The Warning Label for Free Speech

In the 1980s, the musician Prince upset the wife of a congressman. At the time Tipper Core, the wife of future Vice President Al Gore.

Reading and hearing the lyrics of Prince’s song Darling Nikki, she was offended if not shocked by sung words. “The song went on and on, in a similar manner. I couldn’t believe my ears! The vulgar lyrics embarrassed both of us. At first, I was stunned—then I got mad,”

It might have ended there, except she and other wives who were married to or knew people in political power like Susan Baker, wife of Secretary of State,James Back, started a group called the PMRC (The Parents Music Resource Center).

The group claimed to represent mothers of young children who are very concerned by the growing trend in music toward lyrics that are sexually explicit, excessively violent, or glorify the use of drugs and alcohol.

They stated their primary purpose is to educate and inform parents about this alarming trend as well as to ask the industry to exercise self-restraint.

Prince was named as the chief offender in a list called the Filthy Fifteen put together by the PMRC. A list that also included

Prince
W.A.S.P., Vanity, Judas Priest, Prince, Madonna, Motley Crue Sheena Easton, Def Lepard, Cyndi Lauper, ACDC Black Sabbath

An advocate of free speech, Frank Zappa and his lawyer appeared before the committee to defend the artists and the industry.

In his opening, Zappa read the entire First Amendment to the panel and then read a condensed version of a longer statement.

“The PMRC proposal is an ill-conceived piece of nonsense which fails to deliver any real benefits to children, infringes the civil liberties of people who are not children, and promises to keep the courts busy for years dealing with the interpretational and enforcemental problems inherent in the proposal’s design,” Zappa said. “It is my understanding that in law First Amendment issues are decided with a preference for the least restrictive alternative. In this context, the PMRC demands are the equivalent of treating dandruff by decapitation.”
“No one has forced Mrs. Baker or Mrs. Gore to bring Prince or Sheena Easton into their homes. Thanks to the Constitution, they are free to buy other forms of music for their children,” he added.

While artists spoke up, the music industry RIAA was ready to “voluntarily” complied.

On November 1, 1985, before the hearing ended, the RIAA agreed to put “Parental Advisory” labels on selected releases at their own discretion. The labels were generic, unlike the original idea of a descriptive label categorizing the explicit lyrics. Many stores refused to sell albums containing the label (including Wal-Mart), and others limited sales of those albums to adults.

As you know, we as a country survived Prince and his lyrics.

Even invited him to perform at the Super Bowl. But before then, Zappa Spoke out against government censorship – particularly legislation that was being talks about congress.

In Zappa style, he sarcastically complied to the label request. Adding the following label to his albums

WARNING GUARANTEE

This album contains material which a truly free society would neither fear nor suppress.
In some socially retarded areas, religious fanatics and ultra-conservative political organizations violate your First Amendment Rights by attempting to censor rock & roll albums. We feel that this is un-Constitutional and un-American.
As an alternative to these government-supported programs (designed to keep you docile and ignorant). Barking Pumpkin is pleased to provide stimulating digital audio entertainment for those of you who have outgrown the ordinary.
The language and concepts contained herein are GUARANTEED NOT TO CAUSE ETERNAL TORMENT IN THE PLACE WHERE THE GUY WITH THE HORNS AND POINTED STICK CONDUCTS HIS BUSINESS. This guarantee is as real as the threats of the video fundamentalists who use attacks on rock music in their attempt to transform America into a nation of check-mailing nincompoops (in the name of Jesus Christ).
If there is a hell, its fires wait for them, not us.