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A HISTORY OF MUSIC VIDEO CONTROVERSY

A HISTORY OF MUSIC VIDEO CONTROVERSY

Ninu Nina
Creative People, Culture, Music, Photography

f you've been following us, you'll know we have a deep love for music videos. For those of us who grew up in the 80s and 90s, MTV wasn't just a channel; it was a cultural lifeline. But where there's art that pushes boundaries, there's inevitably controversy and censorship.

This post is a dedicated timeline to the most infamous, shocking, and groundbreaking music videos that were banned, edited, or sparked public outcry.

The 1980s: The Birth of a Medium and Its Rules

The dawn of the MTV era immediately created a need for content guidelines, and artists were quick to test them.

  • Queen - "Body Language" (1982): Holds the dubious honor of being the first video banned by MTV. The channel deemed its sweaty, minimalist, and suggestive vibe unsuitable for television.

  • Duran Duran - "Girls on Film" (1981): The BBC banned the uncut version for its depictions of topless women mud wrestling and sexual fetishes. MTV aired a heavily edited version.

  • Laura Branigan - "Self Control" (1984): Directed by Oscar-winner William Friedkin (The Exorcist), this dark, stylized video featured Branigan being lured through debauched clubs by a masked figure. MTV refused to air it until edits were made.

  • Mötley Crüe - "Girls, Girls, Girls" (1987): Banned by MTV for featuring fully nude dancers in a strip club setting surrounding the band.

  • Cher - "If I Could Turn Back Time" (1989): Her infamous navy outfit was deemed too revealing, leading MTV to restrict the video to late-night broadcasts only, which of course only fueled its notoriety.

  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood - "Relax" (1983): A prime example of using controversy for promotion. The BBC banned the sexually charged video, but the scandal helped propel "Relax" to become one of the best-selling singles of the decade in the UK.

The 1990s: Pushing Social and Religious Boundaries

The 90s saw artists tackling more complex and taboo subjects, leading to even bigger clashes with networks.

  • Madonna - "Justify My Love" (1990): Perhaps the most famous MTV ban. The black-and-white video featured depictions of S&M, cross-dressing, and group sexuality. It was outright banned, leading Madonna to famously debate the topic on Nightline.

  • Michael Jackson - "Black or White" (1991): The initial broadcast version featured a long, morphing dance sequence where Jackson grabbed his crotch and smashed car windows. Public outcry led to the controversial ending being permanently cut from future airings.

  • The Shamen - "Ebeneezer Goode" (1992): Banned by the BBC for its not-so-subliminal endorsement of Ecstasy ("Ezer Goode" = "Es are good").

  • The Prodigy - "Smack My Bitch Up" (1997): Banned by many networks for its first-person, drug-and-alcohol-fueled narrative that culminates in a shocking gender-reveal twist. Despite the ban (or because of it), it went on to win MTV awards for Best Dance Video and Breakthrough Video.

The 2000s: Shock Value and Social Commentary

Controversy evolved to include parody, homoeroticism, and stark social realism.

  • Robbie Williams - "Rock DJ" (2000): Censored for daytime play in the UK for its graphic ending where Williams strips off his skin and muscle to win over a DJ. Aired unedited only after the 10 pm watershed.

  • t.A.T.u. - "All the Things She Said" (2002): Caused a global firestorm for its depiction of underage singers Lena Katina and Yulia Volkova kissing in the rain. The controversy became the core of their marketing strategy.

  • Eminem - "Just Lose It" (2004): Banned from BET and condemned by Michael Jackson for its cruel parody of his plastic surgery, child molestation trial, and the Pepsi hair fire incident.

  • Justice - "Stress" (2008): Boycotted by music channels for its unflinching portrayal of a gang of North African-French youths committing random acts of violence in Paris, leading to widespread accusations of racism and glorifying violence.

The 2010s: Shock and Censorship in the Digital Age

Even as music television declined, videos could still cause a digital-era uproar.

  • M.I.A. - "Born Free" (2010): Director Romain Gavras's brutal nine-minute short film depicted the genocide of redheaded men. It was pulled from YouTube for graphic violence and reinstated with an age restriction, becoming one of the most talked-about pieces of music media of the year.

    • Watch the controversial video: M.I.A. - Born Free on YouTube (Content Warning: Extreme Violence)

  • Rihanna - "S&M" (2011): Banned in 11 countries and age-restricted on YouTube for its BDSM-themed imagery, including whipping, bondage, and a lesbian kiss.

Interested in more deep dives into iconic music videos and the stories behind them? Read more on our site and follow us for your daily dose of visual nostalgia and trivia.


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REMEMBERING PETER LINDBERGH

REMEMBERING PETER LINDBERGH
ARTIST MATTEO RUBBI

ARTIST MATTEO RUBBI