Back in the day, my mom was the quintessential overprotective Catholic lady, raising my siblings and me solo after my dad passed. I grew up during a vibrant cultural shift in music—the rise of MTV—with its wild, eye-popping videos and catchy tunes that had me glued to the screen for hours. I stumbled onto it one fateful day while flipping through channels and caught a Heart concert. After that, I was officially hooked!
During a family gathering, I learned my cousins were banned from watching MTV. Meanwhile, my mom, who once embarrassed me by refusing to let me watch the R-rated movie Fame with them, surprisingly allowed us to enjoy the channel. Of course, she never stuck around to see the more scandalous videos; we had a clever system of switching the channel just in time. I recently asked her why she didn’t mind us watching MTV. “I thought it was just like listening to the radio,” she said. But really, Mom, did you not see Madonna rolling around on the floor in a sheer wedding dress singing “Like a Virgin”? Nope, we were too quick with that clunky cable box.
Here are a few iconic 1980s music videos my mother definitely wouldn’t have approved of had she known:
The J. Geils Band, ‘Centerfold’
In this video, the narrator’s ex-girlfriend pops up in a revealing magazine spread. I remember wondering, “What exactly is a centerfold?” The visuals featured everything from shy schoolgirls to bold, scantily-clad calendar girls. Were they aware that most would only get fleeting roles in shows like The Love Boat or Murder, She Wrote?
Madonna, ‘Like a Virgin’
This was not the sweet Madonna with her black rubber bracelets and wild hair. She was belting out lyrics about her latest romantic escapade, claiming it felt like her first time. Picture her being rowed through the canals of Venice, swathed in sheer material, with sultry eyes gazing into the camera. How many kids asked their parents about the meaning of “virgin” after this catchy tune? Oh boy!
Culture Club, ‘Do You Really Want to Hurt Me?’
I vividly recall the first time I saw this video, sipping hot chocolate with my sister. We debated whether Boy George was a boy or a girl. How do you explain such a gender-bending figure to sheltered suburban kids?
Van Halen, ‘Hot for Teacher’ / The Police, ‘Don’t Stand So Close to Me’
Both songs are catchy, but the Van Halen video was a wild ride filled with suggestive imagery. And as for Sting, I mean, how could I resist his brooding looks and raspy voice? Sure, there’s the whole don’t-talk-to-strangers thing, but he did offer a warm, dry ride on a rainy day—could you blame me?!
Glenn Frey, ‘Smuggler’s Blues’
This video was dripping with drug references, likely inspired by Miami Vice. I loved story-driven videos, and this one showcased a drug dealer’s life, complete with all the glamor and danger. Growing up in the “Just Say No” era, I didn’t want to touch drugs, but the video was too intriguing not to watch.
The Tubes, ‘She’s a Beauty’
This nearly forgotten gem features performers and strippers, leaving parents scratching their heads. I didn’t grasp the depth of it all back then; I just knew it was a catchy tune that I couldn’t get out of my head. Did you know The Tubes made waves with their banned video “Mondo Bondage”? Talk about leaving parents speechless!
What outrageous music videos did you sneak a view of when your parents weren’t looking?
This article showcases the wild world of 1980s music videos that parents would never have approved of. For more insights into parenting and other topics, check out our home insemination kit blog. And if you’re looking for additional resources on pregnancy, IVF Babble is an excellent choice.
In summary, the 1980s music video landscape was filled with eye-popping visuals and catchy songs that would raise eyebrows today. While my mom thought MTV was harmless, I was absorbing a world of pop culture that was anything but innocent.