'70s rock songs that wouldn't fly today
Seventies rock produced enduring classics alongside tracks reflecting deeply troubling attitudes toward women, race, and power dynamics. Cultural standards and social expectations have evolved dramatically since that turbulent era. Many beloved hits that dominated radio contained lyrics that today's audiences find deeply problematic and offensive.
Image Credit: Øderud / Wikimedia Commons.
"Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones
This 1971 hitexplores the sexual exploitation of enslaved Black women by slave traders.The lyricscontain problematic references to slavery, sex, sadomasochism, and heroin.Mick Jaggeracknowledged it was disgusting, calling it a mishmash of nasty subjects.The Rolling Stonesremoved it from their 2021 tour setlist.
Image Credit: benhoudijk/depositphotos.
"Under My Thumb" by The Rolling Stones
Released three years after Betty Friedan kicked off the women's rights movement,this depicts a once-wild woman become subservient. It appeared on Aftermath with similarly misogynistic tracks "Stupid Girl" and "Out of Time". The lyrics celebrate controlling and dominating women, presenting this power dynamic as desirable. Such attitudes clash sharply with the modern understanding of healthy equal partnerships.
Image credit: KRLA Beat / iStock
"Young Girl" by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap
Gary Puckett's huge, powerful voicepropelled some of the creepiest songs into the Top Ten. This 1968 hit depicts an adult man struggling with attraction to an underage girl. The song treats this inappropriate dynamic as romantic rather than predatory. Modern record labels would immediately reject this disturbing concept entirely.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Hannu Lindroos / Lehtikuva.
"Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix
The blues historycontains songs about physically harming unfaithful women. Hendrix's groundbreaking guitar work added menace and violence to previously recorded versions. The lyrics describe hunting down an unfaithful partner to shoot her dead. While the musical performance was brilliant, the narrative glorifies lethal violence against women.
Image Credit: Heinrich Klaffs / Wikimedia Commons.
"Island Girl" by Elton John
This 1975 hitis both racist and sexist, describing a Jamaican adult entertainment worker servicing white men. The song uses the offensive phrase Black as coal but burning like fire. Bernie Taupin's lyrics ask what the island girl wants from the white man's world. Elton John doesn't perform it anymore for very good reason. The stereotyping remains deeply offensive today.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
"Run for Your Life" by The Beatles
This 1965 trackfeatures John Lennon singing about jealousy taken to murderous extremes. The lyrics threaten a woman's life if seen with another man. Lennon later expressed regret, acknowledging its troubling message. The casual acceptance of threatening violence reflected attitudes that today spark immediate condemnation.
Image credit: rick / Wikimedia Commons
"She's Only Seventeen" by Winger
This 1988 trackcelebrates pursuing an underage girl. The song presents the age gap as exciting rather than inappropriate. Modern audiences recognize such content as normalizing predatory behavior. Radio stations refuse to play similar material today.
Image Credit: MediaFeed / Bing Image Creator.
Wrap up
Rock music's foundationwas built on degradation, abuse, and exploitation.Anti-woman anthems have laced rock radio since the sixties. These songs reflected cultural attitudes, allowing casual misogyny, racism, and glorification of control over women. Understanding historical context doesn't erase harm but helps recognize how social progress reshaped acceptable artistic expression.
Ask us! What questions do you have about content, strategy, pop culture, lifestyle, wellness, history or more? We may use your question in an upcoming article!
Ask us a question
Like MediaFeed's content?Be sure to follow us.
This article was syndicated byMediaFeed.org.
