The Internet may have killed the video star, but that doesn't mean that eyebrows don't get raised when a contentious promo surfaces online - or on music channels that still actually play videos.
Which leads us to the latest video by No Doubt that has ruffled a few feathers.
Gwen Stefani and bandmate Tony Kanal dress as Native Americans in the video for their latest single, "Looking Hot," and dance in a tepee with a wolf while brandishing fire before fighting cowboys, played by other members of the group. Stefani is then caught by a sheriff character and tied up in the middle of a dusty town.
The footage caused offence to some members of the Native American community, and the band has now apologized and removed it. (If you are wondering where it is here, we can't find it.)
With this in mind, we thought we'd run down ten more well-known videos that have cooked up a legitimate fuss over the years -- and for good reason.
Of course, what was controversial three decades ago may not hold much sizzle now, but at the time, they had tongues wagging. If we left out your depraved favourite, post it RIGHT HERE.
10. Duran Duran, "Girls On Film" (1981)
This Godley & Creme (Herbie Hancock's "Rockit," Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Two Tribes") directed video was actually created before MTV was around, and was earmarked for age-restricted dance clubs and even the Playboy channel. The raunchy clip -- which features naked models sumo wrestling, pillow fighting and rubbing ice cubes on their nipples -- was first banned on the BBC, and a toned-down version began playing in heavy rotation once MTV launched. All in all, the stir created a good launchpad for the band's lengthy career.
Here's the uncensored version (WARNING - VIEWER DISCRETION):
9. Fiona Apple, "Criminal" (1997)
The video for her breakthrough tune shows the New York City singer-songwriter in various provocative poses and stages of undress. It caused a big fuss over what people thought was the glorification of "heroin chic," a look popularized in mid-'90s fashion and characterized by emaciated features. The New Yorker went a step further and described her as "looking like an underfed Calvin Klein model." Despite the hubbub, the video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography in 1998.
This dark and gory video, highlighted by Eddie Vedder bellowing "Jeremy spoke in class today," depicts a teen spiraling out of control, resulting in him taking his own life in front of his fellow classmates. The last scene, which originally showed Jeremy with a gun in his mouth and pulling the trigger, was edited out. The video helped the band reach superstar status, but also resulted -- due to the controversy -- in them not making another video for six years.
This heavily edited video is nothing like the original -- the censors definitely worked overtime on this one. The video successfully depicts the dark, disturbing song (which features Dido) about an Eminem fan taking it way too far. The edited version cuts out footage of Stan's wife bound and gagged in his car, as well as various lyrics about drugs, drinking and, of course, swearing.
The country megastar used his video as a pseudo PSA for the growing problem of domestic violence. CMT pulled the video one day after it premiered. Here's what they had to say: "We're in business to entertain, not to promote or condone gratuitous violence or social issues.” A scene where the husband comes home and beats his wife repeatedly in front of their daughter was the impetus for the banishment.
Any music fan from the '90s is familiar with the lyrics to this tune. Add in some freaky imagery of a monkey tied to a cross, decapitated pigs, S&M, crucifixes and various naked women and you have yourself a not-suitable-for-primetime video.
4. Marilyn Manson, "(s)AINT" (2004)
We could probably have every video Manson ever made on the list, but we'll go with the easy pick. It starts off with him mutilating himself with a razor blade, and quickly jumps to a mishmash of cocaine snorting, masturbation, S&M and other imagery not suitable for most eyes. It's so explicit, even his own label banned it.
Here's the uncensored version (WARNING - VIEWER DISCRETION):
This powerful and controversial video depicts a genocide against red-haired people - a clever irony. What follows is nothing short of stunning and shocking. The video was (and still is) banned from YouTube in North America as well as the U.K. We have it below. Definitely not for the faint of heart.
WARNING - VIEWER DISCRETION:
2. Prodigy, "Smack My Bitch Up" (1997)
The title says it all. Already facing an extreme amount of heat from feminist groups for its misogynist lyrics, the 4:33 minute video added to the controversy. Helmed by popular Swedish director Jonas Akerlund (Madonna's "Ray of Light," U2's "Walk On), the video depicts a first person account of a wild "Hangover"-like night on the town filled with cocaine, booze, vomit, fighting and sex. Despite the R-rated content, MTV was compelled to show it due to popular demand - but only after midnight with a strict warning for viewers. It was eventually nominated for four MTV Video Awards.
Here's the censored, pixellated version (sorry, the original is way too graphic).
1. Madonna, "Like a Prayer" (1989)
Madonna knew exactly the furor this video was going to cause before she even made it. When MTV aired it for the first time on March 3, 1989, it set off a firestorm of controversy from religious groups over what they deemed to be "blasphemous imagery." Madonna incorporated many Catholic symbols such as stigmata and burning crosses, and even a dream about making love to a black saint. Heck, even the Pope chimed in on it - he banned her from Italy. The video was shown a day after Pepsi had aired a commercial flogging their product as well as Madonna's upcoming tour. Boycotts against Pepsi ensued, and the soft drink company eventually dropped its sponsorship of the pop star. We doubt this video would cause the furor it did now, but at the time, it was a game changer.
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