Rise of Raunchy Music

For those of you that read this, you know that I don't normally refer to myself directly in this blog. Usually my posts resemble an article rather than the typical blog, but with this subject, I've decided to use a direct experience I had this morning...

While driving this morning and scanning for something to listen to on AM radio, I came across a man talking about music in a talk format style show. I stopped there for a moment because he was talking about Kurt Cobain. I didn't realize until I listened to it for a few more seconds and realized it was a man complaining about music in the last twenty years. His theory was that music changed fundamentally around 1993-1996 and became raunchier. He believed that music since then has been nothing, but filth, sex, and adultery related because of the music artists Kurt Cobain, Madonna, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, and Shirley Manson of Garbage. He listed an example from each artist, Kurt Cobain (Nirvana's "Rape Me"), Madonna (her albums Erotica and Bedtime Stories along with the movie Body of Evidence and her book called Sex), Nine Inch Nails ("Closer" and "Happiness In Slavery"), Marilyn Manson (for his appearance and the song "The Beautiful People"), and Shirley Manson (Garbage's "#1 Crush").

In this guy's opinion these artists were to blame for the rise of what he called "sex hungry" music artists such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Katy Perry, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, and Drake. Frankly, I was sort of shocked that he left out Miley Cyrus, but how many artists he named, he probably just accidentally left her out. He said that the topic of sex in music is tearing apart the minds of the youth and he would rather that if given a choice between music that focuses on sex and music that focuses on violence, he prefers violence. In his opinion music about violent topics, is not enough to inspire a kid to commit acts of violence. If this is true, then how would a song about sex be able to do the same thing? As far as he was concerned, music about sex was to blame for everything from popular raunchy books such as Fifty Shades of Gray, raunchier movies (he named Don Jon as one of them, although I'm sure Joseph Gordon-Levitt would like to forget about that one), and the way that women like "those Kardashians" dress today in materials such as leather and latex like they were dominatrixes.

He went on to say that before the mid-90s, that he was hard pressed to find a single hit song about sex and definitely not one that was raunchy in nature. Really? You can't think of one "raunchy" hit song before then? Well, I now present a list to you of examples of raunchy songs pre-mid-90s. Maybe this guy will find this blog while Googling for "raunchy" music...

"Darling Nikki" by Prince: Released on the Grammy Award-winning album Purple Rain, this song was released in 1984. The opening lyrics are, "I knew a girl named Nikki/I guess u could say she was a sex fiend/I met her in a hotel lobby/Masturbating with a magazine". Although raunchy, much of Prince's music is about sex. Maybe it was an excuse to surround himself with all those women that started as dancers and backup singers for him and would eventually find themselves hooking up with him.

"Venus in Furs" by Velvet Underground: Written by Lou Reed and released in 1967, this song was about a relationship between a sex slave and a dominatrix. With lyrics such as, "Shiny, shiny, shiny boots of leather/Whiplash girlchild in the dark/Comes in bells, your servant, don't forsake him/Strike, dear mistress, and cure his heart" as the opening of the song, it doesn't take long for the listener to know that this song is far from G-rated.

"Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah)" by Joan Jett: Joan is the queen of rock and very well known for hooks that are often repeated many times throughout the song. She asks over and over whether or not if you want to touch her "there" in this 1983 hit. Always dressed in skintight leather, Joan Jett looked like she could kick your butt and be a sex goddess at the same time.

"Master and Servant" by Depeche Mode: Released in 1984 on Depeche Mode's second album Some Great Reward, this song doesn't hide the subject matter. It's right in the title and almost thirty years before artists like Rihanna were so open about writing a song on S&M.

"Like a Virgin" by Madonna: The guy I referred to earlier in this blog suggested that 90s Madonna helped kick off the raunchy music explosion. Perhaps he forgot about Madonna's 1984 hit in which she sings about losing her virginity. It was her performance of this song at the very first MTV Music Video Awards that changed the public's perception of Madonna from pretty girl in spandex to sexpot who will writhe around in lingerie. Other music videos of Madonna's pre-mid-90s such as "Express Yourself" feature her in her famous bullet bra, in a latex dress crawling on her hands and knees to lick up something from a bowl (Christina Aguilera would recreate this moment in her music video "Not Myself Tonight"), and collared and chained while laying in a bed. While the lyrics of "Express Yourself weren't horribly raunchy, the video was.

"Afternoon Delight" by Starland Vocal Band: This song, released in 1976, might be the most famous song about "nooners". It asks the listener to consider why they should wait until night time to hook up with their love. Starland Vocal Band's first single, it was also be their only hit single.

"Calling Dr. Love" by KISS: Despite their costumes and makeup, they were one of the most sexually charged bands during their prime. "Calling Dr. Love" is a perfect example of that with lyrics trying to convince a woman to give him oral sex. It's no surprise that band leader Gene Simmons claims to have slept with over 10,000 women.

"I Wanna Be Your Dog" by The Stooges: Led by Iggy Pop, this song is another about a man wanting to be the sex slave of a woman. Not filled with many lyrics, it also didn't hide the "hidden" meaning very well in this 1969 hit song.

"Cherry Pie" by Warrant: Basically their only song that has survived to this day, "Cherry Pie" is a favorite of strip clubs. Full of sexual innuendo, the music video of "Cherry Pie" features a blonde model who dresses up as a sexy baseball player, a waitress, then finally in a getup that would be a more modern version (at the time) of Daisy Duke's outfit. The band even hoses her down using a fireman's hose.

"Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard: Another strip club favorite, this hair band released this single in 1987. Despite the innuendo in the lyrics and the places the song can still be heard, the music video was far from sexy and only featured Def Leppard concert and rehearsal footage.

"Hot For Teacher" by Van Halen: Released in 1984, this song is about a student that falls hard for his teacher. The student is trying everything he can to garner her attention and even debates about staying after school for detention just to be with the hot teacher for a little bit longer. In the music video the teachers strip off their clothes and start dancing on school desks.

Photo: Screencap from the Madonna music video for "Human Nature"

15 Artists/Groups That Have Been Snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

With the recent announcement of the latest inductees to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, there leaves a long list of music artists and groups that have been snubbed. The 2015 inductees include Green Day, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, and Bill Withers. To be voted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a music group or artist had to released their first album 25 years prior to nomination.

Here's a )))))))) groups/artists that have been snubbed, despite having waited the appropriate 25 years.

1. Nine Inch Nails: Having released Pretty Hate Machine in 1989, this Cleveland band's first album had four hit songs. Head Like a Hole, Sin, Something I Can Never Have, and Down in It. Since then the industrial metal band has poured out more hits that most bands will ever have in a lifetime. Other hits include Closer, The Perfect Drug, The Hand That Feeds, and Only.

Singer and writer Trent Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails (pictured above) and has been at odds with the corporate music world for years. He formed his own record label called Nothing Records in 1992, to release his own music without the interference of a major label telling him what he could and could not do. Under Nothing Records, he not only released the Nine Inch Nails albums, but also fellow industrial metal artist, Marilyn Manson. Nothing Records became defunct in 2004, but Reznor then formed Null Corporation in 2008 to release more Nine Inch Nails albums.

Reznor and Nine Inch Nails have not always been a favorite of the music industry. After giving away flash drives containing his music, for free at select concerts, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) sent cease and desist notices out to the fans who spread the music on the internet, despite the permission of the band and label. Reznor also found himself in a battle with Fox News, when on multiple occasions, they used Nine Inch Nails music on their programming, despite being told they weren't allowed to use any of Reznor's music.

2. Bon Jovi: The second biggest New Jersey rock act behind Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi released their first album in 1984. They have been snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the past five years.

With hits such as Livin' On a Prayer, In and Out of Love, Wanted Dead or Alive, and It's My Life, Bon Jovi has racked up a total of 100 million-plus record sales world-wide. Members Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora were elected to the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2009, but as a band, have yet to reach that distinction. The pop/rock group has been nominated for nine Grammy awards total.

3. The Cure: The English Goth-emo band has been snubbed by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for over a decade now. Releasing their first album in 1979, it wasn't until 1982, when The Cure released Pornography, that they finally started to gain momentum. Pornography was listed number 83 out of the top 100 "albums that changed the world" by Mojo Magazine.

Later on, they released some of the biggest hits of the '80s and '90s, including Boys Don't Cry, Just Like Heaven, Lovesong, Pictures of You, and Friday I'm in Love.

The Cure was one of the first alternative rock bands to chart, before alternative rock went mainstream. With the amount of hits they cranked out, they are still one of the best selling alternative rock bands of all-time.

4. Depeche Mode: The English electronic rock band first released Speak & Spell in 1981, which contained hit single Just Can't Get Enough. For the past eight years of eligibility, they have yet to even been nominated. Having sold over 100 million albums, they are one of the best selling rock bands in history.

Depeche Mode hits include Never Let Me Down Again, Personal Jesus, Enjoy the Silence, Policy of Truth, and Precious. They have been nominated for five Grammy awards and have released 53 singles that have charted on US and/or UK music charts. Q Magazine listed them as one of the top 50 bands "that changed the world."

Despite their success, that still continues 'til this day, Depeche Mode has received no love from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

5. Ozzy Osbourne: Formerly the lead singer of Black Sabbath, the band that laid the foundation for heavy metal, Ozzy has never been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, despite having success in his solo years. Since leaving the hall of fame band in 1979, Ozzy recorded 11 studio albums that resulted in 34 singles.

Hits of Osbourne's include Crazy Train, Mr. Crowley, Bark at the Moon, Mama I'm Coming Home, and I Don't Wanna Stop. The Grammy award winning solo artist has earned the nickname "Godfather of Heavy Metal."

Despite his success, Ozzy will be forever known for his antics including biting the head off a dove after signing a record deal and biting the head off a bat on stage. He also has been accused by various Christian groups for promoting Satanism through his music, despite the fact that he's a practicing member of the Church of England.

6. Steve Miller Band: Forming in San Francisco in 1968, the acid-rock band has released 30 singles from their 18 studio albums. Their album Steve Miller Band's Greatest Hits 1974-1978 sold 13 million copies alone.

Steve Miller Band hits include The Joker, Rock'n Me, Fly Like an Eagle, and Jungle Love.

Despite their success, they have yet to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame despite being eligible for the past 21 years.

7. Deep Purple: Despite being eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the past 21 years and selling over 100 million albums worldwide, the band has only been nominated twice.

In 1975, Deep Purple was listed in The Guinness Book of World Records for being "the globe's loudest band" for a concert they played in 1972. They have been credited as one of the pioneers of hard rock and heavy metal along with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath.

Deep Purple hits include Hush, Smoke on the Water, and Kentucky Woman.

One of the two years they were nominated, they were second place in the fan vote, with over a half of million votes. Various members of other legendary rock bands including Slash, Lars Ulrich, Geddy Lee, Gene Simmons, and Steve Lukhather have all lobbied unsuccessfully on behalf of Deep Purple.

8. Dick Dale: Achievements such as the hall of fame status, should have been a "no brainer," but 27 years after his being eligible, Dick Dale has yet to even have been nominated. The "King of Surfer Rock" was born out of Boston and comes from Lebanese descent.

The lefty guitarist, was known to string his guitar upside-down and has played with his original reverb and Showman amps since 1960.

His song Misirlou is one of the most famous rock songs in history. Let's Go Trippin' is often regarded by music experts as the first official surf rock song in history.

9. Duran Duran: Since 1981, the English new-wave band led the "second British invasion" and have sold over 100 million albums world-wide. They have won two Grammy awards and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the MTV Video Music Awards.

One of the lead bands to fully grasp the potential of the music video, Duran Duran filmed videos at exotic locations such as Antigua and Sri Lanka. They even had future movie director Russell Mulcahy shoot their videos for them.

Duran Duran hits include blockbusters such as Girls on Film, Hungry Like a Wolf, Rio, and The Reflex. In total, they released 39 singles and sold over 70 million albums. Despite their success, they have been eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 8 years, but have yet to be nominated.

10. Soundgarden: Forming in Seattle in 1984 and releasing their first album in 1988, Soundgarden became one of the giants to form the grunge rock movement along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice in Chains.

Their album Superunknown produced five hit singles, 2 Grammy's, and a "Best Metal/Hard Rock Video" for Black Hole Sun at the MTV Video Awards. Superunknown debuted number one on the Billboard 200 album chart and has been certified five times platinum.

Soundgarden hits include Black Hole Sun, Spoonman, Burden in my Hand, Blow Up the Outside World, and Live to Rise.

They have been nominated eight times total for a Grammy and their involvement with Sub Pop Records, is what inspired Kurt Cobain to convince Nirvana to sign with the legendary grunge label.

11. Dolly Parton: The country pop artist has been recording since 1959 and has released 106 singles over the years. Despite being in the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, she has yet to have been nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Parton's hits include Jolene, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5, and Islands in the Stream.

She has earned eight Grammy's out of 46 nominations. Parton has had 25 RIAA certified gold and/or platinum albums, 25 songs that landed the number one spot in the Country Billboard charts (record for a female artist), 41 top 10 country albums, and over 100 million albums sold.

A multi-faceted performer, she has translated her music career into a stage, film, and a philanthropic career as well.

12. Dire Straits: The blues rock band from England, that released their first album in 1978, has been eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the past 11 years, but has yet to receive a nomination.

Their hit Sultans of Swing is a song that can be heard in any baseball stadium across America before and during games.

Brothers in Arms sold over 30 million albums alone and was the very first CD to sell over a million copies. They are one of the world's most commercially successful bands, with over 120 million albums sold.

Dire Straits' hits include Sultans of Swing, Money for Nothing, Walk of Life, Lady Writer, and So Far Away.

Over the years, they have won four Grammy's and have been nominated 9 times total.

13. Jan and Dean: Pioneers in the surf rock craze, over an eight-year period they released 26 hit singles. In collaboration with the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson they released hits such as Surf City and The Little Old Lady From Pasadena.

They have been eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the past 29 years, but have yet to receive one nomination. Despite this, they were elected to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2008.

14. The B-52's: Releasing their first album in 1979, the B-52's ushered in the new wave scene into the mainstream. Their "guys vs. gals" vocals and the "call and response" style of music, has been a trademark of theirs over the years.

Their hits include Rock Lobster, Funplex, Love Shack, Roam, and Private Idaho.

15. Massive Attack: The first trip hop group to go mainstream, Massive Attack has two albums that are listed on Rolling Stone Magazine's "500 Greatest Albums of All-Time."

Eligible for their first nomination this year, Massive Attack was unable to gain a nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Massive Attack hits include Unfinished Sympathy, Protection, Angel, Inertia Creeps, and Teardrop, which served as the theme song for the hit TV show House.

Without Massive Attack, artists/groups such as Portishead, Tricky, and the Sneaker Pimps would have had a harder time making it to the mainstream.