There was a time when you could pick up an album, whether on CD or vinyl, without being warned that its content might be morally dubious.
But thanks to the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), that now-familiar Parental Advisory label on the front of albums, which has been co-opted for shirts and merchandise over the years, became a regular sight in record stores from 1985.
This move by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) was seen as a way to appease the moral panic surrounding music and to respond to major retailers like Walmart, who refused to stock titles deemed to be 'soiling' the social fabric.
The PMRC, led by Tipper Gore, specifically cited 15 songs as problematic and requiring parental supervision for purchase or listening. The objections ranged from overt sexual themes to concerns about Satanic Panic, fuelled by perceptions of metal music and Dungeons & Dragons.
So, what 15 songs prompted the RIAA to finally concede and add a label advising parents to exercise caution when buying for younger family members? We've compiled a list of all the songs the PMRC deemed questionable and objectionable, leading to the creation of the Parental Advisory label.
5. Mercyful Fate - Into the Coven (1983)
This early extreme metal track, featuring lyrics like, "Satan, our master / We shall obey / Your words are our law / We shall not stray," drew significant controversy for its open embrace of occult themes and Satanism. This aligned directly with the PMRC's concerns about negative religious influences in music and the potential for corrupting young minds. | Mercyful Fate
6. Def Leppard - High 'n' Dry (Saturday Night) (1981)
This rock anthem from their album of the same name was flagged for its perceived glorification of drug and alcohol use within a party atmosphere. Lines like, "Gonna get high, gonna get dry / Gonna get down, down Saturday night / Gonna lose my mind, gonna lose control / Gonna rock 'n' roll, gonna lose my soul," were seen as promoting irresponsible and potentially dangerous behaviour. | Tim Roney/Getty Images
7. W.A.S.P - Animal (1984)
With its deliberately provocative title and explicit lyrics, which we dare not even try and write as it would be merely asterisks, this heavy metal track was a prime target for the PMRC. It embodied the kind of raw, sexual, and aggressive content they found most objectionable and harmful to young audiences. Look up the full title of the song yourself - it does exactly what it says on the label... | Rasic/Getty Images
8. Madonna - Dress You Up (1985)
This catchy pop hit from Like a Virgin was included on the list due to lyrics that, while not overtly explicit, contained suggestive lines interpreted as having sexual undertones. Phrases like, "Gonna dress you up in my love / All over 'til you can't get enough / Gonna pin my heart right to your sleeve / Gonna show you every part of me," were seen as too forward and sensual for some conservative watchdogs. | Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images