1980s Music Videos My Mother Would Have Preferred I Avoid

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As a child of the 1980s, I was raised in a strict, yet loving household by my mother, a devout Catholic who navigated single parenthood after my father’s passing. This was a pivotal time in music history, marked by the rise of MTV and its bold, often controversial music videos. I stumbled upon this phenomenon unexpectedly, captivated by a Heart concert, and soon found myself enchanted with the vibrant visuals and catchy melodies that defined the decade.

During a family visit, I learned that my cousins were not allowed to watch MTV. However, my mom took a different stance. Ironically, she had previously denied me the chance to watch the movie Fame because of its R rating, unaware of its more risqué scenes. Whenever she entered the room, we quickly changed the channel to dodge any inappropriate content. When I later asked her why she let us watch MTV, she replied, “Oh, I thought it was just like listening to the radio.” But how could she have missed the impact of Madonna’s provocative performance in a sheer lace wedding dress while singing “Like a Virgin”?

Here’s a closer look at several music videos from the 1980s that my mother would have likely prohibited had she known their content:

1. The J. Geils Band – “Centerfold”
   This video features the narrative of a man who discovers his old girlfriend in a magazine, sparking confusion about what a centerfold actually was. The visuals oscillated between innocent schoolgirls and provocative calendar models, leaving me to wonder about the implications of such imagery.
2. Madonna – “Like a Virgin”
   In this iconic performance, Madonna explores themes of sexuality while dressed in sheer fabrics, all set against the romantic backdrop of Venice. The lyrics and visuals prompted countless discussions among young viewers about what it truly meant to be a virgin.
3. Culture Club – “Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?”
   This video introduced many of us to the androgynous style of Boy George. My sister and I often debated his gender while sipping hot chocolate, highlighting the confusion and curiosity surrounding gender expression in that era.
4. Van Halen – “Hot for Teacher” and The Police – “Don’t Stand So Close to Me”
   Both videos featured catchy tunes but also raised eyebrows with their themes. The Van Halen video was particularly notorious for its suggestive content, while The Police’s song dealt with a teacher-student relationship that would definitely raise alarms today.
5. Glenn Frey – “Smuggler’s Blues”
   This narrative-driven video portrayed the glamorous yet dangerous world of drug dealing, offering a glimpse into a life I was completely naïve about. While I found it entertaining, it did glamorize a lifestyle that was far from ideal, especially during the “Just Say No” campaign of the time.
6. The Tubes – “She’s a Beauty”
   Featuring circus performers and provocative imagery, this video was a sensory overload that I enjoyed purely for its catchy tune, even if I didn’t grasp the underlying themes. The Tubes also gained notoriety for their banned video “Mondo Bondage,” which would have left parents speechless.

Reflecting on these videos, it’s clear that they pushed boundaries and sparked discussions that many parents were unprepared to address. If you’re interested in learning more about parenthood and cultural influences, check out this informative post on home insemination.

In summary, the music videos of the 1980s represented a cultural shift that challenged societal norms and pushed the envelope in terms of visual storytelling. Their provocative content often went unnoticed by parents, allowing children like me to explore themes of identity, sexuality, and rebellion in a way that shaped our understanding of the world.