Generally, songs need to be widely appealing to reach the top of the charts, so avoiding controversy is usually best. However, there are always exceptions. Some songs unexpectedly become controversial, while artists like the Rolling Stones have intentionally pushed boundaries with their music.
There are numerous ways to be deliberately controversial, and these songs certainly achieved that. Some upset people on the left, while others angered those on the right. Unfortunately, a few of them even led to legal action.
Some of these songs were ahead of their time and challenged what people were used to, while others were just plain bad. But regardless, they were strangely captivating – even if they shocked and scandalized us.
Shock can be good, but shock can be so deliciously bad
5. “Brown Sugar” – Rolling Stones
There’s a notorious song from rock history that most people would rather ignore. It’s no longer played on the radio, and The Rolling Stones themselves avoid performing it. At this point, you’re more likely to hear a song associated with Charles Manson in a film than “Brown Sugar,” which is considered one of the most problematic number-one hits ever made.
4. “My Sweet Lord” – George Harrison
Despite being known as the most easygoing Beatle, George Harrison had the most controversial number one hit. The song combined religious ideas from both Christianity and Hinduism, which angered some religious groups. To make matters worse, he was also sued, accused of copying the melody from The Chiffons’ song, “He’s So Fine” – all for a song that was essentially a prayer.
3. “(You’re) Having My Baby” – Paul Anka
Singer Paul Anka, famous in the 1950s, surprisingly topped the charts in 1974 with the unusual song “(You’re) Having My Baby.” The song, a gentle ballad about expecting a child, was already a difficult topic for a hit. Its release in the same year as the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision made it even more controversial.
2. “Blurred Lines” – Robin Thicke
Robin Thicke’s song “Blurred Lines” caused a lot of controversy in the 2010s. It was criticized by women’s groups for its sexist lyrics, and the accompanying music video was considered highly explicit. Thicke also faced a lawsuit alleging that the song copied Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give It Up.” While these issues were significant, they might have been less damaging if Thicke had released another successful song, but he wasn’t able to do so.
1. “WAP” – Cardi B
Before 2020, Western audiences seemed unfazed by explicit content. But Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion completely changed the game with their song, redefining what was considered provocative in rap music.
Whether you find it shocking or hilarious, this song is undeniably memorable. It’s something people will either strongly dislike or absolutely love, but it won’t easily be dismissed.
Read More
- Gold Rate Forecast
- ПИК акции прогноз. Цена PIKK
- Two Retail Stocks: A Strategic Gamble
- The ETF to Buy for a Lifetime of Passive Income
- Better Nuclear Energy Stock: NuScale Power vs. Oklo
- Robinhood’s Meteoric September Surge: A Brokerage’s Modern Odyssey
- Oklo: A Million-Making Mirage or Nuclear Maelstrom?
- PineStone’s AutoZone Play: A Shrewd Move Amidst Stock Surge
- Zack Snyder Shares New Photo of Henry Cavill, Declares “Henry Cavill Is Superman”
- Upstart’s Stock: A Tale of Turbulence and Triumph
2025-10-23 13:00