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.
13. Judas Priest - Eat Me Alive (1984)
This heavy metal track from Defenders of the Faith ignited controversy with lyrics such as, "I've got a tongue like a razor / And a thirst like the grave / I'm gonna sink my teeth right through you / Till you're screaming in pain." These lines, coupled with the song's title, were interpreted by some as promoting sexual aggression and violence, making it a target for those concerned about the impact of heavy metal on listeners. | Michael Putland/Getty Images
14. Sheena Easton - Sugar Walls (1984)
Penned by Prince (we're getting to him), this seemingly upbeat pop song quickly drew scrutiny for its lyrics, widely interpreted as sexual metaphors. Lines like, "Climb the walls of pleasure / Swim in pools of honey / Taste all of my candy / Be a locksmith with the key," were understood as veiled references to female genitalia and sexual activity, leading to its inclusion on the list despite Easton's more mainstream image. | Koh Hasebe/Shinko Music/Getty Images
15. Prince - Darling Nikki (1984)
This track from Purple Rain became notorious for its explicit lyrical content, particularly the suggestive line regarding an activity while reading a magazine. This direct reference to 'self love' once again, found towards the end of the song, shocked conservative listeners and became a key example for the PMRC's concerns about sexually explicit material in popular music. | Michael Putland/Getty Images