How Good Is That Song for You?

Last week a teen panel of the Boston Public Health Commission released a list of the top 10 songs of 2009 with “Unhealthy Relationship Ingredients” and another list with “Healthy Relationship Ingredients.”

Unhealthy:

1. Break Up (feat. Gucci Mane and Sean Garrett) by Mario

2. Blame It (feat. T-Pain) by Jamie Foxx

3. Paparazzi by Lady Gaga

4. You’re a Jerk by New Boyz

5. Baby By Me by 50 Cent

6. Best I Ever Had by Drake

7. One More Drink (feat. T-Pain) by Ludacris

8. Be On You (feat. Ne-yo) by Flo Rida

9. Hotel Room Service by Pitbull

10. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga

Healthy:

1. One Time by Justin Bieber

2. Miss Independent by Ne-yo

3. Replay by Iyaz

4. Say Hay by Michael Franti

5. Knock You Down by Keri Hilson (feat. Kanye West)

6. Only You Can Love Me This Way by Keith Urban

7. Her Diamonds by Rob Thomas

8. I’m Yours by Jason Mraz

9. Fallin For You by Colbie Caillat

10. Meet Me Halfway by Black Eyed Peas

These teens attended a seven-week “Healthy Relationships Institute” where they learned to look at teen relationships and messages sent by the media, so obviously they’re qualified to pass judgment on the songs we listen to. The lists did open my eyes, however, to the meaning behind some of the song lyrics (“You’re a Jerk” is about more than a popular dance?), but as to their impact, the ratings won’t change what I listen to. If anything, I find it amusing that some of my favorite songs are labeled as “unhealthy” and “healthy,” and that Ne-yo can be found in both lists.