Exit Stage Left: How Rock ‘n Roll Got Woke

Back in 1985, the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), led by Tipper Gore, tried to censor music deemed to have violent, drug-related or sexual themes. It resulted in the much-maligned Parental Advisory sticker, which today’s Spotify generation doesn’t need to worry about. Paradoxically, at the time, the cool factor for albums bearing the sticker soared amongst disenfranchised teens, and the sticker itself became the subject of parody by way of t-shirts and memes for years to come.

The focal point for the PMRC’s actions was a list of songs they found objectionable — the filthy fifteen. All of these songs would be considered tame by today’s standards — including Motley Crue’s Bastard, Madonna’s Dress You Up, Cyndi Lauper’s She Bop (below) and curiously, Twisted Sister’s We’re Not Gonna Take It.

Hey, hey they say I better get a chaperon

Because I can’t stop messin’ with the danger zone

Hey, I won’t worry, and I won’t fret

Ain’t no law against it yet, oh she bop, she bop