Your Favourite Song is Problematic: Thoughts on USA Today’s list of un-PC songs

This topic is always something that comes up. Ultimate Classic Rock did it, News.com.au did it, and yesterday, USA Today did it.

I was discussing this article with my friend, Amanda, and I decided I’m gonna make a video about this. You can watch it below:

It is interesting how vocabulary has changed over time. We may laugh at the off-colour things our grandparents say, but when we’re the grandparents, our grandkids will probably point out that the terms we use are outdated. I think we are far from perfect, but I think the fact that we can see that we’ve progressed is a good thing.

I agree with some of the picks, but the people writing this article haven’t done thorough research on some of the songs, like “Money For Nothing” by Dire Straits (written from the point of view of a macho man, but not glorifying his views – absolutely provocative though), “Turning Japanese” by The Vapors (the meaning of this song is often misunderstood, it’s not literal), and “Rape Me” by Nirvana (a blunt, anti-rape song written because Kurt Cobain was sick of being misinterpreted).

In some cases, I noticed there was some reaching, like with the wholesome and idealistic “Ebony and Ivory” by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder and the historically significant “Walk on the Wild Side” by Lou Reed.

What other songs from yesteryear are offensive today? Was USA Today‘s article a hit or miss? Have your say in the comments section below.