Have you ever wondered which are the most controversial songs of all time? Artists and musicians have always crossed the barriers of what is politically correct, and what is not. Rock and Roll has had, since its beginning, the urge to provoke, to rebel against constraining social structures, initiating controversies and loosening the tight boundaries of societies, which gradually led to moral and societal change. Moreover, music is also a medium to express political and other ideologies, sometimes unpopular, and has been used and still is, as a form of political expression, raising the voices of those who have been oppressed by different regimes, and seeking to introduce cultural, social and economic changes.
Some songs have kicked up such serious controversy that they were banned by the BBC and MTV, which refused to play those songs as part of their chart rundowns. Presenting sexual content, sometimes explicit, and raising up subjects such as racism, sexism, drugs and religion, these songs and their artists stoked both fear and hope in the flames of those who heard them.
Some of these most controversial songs of all time have made history, and some have reached the most popular song charts. If you’re curious about The 10 Most Popular Songs of All-Time, check out the list we’ve made, featuring some of those timeless songs, tracks which will always be popular, despite the variation of music trends. Huge artists, such as the Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Bob Dylan hit the top of the chart, with popular songs like “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”, “Like a Rolling Stone”, or “Imagine”, by John Lennon.
Other tracks have made history not precisely because of their inspiring lyrics or beautiful melody, but rather because of the controversy they roused. So, if you were wondering which are these famous tracks which caused unease and in some cases even produced a revolution, and which were often either censored or banned altogether, take a look at the list we have compiled, gathering the ten most controversial songs of all time. Some you might already know, but some of these songs might as well surprise you!
No. 10 Frankie Goes to Hollywood – “Relax”
When “Relax” was released in October 1983, Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s debut single, it reached the top 40s charts. But it wasn’t long until Radio 1’s DJ Mike Read, decided to ban it from the air, objecting it had provocative lyrics. Successively, the BBC also banned the song from all radio and TV broadcasts. Undeniably, the song advocated homosexual activity, and awoke controversy concerning sexuality and its restraints. The publicity this song received through its banning and prohibition soon made it reach the no. 1 position in the music charts.
No. 9 The Prodigy – “Smack My Bitch Up”
The Prodigy released in 1997 its album “Fat of the Land”. The song “Smack My Bitch Up” instantly gained popularity, putting the band on every newspaper’s headlines. This song evoked drug use, sex, vandalism and violence, told from a first-person view; that of a young woman. The song was rapidly banned by the BBC and other television broadcasts. Yet, its popularity led MTV to allow its broadcasting, but only after midnight and following an MTV News warning.
No. 8 Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin – “Je t’aime … moi non plus”
This allege act of sexuality produced an intense commotion. Serge Gainsbourg’s “Je t’aime … moi non plus” presents, in a duet with Jane Birkin, is basically a recording or something that sounds like an orgasm. The song was banned in different countries, and even the Vatican publicly condemned it.
No. 7 Body Count – “Cop Killer”
Rapper Ice-T along with Body Count decided to mix hip-hop and heavy metal, in order to create one of the most controversial songs of all time: “Cop Killer”, released in 1992. This song poses a strong criticism against the police force’s violence, narrating the story of a victim of police brutality. The song was quickly banned, and received public censures, leading even to death threats.
No. 6 Sex Pistols – “God Save the Queen”
When the Sex Pistols released “God Save The Queen”, the whole British nation was shocked. The song was a strong critic to the British monarchy, and particularly to the Queen’s authority. The BBC and the Independent Broadcasting Authority banned the track.
No. 5 Rage Against the Machine – “Killing in the Name”
“Killing in the Name” is indeed one of the most controversial songs of all time. When Rage Against the Machine released its album in 1991, featuring a knocker on the U.S military industrial complex, police violence, and institutionalized racism, the band soon got into trouble. Television and radio broadcasting banned the song from being released on the air, in different countries. Yet, in 1993, during a Top 40 countdown, a British DJ played the uncensored version in full, drawing many complaints from listeners.
No. 4 Prince – “Darling Nikki”
Prince is indeed one of the most controversial artists of all time. His song, “Darling Nikki” has strong sexual content, and inspired huge controversy. The song led Tipper Gore to create the Parents Music Resource Center to fight against explicit lyrics in pop tunes.
No. 3 XTC – “Dear God”
British pop band XTC released in 1986, “Dear God”. This explicitly anti-religious song portrays human suffering, and wonders how God could allow it. The song drew hundreds of critics from various religiousgroups. Moreover, a Florida radio station which played the track on-air received firebombing threats from religious fanatics. Yet, none of these uprisings stopped this song from becoming one of the band’s biggest hits.
No. 2 Michael Jackson – “They Don’t Care About Us”
Michael Jackson raised multiple controversies throughout his career. When “They Don’t Care About Us” was released, within the album “HIStory: Past, Present and Future Book 1”, the world was stirred. The song contained anti-Semitic lyrics like “Jew me, sue me, everybody do me / Kick me, kike me, don’t you black or white me.” M. J. was forced to re-record the track with changed lyrics.
No. 1 Paris – “Bush Killa”
This 90’s track, from Paris, a San Francisco-based rapper, got him into trouble. This song was explicitly condemning George Bush, Sr. The content was immediately banned, and the record “Sleeping with the Enemy” was released without this song.
