20 Rock Songs That Offended the Most People

#20: Island Girl (1975)Elton John

The music industry possesses a laundry list of songs where white lyrical protagonists have placed themselves as de facto narrators for fictional people of color within their songs. This may be why Island Girl by Elton John hasnt been performed by the rock legend since 1990. We can pinpoint historically why a song like Island Girl might have been a good idea for Elton back in the mid-70s, since the ska and reggae movements were bringing these genres of music to wider audiences. Yet, the influence of these rhythms and melodies to Elton Johns songwriting was one thing, the salacious lyrical content about a Jamaican sex worker is another. This has made Island Girl something of an obscure eyebrow raiser within Elton Johns discography.

#19: If You Wanna Be Happy (1963)Jimmy Soul

A bad idea is a bad idea, no matter how many times that idea gets laundered through the cover song washing machine. If You Wanna Be Happy by Jimmy Soul was just one of the multiple covers of a traditional Trinidadian calypso song by Roaring Lion. All of these covers possess one thing in common, however, and thats the overall pitfalls of choosing to marry an ugly woman. Jimmy Souls doo-wop/rock version from 1963 got him in trouble with radio stations, some of which refused to play the tune. This hasnt stopped other versions of If You Wanna Be Happy from raising their heads on other sources, however, including on the soundtrack to the 1990 comedy, Mermaids.

#18: Brown Sugar (1971)The Rolling Stones

What do you do when one of your most popular songs, one thats endured for decades within your devoted fanbase, becomes problematic over time? Some bands shy away from their sordid history, but The Rolling Stones are at a point where their public profile assists in escaping from the controversies associated with songs like Brown Sugar. Mick Jagger HAS admitted in the press that he feels differently about Brown Sugar now in the modern day, telling Rolling Stone magazines Jann Wenner back in 2009 that hed, ...never would write that song now. Still, its subject matters of sex and race got it pulled from some radio stations back in the day, and the conversations continue today with regards to its complicated legacy.

#17: Killing in the Name (1992)Rage Against the Machine

The usage of profanity has always been a sure fire way for just about any band to get into some hot water. Yet, Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine remains one of the bands most popular and well-known songs, in spite of (or due TO) the overabundance of Zack de la Rochas F-bombs. Radio stations work differently across the world, however, with many European channels playing the unedited Killing in the Name without too much incident. The United States was largely a different matter, however, with many local and national affiliates refusing to play the song at all.

#16: Bobby Brown (Goes Down) (1979)Frank Zappa

The legacy of Frank Zappa as a provocateur has been well documented over the years, but 1979s Bobby Brown (Goes Down) proved that this Mother of Invention still had plenty of controversial gas in the tank. The tune exemplified a lot of Zappas penchant for weird storytelling and a satirical, often transgressive sense of humor. Fans and detractors alike of Zappa have taken turns either defending or admonishing Bobby Brown (Goes Down) since the song first dropped. The sexual politics at play could either come across as liberally freeing or darkly extreme, depending upon the side of ones argument. The one constant only being how Bobby Brown (Goes Down) didnt receive the same radio play in the U.S. as it did in Europe.

#15: Relax (1983)Frankie Goes to Hollywood

All of us as kids probably had at least one movie, song or television show that we gravitated towards, simply for the fact that our parents told us no. But, what if they said Relax? Frankie Goes to Hollywood certainly said Relax, yet the BBC soundly declined their offer, preferring instead to briefly ban the song. There was no stopping Frankie Goes to Hollywoods question for chart domination, however, and the news headlines only helped Relax take over the world. The song and resulting video clip became anthems for unrepentantly explicit behavior, while the tunes pulsing synth and big, booming chorus had just about everybody bothered and hot.

#14: Christine Sixteen (1977)KISS

Wed be here all day if we were to rattle all of the historical examples of pop songs that retained a lurid sexual fantasy about a young woman. Christine Sixteen just happened to be one of them at the tail end of the seventies that was recorded by the hottest band in the world, KISS. Gene Simmons sings this ode to the titular teenager, and some radio stations, even during the permissive seventies, were not amused. The song didnt receive airplay in every market, while others preferred to saddle Christine Sixteen with an after dark slot away from younger listeners.

#13: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (1967)The Beatles

There arewell, a LOT of reddit threads out there with just as many conflicting opinions about the legacy of John Lennon. This member of The Fab 4 was known for writing songs like Run For Your Life that played into Lennons reputation for being violent against women. Meanwhile, a less provocative but perhaps more popular lyrical misinterpretation has to do with Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. The song is actually not about tuning in and dropping out, but rather a reference to a drawing by John Lennons son, Julian. This didnt stop radio stations and fans alike from discussing Lucys psychedelic implications, however, a discussion that still rages to this day.

#12: Jesus Christ Pose (1991)Soundgarden

All it takes is one look at the CD single art for Soundgardens Jesus Christ Pose to understand how some people were going to be upset. The skeleton on a cross look felt more in-line with a metal band than Soundgardens grungy Seattle sound, but the fires of controversy were TRULY lit once the accompanying video hit MTV. The clip was almost immediately banned after a backlash from those who felt Jesus Christ Pose attacked Christianity. The song may have instead been directed at those with persecution complexes, but the legacy of Jesus Christ Pose is more closely tethered to the intense reactions fans had to it back in the day.

#11: Lola (1970)The Kinks

The spectrum of what offends the average listener is wide, and often differs wildly to that of our corporate overlords. Lola was banned by the BBC back in the day, not for its lyrical content, but for its product placement of the Coca-Cola brand. This isnt to say that Lola hasnt also gotten The Kinks into the public conversation over the years, however, since the song is still largely debated today. Some claim that the tune is a prescient tale of gender inclusivity, while others feel that its execution has aged extremely poorly.

#10: Closer (1994)Nine Inch Nails

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.

#9: Angel of Death (1986)Slayer

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, 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)Genesis

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 indulges 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 Manson

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.

#6: He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss) (1962)The Crystals

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.

#5: Sex Type Thing (1993)Stone Temple Pilots

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 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 Straits

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 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 Roses

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.

#2: God Save the Queen (1977)

Sex Pistols

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 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 Count

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.

Are there any sacred cows that should remain untouched by the music industry? Or are we, as a culture, too quick to be offended? Let us know in the comments!