Growing up, my mom was a kind-hearted, protective Catholic woman who single-handedly raised us after losing my father. I came of age during a pivotal time in music history—the rise of MTV, with its bold, eye-catching videos and infectious melodies. I was captivated, often spending hours glued to the screen. It was a serendipitous discovery when I stumbled upon a Heart concert video that ignited my passion for diverse musical tastes beyond the mainstream.
During a family gathering at my cousins’ house, we learned that their mom had banned MTV from their home. But my mom? She surprisingly gave us the green light. This was the same mother who had embarrassed me by denying me the chance to see “Fame” with my cousins because of its R rating—without even knowing about the infamous scene featuring Irene Cara! Yet, she never seemed to catch on to the more risqué content on MTV. Whenever she entered the room, we would swiftly change the channel, making sure to avoid any scandalous visuals.
Curious about her reasoning, I once asked her why she allowed us to watch MTV. “I thought it was just like listening to the radio,” she replied. But Mom, did you really think you’d be okay with Madonna writhing in a sheer lace wedding dress while singing “Like a Virgin”? Clearly, we were much quicker with the remote than she realized.
Here’s a look at some iconic 1980s music videos my mother would have never let us see if she had known:
The J. Geils Band, ‘Centerfold’
The video features the narrator’s ex-girlfriend appearing nude in a magazine. As a kid, I was baffled by the concept of a “centerfold.” The visuals showed girls transitioning from innocent schoolgirls to sultry calendar models, celebrating their moment in the spotlight. Did they know that only a few would achieve true stardom, or were they just enjoying their brief moment of fame?
Madonna, ‘Like a Virgin’
This was definitely not the wholesome Madonna we used to know. Dressed in black rubber bracelets and spandex, she sang about her sexual escapades while floating on a gondola in Venice. Her heavy-lidded gaze and sheer outfit left many kids wondering about the meaning of “virgin.” How many parents were bombarded with questions after this song aired?
Culture Club, ‘Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?’
I’ll never forget my first viewing of this video while sipping hot chocolate with my sister. We were perplexed about whether Boy George was a boy or a girl—a challenging question for sheltered suburban kids! The confusion over his gender-bending style left many parents at a loss for words.
Van Halen, ‘Hot for Teacher’ / The Police, ‘Don’t Stand So Close to Me’
Two catchy tracks featuring one of my favorite guitarists and bands. The Van Halen video showcased some questionable subject matter, while The Police song tackled a more serious theme. Was the teacher really teaching the students anything beneficial? And would I have been tempted to accept a ride from Sting? I know, don’t talk to strangers, but his car was warm and dry!
Glenn Frey, ‘Smuggler’s Blues’
This video was packed with drug-related themes, likely inspired by the popular show “Miami Vice.” I loved the storytelling aspect, chronicling the life of a drug dealer and his shady dealings. Though I was clueless about cocaine, I watched this glamorized narrative unfold. Was it a gateway to curiosity about drugs? Oh, please!
The Tubes, ‘She’s a Beauty’
How could I forget this almost-forgotten gem? Featuring circus acts and women in black latex, I was blissfully unaware of the underlying implications. It was simply an earworm of a tune that I couldn’t shake. Did you know that The Tubes became infamous for their banned video “Mondo Bondage”? Now that’s a video that would leave parents speechless!
What controversial music videos did you sneak a glimpse of when your parents weren’t watching?
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In summary, the 1980s music video scene was a wild ride that shaped my musical journey in ways my mother would have never allowed if she had known the full extent of it. From the scandalous visuals of Madonna to the perplexing styles of Boy George, these videos were part of a cultural revolution that defined a generation.