Controversial one-hit wonders have hit the airwaves and the charts often through the years. However, many of those taboo songs wouldn’t make anyone bat an eye today. Let’s look at just a few examples, shall we? A few of these tracks are real throwbacks.
Videos by American Songwriter
1. “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot
Today, at worst, “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-A-Lot is seen as a campy song from a different time. At best, it’s considered an important song that represents a unique era of hip-hop in the 1990s. However, when this 1992 ode to booty was first released, it was considered pretty controversial; at least to more conservative listeners.
The “vulgar” music video for the song was banned by MTV for a minute. We get it; one can’t deny that some of the lyrics are a bit misogynistic. Mix-A-Lot defended his song amidst the initial controversy, saying it was a song meant to empower curvy women in an era where thin was in.
2. “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke
Probably one of the most controversial one-hit wonders on our list, “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke was a huge hit when it was first released before people started reading between those blurred lines. This song glorified not respecting consent, and it’s still considered a trivialization of sexual violence today.
Despite the controversy, the song did quite well. However, Thicke’s career more or less fell apart soon after. Following the no. 1 hit, Thicke never hit the Top 20 on the Billboard US Hot 100 again, though he did enjoy a few hits on the Adult R&B chart and in France.
3. “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood
This dance-pop new-wave debut single from Frankie Goes To Hollywood was released in 1983. “Relax” wasn’t nearly as controversial as its music video. The original video (and some of their paper ads) were considered vulgar for containing homoerotic imagery. The song was banned by the BBC and allegedly banned by MTV for a short amount of time. Today, a song like this wouldn’t make most listeners bat an eye.
4. “Black Betty” by Ram Jam
This cover of an African American work song from the 20th century makes it to our list of controversial one-hit wonders because of how it was perceived by some. Ram Jam remade the song into a rock hit back in 1977, and it was a massive charting hit. However, some listeners believed that the song had racist connotations. The University of New Hampshire famously banned the song from their hockey games.
The truth behind the song’s connotations (and title phrase) is still murky. Some believe it is referencing an African American woman, while others claim the phrase can refer to a number of objects, from whiskey to a cop car.
Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images for Caruso
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.