lyrics and display more emotion in your performance.
#12 The Other Side by SZA, Justin Timberlake
This up-tempo classic is a great choice. It’s all about fun and will get your audience of all ages up on their feet. It’s also got a repetitive clean hook which makes it easy to sing.
Clean songs for kids
#13 Let Her Go by Passenger
A song doesn’t have to have long runs and high notes to make it interesting to listen to. This is a great choice if you want to perform a heartfelt cover and focus on conveying emotion through lyrics.
#14 Kill Em With Kindness by Selena Gomez
This dance track has an underlying message about dealing with body shaming, so is a powerful song especially for people suffering from bullies.
#15 Titanium by David Guetta ft. Sia
This song will show off your vocal ability with high belting notes and a repetitive chorus hook. This is perfect for talent shows and competitions.
#16 Hurricane by The Vamps
The boy band wrote this song for the Disney film ‘Alexander and The Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day’, it has fun and clean lyrics and is a pop song alternative that you’ll love.
#17 Be Kind Marshmella & Halsey
This is a great choice for a slightly older singer starting to look for more mature, vocally challenging material. It has a powerful message behind the lyrics discussing freedom and could mirror the idea of having more responsibility as you grow up- really resonating with ten-year-olds making that shift from child to teen.
Appropriate songs for school
#18 Walking On Sunshine by KC and the Sunshine band
This is an upbeat, feel-good song with clean lyrics and a repetitive hook. Released in 1985, this tune is a slightly older classic that will have teachers and students of all ages up and dancing.
#19 Count On Me by Bruno Mars
With clean lyrics and an underlying message of friendship and loyalty, this song is appropriate for school. If you’re singing this at a school talent show, try adding harmonies and teaming up with another musical friend to make your performance even more fun.
#20 This Is Me from The Greatest Showman
From ‘The Greatest Showman’ soundtrack, this song will have the whole choir belting and feeling good. It has an empowering message that is important to share and has great opportunities for solos at school.
#21 What A Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong
This classic jazz song released in 1967 is a mellow option for school performances. With a powerful message about protecting the world, this could be a good educational song to sing to remind everyone about climate change. Why not add actions and make assembly a bit more fun?
#22 Better When I’m Dancin’ by Meghan Trainor
Featuring in ‘Snoopy and Charlie Brown: The Peanuts Movie’ (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Peanuts_Movie), you’ll probably be familiar with this song already. It’s upbeat rhythm and feel-good lyrics are perfect and appropriate to sing at school.
Popular songs for children’s choir
#23 Pompeii by Bastille
In the key of A major, this is another feel-good song. The step-like melodic structure makes it easy to sing with fewer vocal leaps. It’s also a great song to experiment with harmonies making it the perfect choir tune.
#24 Say Something by A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera
This slow tempo piano ballad could be a good alternative for a children’s choir that usually go for more upbeat songs. It’s a good idea to add dynamics to your set, and a two-part song will allow for extra harmonies.
#25 High Hopes by Panic! At The Disco
This catchy song is a really powerful option that will show off your vocals. The repetitive hook line in the chorus requires relatively advanced breathing technique due to its upbeat nature. However, in the key of F, it shouldn’t be too challenging to belt the high notes, meaning you can focus more on controlling your breath.
Family-friendly songs
#26 How Long Will I Love You by Ellie Goulding
This sweet song has meaningful, clean lyrics and is a great easy choice to sing either to or with your family. It doesn’t require too much vocal ability, so is a good song not to strain your voice.
#27 Happy by Pharrell Williams
This is a great choice for a karaoke night to show off your vocal ability. It’s upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics will get the audience up on their feet and singing along. Being used for the Despicable Me 2 movie, this song is family-friendly too.
#28 Sweet Baby James by James Taylor
If you have a younger sibling that would enjoy being sung to sleep then this is a great this mellow country classic. With a simple melody, waltz structure (in ¾ time) and relaxing lyrics, this song can act as a family lullaby without the repetitive nature of one. It could also be a great alternative for a talent show number, that won’t be as overly covered as other songs.
#29 Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles
This is a really fun song with quirky lyrics. You need to be having fun with music especially if you’re auditioning for a competition. So, if you’re looking for a chart pop tune, you’ll enjoy singing this. It could be a great song to sing in the car on summer days with your friends and family too.
But remember, the best song you can sing is one that you’ve written yourself. That way, you’ll be sure the lyrics are clean and you’ll be more likely to connect with the song.
Now you know a bunch of kid-appropriate songs!
So, do you have an audition coming soon? Let us know what songs you plan to sing in the comments below!
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