If you want to get people talking, create controversy. Before the internet, having a video banned from MTV could get you more press than any snappy news release or launch party. In fact, people are still talking about Madonna’s “Like a Prayer” video over 20 years later.

Today, are you more likely to want to click on something that says it’s “NSFW”? Do you think we are more accustomed to seeing nudity and violence? What was the last music video that shocked you?

Below is a list of 13 controversial Canadian music videos. Whether they were released in 1988 or just last year, these videos had people talking for one reason or another. Please note: they are NSFW.

 

Bikinii, “ACheerlaeder”
Year: 2010
Controversy: Nudity, sex, drugs, irresponsible use of fireworks, naked planking.

 

Handsome Furs, “What About Us”
Year: 2011
Controversy: Nudity, sex, a little more sex on the bathroom floor.


Neil Young, “This Note's For You”
Year: 1988
Controversy: It parodies ads from large corporations, and a Michael Jackson impersonator’s hair catches fire. MTV banned the video after receiving legal threats from Jackson’s attorneys.



Broken Social Scene, "The Sweetest Kill"
Year: 2010 
Controversy: Murder, dismemberment, rolling around on the grave of the chopped up victim.


Thunderheist, “Jerk It” 
Year: 2008
Controversy: Animal welfare, sexual suggestiveness with a bird. 

 

Skinny Puppy, “Testure”
Year: 1988 
Controversy: Brutal scenes of animal testing.

 

Helix, “Rock You” (uncensored version)
Year: 1984 
Controversy: Slavery, fiery naked breasts (there was a censored and non-censored version).

 

Alanis Morissette, “Thank You”
Year: 1998 
Controversy: Naked Alanis in the streets, subway, grocery store.

 

Mitsou, “Dis-moi dis-moi”
Year: 1992 
Controversy: Banned on MuchMusic for being a bit too saucy. 


Austra, “The Beat and the Pulse”
Year: 2011 
Controversy: Naked women dancing.

 

Custom, “Hey Mister”
Year: 2002 
Controversy: The video itself isn’t too racy, it’s more the lyrics of the song that made MTV ban the video in 2002.


Stars, “Changes”
Year: 2010
Controversy: Naked woman dancing around, grows a little tail.

 

Anything by Tonetta (seriously, his stuff is about as out there as you can get.)

Related Links:

The Q Interview: Austra

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The Dudes’ Canadian tour diary: ‘Shotgun, whiz, shotgun’

posted by Lana Gay on Apr 30, 2012