Dance-rock group the Prodigy‘s 1997 single ‘Smack My Bitch Up‘ has been named as the most ‘controversial song ever’ by a new poll conducted by PRS For Music, the group which collects royalties and payments for artists.
Taken from their album ‘Fat Of The Land‘, ‘Smack My Bitch Up‘ was released in the UK in November 1997. Upon its issue, the group were met with fierce criticism for the track’s apparent misogynistic tone, something which the members constantly denied. However, the controversy was flamed further when the video was also met with criticism and received a blanket ban from television.
Second in the list is the Sex Pistols‘ 1977 single ‘God Save The Queen‘, whose anti-monarchist themes also had the UK in uproar when it was released to coincide with the Queen’s Silver Jubilee and was denied official status as the UK’s number one single.
Elsewhere on the rundown, The Shamen‘s ‘Ebeneezer Goode‘ has been placed at #6. The single was a hit at the height of the late Eighties/early Nineties house scene and the not very subtle hidden message contained in the lyrics had censors fooled long after it’s first airings.
Commenting on the new list, Ellis Rich, chairman of PRS for Music, said: “These results are particularly interesting as they demonstrate how the power of music can affect society. Many of these songs have become iconic due to their controversial connotations and have influenced many movements in society over the years.”
Top 10 Most Controversial Songs:
1/ ‘Smack My Bitch Up’ – The Prodigy
2/ ‘God Save The Queen’ – The Sex Pistols
3/ ‘Relax’ – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4/ ‘Kim’ – Eminem
5/ ‘Killing In The Name’ – Rage Against The Machine
6/ ‘Ebeneezer Goode’ – The Shamen
7/ ‘Suicide Solution’ – Ozzy Osbourne
8/ ‘Get Your Gunn’ – Marilyn Manson
9/ ‘Angel of Death’ – Slayer
10/ ‘Dear God’ – XTC