Censoring the Filthy Fifteen: An Examination of Music Genres
Censoring the Filthy Fifteen: An Examination of Music Genres

Summary/Abstract: This research project contributes an important component to the field of censorship and freedom of speech in contemporary music by comparing songs of the Filthy Fifteen to top pop songs of the 1980’s. It analyzes the potential legitimacy for concerns about obscene lyrics brought by the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) to the 1985 Record Labeling U.S. Senate Hearing. The Filthy Fifteen was used as justification for establishment of the music rating system, which has had lasting impacts on American music culture to this day. Findings show that there were more violent references in songs of the Filthy Fifteen, however, popular music songs contained more sexual references.

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