15 Politically Incorrect Classic Rock Songs That Fans Still Accepted

Rock ‘n’ roll has long been the music industry’s renegade, renowned for its unadulterated energy, audacious claims, and disdain for the law. However, as time passes, some of the lyrics that originally characterized the edge of the genre start to feel troublesome. These songs demonstrate how societal conventions have changed throughout the years, whether they trivialize serious concerns, romanticize dubious relationships, or reinforce prejudices.

“I Saw Her Standing There,” The Beatles (1963)
The opening lyric of this Beatles hit, “She was just 17 / You know what I mean,” used to appear innocuously lovely. These days, it calls into question the age of the subject and the meaning of the phrase “you know what I mean.”

“Sweet Little Sixteen,” Chuck Berry (1958)
Lyrics like “Tight dresses and lipstick, she’s sporting high-heel shoes” are part of Chuck Berry’s tribute to a teenage girl celebrating life. Although it was popular at the time, the song’s emphasis on the appearance of a young lady feels awkward now.

“You’re Sixteen,” Johnny Burnette (1960)
Burnette’s dedication to a sixteen-year-old was supposed to be sentimental and romantic, but when you listen to it now, lines like “You’re beautiful, and you’re mine” seem unnerving since an adult is singing about a child.

“Young Girl,” Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (1968)
In this song, a man discovers his love interest is not of legal age. Even though some of the lyrics, like “You’re much too young, girl,” were warnings, the general tone still seems out of date by today’s standards.

“Hey Joe,” The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1966)
“Hey Joe,” one of Hendrix’s most well-known songs, is about a man who plans to murder his spouse for adultery. Even in the context of fictitious storytelling, lines like “I’m going down to shoot my old lady” celebrate violence in a problematic way.

“Under My Thumb,” The Rolling Stones (1966)
The focus of this Rolling Stones song is a man who brags about controlling and enslaving a lady. Songs such as “She’s under my thumb, a girl who once had her way” depict a domineering relationship that is unsettling in the modern world.

“Brown Sugar,” The Rolling Stones (1971)
“Brown Sugar,” which is frequently regarded as one of the most contentious songs in music history, shockingly casually discusses enslavement, brutality, and objectification. Mick Jagger, who frequently alters the lyrics during live performances, has acknowledged that the song’s lyrics have not held up over time.

“Illegal Alien,” Genesis (1983)
The song’s execution seems strange, despite its attempt to draw attention to the difficulties faced by immigrants. The issue is further exacerbated by the music video’s usage of stereotyped images, such as ponchos and sombreros. It is difficult to understand the intended message because the lyrics themselves rely so heavily on antiquated preconceptions.

“One in a Million,” Guns N’ Roses (1988)
Axl Rose crosses the line into insulting territory as he tries to talk about his hardships as a small-town guy in a big metropolis. Any attempt at relatability is overshadowed by the homophobic, racist, and xenophobic insults in the lyrics.

“In the Summertime,” Mungo Jerry (1970)
“If her daddy’s rich, take her out for a meal / If her daddy’s poor, just do what you feel.” This breezy summer hit features an unnerving phrase that suggests economic difference dictates conduct, making the otherwise easygoing song difficult to appreciate.

“He Hit Me (And It Felt Like a Kiss),” The Crystals (1962)
Perhaps one of the most startling instances of poor narrative in music is this song, which was recorded by Phil Spector. Even by the norms of its era, the romanticization of domestic violence in songs like “He hit me, and it felt like a kiss” is startling.

“Money for Nothing,” Dire Straits (1985)
This Dire Straits ballad frequently uses a homophobic slur in its condemnation of celebrity and materialism. An otherwise good song is ruined by foul language, making listeners wonder where it fits into today’s playlists.

“Ain’t No Woman (Like the One I Got),” The Four Tops (1972)
Although it appears to be a heartfelt love song, the possessive tone comes through in phrases like “It’s my word, my word she’ll obey.” What may have been charming in its day now feels like a concerning display of power.

“Run for Your Life,” The Beatles (1965)
John Lennon sings, “I’d rather see you dead, little girl, than to be with another man,” in another Beatles song that makes people take notice. The graphic imagery gives the otherwise charming melody a dark undertone.

“Black Licorice,” Grand Funk Railroad (1974)
With lines like “Her hot black skin to mine,” this song transforms fetishization into a full-length song. What could have been a celebration of attraction instead sounds tone-deaf and reductive.

These songs, whether they are classics or not, demonstrate how the rebellious nature of rock ‘n’ roll occasionally pushed limits in ways that were more detrimental than revolutionary. We now have the perspective of time to reexamine these tracks and identify their weak points. The words serve as a reminder of how much society has changed and how much work remains, even though music is still a part of history.