These days it is not common for us to see sex and nudity throughout music videos. Hip Hop artists are bathed in semi naked women and pop artists dance seductively in scantily clad clothing. When did images of sex become a tool for many artists to use to sell their music, and more importantly when did we stop being shocked at these images?
Duran Duran first released their notorious music video for “Girls on Film” in 1981. The video clip caused controversy and uproar among censors who dubbed the video pornographic and offensive with its montage of erotic and sexually explicit images, which included topless and semi naked women pouring champagne over themselves. Twenty five years later even I have to admit that this is one racy video clip. Some may find it offensive or distasteful, but no matter what opinion we may have I think that it’s easy to agree that it was genius for its time. Although it was banned on BBC TV and was heavily edited for MTV, the controversy surrounding the video created so much publicity that it boosted the success of “Girls On Film” which became the first top ten hit for Duran Duran’s musical career. Duran Duran distinguished themselves from other pop bands and caught the attention of the media, including MTV and the public. Very clever lads.
I guess this was just early days of using sexual images to sell, and “Girls on Film” was only a predecessor for music video clips to come from Madonna’s “Erotica” in 1992 and Christina Aguilera’s “Dirrty” and Benny Benassi’s “Satisfaction” in 2002. (I’m sure there’s worse). Images of drugs, death and violence are already appearing in music videos, shocking yet intriguing us, enticing us to buy their product.
But when did we stop being shocked? And what will come next for bands to get our attention…?
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