3 Albums From the 1960s That Sparked Controversy

Everything about the 1960s music scene was completely and utterly transformational. Prior to the rise of popular music in the 60s, there truly was not another decade as adventurous, exploratory, and provocative as the storied era. Though, given that it was so new and inventive, a lot of musicians and their respective albums ran into a lot of trouble.

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Controversy in the 60s was seemingly a frequent occurrence. Not only was the world in conflict, but the atmosphere of pop culture was as well. Bands were blaring new sounds through speakers, articulating subversive ideas, and printing taboo images on album covers. In other words, there were a lot of elements that led to such a controversial music scene. With all that in mind, here are three albums from the 1960s that sparked controversy.

‘Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins’ by John Lennon & Yoko Ono

Released in 1968, John Lennon and Yoko Ono‘s record, Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins, is the result of an all-night recording session in Lennon’s home studio while his ex-wife, Cynthia Lennon, was away on vacation. That in and of itself is controversial, but what led to the album being so controversial was the cover art.

Upon its initial release, the album cover was of a naked Lennon and Ono. Consequently, many record stores banned the album both in the United Kingdom and the United States. Side note, but months after the release of this album, John married Yoko in 1969.

‘The Doors’ by The Doors

The Doors‘ 1967 self-titled debut album might not seem all that controversial in retrospect. However, after its release, it sparked a lot of controversy given how its lyrics suggested themes of drug use and sexual deviancy. Specifically, Morrison’s line in “Light My Fire”, Girl, we couldn’t get much higher was edited on radio stations given its overt drug reference.

Another single from the album that was censored was Morrison’s spoken word section in The Doors’ iconic single, “The End”. Morrison’s words were censored because they shed light on the incredibly sexually taboo Freudian topic of the Oedipus complex.

‘The Velvet Underground & Nico’ by Nico and The Velvet Underground

While Nico and The Velvet Underground‘s self-titled debut album was controversial due to its subject matter. The main reason why this album sparked so much controversy upon its release was because of its album art, designed by famed artist Andy Warhol.

In short, the album cover designed by Warhol features the sticker of a yellow banana with the directions “Peel slowly and see” printed on the front. Once a viewer removed the sticker, the album featured a flesh-colored banana underneath, alluding to the male genitalia. Even for now, that album art would likely be viewed as a little too risqué.

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