The Filthy Fifteen: the songs that led to the creation of the Parental Advisory sticker
But thanks to the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), that now-familiar Parental Advisory label on the front of albums, which has been co-opted for shirts and merchandise over the years, became a regular sight in record stores from 1985.
This move by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) was seen as a way to appease the moral panic surrounding music and to respond to major retailers like Walmart, who refused to stock titles deemed to be 'soiling' the social fabric.
The PMRC, led by Tipper Gore , specifically cited 15 songs as problematic and requiring parental supervision for purchase or listening. The objections ranged from overt sexual themes to concerns about Satanic Panic , fuelled by perceptions of metal music and Dungeons & Dragons .
So, what 15 songs prompted the RIAA to finally concede and add a label advising parents to exercise caution when buying for younger family members? We've compiled a list of all the songs the PMRC deemed questionable and objectionable, leading to the creation of the Parental Advisory label.
1 . Cyndi Lauper - She Bop (1983)
This quirky and energetic pop hit from She's So Unusual was included on the Filthy Fifteen due to its veiled references to female - ahem - 'self-love'. While Lauper initially downplayed the explicit meaning, the suggestive nature of lines like, "She bops and they bop and they bop and they say / She bops and they bop and they bop all day," was interpreted by many as a coded celebration of female sexual pleasure, making it controversial for the time. | Koh Hasebe/Photo Sales
2 . Venom - Possessed (1985)
A band at the forefront of early extreme metal, Venom's Possessed from their album of the same name directly confronted dark occult themes with lyrics like, "Possessed by evil / Driven by hate / Satan's my master / Seal my fate." This overt engagement with satanic imagery and themes made them a clear target for the PMRC's campaign against perceived negative influences in music. | NielsPhoto Sales
3 . Mary Janes Girls - In My House (1983)
This upbeat R&B track from their self-titled album was surprisingly included on the Filthy Fifteen due to lyrics that were considered sexually suggestive and inappropriate for younger listeners. Lines like, "In my house, you can do it all night long / In my house, we can get it on," were interpreted as direct invitations to sexual activity within a domestic setting. | Contributed Photo Sales
4 . Black Sabbath - Trashed (1983)
Inspired by a real-life incident involving guitarist Tony Iommi crashing a car while allegedly under the influence, the lyrics of Trashed from Born Again, such as, "I got trashed, out of my head / I wrapped my car around a tree / I got trashed, nearly dead / But I'm still here, you see," were seen as a dangerous and irresponsible glorification of drug and alcohol abuse and its consequences. |Photo Sales
Related topics: BoostMusicHistoryAlbumsRetailers
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Tones and I doesn't look like this anymore! Dance Monkey hitmaker unveils VERY sexy new look following her dramatic weight loss
Tones and I has shared more photos of her dramatic makeover. The Dance Monkey hitmaker - real name Toni Watson - posed for a mirror selfie on Friday to show off a fresh set of long, thick hair extensions. She also flaunted her impressive weight loss in a figure-hugging black top tucked into an unbuttoned pair of jeans. The star also appears to be experimenting with 60s-inspired glam, a departure from her barely-there makeup style. Tones also flaunted recent weight loss in a white mini skirt when she made a surprise appearance on stage with Cyndi Lauper at the Rod Laver Arena in April. She thrilled her hometown crowd as she joined Lauper for a soulful rendition of 1984 classic, Time After Time. The Dance With Me songstress was an unexpected guest for the show, which was part of Lauper's farewell tour. In August 2024, the singer addressed her dramatic transformation during an interview with Cosmopolitan Australia. 'I've lost weight, so apparently that's the biggest thing that's ever happened to me in my life,' Tones said sarcastically. 'Everything is up for discussion. My body shape, my music, my livelihood, my relationship. I wish I could say that I could be someone where that doesn't affect me. 'But it does. Especially when like, my nanna, my family – they can see everything,' she added. Tones explained her decision to embrace a more feminine style. 'I'm not a tomboy, I'm a girly girl and I always have been,' she said. 'But I didn't feel comfortable in myself and my body, so I covered myself up.' Tones and I's introduction to the music industry is the stuff of mythology. She was discovered busking on a Byron Bay street corner with her Casio keyboard. The singer had been living out of a van for two years prior to being offered a record deal.
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Three huge dragons to light up 2025 Blackpool Illuminations
A trio of huge smoke-breathing dragons will form the centrepiece of this year's Blackpool 22ft (7m) high creations will be positioned near Blackpool Tower during the free lights display, which will run from 29 August until 4 there will also be an open-air gallery by acclaimed wildlife artist Robert E Fuller, as well as a six-panel illuminated roadway section inspired by artist Jason Wilsher-Mills's childhood memories of Blackpool in and actor Olly Murs will pull the big switch in a special promenade show to light up the Lancashire seaside resort. The dragons are part of Guardians of the North, a new creative project by Illuminations creative curator Laurence around turrets, the dragons will "come alive" with light and smoke on the Tower Festival Headland. There will be a new projection on the Blackpool Tower buildign by artist Ant is including an interactive element which will enable visitors to scan a QR code to "summon their chosen dragon and see it move across the building".Of his contribution, Wilsher-Mills said: "When I was growing up on a council estate in Wakefield, as a working class lad, a coach trip would take the whole of the estate to see the Illuminations."Blackpool seemed to me as a child that it was bigger than anything I had ever experienced before, and was in fact magic."I have tried to capture the magic of the famous town in my artworks, which will grace the Illuminations." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Scotsman
3 days ago
- Scotsman
Thousands of tabletop gamers return to the Royal Highland Centre this September
There will be thousands of seats to sit down and play games, alongside events for popular games and new releases, meaning attendees can expect to be engaged all three days. Tabletop games are no longer reserved to those Christmas family gatherings where everyone gathered round to play the same game as last year, now they are a permanent fixture in the lives of people across the country. Millions of people across the UK and beyond are enjoying tabletop games every day with friends and family alike. Whether you're an existing hobbyist or someone completely new, you will travel the globe, play the detective, slay the dragon, search for hidden treasures, and explore new worlds all at the table. Tabletop Scotland's Director, Dave Wright said: 'Last year we welcomed 6,500 people to the Royal Highland Centre, realising the potential of the event from an exhibitor and attendee perspective. We are delighted to be returning again this year, with some new exhibitors and events for our attendees to enjoy. With the UK tabletop industry continuing to grow year on year, we're delighted to have over 130 companies showcasing their tabletop games and accessories to our attendees. 'We created Tabletop Scotland to be a focal point for the hobby in Scotland, aiming to be at the heart of gaming in Scotland by bring together those new to the hobby with those who are already involved. Each year we have attendees who have only recently discovered this hobby coming to our event and having a fantastic time, as well as those long standing hobbyists who celebrate their hobby for three days. For those new to the hobby, we have dedicated areas where they can begin their exploration of what's on offer.' Tickets are on sale now: 1 . Contributed Play games based on popular media, like Disney Lorcana by Ravensburger. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 2 . Contributed Explore the worlds of Dungeons & Dragons and other roleplaying games. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 3 . Contributed Companies from across the UK and further afield will be demoing and selling tabletop games and accessories across all three days. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales 4 . Contributed Board games suitable for all the family, across all age ranges, there is a game for everyone. Photo: Submitted Photo Sales
