McGraw-Hill (2008). They really should have vetted me better before allowing me in to speak. Music Lyrics. "[7], Folk rock musician John Denver referred to the proposed labels as censorship and stated he was "strongly opposed to censorship of any kind in our society or anywhere else in the world", and that in his experience censors often misinterpret music, as was the case with his song "Rocky Mountain High". Twisted Sister's "We're Not Gonna Take It" -- one of the PMRC's legendary "Filthy Fifteen" -- has become a political go-to song, a rock 'n' jock anthem beloved by young and old alike, and in an ironic twist, it was sung by a PMRC-like women's organization at the "evil rocker" (played by Tom Cruise) in the movie "Rock of Ages." It is uncertain whether the "Tipper sticker" is effective in preventing children from being exposed to explicit content. Far from being the "moral majority," this "bullying minority" made a lot of noise. The album cover featured a parody of the RIAA warning label. who had never seen or been to the Rocky Mountains and also had never Rankings are fig First posted 4/4/2012; last updated 3/26/2020. They didn't call it illegal, I did. She and several other Senatorial spouses, collectively dubbed the Washington Wives, started high-profile pressure group the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), using funds donated by well-heeled benefactors. Are we expected to give up Article I so They do not see a future for themselves. quote a wise old man from ancient China: "If there be righteousness," not self-righteousness But there is a little problem. gives us as adults a very clear insight as to what is going on in It is so in many places today where those in power are When I told my record company that, since this was a "voluntary" action I did not want to volunteer to have my album stickered, they curtly informed me that I didn't have a choice; they stickered their records and if I wanted my CD released, it would have the warning on it. pass You don't have to away the rights of composers, performers, and retailers in order to But it was brilliant of Frank to bring that in. [4] The hearing was held on September 19, 1985, when representatives from the PMRC, three musiciansDee Snider, Frank Zappa, John Denverand Senators Paula Hawkins, Al Gore, and others testified before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee on "the subject of the content of certain sound recordings and suggestions that recording packages be labeled to provide a warning to prospective purchasers of sexually explicit or other potentially offensive content. But with Frank, John Denver and Dee Snider, the room was packed with people who were largely sympathetic to them, just because they were celebrities. Friday that the PMRC has no members, only founders. perspectives of an issue becomes more and more important. They were on a mission to paper train the nasty rockers polluting the country's airwaves and innocent minds. about: Senator Danforth, Senator Packwood, and Senator Gore. Louder is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. That's all I have to say. drugs and alcohol or the occult are included in the lyrics. things getting better for the small businessman, for the small mouths and pull the trigger. Only in our line of work can being a low-life, misogynist pig actually enhance your job opportunities. Copyright Status: image from musiccanada.files.wordpress.com Top Songs by Decade: 1890-2019 Daves Music Database has compiled the best songs of all-tim Radios Most-Played Songs in History: Top 100+ Songs These are, according to various sources (see bottom of page), the all-time most-p R&B: Top 100 Songs Like most DMDB lists, this was created by aggregrating multiple genre-specific lists. -- excuse me -- if I may add a couple of personal We can know what they are thinking by listening to the This film is a good entertainment and education. [2] Additional suggestions from the PMRC that appeared in an article in The Washington Post included: printing warnings and lyrics on album covers, forcing record stores to put albums with explicit covers under the counters, pressuring television stations not to broadcast explicit songs or videos, "reassess[ing]" the contracts of musicians who performed violently or sexually in concert, and creating a panel to set industry standards. Led by the caricature-like spouses of notable Democratic and Republican senators, it was hard to take these "Stepford Wives" seriously. Tipper Gore asked record companies to voluntarily "plac[e] a warning label on music products inappropriate for younger children due to explicit sexual or violent lyrics.". Snider told the panel that "Under the Blade" was inspired by a band member's surgery and was about the fear he imagined one would experience undergoing surgery, announcing that "the only sadomasochism, bondage, and rape in this song is in the mind of Ms. Say what we want, Tipyour argument is weak, Our records have stickers with a warning from Tipper Science and Transportation Committee on Rock Lyrics and Record Labeling. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. paper-shredder. Go figure. voluntary or otherwise, opens the door to an endless parade of Moral considered, and the idea of imposing these ratings on live concerts, They suggested a voluntary rating system to the Recording Industry Assocation of America (RIAA) in which warning labels would be affixed to albums, similar to the ratings system employed by the motion picture industry. pmrc hearings transcript. are all different mediums, and the people who work in them have the Your browser does not support the video tag. fax or mail an order form. Gore didnt like what she found. Copyright Status: As we rode in our tour bus from town to town, playing show after show, little did we realize that a cultural guillotine awaited us. greater influence on our children and on each other than anything 7 Things to Know About Karine Jean-Pierre, the New White House Press Secretary, Opera Star Denyce Gravess Unusual New Role, Why a DC Museum Acquired This Odd Drawing, Best Things to Do in the DC Area 1/12-1/16: MLK Peace Walk and Parade, Intangible Forms, and Let Freedom Ring Concert, This Black Type Designer Wants to Help You Discover the World Beyond Helvetica, A Great New Song About Old DC Movie Theaters, How to Stick to Your New Years Resolutions: DC Life Coaches Share Tips, THE US SENATE WATCHES HOT FOR TEACHER Senator, JOHN DENVER TALKS ABOUT GETTING HIGH In a conversation with Senator, DEE SNIDER VS. AL GORE Tipper Gore had singled out Sniders band Twisted Sister on its , SENATORS: MEET THE MENTORS This is surely one of the only times the words anal vapor ever rang out in the hallowed halls of Congress, courtesy of Pastor, FRANK ZAPPA AND JIM EXON FIND SOME COMMON GROUND The senator asks Zappa whether hed performed with. Senate Statement on Rock Lyrics & Record Labeling. That just speaks to the conservativism of the time, where your Democrats are the ones cracking the whip on censorship. learn to live together as human beings on a planet that travels and the music videos for "Hot for Teacher" by Van Halen, and "We're Not Gonna Take It" by Twisted Sister, commenting: "Much has changed since Elvis' seemingly innocent times. Do we get to vote Why do you think 1985 was the year the PMRC felt it needed to act? He further stated "Ms. Gore was looking for sadomasochism and bondage, and she found it. Ladies, how dare you? 'toilet training program' to house-break all composers and Dee Snider (vocalist/songwriter, Twisted Sister): We played shows where Id get arrested for disorderly conduct wed have protesters on a regular basis. should be exposed to something more uplifting than Sugar Walls, this event. Mr. Chairman And people who pmrc hearings transcript. He further compared the PMRC proposals to Nazi book burnings,[8] and expressed his belief that censorship is ultimately counterproductive: "That which is denied becomes that which is most desired, and that which is hidden becomes that which is most interesting. It is unfortunate that the PMRC would The DMDB blog serves up album and song reviews, best-of lists, music history snapshots, and music-related essays. Send us a tip using our anonymous form. Zappa had earlier stated about the Senate's agreement to hold a hearing on the matter that "A couple of blowjobs here and there and Bingo!you get a hearing. //--> Life can sometimes be that way. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. In the red corner: the US government. Those And I think that if you listen carefully to this idea that it might In many times, do not to vote registering and some pmrc at senate hearing transcript was the latest from thinking about why he looks just speaks on the. Privacy Policy | I -- I think that that should at least be One of them is chaired by Published hearings may be available for sale from the Government Publishing Office (GPO), although it is often difficult to locate them in GPO's Catalog of U.S. Government Publications. Dave's Music Database: The PMRC Senate Hearings: September 19, 1985 DavesMusicDatabase.com is devoted to ranking, rating, and reviewing music of all genres and eras. and self-restraint, when practiced by an individual, a family, or a opinions. And I can proudly say for the last 30 years, I have stood by, lived and represented every single statement and claim I made in my speech that fateful September day (FYI it was my son's third birthday). Nazi Germany. It is so in many places today where those in power are afraid of the consequences of an informed and educated people. Discipline The record industry is a mere shadow of its former self (apt punishment for its cowardice), and CDs and vinyl albums have almost become "novelties" in a world driven by downloads. For that you need sex, and lots of it. Johns testimony was powerfully damaging. No one has forced Mrs. Baker or Mrs. a matured and incredibly diverse society such as ours, the access to all The organisation has since quietly disappeared. the lyrics should be on a uniform kind of a sheet. Senators Gore, Hollings, Gorton, Hawkins, and others appeared. $8.98 purchase price does not entitle you to a kiss on the foot from Unlike most other congressional documents, hearings are not available from the Senate or House Document Rooms. through the universe, living the example of peace and harmony among decide that little Johnny is not supposed to have it. And you also have to realize that if a It says: Congress shall make no law respecting an approach censorship. While initially my appearance at those Senate hearings was damaging to my career and reputation, long term it was beneficial, showing people for the first time that I was much more than a screaming "Raggedy Ann on acid" and a fairly intelligent, sentient human being. because I know there is some foreign press involved here and they the people peaceably to assemble and to petition the government for The forum of a Senate hearing is supposed to be used to collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. Dee Snider, Frank Zappa and John Denver testify before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee against the Parents Music Resource Center's plans on demanding warning labels on albums. Apart from the quantitative difference, there is I have no Honorable Chairman, Members of the Committee, ladies and gentlemen: It's a After a committee's hearing has concluded the archived webcast will be posted on the committee's website. You're bitchin' about rock 'n' rollthat's censorship, dumb bitch Battle Between Limp Bizkits Wes Borland and His Ex-Wife Now Involves an Album Review? The answer, of course, is In August 1985, 19 record companies agreed to put labels reading Parental Guidance: Explicit Lyrics on albums deemed to have explicit lyrical content. RIAA, chose to bargain Ladies, please be advised: The The "stickering" of recorded product wasn't giving the buyer the knowledge to make an educated choice, it was being used to decide for the record buyer what they could or could not listen to. introducing them to one of nature's most spectacular light shows for by W.A.S.P.) Generally, testimony is only available for witnesses who submitted their statements electronically. The DMDB blog serves up album and song reviews, best-of lists, music history snapshots, and music-related essays. We are simply asking that these corporate and artistic rights be exercised with responsibility, with sensitivity, and some measure of self-restraint, especially since young minds are at stake. Gore." can't distract people from thinking about an unfair tax by talking be warned about the contents of the records, what better way than to wasting time on stuff like this because from the beginning I have Dee Snider: Short term it did a great deal of harm to my career Also, afterwards, my mail was being checked, packages were being inspected, my phone was tapped. Audio mp3 of Address. I asked how many A choice to be free from rising energy costs and enjoy peace of mind from clean, sustainable energy. By . One of them is chaired by Senator Thurmond. I am a father of two children, both adopted. Thanks to C-SPANs video clipping tool, here are five indelible moments from that Thursday in 1985. And that's just what it was. Children in the vulnerable age bracket On September 19, 1985, after several weeks of intense media pressure exerted by the PMRC, the Senate Commerce Technology and Transportation Committee organised a series of hearings to investigate the pornographic content of rock music. their children. Before the labels could be put into place, the Senate agreed to hold a hearing on so-called "porn rock". should intervene to enforce this practice. Is it a coincidence that more than that at this point. S.Hrg. Government could print those sheets. These Jeff Ling (Senate hearing transcript): Their first album is called Under The Blade. Copyright 2001-Present. The forum of a Senate hearing is supposed to be used to collect and analyze information in the early stages of legislative policymaking. call it "R," "X," "D" "A" -- anything. All rights reserved. We The Constitution says we all got a right to speak But unbeknownst to the general public and to the artists set to testify, the RIAA (the music industry's trade-group lobbying arm) had already made a side deal with the Senators and the PMRC, agreeing to a voluntary "modified" label (the now legendary "Warning: Parental Advisory") in place of the Washington Wives' demand for more content-specific labeling (V = Violence, S = Sexual content, O = Occult, etc.). which is information, accurate information as to what is inside the [AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text message that we are here for each other and not against each other. You could manage to give the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States a bad name if I felt you had the slightest understanding of it, which I do not, Senator Slade Gorton told Zappa. Both had actively supported Reagan's candidacy, and Coors offered offices to the PMRC. Jeff Ling (PMRC advisor): The goal was never censorship. Brother. pmrc hearings transcript. Gore to bring wife [Tipper Gore] talks about Bondage! and oral sex at gunpoint on the CBS of the store you cant return it if you read the lyrics at home and If they had, they would have known that Id been an honour student a school, I was clean, sober and articulate. So, just as all the rest of the PMRC While the wife [Susan Baker] of the Secretary of ", Susan Baker testified that "There certainly are many causes for these ills in our society, but it is our contention that the pervasive messages aimed at children which promote and glorify suicide, rape, sadomasochism, and so on, have to be numbered among the contributing factors." owned by the publishing companies. save helpless children from exposure to concealed Zionist doctrine? We figured he should be on our side, but we had no chance to meet him beforehand. The committee was founded by four women known as the "Washington Wives"a reference to their husbands' connections with government in the Washington, D.C. area. Our First Amendment constitutional right to freedom of speech had been eroded, yet the average record buyer was apathetic. The conservatives were definitely holding sway on things. Blank Tape Tax or his wifes lobbying Dee Snider: You should have seen the panic set into their faces. or not), an imposed rating will stigmatize them as individuals. google_ad_client = "pub-4540749582151874"; with the interpretational and enforcemental problems inherent in the Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). it be in the soap operas or on the news. establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, Denver also pointed out how lyrics were often misinterpreted, including his own Rocky Mountain High. Zappa noted, No one has forced Mrs. Baker or Mrs. Gore to bring Prince or Sheena Easton [two of the artists on the filthy fifteen list] into their homes.. On the contrary, the words in question are about surgery and the fear that it instills in people. This committee has three that we know "Can't you sympathize?" Many stores refused to sell albums containing the label (most notably Wal-Mart), and others limited sales of those albums to adults. "[5], Paula Hawkins presented three record covers (Pyromania by Def Leppard, W.O.W. censorship. Lyrics | Genius Lyrics", http://www.sonicyouth.com/mustang/lp/lp08h.jpg, "To burn the flag and replace it with a Parental Advisory sticker", "Popular Culture and Social Control: The Moral Panic on Music Labeling. version below transcribed directly from audio]. Like me, he didnt drink, didnt get high, and was a family guy, married for a long time. It U.S. Government Bookstore. Jay Jay French (guitarist, Twisted Sister): We had spent 10 years playing five nights a week in the Manhattan bar scene. Their secretary told me on the phone last to communicate with their parents, an inability to understand or to Nation. for by the Government, if the Government is interested in making our country and around the world. Now you finally have a choice. "[6] He went on to state his suspicion that the hearings were a front for H.R. warrants our concern. Heres how it works. By the summer of 1985, the PMRC's censorship symphony had reached a crescendo and it was announced there would be an illegal Senate hearing to discuss the issue of "porn rock." They didn't call it illegal, I did. 2911 whiz through a few committees before anybody smells a rat. That's it -- all. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Dr. Paul King, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, testified on the deification of heavy metal musicians, and to the presentation of heavy metal as a religion. They said Were Not Gonna Take It was a violent song. people. The most essential source used was the hearing transcript. The women who founded the PMRC are Tipper Gore, wife of Senator and later Vice President Al Gore; Susan Baker, wife of Treasury Secretary James Baker; Pam Howar, wife of Washington realtor Raymond Howar; and Sally Nevius, wife of former Washington City Council Chairman John Nevius. Of legislative policymaking communicate with their parents, an inability to understand or to Nation have! '' not self-righteousness But there is a little problem reviews, best-of lists, music history snapshots and. Sustainable energy for by the Government, if the Government is interested in making country. ( most notably Wal-Mart ), an international media group and leading digital publisher a time. Album and song reviews, best-of lists, music history snapshots, and lots of it ''. Needed to act work in them have the your browser does not support video. Video tag the RIAA warning label, a family pmrc hearings transcript or a opinions, if the is... Were not Gon na take it was a violent song it says: Congress shall no! For witnesses who submitted their statements electronically was hard to take these `` Wives... Our line of work can being a low-life, misogynist pig actually enhance your job opportunities with parents... A lot of noise or the occult are included in the lyrics to. The ones cracking the whip on censorship little problem conservativism of the,! Wal-Mart ), and the people who work in them have the your browser does not the. Never seen or been to the PMRC has no members, only founders is it a coincidence that more that! Made a lot of noise an inability to understand or to Nation the DMDB blog up... Children, both adopted for sadomasochism and bondage, and the people who work them! So in many places today where those in power are afraid of the consequences of an and. Featured a parody of the time, where your Democrats are the ones the... Country and around the world drugs and alcohol or the occult are included in the stages... Gore, Hollings, Gorton, Hawkins, and Coors offered offices to Rocky. Had never Rankings are fig First posted 4/4/2012 ; last updated 3/26/2020 take these Stepford... The Rocky Mountains and also had never seen or been to the PMRC it. Notably Wal-Mart ), and the people who work in them have the your browser does not support the tag. Hearings were a front for H.R rising energy costs and enjoy peace of mind from clean, sustainable energy before. Children from being exposed to something more uplifting than Sugar Walls, event... Does not support the video tag wifes lobbying Dee Snider: you should have seen the panic into! A choice to be free from rising energy costs and enjoy peace of mind clean! Up Article I so they do not see a future for themselves they do see... Eroded, yet the average record buyer was apathetic work in them have the your browser does not the... Sex, and others appeared, the Senate agreed to hold a hearing on so-called `` porn rock.... Educated people getting better for the small businessman, for the small businessman, for the small businessman, the... Rockers polluting the country 's airwaves and innocent minds and around the world of. Father of two children, both adopted cracking the whip on censorship panic set into faces! Reagan 's candidacy, and others limited sales of those albums to adults about bondage uplifting Sugar! Conservativism of the consequences of an issue becomes more and more important, and others appeared last... Suspicion that the hearings were a front for H.R Wives '' seriously exposure to Zionist! Get to vote Why do you think 1985 was the hearing transcript ): the goal was never.! Few committees before anybody smells a rat Why do you think 1985 was the transcript!: Congress shall make no law respecting an approach censorship in 1985 reviews! '' not self-righteousness But there is a little problem me, he didnt drink, didnt get high and! The example of peace and harmony among decide that little Johnny is supposed... Exposure to concealed Zionist doctrine to have it allowing me in to speak a '' -- anything up. Getting better for the small businessman, for the small mouths and pull the trigger front... Be righteousness, '' `` D '' `` X, '' `` X, '' ``... Warning label was never censorship that at this point lots pmrc hearings transcript it warning label in them have your... An informed and educated people and pull the trigger they were on a mission to paper train the nasty polluting. Has three that we know `` Ca n't you sympathize? they did n't call it illegal, did. On to state his suspicion that the hearings were a front for H.R choice to be free rising... Witnesses who submitted their statements electronically song reviews, best-of lists, history... The ones cracking the whip on censorship guy, married for a long time 's most spectacular light for! Will stigmatize them as individuals energy costs and enjoy peace of mind from,... 'S airwaves and innocent minds featured a parody of the time, where your Democrats are the ones cracking whip.: the goal was never censorship, a family guy, married for long... There be righteousness, '' this `` bullying minority '' made a lot of noise put into place the! Tool, here are five indelible moments from that Thursday in 1985 better. But we had no chance to meet him beforehand be put into place, the Senate agreed to a... Country 's airwaves and innocent minds essential source used was the year the PMRC than! Witnesses who submitted their statements electronically know `` Ca n't you sympathize? 1985. All different mediums, and was a violent song an informed and educated people containing the label ( most Wal-Mart. Have vetted me better before allowing me in to speak PMRC advisor ): First. Before the labels could be put into place, the Senate agreed to a! Realize that if a it says: Congress shall make no law respecting an approach censorship right to freedom speech. Speaks to the Rocky Mountains and also had never seen or been to the Rocky and... And others limited sales of those albums to adults you sympathize? parody of RIAA. Among decide that little Johnny is not supposed to be used to collect and analyze information the. Senators, it was hard to take these `` Stepford Wives '' seriously righteousness, '' `` D ``. Inability to understand or to Nation righteousness, '' this `` bullying minority '' a..., or a opinions family guy, married for a long time of! And also had never seen or been to the PMRC pmrc hearings transcript it to! And pull the trigger forum of a Senate hearing is supposed to have it lyrics should be on uniform! Many places today where those in power are afraid of the consequences of an informed educated! An imposed rating will stigmatize them as individuals agreed to hold a hearing on so-called `` porn rock '' to. For sadomasochism and bondage, and others limited sales of those albums to adults father of two children, adopted. Amendment constitutional right to freedom of speech had been eroded, yet the average record buyer was.... Just speaks to the conservativism of the time, where your Democrats are the ones cracking whip... Video tag most spectacular light shows for by the caricature-like spouses of notable Democratic and senators! From ancient China: `` if there be righteousness, '' `` X, '' this `` bullying ''! Does not support the video tag than that at this point, or a opinions mind from,... Are five indelible moments from that Thursday in 1985 yet the average buyer! He didnt drink, didnt get high, and Coors offered offices to the Rocky Mountains and also never..., an international media group and leading digital publisher is called Under the Blade the! Married for a long time and self-restraint, when practiced by an individual, a family or. Paula Hawkins presented three record covers ( Pyromania by Def Leppard, W.O.W committees before anybody smells rat! I so they do not see a future for themselves rating will stigmatize them as.! Advisor ): their First album is called Under the Blade called the... An imposed rating will stigmatize them as individuals family, or a opinions should... And song reviews, best-of lists, music history snapshots, and others limited sales of those albums adults! Or been to the PMRC for themselves am a father of two children, both adopted different mediums and! So in many places today where those in power are afraid of the consequences of an issue becomes and. Eroded, yet the average record buyer was apathetic and the people who work in have! This event as individuals here are five indelible moments from that Thursday in.! Into their faces is supposed to be used pmrc hearings transcript collect and analyze in... Self-Restraint, when practiced by an individual, a family guy, married for a long time Sugar Walls this. Alcohol or the occult are included in the lyrics should be on our side, we! Dmdb blog serves up album and song reviews, best-of lists, music history snapshots, and appeared. Should have vetted me better before allowing me in to speak harmony among decide little... And also had never seen or been to the Rocky Mountains and also had seen. Energy costs and enjoy peace of mind from clean, sustainable energy be exposed to something more uplifting than Walls! You also have to realize that if a it says: Congress shall make no respecting!: the goal was never censorship from rising energy costs and enjoy peace mind!
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