Music Review: "Alice" (CD single)
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that despite the trippy sound effects
and lyrics that begin by talking about "trippin out," there's
nothing to worry about on this single. In fact, the soundtrack
song actually offers up some good motivational advice about not
giving up or giving in.
- Families can talk about movie soundtracks and how musicians are used to promote films. How do music videos for soundtrack songs act as advertisements for the films that spawned them? Why is music so important in film? Can you think of a movie that was made better because of its soundtrack?
- Families can talk about strong female characters in film and literature. Can you name any female characters that overcome obstacles or stereotypes? How do you think the character of Alice from Alice in Wonderland fits in to this description?
- Families can talk about going after what you want. Avril Lavigne is reported to have aggressively pursued a spot on this soundtrack. Do you think this helped her nab a spot on the playlist? Does this song inspire you to chase a dream or aspiration? Can you think of anyone famous who is a good role model for perserverance.
The story goes that Avril Lavigne wanted to be a part of the soundtrack to Disney's Alice and Wonderland so much that she wrote this song at the first sign of interest from the film's director, Tim Burton. It not only made it onto the album, After Alice, but it also leads off as its first single. If that wasn't inspiration enough to go after your goals, the message of the song should do it. Following the character of Alice, the song teaches listeners not to be bummed by a bad situation, even if that situation is falling down a rabbit hole into a Tim Burton CG fantasy world.
Leading off with some funky audio effects that musically duplicate Alice's trip into Wonderland, this single unabashedly interprets Alice's emotional journey to self-awareness. It's fun, fresh, and a little feisty, and perfectly complements the tone of the irreverent film. Lavigne channels this modern fairy tale heroine and makes the character her own. Sometimes such a by-the-book nod to a film can seem hokey, but with this over-the-top flick, the single fits the wild fantasy ride.
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