Child Music vs. Real Music

Here's something I'm really passionate about. This was inspired by a recent debate going on in the "Fab Forum" at BeatleLinks.

Kidz Bop is covering The Beatles. Some Beatles fans have described this as "terrible," "sickening," "below par," "awful," and "crap." My initial reaction was: Why don't they just play the real thing for kids? I don't understand the point! If I ever have children, my kids will NEVER listen to "child versions" of songs or "kid music." They're going to listen to quality music like I did!

However, one fan contributed a different perspective. They said that they were exposed to The Beatles as a kid, but it wasn't until they heard The Chipmunks covering them that they really got interested! Also, they said that their children probably would have been interested in the lads at a younger age if they had heard "child versions" as kids, though they are grown and are fans now.

This was honestly shocking to me. When I was a kid, I HATED that sort of thing. I was a complete Rock & Roll purist from birth! This person also said that they know a lot of kids, and don't think children can appreciate the real thing like an adult can. I know that I did, BUT I do recognize that I was never a normal kid!

I'm not sure I'm completely convinced, unfortunately. I do realize that The Chipmunks speak directly to children, but I also can't imagine playing an inferior version of good music to my children either! Music is music, no matter what your age is, and you can be smart about what songs you play for them at what ages. I'm actually kind of torn, whereas before I was just completely against it! Am I really that big of an exception? Do the actual Beatles not speak to children?

Last night, I spent the evening playing Beatles Rock Band with two young kids...they're both between 7-10 years old. They really love The Beatles, considering that neither parent is a fan and their exposure is limited. They might not relate on the deep level an adult can, especially to all of the lyrics, but they do like them. They were as anxious as I was to play last night, and they were wanting to play certain songs, which means they even have favorites!

What are your opinions? Even though these two kids I know like The Beatles, would they prefer a version geared towards children? I'm having a REALLY hard time accepting child versions, but I do want to attract children to good music. If that's what it would take, I'm willing to at least think about it...but is it necessary? Aren't the REAL versions good enough? :[