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13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes, Vol. 3 (2023) [πŸ“·: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; 100 files, Deon Black, Jonas Wilson, Marlon Alves, Tazz Vaughn from Pexels] 13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes, Vol. 3 features music courtesy of Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, Kendrick Lamar, Madonna, and Oliver Anthony

β€œCuss out a cop, spit in his face / Stomp on the flag and light up / Yeah, ya think you’re tough.”  Those ear catching lyrics, sung by country musician πŸŽ™ Jason Aldean, hail from the no. 1 hit, 🎡 β€œTry That in a Small Town”, which created quite the stir – an understatement. Another song that raised eyebrows was 🎡 β€œChurch Girl” by πŸŽ™ BeyoncΓ©, which sampled a gospel classic, yet rubbed some Christians the wrong way: β€œShe gon’ shake that ass and them pretty tig ol’ bitties’.” Yup, the church girl was a straight-up freak 😳 😈.  Long before Aldean or BeyoncΓ© were shocking, πŸŽ™ Serge Gainsbourg & Charlotte Gainsbourg dropped one of the most controversial songs of all-time with their sus, provocative father/daughter duet, 🎡 β€œLemon Incest” (β€œNaΓ―ve as a canvas / Your kisses are so sweet”).  All three songs graced the controversial songs musical compendium, 🎧 13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes, Vol. 2.  With two volumes of controversy under our belts, we unveil 🎧 13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes, Vol. 3. Most of the songs featured here appeared in the column, Controversial Tunes 😈🎢. 🎧 13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes, Vol. 3 features music courtesy of πŸŽ™ Bruce Springsteen, πŸŽ™ Christina Aguilera, πŸŽ™ Kendrick Lamar, πŸŽ™ Madonna, and πŸŽ™ Oliver Anthony among others. So, without further ado, lean into the controversy amassed on 🎧 13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes, Vol. 3!!!


1. Oliver Anthony Music, β€œRich Men North of Richmond”  

🎡 β€œRich Men North of Richmond” β€’ 🏷 DistroKid β€’ πŸ—“ 2023

Oliver Anthony, Rich Men North of Richmond [πŸ“·: DistroKid]β€œI’ve been sellin’ my soul, workin’ all day / Overtime hours for bullshit pay… ”  πŸŽ™ Oliver Anthony (Oliver Anthony Music)β€―tickled the interests of conservative, right-wingers (for a minute 😏), and many disgruntled Americans with his raw, blue collar country song, 🎡 β€œRich Men North of Richmond”.β€― Over the course of three minutes and change, Anthony expresses his feelings about the state of the country and those rich men north of Richmond, Virginia, aka Washington DC.β€―β€œIt’s a damn shame what the world’s gotten to / For people like me and people like you.” Throughout β€œRich Men North of Richmond,” Anthony serves up authentic, expressive vocals. He has a raw, rough around the edges sound. As the excerpted lyrics suggest, he is brutally honest, intact with some salty language.

β€― 

cash fanOne of the most colorful moments of 🎡 β€œRich Men North of Richmond” occurs in the third verse:β€―β€― 

β€œWell, God, if you’re 5-foot-3 and you’re 300 poundsβ€― 

Taxes ought not to pay for your bags of Fudge Roundsβ€― 

Young men are puttin’ themselves six feet in the groundβ€― 

β€˜Cause all this damn country does is keep on kickin’ them down.”   

Naturally, the record is polarizing, as many protest, socially conscious songs tend to be.β€― Many relate and embrace it, particularly references to mining and, perhaps, the poor taking advantage of welfare. Others acknowledge valid points but question the next steps?  This song is definitely a great discussion piece.


2. Christina Aguilera, β€œDirrty”  

πŸ’Ώ Stripped β€’ 🏷 Sony Music Entertainment β€’ πŸ—“ 2002 

Christina Aguilera, Stripped [πŸ“·: RCA]πŸŽ™ Christina Aguilera got 🎡 β€œDirrty”. β€œDirrty” served as the promo single from her β€˜sophomore’ album, πŸ’Ώ Stripped. The 16th track peaked at no. 48 on the Billboard Hot 100 – modest to say the least.β€― Notably, on this sexed-up cut, which is a reason for the controversial label, X-tina is assisted by rapper πŸŽ™ Redman. Here, the β€˜innocent’ pop star moves from being a 🎡 β€œGenie in the Bottle” and singing about her 🎡 β€œReflection” to singing about S-E-X 😱!β€―Aguilera does quite the about face from 1999.β€― For one, she’s β€œSweatin’ β€˜til my clothes come off,” and, apparently, she’s horny! β€œNo question, time for some action.” Former teen pop stars aren’t allowed to be horny 😈, especially in 2002 🀣! Actually, it’s the second verse where the eyebrows raise more as Christina encourages ass moving and sings about β€œTight hip-huggers (low for sure).” Of course, in the chorus, they’re β€œDancing, getting just a little naughty / Wanna get dirty, it’s about time for my arrival.”  Lyrically and thematically, Aguilera is a grown woman who wants to have fun.β€― She is a sexual being and she’s not going to hold back. In the 2020s, this is incredibly tame, just to show you how much more explicit music has become.β€― 

sad pigβ€œDirrty” earned most of its controversial label from the music video πŸŽΆπŸ“Ό that erased the Disney Channel star really quick! There was a petition to ban the video from MTV. Some of the controversial things include her attire – well – theβ€― lack of…. Furthermore, her backup dancers are β€˜liberated’ too. The dancing is highly sexual. The shower scene is… you just have to see it.β€― These happenings in a boxing ring (🀣) clearly suggests a sexual afterparty if you catch my drift 😈. Of course, it’s not just the women.β€― We couldn’t fail to mention those fit πŸ‹οΈβ€β™‚οΈ, hot πŸ₯΅, hunky, sweaty-bodied shirtless men, who dance (and grind) on Aguilera – incredibly hedonistic. Notably, the video was banned in Thailand due to signs regarding sex tourism, written in Thai, that appear in the background of the video 🀯. 🎡 β€œDirrty” wouldn’t be controversial today, or at least to the same extent, but back in the early aughts, it earned its fair share of negative attention! 

Appears in πŸ”»: 


3. Nine Inch Nails, β€œCloser”  

πŸ’Ώ The Downward Spiral β€’ 🏷 Interscope β€’ πŸ—“ 1994

Nine Inch Nails, The Downward Spiral [πŸ“·: Interscope]β€œYou let me violate you / You let me desecrate you / You let me penetrate you / You let me complicate you.” Violate? Desecrate? Penetrate? Complicate? Sheesh – it’s self-explanatory why 🎡 β€œCloser” (πŸ’Ώ The Downward Spiral, 1994)is dubbed as controversial, right? Clearly πŸŽ™ Nine Inch Nails’ πŸŽ™ Trent Reznor has constructed a character who is in an animalistic, lustful, and deviant state of mind. The first verse is a perfect example of a suspect mindset when it comes to sex. Sex, we find out, is only one component of β€œCloser,” even if Reznor asserts on the chorus: β€œI wanna fuck you like an animal / I wanna feel you from the inside.”  Yes, that’s thinking with the D for sure!β€―β€― 

Bitmoji ImageThe first pre-chorus tells more than the overt sex references over the industrial-sounding backdrop.β€― Here, Reznor’s character is a broken man with no morals.β€― He β€˜gives no fucks’ about the acts he’s going to commit sexually, because β€œI broke apart my insides” and β€œI’ve got no soul to sell.”  So, essentially, he didn’t sell his soul to the devil because he had none to begin with.β€― Savage! The sex is a way to cope to some extent (β€œHelp me get away from myself”).β€― He suggests flaws can be β€˜sexed away’, including isolation and absence of faith.β€― β€˜You make me perfect / Help me become somebody else,” he sings in the second pre-chorus.β€― A key statement closes out the chorus: β€œMy whole existence is flawed / You get me closer to God.” Woah! Of course, it’s hard to see Trent Reznor, as a spiritual being.β€―In the equally controversial music video πŸŽΆπŸ“Ό, there is a lot of weird shit going on.β€― A live monkey tied to a cross (WTF), a boar’s head, a naked woman, an eel (?), maggots, Trent licking what resembles a nipple… The video raises more questions and amplifies the controversy.β€―Even so,β€― β€œCloser” also kicks some serious ass.β€― It’s dark, but there’s a beauty and high level of musicianship beyond the darkness.β€―β€― 

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4. Destiny’s Child, β€œCater 2 U” 

πŸ’Ώ Destiny Fulfilled β€’ 🏷 Sony BMG Music Entertainment β€’ πŸ—“ 2004

Destiny's Child, Destiny Fulfilled [πŸ“· : Sony]β€œWhatever your desire, I’ll supply ya,” πŸŽ™ BeyoncΓ© asserts on the 2004 πŸŽ™ Destiny’s Child hit, 🎡 β€œCater 2 U” (πŸ’Ώ Destiny Fulfilled).β€― Prior to her willingness to supply, YoncΓ© asserts in the pre-chorus, β€œLet me help you take off your shoes / Untie your shoestrings, take off your cuff links (Yeah) / What you wanna eat, boo? (Yeah) / Let me feed you, let me run your bathwater.” Run his bathwater?β€― It is these lyrics that make SOME folks, particularly younger folks, consider β€œCater 2 U” to be controversial.β€― In an age where gender stereotypes are much more antiquated, and women specifically are far more independent, the thinking is this aughts song hasn’t aged well.β€―BeyoncΓ©, in particular, comes over as far too submissive. To be fair, she wants to show her man appreciation in the first verse but, is it too much? β€œMy life would be purposeless without you” and β€œBaby, sit back and let me pour out my love letter” can be deemed a sweet and dedicated, but also overkill and submissive.β€― Throw in all the things she’s willing to do on the pre-chorus, and the catering is, well, a lot. That doesn’t even account for the chorus, where she adds, β€œI got your slippers, your dinner, your dessert and so much more.” Of course, part of that is sexual. Still, β€œAnything you want, I wanna cater to you” may justify heat this song has taken in the 2020s.β€―β€― 

 

thinking emojiBeyoncΓ© is not the sole culprit in β€œCater 2 U,” IF you consider this to be a problematic record that should be cancelled.β€― While the appreciation that πŸŽ™ Kelly Rowland exhibits in the second verse is sweet to some degree, old-school wife stereotypes still come through (β€œBoy, is there something you need me to do?”).β€― Furthermore, in her pre-chorus, she’s focused on impressing him in regard to her body and perhaps most eyebrow raising, β€œWhen you come home late, tap me on my shoulder, I’ll roll over / Baby, I heard you / I’m here to serve you.” There is double entendre, but, it also seems unlikely these lyrics would fly today.β€― πŸŽ™ Michelle Williams is also not exempt, as she β€œwanna give you my breath / My strength / My will to you / That’s the least I can do, let me cater to you.” It’s doubtful there were bad intentions from the group or the writers. Still, 🎡 β€œCater 2 U” feels a bit anti-feminist and antiquated in its thinking.  The degree of controversy depends on who you are however what isn’t questionable is how divisive this R&B hit is.β€―

Appears in πŸ”» 


5. Kendrick Lamar, β€œAuntie Diaries”   

πŸ’Ώ Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers β€’ 🏷 Aftermath / Interscope β€’ πŸ—“ 2022

Kendrick Lamar, Big Morale & The Big Steppers [πŸ“· : Aftermath / Interscope / pgLang / Top Dawg Entertainment]β€œMy auntie is a man now / I think I’m old enough to understand now…” Well – you don’t hear that often from a major-label rapper! 🎡 β€œAuntie Diaries” is one of the most surprising records from πŸ’Ώ Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.β€― Few rappers who don’t identify as LGBTQ+ πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ dare address LGBTQ+ πŸ³οΈβ€πŸŒˆ issues.β€― Far too often, if rappers dive into it, it’s because they are being homophobic. πŸ† Grammy and Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper πŸŽ™ Kendrick Lamar admits to past ignorance regarding homophobia, asserting in the second verse, β€œF🀬ggot, f🀬ggot, f🀬ggot, we ain’t know no better / Elementary kids with no filter, however.”  Anytime that f-word comes into play, it’s often much more controversial than the f-bomb.β€― Interestingly, as the record progresses, Kendrick later says, β€œI said them f-bombs, I ain’t know any better.”   β€― 

β€― 

Lamar talks about evolving into a better, more accepting person, using the example of his trans aunt whom he loves and respects. Also, he mentions a trans cousin as well:β€―β€― 

β€œMy auntie was a man now, we cool with itβ€― 

The history had trickled down and made us ign’antβ€― 

My favorite cousin said he’s returning the favorβ€― 

And following my auntie with the same behavior.”  

Bitmoji ImageWorth noting, Kendrick Lamar references the church’s insensitive reaction to his cousin’s trans identity, something commonplace, particularly in the black church. Though some black denominations are considered more liberal, progressive institutions (the African Methodist Episcopal church is a prime example), they aren’t as progressive when it comes to the LGBTQ+ community.β€― Refocusing on β€œAuntie Diaries,” reactions to this bold number are mixed from both hetero- and LGBTQ+ communities. Still, this is a legitimate LGBTQ+ record worth analyzing and discussing.β€―β€― 

Appears in πŸ”»:β€―β€― 


6. Reba McEntire, β€œFancy” 

πŸ’Ώ Rumor Has It β€’ 🏷 MCA β€’ πŸ—“ 1990 

Reba McEntire, Rumor Has It [πŸ“·: MCA]β€œI stepped into a satin dancing dress / That had a split on the side clean-up to my hip,” πŸŽ™ Reba McEntire sings in the first verse of 🎡 β€œFancy”, adding, β€œIt was red velvet trim and it had fit me good /… There stood a woman where a half-grown kid had stood.” What is Reba getting at on this cover of the 1960s πŸŽ™ Bobbie Gentry classic?β€― Poverty makes you make tough decisions, and for Fancy, the character portrayed by Gentry and McEntire in this cover from her 1990 LP, πŸ’Ώ Rumor Has It, her mom encourages her to get out of poverty through sex work.β€― Yes, this country song is about prostitution – let that sink in.β€―β€― 

β€― 

wowEven in the 2020s, songs about sex work still raise eyebrows, though arguably less so compared to β€˜back in the day.’ Still, where country music’s biggest vice often seems to be an exorbitant amount of alcohol, prostitution obviously raises the bar.β€― The lyrics never cross the line, mind you, but the innuendo is loud and clear.β€― Furthermore, the fact that Fancy’s mother encourages her 18-year-old daughter to become a prostitute is shocking: β€œShe looked at the pitiful shack / And then she looked at me and took a ragged breath / She said, β€˜Your Pa’s runned off and I’m real sick / And the baby’s gonna starve to death.’” Desperate times call for desperate measures, exemplified by this record, where Fancy’s mother goes on to say, β€œβ€˜Just be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy / They’ll be nice to you.’” Damn! It is worth noting that Fancy ends up on top: β€œI charmed a king, congressman / And an occasional aristocrat.”  She also addresses the pushback: β€œThere’s a lot of self-righteous hypocrites that call me bad / They criticize mama for turning me out.” Even by the time the Reba version of 🎡 β€œFancy” arrived, there was still C-O-N-T-R-O-V-E-R-S-Y!

Appears in πŸ”»: 


7. Play-N-Skillz, β€œLiterally I Can’t” (Ft. Redfoo, Lil Jon & Enertia McFly) 

🎡 β€œLiterally I Can’t” β€’  πŸ—“ 2014  

Play-N-Skillz, Literally I Can't (STFU) [πŸ“·: Play-N-Skillz]β€œA shot of vodka? / I can’t / Tequila? / I can’t / After party? / I can’t / Literally, I can’t.”  When you respond NO to peer pressure, it should be viewed as brave. Instead, far too often, the result is being viewed as boring, square, and up tight.β€― In the context of 🎡 β€œLiterally I Can’t”, a song that has almost been literally wiped off the internet 😏 and unavailable to download or stream, the men – immature, overaged frat men at that – peer pressure the ladies to do things they don’t want to.β€― And, amplified by a distasteful music video (reuploaded by someone else because the original is private), you know what πŸŽ™ Play-N-Skillz, πŸŽ™ Redfoo (renowned for his πŸŽ™ LMFAO days), πŸŽ™ Lil Jon, and πŸŽ™ Enertia McFly tell the ladies: β€œOMG, STFU! / SHUT THE FUCK UP!”   β€― 

The controversy of β€œLiterally I Can’t” speaks for itself.β€― The lyrics are abhorrent.β€― Redfoo clearly hurt his career the most with this controversial 2014 joint.β€― Although the then 39 year-old rapper seemed far too old to be anywhere near the frat house, and described his performance as satirical (😏), you can’t unsay the disturbing, tone deaf lyrics he serves up.β€― β€œYou got a big ol’ butt / I can tell by the way you’re walkin’ / But you annoying me… cause you’re talkin’,” he raps, continuing, β€œBounce on the pogo / Jump on the jack hammer / Get low, low, low…” i cannotSo, basically, he’s telling her to pleasure his man parts, but she better not use her mouth to talk, let alone her mind: β€œI said jump on the pole / I didn’t MEAN your opinion / Girl I’m sipping on this drink / I’m tryna see what you got / No tryna hear what you think.” MISOGYNY = an ugly thing.β€―β€―Redfoo gets the brunt of the blame and fallout, but it’s not all on him. Lil Jon was well beyond his crunk days when this hot garbage arrived, and even if the production of Play-N-Skillz is a selling point, the theme and controversy overshadow it.β€― Also, let’s not leave out Enertia McFly: β€œYour booty in my hand is my new motto /…Put your lips on my bottle / Let me see you take it to the head.” Gotta love the clichΓ©,  oral sex references.β€― Literally, I can’t with 🎡 β€œLiterally I Can’t” which scrapes bottom.

Appears in πŸ”» 


8. Peggy Lee, β€œThe Siamese Cat Song”  

πŸ’Ώ Lady and the Tramp β€’ 🏷 Disney β€’ πŸ—“ 1955

Lady and the Tramp [πŸ“·: Disney]β€œWe are Siamese if you please (meow) / We are Siamese if you don’t please (meow).” 🎡 β€œThe Siamese Cat Song”, from one of Disney’s most beloved animated films, 🎦 Lady and the Tramp, is easily one of its most controversial and problematic. You see β€œThe Siamese Cat Song” plays on Asian stereotypes πŸ‘Ž πŸ‘Ž πŸ‘Ž.β€― Early in Disney’s history, the company, despite changing the face of animation, and serving up timeless films, had issues with insensitive depictions of minorities and, honestly, racism.

β€― 

Bitmoji ImageEverything about this πŸŽ™ Peggy Lee record would be scrapped in the 2020s. No, it isn’t about being woke, it is simply about a negative depiction of Asians.β€― Notably, in the 2019 live action remake, the problematic Siamese Cats are eliminated.β€― In the original, Si and Am are a hot mess – they create sheer havoc.β€― They want to make the swimming goldfish drown – homicidal thoughts! Furthermore, they want to steal milk from a baby – SCANDALOUS! The point is, they are troublemakers and given the distinct Asian accent that the song is performed in (Siamese cats originate in Thailand), with improper grammar, it feels sus and insensitive, at least by 2020s standards.β€― Also, the instrumentation, particularly the use of the gong, only makes things worse…  There are far more controversial tunes than 🎡 β€œThe Siamese Cat Song” but, given this caricature (including intentionally slanted eyes visually speaking), as well as Disney’s history of unflattering depictions of Asian characters, the controversy is justified.β€―β€― 

Appears in πŸ”»:β€―β€― 


9. Chuck Berry, β€œMy Ding-a-Ling” 

πŸ’Ώ Have Mercy – His Complete Chess Recordings 1969 – 1974 β€’ 🏷 Geffen β€’ πŸ—“ 2010 

Chuck Berry, Have Mercy: His Complete Chess Recordings, 1969 to 1974 [πŸ“·: Geffen]β€œWhen I was a little bitty boy / My grandmother bought me a cute little toy.” Sigh, us boys, we love our toys! Continue, πŸŽ™ Chuck Berry: β€œSilver bells hangin’ on a string / She told me it was my ding a ling ling.” Hmm πŸ€”, now things are getting a bit, dare I say, phallic? To be fair, on his sole no. 1 Billboard Hot hit, 🎡 β€œMy Ding-a-Ling”, the rock icon never explicitly mentions the penis. That said, he doesn’t have to.β€― Even the innocent lines of this reworked 🎼 ✍ David Bartholemew-penned joint feel like an ode to the crown jewels if you catch my drift.β€― Those bells aren’t bells 😈!

Bitmoji Imageβ€œMy Ding-a-Ling” is not profound – it’s utterly ridiculous. That said, you can’t listen to the chorus, where Berry asserts, β€œI want to play with my ding a ling,” and not roll your eyes, laugh, or cringe hard.β€― Things only get worse from there, as in the second verse, at church, mind you, β€œEvery time the choir would sing / I’d sit there and play with my ding a ling.” 🀯! Apparently, in the third verse, he’s caught 🀯! You can’t help but chuckle in the fourth, when he protects ding-a-ling after an accident: β€œI fell so hard I heard bells ring / But I never let go of my ding a ling.” The fifth verse is one reason why some radio stations probably refused to play it:β€― 

β€œI remember the girl next doorβ€― 

We used to play house on the kitchen floorβ€― 

She’d be the queen, I’d be the kingβ€― 

Together we’d play with my ding a ling a ling.”  

My, my, my! It is worth noting that Mary Whitehouse attempted to get the song banned in Britain, to no avail. There are far more controversial and explicit songs these days. Still, the double entendre is quite pronounced on 🎡 β€œMy Ding-a-Ling” often labelled as Berry’s worst song despite its success.β€― 

Appears in πŸ”» 


10. The Chicks, β€œGoodbye Earl” 

πŸ’Ώ Fly β€’ 🏷 Columbia β€’ πŸ—“ 1999β€―

The Chicks, Fly [πŸ“·: Columbia]β€œEarl had to die / Goodbye, Earl / Those black-eyed peas / They tasted all right to me, Earl.” This seems like the opportune time to double down on the fact that two wrongs DO make a right, so, let’s controversially consult β€˜the good book’ for context in the controversial πŸŽ™ The Chicks classic, 🎡 β€œGoodbye Earl”! The Bible says, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, so, it feels totally right that πŸŽ™ Natalie Maines and company atoned for abuse with the murder of the scum of the earth. HELL yeah, with emphasis on the HELL part.β€― Honestly, the excerpted lyrics from the chorus tell you why this gem from their 1999 album, πŸ’Ώ Fly, is deemed as one of the most controversial songs of all time.β€―

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waving doorwayTo be fair, The Chicks did NOT write the song or originally perform it.β€― Blame songwriter 🎼 ✍ Dennis Linde for the controversy, dang it! Linde is to blame for penning an anti-abuse anthem that found the abused (Wanda), and her friend (Mary Ann), murdering the abuser (Earl)! β€œYou’re feeling weak / Why don’t you lay down and sleep, Earl,” Maines continues singing in the chorus, adding, β€œAin’t it dark / Wrapped up in that tarp, Earl?” Again, what more can you say but, damn! Anyways, Linde wrote this anthem, which finds Earl abusing Wanda in the second verse, including Earl β€œWalked right through that restraining order / And put her in intensive care.” Originally, the song was recorded by πŸŽ™ Sons of the Desert but the album was never released – a whole mess in itself.β€― Naturally, the messaging of β€œGoodbye Earl” is mixed, hence why it aroused the controversy it did.β€― It is probably best to look at this fictional song as tongue-in-cheek, however, there have been real life instances where someone was abused in some form or fashion, and they ultimately killed the abuser.β€― That said, it is still disturbing that β€œIt turns out he [Earl] was a missing person / Who nobody missed at all.”

β€―

Appears in πŸ”» 


11. Prince & The New Power Generation, β€œSexy M.F.” 

πŸ’Ώ Love Symbol β€’ 🏷 NPG / Legacy β€’ πŸ—“ 1992β€―β€― 

Prince & The New Power Generation, [Love Symbol] [πŸ“·: Warner]β€œIn a word or two, it’s you I wanna doβ€―/ No not your body, your mind you foolβ€―/ Come here baby, yeahβ€―/ You sexy motherfucker.β€β€―πŸŽ™ Prince & the New Power Generation brought the heat (and controversy) on the song 🎡 β€œSexy M.F.” from πŸ’Ώ Love Symbol (1992). On the one hand, πŸŽ™ Prince seems to want an emotional connection.β€― On the other hand, however, even if Prince makes it β€˜explicitly’ clear β€œThis ain’t about sex” (verse two), it’s hard to deny sex is an ingredient, particularly given his heaping dose of potty-mouth.β€―The Purple One uses ample terminology associated with sex, even if, as he asserts, it’s not about sex.β€―β€― β€―β€― 

β€œYou seem perplexed I haven’t taken you yetβ€―β€―
Can’t you see I’m harder than a man can getβ€―β€―
I got wet dreams comin’ out of my earsβ€―β€―
I get hard if the wind blows your cologne near meβ€―β€―
But I can take it, β€˜cause I want the whole nineβ€―β€―
This ain’t about the body, it’s about the mind.” 

sexy beastAlrighty then…  Honestly, the controversy associated with β€œSexy M.F.” speaks for itself.β€―Despite its explicitness, the hella funky yet controversial AF β€œSexy M.F” was a single from πŸ’Ώ Love Symbol.β€― Obviously, it had to be amended for airplay because, well, you can’t go around throwing the mf-bomb around! While stateside it didn’t ignite the Billboard Hot 100 on fire, it did debut and peak at no. 66.β€― Examining Prince’s catalog in its entirety, β€œSexy M.F.” is one of his better records.β€― Certainly, it ranks among his funkiest and most fun (β€œSexy motherfucker shakin’ that ass, shakin’ that ass, shakin’ that ass”)!β€―β€―β€― 

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Appears in πŸ”»:β€― 


12. Madonna, β€œJustify My Love”   

πŸ’Ώ The Immaculate Collection β€’ 🏷 Warner β€’ πŸ—“ 1990β€―β€― 

Madonna, The Immaculate Collection [πŸ“·: Warner]β€œWanting, needing, waiting / For you to justify my love.”  Reading the lyrics on the page, it doesn’t sound nearly as sexy and lustful as when πŸŽ™ Madonna performs them.β€― The words hail from the chorus of one of the sexiest (and most controversial) songs of her illustrious career, 🎡 β€œJustify My Love”. β€œJustify” appears on her 1990 compilation, πŸ’Ώ The Immaculate Collection. Another no. 1 hit single for Madge, it stands out the first time you hear it. Notably, it was written by her, 🎼 ✍ Ingrid Chavez, and Lenny Kravitz.β€―Madonna mostly provides spoken word, in an erotic, horny way.β€― None of the lyrics are extraordinarily risquΓ© – it was 1990 – but the personality she infuses elevates the temperature. β€œI want to run naked in a rainstorm,” she asserts in the first verse, adding, β€œMake love in a train cross-country / You put this in me / So now what, so now what?” Hmm, β€œYou put this in me” doesn’t seem like a coincidence!β€― hawtMadge also makes it clear that she β€œDon’t want to be your mother /…sister either / I just want to be your lover.” Woo! The third verse seems the most progressive, particularly the end:

β€œI’m not afraid of who you areβ€―β€―β€― 

We can fly!β€―β€― 

Poor is the manβ€―β€― 

Whose pleasures dependβ€―β€― 

On the permissions of anotherβ€―β€― 

Love me, that’s right, love meβ€―β€― 

I want to be your baby.”    

Those lyrics seem to match the LGBTQ 🌈 component of the music video πŸŽΆπŸ“Ό, which features same-sex couples enjoying love just like Madge does.

Appears in πŸ”»:β€―β€― 


    13. Bruce Springsteen, β€œAmerican Skin (41 Shots)”  

    πŸ’Ώ High Hopes β€’ 🏷 Bruce Springsteen β€’ πŸ—“ 2014

    Bruce Springsteen, High Hopes [πŸ“·: Columbia]β€œ41 shots / Cut through the night / You’re kneeling over his body in the vestibule / Praying for his life.” 🎡 β€œAmerican Skin (41 Shots)” marks the heaviest moment of πŸ’Ώ High Hopes, the 2014 album by πŸŽ™ Bruce Springsteen.β€― Furthermore, it’s probably the most controversial song in The Boss’ catalog. β€œAmerican Skin (41 Shots)” wasn’t born in 2014, despite the fact it was dedicated to Trayvon Martin, one of many senseless tragedies involving unarmed black men. The original arrived 13 years earlier, inspired by a different but equally tragic incident.β€―Back in 1999, 23-year old West African immigrant, Amadou Diallo was fatally shot by the NYPD sparking outrage.β€― Springsteen wrote this song protesting the wrongful death that same year. 41 shots are the number of shots fired towards Diallo. β€œAmerican Skin (41 Shots)” first appeared on his live album, πŸ’Ώ Live in New York City from 2001, but wouldn’t receive the studio treatment until 2014. 

    β€œAmerican Skin (41 Shots)” has a chilling, disturbing lyrical tone:β€―β€œIs it a gun, is it a knife, is it a wallet, this is your life / It ain’t no secret, it ain’t no secret, no secret my friendβ€―/ You can get killed just for living in your American skin…”  The lyrics that raised more eyebrows relate to police interaction when black in America.β€― 

    β€œYou’ve got to understand the rulesβ€― 

    If an officer stops you,β€― 

    Promise me you’ll always be politeβ€― 

    And that you’ll never ever run awayβ€― 

    Promise Mama you’ll keep your hands in sight.”

    Bitmoji ImageThe controversy, of course, is Springsteen was criticized for being anti-police.β€― He’s not β€˜anti-police’ mind you, but some police officers were unhappy about the record.β€― They missed the point – it’s about the senseless tragedies facing blacks.β€―Ultimately, 🎡 β€œAmerican Skin (41 Shots)” is food for thought, addressing a huge problem in the United States, where more work and progression are needed.β€― 

    Appears in πŸ”» 


    13 Unapologetic, Controversial Tunes, Vol. 3 (2023) [πŸ“·: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Aftermath / Interscope, Bruce Springsteen, Columbia, Disney, DistroKid, Geffen, Interscope, MCA, NPG / Legacy, Party Rock, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner; 100 files, Deon Black, Jonas Wilson, Marlon Alves, Tazz Vaughn from Pexels]

     


    the musical hype

    the musical hype (Brent Faulkner) has earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music (music education, music theory/composition respectively). A multi-instrumentalist, he plays piano, trombone, and organ among numerous other instruments. He's a certified music educator, composer, and freelance music blogger. Faulkner cites music and writing as two of the most important parts of his life. Notably, he's blessed with a great ear, possessing perfect pitch.