The PC police recently set their sights on a classic holiday tune, with many calling for a radio ban on “Baby It’s Cold Outside.” Are the lyrics creepy? You bet! But, to be fair, so were a ton of other movies, books and songs from that era (the song was written in 1944). And whether the ban is justified or not (we’ll leave that up to you…), we at The Weekly have conveniently found 10 other radio regulars that offer far more offensive lyrics and suggestions. So if we are going to open this door, let’s explore:
- “Once Bitten Twice Shy” by Great White. Our take: Taking underage girls on a tour bus is never cool.
- “She’s Only 17” by Winger. Uh, did you read the name of the song? Now imagine the lyrics.
- “Girl You’ll Be a Woman Soon” by Neil Diamond. We all love Neil. But if we’re going to throw rocks in a glass house … well.
- “Brown Sugar” by the Rolling Stones. “Hear him whip the women just around midnight?” Not the Stones’ proudest moment. But slave rape never kept anyone from banning this one on the radio!
- “Tonight’s the Night” by Rod Stewart. Telling a “virgin child” to “not say a word” probably doesn’t fly in any situation.
- “Money for Nothing” by Dire Straits. Homophobic? Check. Slurs? Check. Hate speech? Checkmate. Legendary band … but not cool, not ever.
- “Father Figure” by George Michael. “Put your tiny hand in mine…” Whether you’re a preacher, teacher, or father … pretty sure all this stuff is illegal.
- “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” by Rupert Hayes. So you got “tired of your lady,” placed a personal ad to get some strange, your lady replied to the solicitation, you knocked back a few piña coladas at a seedy bar, and all was forgiven? Give this man a prize for low-maintenance couples’ therapy.
- “Special Secret Song Inside” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Rest assured: Anthony Keidis definitely wants to party, so badly, that we can’t print any of the lyrics.
- Every breath you take… every move you make… every bond you break… I’ll be watching you. “Every Breath You Take” by the Police gets top billing. Thanks, Sting, for breathily haunting our dreams. Forever.
