Top 10 Controversial Music Videos

10. Fiona Apple – Criminal
In her 1997 music video for “Criminal,” an emaciated Fiona Apple, surrounded by what appear to be tranquilized models, undresses as she croons lyrics like “I’ve been a bad, bad girl.” Apple’s appearance, described by the New Yorker as being similar to that of an “underfed Calvin Klein model,” spurred accusations that the video promoted a “heroin chic” and had “overtones of child porn.” Taking a fiercely uncompromising stance against her critics, Apple said, as she accepted her MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist later that year, “Everybody out there that’s watching … this world is bullshit and you shouldn’t model your life about what you think that we think is cool.

9. Christina Aguilera – Dirrty
This 2002 song from Christina Aguilera’s album Stripped had plenty of raunch and chaps, but it was a message hidden to most that raised a flag — in Thailand. Amid the grinding, suggestive hand motions and scant clothing are signs that hint at illegal sex trafficking in Thailand in the background as Aguilera dances in a boxing ring. Translated from Thai, the signs read “Thailand’s sex tourism” and “Young underage girls.” While Aguilera’s record label contended the singer had no idea what the signs meant when translated, Thailand banned the video from airing in the country.

8. Madonna – Like a Prayer
A word of advice: if you don’t want to anger religious organizations, don’t make a music video that includes a scene in which a woman seduces a saint. Madonna’s music video for the title track off her 1989 album Like a Prayer — which also features burning crosses and stigmata — was denounced by the American Family Association and by PepsiCo, which had reportedly paid the pop star $5 million to use the song in a commercial and didn’t appreciate the negative press.

7. Garth Brooks – The Thunder Rolls
Though it was named the Country Music Association’s Music Video of the Year in 1991, Garth Brooks’ “The Thunder Rolls” caused quite a storm in the country-music scene. The video’s depiction of domestic violence between a vengeful wife and a cheating husband, caused The Nashville Network and Country Music Television to ban its airing. But the criticism wasn’t unanimous: several radio stations started “save the video” petitions and some women’s shelters voiced support. Brooks’ own wife at the time allegedly disapproved of scenes in the video, but later defended him when the controversy drew public attention.

6. Erykah Badu – Window Seat
In the one-take video for “Window Seat,” R&B singer Erykah Badu walks along Dallas’ Elm Street, taking off articles of clothing as the song progresses. Finally, completely nude (but blurred), she falls down in Dealey Plaza, near the site of President John F. Kennedy’s assassination, as if she herself were shot. The singer said her video, released in March 2010, was a protest against groupthink and a culture that discourages individual expression. But Badu’s move wasn’t only controversial, according to the city of Dallas it was also illegal, as Badu never got a permit to film. After a Dallas resident filed a complaint, Badu was charged with disorderly conduct. She paid a $500 fine and served six months’ probation.

Find out which videos are on #5 to #1 and watch the videos here….