BBC

Prodigy song voted 'most controversial' track

• 24th November 2010

Prodigy hit Smack My Bitch Up has been voted the most controversial song of all time in a poll conducted by the Performing Right Society (PRS).

God Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols was second and Frankie Goes To Hollywood's Relax came third.

The song, which was released in 1997, was heavily criticised by feminist groups and banned by the BBC.

The title of the track, which reached number eight in the UK chart, is repeated throughout its duration.

Smack My Bitch Up was the third single that the Prodigy released off their number one album The Fat of the Land.

The video for the song also caused controversy with its graphic portrayals of drink driving, drug use, violence and sex.

Monarchy criticism

God Save The Queen was released during Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee in 1977.

At the time of its release, it was deemed to be critical of the monarchy and reached number two in the UK chart.

Relax went to number one in the UK in 1983, even though critics claimed the lyrics and cover sleeve were overtly sexual.

The PRS survey of more than 1,700 people revealed the number four track as Eminem's Kim, which featured angry lyrics aimed towards the rapper's ex wife.

Killing In The Name by Rage Against The Machine was in fifth place.

The track reached number 25 in the charts when it was released in 1993.

After a successful Facebook campaign, it was re-released and went to number one last Christmas, keeping The X Factor winner Joe McElderry from the top spot.

At number six was The Shamen's Ebeneezer Goode, a song accused of endorsing recreational drug use and in seventh place was Ozzy Osbourne's Suicide Solution.

In 1986, the family of a teenage boy who shot himself took Osbourne to court, claiming the singer was responsible because their son had been listening to the song when he died.

Osbourne was cleared in court.

Marilyn Manson's Get Your Gunn was at number eight, with Angel of Death by Slayer in ninth place and Dear God by XTC rounding off the top ten.

The Top 10 Most Controversial Songs

1. Smack My Bitch Up - Prodigy
2. God Save The Queen - Sex Pistols
3. Relax - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
4. Kim - Eminem
5. Killing In The Name - Rage Against The Machine
6. Ebeneezer Goode - The Shamen
7. Suicide Solution - Ozzy Osbourne
8. Get Your Gunn - Marilyn Manson -
9. Angel of Death - Slayer
10. Dear God - XTC

Source: The Performing Right Society

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• Smack My Bitch Up

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