10 Rock Songs That Offended the Most People
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VOICE OVER: Ryan Wild
WRITTEN BY: George Pacheco
From controversial lyrics to banned music videos, these songs pushed boundaries and sparked outrage. Join us as we explore the most controversial rock tracks that had parents, politicians, and religious groups up in arms. Warning: Some of these might still ruffle some feathers today! Our countdown includes tracks from Nine Inch Nails, Slayer, Guns N' Roses, Sex Pistols, and more! Which controversial song do you think deserved the backlash? Let us know in the comments below!
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were counting down our picks for those rock tunes that caused a controversy at the time of their release and often still ruffle feathers today.
Maybe the world wasnt ready back in 1994 for a music video video experience celebrating dominance, submission and deviancy. This hypothesis could go a little ways in explaining why Closer by Nine Inch Nails received so much media coverage back in the day. The song is actually more of an internal narrative, rather than an outward projection of sexual desire. Never underestimate the power of a memorable chorus, however, because most criticisms of Closer focused solely on the songs visual aesthetic and profanity. The clip was initially relegated to late night slots on MTV, but the power of Closer soon became strong enough that it helped Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails become household names for industrial rock.
The realms of fantasy were always a fertile playing ground for early heavy metal bands, but the thrash scene that rose to prominence during the 1980s had some other ideas about lyrical content. Politics and real-life historical events began to creep their way into thrash anthems like Angel of Death by Slayer. This latter tune from the groups landmark Reign in Blood LP was even more extreme, however, thanks to its subject matter of Nazi Germany. Angel of Death specifically references the horrific medical procedures and war crimes of Josef Mengele[a], whose work at the Auschwitz concentration camp would draft him into the most infamous annals of history. It was a grim choice of subject matter that raised the eyebrows of just about everyone.
Its honestly kind of baffling that the progressive rock pioneers in Genesis even recorded this one, never mind releasing it as a single. Illegal Alien possesses good intentions, at least, with regards to its lyrical content. After all, the song is actually written about the real-life struggles many face when attempting to source out visas and immigration paperwork for countries like the United States. The controversy, then, unfolds with Phil Collins decision to place an affectation on his voice that almost sounds parodic. Additionally, the music video for Illegal Alien indulgences in stereotypical imagery that honestly hurts the message at play. It may not have been intentional, but this otherwise innocuous song has aged like milk in the modern day.
We could honestly populate this entire list with all of the various Marilyn Manson moments that got the singer/songwriter in hot water over the years. We prefer, however, to focus on the world that, at the time anyway, was still awaiting Mansons cultural impact. Its difficult for those that werent there to appreciate just how much songs like Get Your Gunn freaked out parents during the early nineties. The song was also blamed, years later, for posthumously influencing the massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado. This was despite Get Your Gunn actually being about the murder of an abortion provider, David Gunn, back in 1993.
We often fall back on the phrase it was a different time when attempting to defend cultural divides. Make no mistake, however, folks were POd and offended about He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss) by The Crystals even back in 62. Everyone involved with the song has an opinion about why it does or doesnt work, from the shame of songwriter Carole King to the spacious and malevolent production job of Phil Spector. This latter point is important, because the atmosphere of He Hit Me feels dark, and in line with the songs subject matters of gaslighting, abuse and even Stockholm syndrome. As a pop song, it remains one of the music industrys darkest curiosities.
Composing a song from the perspective of a dark or deviant character can sometimes come back to bite the performer in the butt. Scott Weiland[b] found this out first hand when backlash to Sex Type Thing by Stone Temple Pilots began to make the rounds back in 1993. Its perhaps easier to understand today how this song is clearly written outside of Weilands personal views on sex, dating and assault. Yet that didnt stop many journalists and fans from taking umbrage against a song that they felt glorified and glamorized indecent assault. Weiland even told Rolling Stone during an 1993 interview that he never thought that people would connect him to the protagonist of Sex Type Thing.
You never hear this version of Dire Straits Money For Nothing on the radio, nor is it performed live. The album version of this smash hit is a different story, however, containing an extra verse that got Dire Straits in some seriously hot water. This situation is one thats similar to Stone Temple Pilots and Sex Type Thing, in that Mark Knopfler[c] is singing Money For Nothing from an outside perspective. Specifically, it doesnt really feel out of character for the working class protagonist of Money For Nothing to utilize the slurs he does during this verse. Knopfler semi-defended his decision during a 1985 Rolling Stone interview, but continued to sing the verse on tour substituting the word queenie for one that we cant repeat.
These legends courted controversy basically from jump street, not only with the banned cover art for their debut, Appetite For Destruction, but again for LP number two. One in a Million was taken from the groups Lies album, a track that earned Axl Rose and company a whole lot of grief, thanks to the content of its lyrics. One in a Million was accused of basically every -ism and -phobia in the book, from the racial and social variety to Roses inflammatory words against the LGBTQIA+ community. The end results arent any prettier in hindsight, either and the tune rightfully earned Guns N Roses some heavy criticism. Even today, One in a Million is still seen as one of the bands most confusing creative decisions.
Dont mess with the monarchy. Or at least dont release a scathing and satirical single titled God Save the Queen unless youre prepared to deal with the fallout. The Sex Pistols and their manager Malcolm McLaren[d] seemed pleased when they released this two-fingered salute to their home nation. This was a knowing riff on the United Kingdoms national anthem, a defining anthem of the 70s punk era that didnt really care who it offended. God Save the Queen was banned from radio, and many British retail shops wouldnt carry physical copies of the single, despite its popularity. Basically, God Save the Queen pioneered that punk spirit of pissing people off, and it did so in absolutely fabulous style.
Were seriously impressed that one of hip-hops elder statesmen, Ice-T, even considered branching off into heavy metal when he formed Body Count back in 1990. This lyrical provocateur continued to stir the societal pot with the bands debut album, containing the infamous track titled Cop Killer. Just about everybody had an opinion on Cop Killer back in the early nineties, from U.S. President George H. W. Bush to conservative-leaning actor Charlton Heston. The latter famously pontificated in anger about the songs anti-cop content, and it was Hestons words, alongside pressure from various police that got Body Count pulled from store shelves. A newly censored version arrived in its place, now with a replacement song that was knowingly titled Freedom of Speech.
Is life too short to be offended? Or are there lines of good taste that simply shouldnt be crossed? Let us know in the comments!
[b]Scott WHY-lund https://youtu.be/7EnYkhDOt7w?t=32
[c]NAWP-flur (when said fast it just sounds like noffler) https://forvo.com/search/Mark%20Knopfler/
[d]MAL-cum muh-CLARE-in https://youtu.be/fO15l6nsaP8?si=Cpdi7AwCMNLyb_ch&t=3
#10: Closer (1994)
Nine Inch NailsMaybe the world wasnt ready back in 1994 for a music video video experience celebrating dominance, submission and deviancy. This hypothesis could go a little ways in explaining why Closer by Nine Inch Nails received so much media coverage back in the day. The song is actually more of an internal narrative, rather than an outward projection of sexual desire. Never underestimate the power of a memorable chorus, however, because most criticisms of Closer focused solely on the songs visual aesthetic and profanity. The clip was initially relegated to late night slots on MTV, but the power of Closer soon became strong enough that it helped Trent Reznor and Nine Inch Nails become household names for industrial rock.
#9: Angel of Death (1986)
SlayerThe realms of fantasy were always a fertile playing ground for early heavy metal bands, but the thrash scene that rose to prominence during the 1980s had some other ideas about lyrical content. Politics and real-life historical events began to creep their way into thrash anthems like Angel of Death by Slayer. This latter tune from the groups landmark Reign in Blood LP was even more extreme, however, thanks to its subject matter of Nazi Germany. Angel of Death specifically references the horrific medical procedures and war crimes of Josef Mengele[a], whose work at the Auschwitz concentration camp would draft him into the most infamous annals of history. It was a grim choice of subject matter that raised the eyebrows of just about everyone.
#8: Illegal Alien (1984)
GenesisIts honestly kind of baffling that the progressive rock pioneers in Genesis even recorded this one, never mind releasing it as a single. Illegal Alien possesses good intentions, at least, with regards to its lyrical content. After all, the song is actually written about the real-life struggles many face when attempting to source out visas and immigration paperwork for countries like the United States. The controversy, then, unfolds with Phil Collins decision to place an affectation on his voice that almost sounds parodic. Additionally, the music video for Illegal Alien indulgences in stereotypical imagery that honestly hurts the message at play. It may not have been intentional, but this otherwise innocuous song has aged like milk in the modern day.
#7: Get Your Gunn (1994)
Marilyn MansonWe could honestly populate this entire list with all of the various Marilyn Manson moments that got the singer/songwriter in hot water over the years. We prefer, however, to focus on the world that, at the time anyway, was still awaiting Mansons cultural impact. Its difficult for those that werent there to appreciate just how much songs like Get Your Gunn freaked out parents during the early nineties. The song was also blamed, years later, for posthumously influencing the massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado. This was despite Get Your Gunn actually being about the murder of an abortion provider, David Gunn, back in 1993.
#6: He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss) (1962)
The CrystalsWe often fall back on the phrase it was a different time when attempting to defend cultural divides. Make no mistake, however, folks were POd and offended about He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss) by The Crystals even back in 62. Everyone involved with the song has an opinion about why it does or doesnt work, from the shame of songwriter Carole King to the spacious and malevolent production job of Phil Spector. This latter point is important, because the atmosphere of He Hit Me feels dark, and in line with the songs subject matters of gaslighting, abuse and even Stockholm syndrome. As a pop song, it remains one of the music industrys darkest curiosities.
#5: Sex Type Thing (1993)
Stone Temple PilotsComposing a song from the perspective of a dark or deviant character can sometimes come back to bite the performer in the butt. Scott Weiland[b] found this out first hand when backlash to Sex Type Thing by Stone Temple Pilots began to make the rounds back in 1993. Its perhaps easier to understand today how this song is clearly written outside of Weilands personal views on sex, dating and assault. Yet that didnt stop many journalists and fans from taking umbrage against a song that they felt glorified and glamorized indecent assault. Weiland even told Rolling Stone during an 1993 interview that he never thought that people would connect him to the protagonist of Sex Type Thing.
#4: Money For Nothing [Uncensored] (1985)
Dire StraitsYou never hear this version of Dire Straits Money For Nothing on the radio, nor is it performed live. The album version of this smash hit is a different story, however, containing an extra verse that got Dire Straits in some seriously hot water. This situation is one thats similar to Stone Temple Pilots and Sex Type Thing, in that Mark Knopfler[c] is singing Money For Nothing from an outside perspective. Specifically, it doesnt really feel out of character for the working class protagonist of Money For Nothing to utilize the slurs he does during this verse. Knopfler semi-defended his decision during a 1985 Rolling Stone interview, but continued to sing the verse on tour substituting the word queenie for one that we cant repeat.
#3: One in a Million (1988)
Guns N RosesThese legends courted controversy basically from jump street, not only with the banned cover art for their debut, Appetite For Destruction, but again for LP number two. One in a Million was taken from the groups Lies album, a track that earned Axl Rose and company a whole lot of grief, thanks to the content of its lyrics. One in a Million was accused of basically every -ism and -phobia in the book, from the racial and social variety to Roses inflammatory words against the LGBTQIA+ community. The end results arent any prettier in hindsight, either and the tune rightfully earned Guns N Roses some heavy criticism. Even today, One in a Million is still seen as one of the bands most confusing creative decisions.
#2: God Save the Queen (1977)
Sex PistolsDont mess with the monarchy. Or at least dont release a scathing and satirical single titled God Save the Queen unless youre prepared to deal with the fallout. The Sex Pistols and their manager Malcolm McLaren[d] seemed pleased when they released this two-fingered salute to their home nation. This was a knowing riff on the United Kingdoms national anthem, a defining anthem of the 70s punk era that didnt really care who it offended. God Save the Queen was banned from radio, and many British retail shops wouldnt carry physical copies of the single, despite its popularity. Basically, God Save the Queen pioneered that punk spirit of pissing people off, and it did so in absolutely fabulous style.
#1: Cop Killer (1992)
Body CountWere seriously impressed that one of hip-hops elder statesmen, Ice-T, even considered branching off into heavy metal when he formed Body Count back in 1990. This lyrical provocateur continued to stir the societal pot with the bands debut album, containing the infamous track titled Cop Killer. Just about everybody had an opinion on Cop Killer back in the early nineties, from U.S. President George H. W. Bush to conservative-leaning actor Charlton Heston. The latter famously pontificated in anger about the songs anti-cop content, and it was Hestons words, alongside pressure from various police that got Body Count pulled from store shelves. A newly censored version arrived in its place, now with a replacement song that was knowingly titled Freedom of Speech.
Is life too short to be offended? Or are there lines of good taste that simply shouldnt be crossed? Let us know in the comments!
[a]YOH-zeff MENGA-luh https://forvo.com/search/Josef%20Mengele/
AO-shvits / OW-shvits https://forvo.com/search/Auschwitz/[b]Scott WHY-lund https://youtu.be/7EnYkhDOt7w?t=32
[c]NAWP-flur (when said fast it just sounds like noffler) https://forvo.com/search/Mark%20Knopfler/
[d]MAL-cum muh-CLARE-in https://youtu.be/fO15l6nsaP8?si=Cpdi7AwCMNLyb_ch&t=3
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