Suggestive Music

[Dave]

Now, first of all, I listen to Top 40 music. And I'm also aware that not all music out there is "clean." For example, I don't listen to most rap or heavy metal. However, with all the talk these days about how bad music is these days, we ought to consider for a minute that even in the 50s there was bad music! Of course, I'm sure we all agree that it's much, much worse these days. Anyway, rhythm and blues, which rock and roll evolved from, was at times quite raunchy. First of all, the phrase "rock and roll" was slang in the black community for "to have sex." Consider the titles of certain songs. I bet y'all can figure out what "Sixty Minute Man" by the Dominoes (considered to be one of the first rock and roll records) is about. In addition, Georgia Gibbs released a song called "The Wallflower (Dance With Me, Henry)" as a pop song, but R&B singer Etta James originally recorded it as "The Wallflower (ROLL With Me, Henry)" (emphasis mine). And look at the difference in lyrics between the version of "Shake, Rattle and Roll" by Joe Turner and the more well-known version by Bill Haley and His Comets:

Shake Rattle & Roll

As Performed by Joe Turner

Written by Charles Calhoun

Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands

Get outta that bed, wash your face and hands

Well, you get in that kitchen, make some noise with the pots and pans

Well, you wear low dresses, the sun comes shining through

Well, you wear low dresses, the sun comes shining through

I can't believe my eyes all that mess belongs to you

I believe to my soul you're a devil in nylon hose

I believe to my soul you're a devil in nylon hose

Well, the harder I work, the faster my money goes

I said, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll

Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll

Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul

I'm like a one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store

I'm like a one-eyed cat peeping in a seafood store

Well, I can look at you and tell you ain't no child no more

Ah, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll

Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll

Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul

I said, over the hill and way down underneath

I said, over the hill and way down underneath

You make me roll my eyes, Baby, make me grit my teeth

I said, shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll

Shake, rattle and roll, shake, rattle and roll

Well, you won't do right to save your doggone soul

On April 28, 1954 while recording a version of Big Joe Turner's "Shake, rattle and Roll" with rewritten lyrics Haley tells a reporter "We stay clear of anything suggestive."

Shake Rattle & Roll

As Performed by Bill Haley and His Comets

Written by Charles Calhoun

Get out from that kitchen

and rattle those pots and pans,

Get out from that kitchen

and rattle those pots and pans.

Well, roll my breakfast,

'cause I'm a hungry man.

I said Shake rattle and roll,

I said Shake rattle and roll,

I said Shake rattle and roll,

I said Shake rattle and roll;

Well you never do nothin'

to save your doggone soul.

Wearin' those dresses,

your hair done up so right

Wearin' those dresses,

your hair done up so right;

You look so warm,

but your heart is cold as ice.

I said Shake rattle and roll,

I said Shake rattle and roll,

I said Shake rattle and roll,

I said Shake rattle and roll,

Well you never do nothin'

to save your doggone soul.

I'm like a one-eyed cat,

peepin' in a sea-food store,

I'm like a one-eyed cat,

peepin' in a sea-food store;

I can look at you,

till you don't love me no more.

I believe you're doin' me wrong

and now I know,

I believe you're doin' me wrong

and now I know;

The more I work,

the faster my money goes.

I said Shake rattle and roll,

I said Shake rattle and roll,

I said Shake rattle and roll,

I said Shake rattle and roll,

Well you never do nothin'

to save your doggone soul.

Shake rattle and rolllllllllllllllllllll

[FreeSoul]

One eyed cat in a seafood store.

My goodness that's dirty.

[Thomas Michael]

Well, if anything is to be said about today's music, it's a lot more explicit and doesn't even hide behind metaphors anymore. Dare I even mention the 2 Live Crew?

I wish I read THIS post before I responded to the "Which singer has done the most to erode morals" thread... my comments on "O.P.P." and "Hot In Herre" are probably better suited for this discussion.

My parents trusted me and my judgment with popular music. And I basically stayed away from all the hair-metal bands with demonic & sexist lyrics, as well as those songs that violated the Ten Commandments. Which is why I'm not fond of songs like "Highway To Hell", "Running With The Devil", "O.P.P." or "Been Caught Stealing".