I’m on a music video kick right now and since I’ve been bed-ridden the past few days by the Flu From Hell, this is my list of Top 10 Controversial Music Videos. Controversy and music videos have gone hand in hand almost as soon as there was a name for this new medium. It was an extra way for musicians to help kids piss off their parents, authority figures and Tipper Gore and most of the time, it really worked. Hooray! Some were condemned for the presentation or lyrics or story or lewd content but – for the older videos; resourceful children, such as myself, always had one friend whose folks were a bit lax in the ’strict’ department and we found a way to watch them. For the newer ones, huh, well I can watch what I like, so there. (Please don’t tell my Mammy!!!!!)

The Prodigy – Smack My Bitch Up: Banned from MTV and most other music channels for showing excessive drinking, drug use, violence and casual sex, this night-in-the-life clip was mostly shocking to people not for those things but for the fact that in the end, it was a chick who was the source of all those madcap antics. Kind of like a reverse ‘Crying Game’. The people who were shocked by this had obviously never been to Fibber McGee’s off O’Connell St. or The Olde Chinaman in The Liberties in the ‘90’s. (Hey, Dublin people! I know The Chinaman is no more. Is Fibber’s still around?)*Vid not available.

Marilyn Manson – Heart Shaped Glasses: Basically, Rachel-and-Brian-Make-A-Porno, and not in the fun, ‘Kevin Smith’ way.

(Dear Rachel Evan Wood, I’ve seen you in a couple of movies and you seem like a very talented, pretty girl, if a little easily led and needy for attention. Since there’s no evidence you have any parents or friends, I have a request; girl to girl. Please stay away from creepy weirdoes like Brian Warner who would exploit their relationship with you because, in my thinking, having sex with you for a music video(and telling everyone who would listen that it wasn’t simulated), then letting blood rain all over you to represent your virginity in said video and showing it to the world in the name of ‘art’ is not something a loving, caring boyfriend would do. Cheers, Erin)

Girls, I’ll bet you thought it was bad when that guy spread all those ‘slut’ rumours about you all over school, right? Believe me, it could have been worse!

NOTE – Link is to a very explicit video. Watch at yer own risk, people.

click to watch

N’sync – I Drive Myself Crazy: Hard to imagine N’sync offending anyone, apart from those not charmed by their brand of mushy pop but they managed to create a stir with mental health advocates due to this video with them acting all ‘Cuckoo’s Nest’ in padded rooms (*“Giiiiirl, you drive me sooo ker-azy that I’ve been admitted to the loooooney biiiiiiin/and, no, I won’t take my meds, ooooooh”) Hmmm, sometimes I wonder about PC, seems nobody can say or do much anymore without it causing a whole heap of trouble. Have we gotten more sensitive or more pissed off? It’s a chicken-or-the-egg question, I guess.
*Not the actual lyrics.

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I’ve been informed that some people just really do not like Christmas and hate most of the holiday films. Fair enough, I won’t call you ‘Grinch’ or ‘Scrooge’ (besides, these characters change their minds and embrace the holiday). Instead, I will defend your right to hate Dec. 25th and I’ve created a list for you too because you’re not alone!

1. Black Christmas (1974) – Santa goes mental. Everyone on the naughty list gets an axe in the head.

2. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005) – Murder mystery, black comedy, shoot-outs and capers galore in front of a Christmas backdrop. Great performances from Downey Jr and Kilmer. Interesting fact, the title comes from what Italians call James Bond films.

3. The Ref (1994) – Ever feel like you’re trapped with your family on Christmas Day? So does Denis Leary and they’re not even HIS family. When his botched attempt to rob a wealthy but miserable family goes askew on Christmas Eve, he has to mediate. The fact that he has a gun seems to help, so take note. (Just kidding!)

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In no particular order…..

1. Gremlins (1984) – Phoebe Cates’ Dad died going down the chimney, the ‘bad’ Gremlins drink up a storm and one ends up in the microwave…. *SPLOOSH*! Brilliant stuff!

2. Home Alone (1990) – I was the kind of kid who wanted to move out so badly, I was born a month early. When I was 6, the house next to ours went up for sale I told my parents they should buy it, move in and I would stay in the ‘old’ house. They didn’t go for it.

3. Elf (2003) – “Don’t tell him what you want, Paul! He’s a fake! You sit on a throne of lies!!!!” & “Thanks Buddy” are two of my favourite lines in any film, ever.

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