Cultural tides shift. It’s inevitable that something that was acceptable in one era may not be so later. It’s a risk one has to take if they create on the world’s stage. Find four classic (but offensive) songs that you could never make today, below.
Videos by American Songwriter
“Stray Cat Blues” (The Rolling Stones)
The Rolling Stones released a deeply questionable love song on Beggars Banquet, “Stray Cat Blues”. In the second verse, Mick Jagger sings about a 15-year-old girl. He tells her doesn’t need her I.D., but doesn’t let that stop him…It’s just one of many uncomfortable (by modern standards) tracks the Stones have released over the years. Honorable mentions include “Brown Sugar” and “Some Girls”.
I can see that you’re fifteen years old
No, I don’t want your I.D
And I can see that you’re so far from home, but
That’s no hanging matter
It’s no capital crime
“Turning Japanese” (The Vapors)
Of all the sexual euphemisms in music, “Turning Japanese” is perhaps the most racial insensitive. The Vapors likened the face one makes during climax to Asian stereotypes. Listening back to this track today prompts endless amounts of cringe, despite playing quite well in 1980.
I’m turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
Turning Japanese
I think I’m turning Japanese
I really think so
“Sweet Little Sixteen” (Chuck Berry)
Like the Stones’ track on this list of offensive songs, Chuck Berry once released a song about an underage girl. In fact, many songs in early rock focused on teenage girls. “Sweet Little Sixteen” is one of the most famous examples of this. Perhaps the word “teen” just rhymes more easily than other ages? We’re not sure why this was such an phenomenon, but this Berry hit helped to proliferate it.
Sweet Little Sixteen
She’s just got to have
About half a million
Framed autographs
Her wallet’s filled with pictures
She gets ’em one by one
Become so excited
Watch her look at her run, boy
“He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss)” (The Crystals)
Supporting domestic violence isn’t a stance many artists would take today, but The Crystals did so back in 1961. Gerry Goffin and Carole King penned this offensive track and later gifted it to the girl group. It’s not generally advisable to stand on the side of the abuser, but nevertheless this song proved to be a hit.
He hit me
And it felts like a kiss
He hit me
But it didn’t hurt me
(Photo by © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images)
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