- - ’70s rock songs that wouldn’t fly today

Ricardo RamirezFebruary 17, 2026 at 7:40 AM

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’70s rock songs that wouldn’t fly today

Seventies rock produced enduring classics alongside tracks reflecting deeply troubling attitudes toward women, race, and power dynamics. Cultural standards and social expectations have evolved dramatically since that turbulent era. Many beloved hits that dominated radio contained lyrics that today’s audiences find deeply problematic and offensive.

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“Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones

This 1971 hit explores the sexual exploitation of enslaved Black women by slave traders. The lyrics contain problematic references to slavery, sex, sadomasochism, and heroin. Mick Jagger acknowledged it was disgusting, calling it a mishmash of nasty subjects. The Rolling Stones removed it from their 2021 tour setlist.

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“Under My Thumb” by The Rolling Stones

Released three years after Betty Friedan kicked off the women’s rights movement, this depicts a once-wild woman become subservient. It appeared on Aftermath with similarly misogynistic tracks “Stupid Girl” and “Out of Time”. The lyrics celebrate controlling and dominating women, presenting this power dynamic as desirable. Such attitudes clash sharply with the modern understanding of healthy equal partnerships.

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“Young Girl” by Gary Puckett and the Union Gap

Gary Puckett’s huge, powerful voice propelled some of the creepiest songs into the Top Ten. This 1968 hit depicts an adult man struggling with attraction to an girl. The song treats this inappropriate dynamic as romantic rather than predatory. Modern record labels would immediately reject this disturbing concept entirely.

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“Hey Joe” by Jimi Hendrix

The blues history contains songs about physically harming unfaithful women. Hendrix’s groundbreaking guitar work added menace and violence to previously recorded versions. The lyrics describe hunting down an unfaithful partner to shoot her dead. While the musical performance was brilliant, the narrative glorifies lethal violence against women.

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“Island Girl” by Elton John

This 1975 hit is both racist and sexist, describing a Jamaican adult entertainment worker servicing white men. The song uses the offensive phrase Black as coal but burning like fire. Bernie Taupin’s lyrics ask what the island girl wants from the white man’s world. Elton John doesn’t perform it anymore for very good reason. The stereotyping remains deeply offensive today.

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“Run for Your Life” by The Beatles

This 1965 track features John Lennon singing about jealousy taken to murderous extremes. The lyrics threaten a woman’s life if seen with another man. Lennon later expressed regret, acknowledging its troubling message. The casual acceptance of threatening violence reflected attitudes that today spark immediate condemnation.

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“She’s Only Seventeen” by Winger

This 1988 track celebrates pursuing a girl. The song presents the age gap as exciting rather than inappropriate. Modern audiences recognize such content as normalizing predatory behavior. Radio stations refuse to play similar material today.

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Wrap up

Rock music’s foundation was built on degradation, abuse, and exploitation. Anti-woman anthems have laced rock radio since the sixties. These songs reflected cultural attitudes, allowing casual misogyny, racism, and glorification of control over women. Understanding historical context doesn’t erase harm but helps recognize how social progress reshaped acceptable artistic expression.

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