Top 10 Songs That Offended the Most People

Rage Against the Machine


Timing is essential to a breakout song, as is backlash sometimes. “Killing in the Name” was Rage Against the Machine’s debut single, written in response to the then-recent beating of Rodney King by LAPD officers. Commercial appeal was hardly the objective of a rap metal rant about police brutality and racism that drops 17 F-bombs. The political significance nonetheless led to heavy circulation of cleaned-up edits. Outrage over the obscenity may have distracted from the song's message, but even political moderates who understood that were disturbed by the belligerence. This controversy announced RATM as a uniquely confrontational voice in mainstream music. “Killing in the Name” is itself considered a classic, which has gotten no less controversial or relevant since 1992.

Frank Zappa


The endlessly inventive Frank Zappa spread many complicated themes through edgy comedy and double-entendre. Some say “Bobby Brown (Goes Down)” especially loses the message in its pushed envelope. The ballad is told from the perspective of a misogynistic yuppie who begins questioning his sexuality after an encounter with a butch feminist. It was a groundbreaking satire of toxic masculinity and hypocrisy. It's also surreally glib about homophobia, sexual assault and other sensitive topics, pulling no punches with the protagonist’s vulgar narration. The snazzy single was a hit in Europe, and remains one of Zappa's most talked-about pieces. Chalk that up to debates not only of “Bobby Brown’s” concept, but of the crass way in which it's delivered.

Sex Pistols


These punks sure weren’t covering a patriotic hymn for Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. The Sex Pistols’ “God Save the Queen” was an angry anthem that dehumanized the Queen as a representative of the greedy establishment. What was meant to be a rallying cry for the working class was seen by many as a condemnation of the English people, to say nothing of monarchists. The single was banned by many British radio stations and music stores. All the same, it soared up the charts on the week of the Jubilee’s observation. At least Johnny Rotten has since walked back his disdain for the late Queen as a human being. But he and the surviving Pistols stand by their heretical classic.

N.W.A


Few songs this directly offensive are this ingrained in pop culture. N.W.A’s, let’s just say, “F the Police” dramatizes a court proceeding in which the rap group holds a police department on trial. The ensuing testimonies paint the organization as a racist and corrupt gang in its own right. This was one of the first hip-hop songs to use anger and obscenity to draw audiences to social issues. Of course, many just dwelled on the anger and obscenity. But it spoke to so many people’s own outrage about institutional injustice that it transcended cult status. It’s an iconic protest anthem that revolutionized a music genre. It’s also a blunt statement that skewers a whole group with shock value.

Jason Aldean


With the 2020s being marked by division across the United States, Jason Aldean affirmed Americana in the crudest way. “Try That in a Small Town” blasts American cities as being more tolerant of violent crime and political upheaval than rural communities. The song naturally infuriated those who felt that the song misrepresented urban culture and political activism. Some went so far as to accuse it of romanticizing reactionary violence. The more credible criticism is that Aldean, who does not come from a small town, promoted offensive stereotypes of said communities. Either way, the controversy naturally boosted “Try That in a Small Town’s” popularity and debates about its sentiments.

Slayer


Extreme metal pioneers Slayer have always been provocateurs. In fact, few of their songs have shocked on the scale of their breakout “Angel of Death.” This was the nickname of Josef Mengele, whose twisted experiments at the Auschwitz concentration camp are graphically described from his perspective. Though focus later shifts to condemn this monster, singer-songwriter Jeff Hanneman was accused of being a Nazi sympathizer. At the very least, the song sensationalizes unspeakable historical horrors. This controversy came after the track delayed the release of the album “Reign in Blood.” It also solidified the uncompromising brand that made Slayer a sensation themselves. “Angel of Death” would not be their last anthem of evil, but its particular success makes it particularly unsettling.

Marilyn Manson


It was only when the band Marilyn Manson took their shock value into politics that the world took notice. “Get Your Gunn” refers to Dr. David Gunn, who was murdered by an anti-abortion extremist the year before. The song also samples audio of Republican politician R. Budd Dwyer taking his own life on camera. Besides these disturbing allusions, the ambiguous lyrics suggest adolescent self-harm and fury over the establishment’s hypocrisy. “Get Your Gunn” would thus be accused of motivating the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. Marilyn Manson’s namesake frontman maintains that his breakout single merely observes the cultural violence and despair that really fuel such tragedies. It's less controversial to say that the unlikely hit is abrasive with its touchy references.

Serge and Charlotte Gainsbourg


Before becoming a revered movie and music star, Charlotte Gainsbourg made a bold debut with “Lemon Incest.” Subversive pop star Serge Gainsbourg and his preteen daughter croon about their affection for each other with steamy phrasing. The song obviously disturbed the public, especially with a music video featuring the Gainsbourgs in a bed. Charlotte asserts that she and her father shared an otherwise appropriate relationship, and that the song aimed to be mockingly provocative. As scandalous as it still was in 1984, it's even more so now. This was compounded by mounting allegations against Serge of harassment and misogyny. “Lemon Incest” may thus be one of his most assuredly ironic shockers, but it may also be his most tasteless.

Body Count


Body Count’s real splash in hip-hop and thrash metal was over their combined political shock value. The band’s self-titled debut album ended with a tirade against police by an armed vigilante. Needless to say, “Cop Killer” sparked outrage within and beyond the law enforcement community, who worried that the vulgar track endorsed attacks on police officers. Frontman Ice-T and others argued that the song just expresses the mentality behind a terrible response to police brutality. Nonetheless, Body Count reissued the album with a replacement final track, “Freedom of Speech.” Moreover, Ice-T’s acting career is highlighted by the role of Det. Fin Tutuola in the “Law & Order” franchise. He still performs “Cop Killer” live, fully aware of its disturbing interpretations by a wider audience.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

This Pop Song About a Crisis of Faith Sparked Violent Backlash

The Tongue-in-Cheek Folk Ballad is Notorious for Its Use of Racial & Homophobic Slurs

A Feminist Banger to Some; a Crass & Self-Objectifying Scandal to Others

The Techno Staple of Few Words & Its Violent Music Video Paint a Disturbing Picture

Censorship of This Wantonly Obscene Track Made It a Punk Anthem

Eminem


Eminem’s brash, politically incorrect songwriting has earned as much controversy as renown. But even defenders of his artistic expression feel “Kim” went too far. The horrorcore jam was inspired by the rapper’s bitter custody battle with ex-wife Kim Scott. It dramatizes a hostile argument in front of a child, leading to gruesome homicide. Audiences were horrified by Eminem announcing real domestic drama with an obscene and misogynistic fantasy of domestic violence. Scott, who has long struggled with depression, survived an attempt on her own life after the song received an ovation at an Eminem concert. Thus, “Kim” continues to polarize as an uncompromised portrayal of disdain in divorce, and a compromising example of women’s place in popular music and Eminem’s legacy.


What songs do you think struck a raw chord with audiences? Give them a platform in the comments.