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U2, ‘Achtung Baby’ (1991)You’d have to study the back cover of this album very closely to discover that bassist Adam Clayton’s penis is visible. The US version of the album featured an ‘X’ over the genitals. |
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White Zombie, ‘Supersexy Swingin’ Sounds’ (1996)Once again wal-mart comes to the rescue of the prudish american public – in American stores this model’s modesty was covered by a blue bikini. |
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The Beautiful South, ‘Welcome to the Beautiful South’ (1989)This debut album sleeve featured a picture of a woman with a gun in her mouth. After protests, in some markets the sleeve was changed to feature two cuddly teddy bears instead – an ‘in-your-face’, sardonic move by the band. |
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Tin Machine, ‘Tin Machine II’ (1991)On the US version of this David Bowie sleeve, the statues’ penises were airbrushed out … all in the name of public decency. |
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Jane’s Addiction, ‘Ritual de lo Habitual’ (1990)Perry Farrell freaked out when people started calling for this cover to be banned. To voice his outrage he had it replaced with plain white cover, blank except for the text to the First Amendment to the US constitution guaranteeing freedom of speech. |
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John Lennon & Yoko Ono, ‘Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins’ (1968)Many retailers stocked the album inside a brown paper bag. Even the band was divided as to whether or not to release this album cover. |
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Andrew W.K., ‘I Get Wet’ (2001)W.K. initially initially said that he struck himself in the face with a small piece of cinder block during the photo shoot, but later it was found out that the blood is actually that of an animal which he got from a butcher’s shop. |
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Alice Cooper, ‘Love It to Death’ (1971)“I see penises everywhere!” Just like the Five Keys controversy, everyone thought that the thumb was a penis, and was subsequently airbrushed out. |
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Blind Faith, ‘Blind Faith’ (1969)This image accompanied the debut album by the band (which included Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker). The sleeve started bizarre rumours, including that the girl was Baker’s daughter or was a groupie kept as a slave by the band. In the US it was replaced with a photo of the band. |
I’m totally amazed that you missed Scorpions Virgin Killer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin_Killer
>> MOD: We left it out because we did an entire article on it recently:
http://www.noiseaddicts.com/2008/12/scorpions-virgin-killer-cover-banned-uk/
All those albums which were censored in the US, was that by law or something the record companies did because of pressure (or because they were afraid it wouldn’t sell enough)?
How could you leave out “Smell the Glove”?!?
What about the “Sticky Fingers” album cover by the Rolling Stones (with a real zipper). Surely a classic.
>> MOD: it is actually listed in the article.
The one I remember quite vividly was Bon Jovi’s “Slippery When Wet” which you can see both versions of here: http://www.sleazeroxx.com/censored/slippery.shtml
No “Smell the Glove”?
Lynyrd Skynyrd, ‘Street Survivors’ (1977)
You say the flames were airbrushed out, but the image you linked to is clearly a cover with a completely different photograph.
Missing:
1. Foreskin 500: “Manpussy”
http://www.alibris.co.uk/search/music/qwork/400206369/used/Manpussy
2. Butthole Surfers: “Butthole Surfers”
http://www.austinchronicle.com/binary/0fb7/music_phases-18038.jpeg
3. Ism: “A Diet for Worms”
http://commercialzone.blogspot.com/2007/07/ism-diet-for-worms-1983.html
I had no trouble buying Blind Faith here in San Diego. As a matter of fact, I still have the album.
You also left out The Coup’s 2001 album showing WTC towers on fire.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Party_Music
Good list. There are plenty of controversial album covers, way too many to list them all. I didn’t even know about Electric Ladyland.
Uh, Jane’s Addiction… (they even had to release a second album cover)
What album cover was it that the PMRC got freaked out about? Something to do with a crotch if I remember correctly
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I think Virgin Killer is so controversial, even this list wanted to stay away from it. It’s automatically the winner.
A record i saw that wasn’t put on the list of censored records is Moontan from Golden Earring with the nude girl cover.later replacement cover was a picture of an earring in an ear
I don’t see the big deal with some of these. The 2nd one is basically a spoof of a painting and I don’t see what’s the problem with the 4th.
Meanwhile, I think Scorpions’ Virgin Killers and Blind Faith’s selftitled albums have somewhat offensive covers (nude underage girls, one being seen entirely (though the vagina is hidden with something looking like a break in a glass panel) and the other seems only topless though holding a plane with a shape reminding of something else…).
The most controversial cover ever released is Dawn of the Black Hearts from Mayhem. No-one else even comes close to it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_of_the_Black_Hearts
And of course one that got away …… Bunk Dogger – First Offence :
http://rateyourmusic.com/release/album/bunk_dogger/first_offence/
I remember seeing the album at the time but didn’t really make the connection until years later (LOL). But if you also want to have a good laugh check out the Bizarre Records blog site, excellent fun.
http://bizarrerecords.com/wordpress/
Mayhem should be on top! with the picture taken of their former vocalist right after he shot him self!
You totally forgot Mayhem’s Dawn of the Black Hearts. When the cover is an ACTUAL photo of the lead singer after he ki11ed himself with his brains on the bed and blood all over the place, that HAS to be number one on ALL most controversial album covers list.
Hahaha!!! You missed Mechanical Animals by Marilyn Manson, that caused a lot if problems. And I agree with everyone that’s said Dawn of the Black Hearts by Mayhem… That was INSANE
Necrothergoth – seek and burn
what about The Strokes Is this It?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Is_This_It