Reflection 1: Parental Advisory—The Problematic Music of the '80s

When it came to its music, the eighties were a bit of a dichotomy. On the one hand, artists pushed boundaries like never before. Madonna, Prince, George Michael, and others challenged a number of social taboos, such as teen pregnancy, masturbation, promiscuity and were rewarded by their young fans with commercial success. Older Americans, on the other hand, weren’t so enthusiastic. They often met these songs with backlashes, boycotts, and bans. In fact, the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) formed in response to an increasingly sexual and violent music industry—the end result of which was the “Parental Advisory” sticker we know today.

For this examination, choose four of the following songs and music videos considered controversial in the eighties. The reason some songs were considered controversial will be obvious. Others, however, may require further research to understand their notoriety. In your examinations, consider what about the song or video would deem it unfit for young listeners or viewers forty years ago. Additionally, would they arise controversy today? Why or why not? Finally, taken as a whole, what do these songs say about the society that deemed them controversial?

Note: While some of the songs or videos below would be considered tame by today’s standards, others are remain decidedly NSFW.

1. Ozzy Osbourne, "Suicide Solution" (1980) 
2. AC/DC, "She Shook Me All Night Long" (1980)
3. The Police,"Don't Stand So Close to Me" (1980)
4. The Vapors, "Turning Japanese" (1980)
   
5. Josie Cotton, "Johnny, Are You Queer?" (1981)
   
6. Duran Duran, "Girls on Film" (1981)
7. Tommy Tutone, "867-5309/Jenny" (1981)
8. Romeo Void, "Never Say Never" (1981)
9. Olivia Newton-John, "Physical" (1981)
10. Duran Duran, "The Chauffeur" (1982)
11. Genesis, "Illegal Alien" (1983)
12. Frankie Goes to Hollywood, "Relax" (1984)
13. Depeche Mode, "Blasphemous Rumours" (1984)
    
14. Cyndi Lauper, "She Bop" (1984)
15. Prince and The Revolution, "Darling Nikki" (1984) 
16. Madonna, "Like a Virgin" (1984)
    
17. Vanity, "Pretty Mess" (1984)
18. Twisted Sister, "We're Not Gonna Take It" (1984) 
19. Queen, "I Want to Break Free" (1984)
    
20. Sheena Easton, "Sugar Walls" (1984)
21. Band Aid, "Do They Know it's Christmas" (1984)
22. Dire Straits, "Money for Nothing" (1985)
    
23. Samantha Fox, "Touch Me (I Want Your Body)" (1986)
24. XTC, "Dear God" (1986)
25. Madonna, "Papa Don't Preach" (1986)
26. Aerosmith, "Dude (Looks Like a Lady)" (1987)
    
27. George Michael, "I Want Your Sex" (1987)
28. The Bangles, "Walk Like an Egyptian" (1987)
    
29. Beastie Boys, "Girls" (1987)
30. Guns N' Roses, "One in a Million" (1988)
31. Winger, "Seventeen" (1988)
32. NWA, "Fuck Tha Police"  (1988)
33. 2 Live Crew, "Me So Horny" (1989)
34. Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Sexy Mexican Maid" (1989)
    
35. Public Enemy, "Fight the Power" (1989) 

Requirements:

• MLA Style (and works cited, if needed)
  
• Approx. 500 words

Submission window:  Thu. 9.14 - Mon 9.18