The ‘60s was a decade when some of the most iconic music albums hit the stands. This included music from various genres by artists and bands worldwide, who influenced listeners in multiple ways. These albums reflected the times and often included evolutionary and ground-breaking songs or themes. However, as times change, some bestsellers may be received differently or garner different reactions from modern listeners. These are 19 bestselling albums from the ’60s whose themes are now deemed too controversial:
Beggars Banquet by The Rolling Stones (1968)
The Rolling Stones are one of the biggest rock bands that have seen decades of success through their hit songs and albums, which have hit the top of many music charts. Beggars Banquet was one of the ban’s earlier studio albums that would stir controversy today because of its dark and, some would add, satanic themes. The album’s opening song was even sung from Satan’s point of view, which would add to the whole album being deemed too controversial.
Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967)
The Beatles were one of the most prominent English bands that found huge success worldwide, inspiring many young artists to this day. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band was the band’s eighth studio album and included some of the band’s biggest hits. It displayed the band’s musical talent, lyrical depth, and ability to innovate musically. However, some songs in the album had running themes that seemed to be promoting the use of drugs and drug culture in general. These themes were contentious in the ‘60s and would cause controversy today.
The Doors by The Doors (1967)
This was the band’s debut album, which went on to chart number two the year it was released. The album saw huge success and contributed to the band’s successful career in the music industry. The album explores a range of different themes, including rebellion, altered states of consciousness, and even nihilism, which were all heard and felt through different songs in the album. The songs introduced the world to Jim Morrison’s lyrical mastery, but the themes that ran through them would be considered controversial by many listeners today.
Freak Out! by Frank Zappa and The Mothers of Invention (1966)
This was the debut studio album that launched the band’s successful career in music. It was considered a concept album that many fans in the ‘60s enjoyed. The themes in the songs satirized American culture and politics and even challenged many popular conventions, which many listeners found true. However, these criticism themes about society, culture, and politics may be deemed too controversial today among listeners who may be outraged by some of the songs.
Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme by Simon & Garfunkel (1966)
Like most of their albums, this folk rock album was successful among listeners from the ‘60s. The songs explored different themes that mostly reflected the changing social landscape of that decade. These included songs about social alienation, disillusionment, and even existential angst. Although many could relate to the themes explored in the songs, the album may be considered controversial by many modern listeners who may find the themes too dark and hopeless.
Electric Ladyland by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968)
This was the third and final album released by The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The album was well-received by fans and other music lovers who enjoyed many aspects of the album. The songs in the album had an overarching theme that was said to inspire the songs in the album. This was the theme of promiscuity with women, along with other psychedelic themes and social commentary. Today, many may find these themes to be controversial in light of how they seem to promote promiscuity in listeners.
Absolutely Free by The Mothers of Invention (1967)
This album was released after the success of the band’s first album, Freak Out! The album contained many hit songs with lyrics and themes that were considered ambitious and full of satire. These aspects of the album and the theme of social commentary that runs through many songs would stir controversy in many listeners, who would be divided over their opinions of agreement with what the songs say.
Two Virgins by John Lennon & Yoko Ono (1968)
This was the couple’s debut album, and it contained many avant-garde themes that ran through most of the songs. The album was considered to be controversial when it was first released, partly because of the avant-garde theme but mostly because of the cover art, which depicted the couple undressed. The album may not be to the liking of many modern listeners who do not relate to the avant-garde theme, but the cover art would upset many even today.
The Fugs First Album by The Fugs (1965)
This was the debut album by the American rock band, which became known as one of the best bands with ‘60s protest music. The album was enjoyed by many rock fans, especially those who like songs with countercultural themes and lyrics that would be considered quite explicit. Although many enjoyed the album in the ‘60s, it may be controversial today because of its provocative themes and lyrics, which many listeners would disagree with.
Disraeli Gears by Cream (1967)
Disraeli Gears is the British rock band’s second studio album. It became one of the band’s biggest albums, reaching number 5 on the UK albums chart. The themes that ran through the album mostly explored identity, in addition to a psychedelic theme that was heard in many of the songs. The album may have performed well when it came out, but today, its themes have the potential to spark many controversial debates among listeners.
Magical Mystery Tour by The Beatles (1967)
This was one of the band’s more alternative and surreal albums. It explores different kinds of visual concepts and ideas blended with the mastery of the band’s ability to write some of the greatest lyrics in music. The album received mixed reactions from listeners. Some enjoyed the surreal nature of the ideas and the lyrics, while others opposed it. Today, the same album would garner the same controversial reactions from listeners who may be divided into those who enjoy it and those who don’t.
The Who Sell Out by The Who (1967)
The Who Sell Out was The Who’s third studio album. It contained many of the band’s greatest hits that were also iconic of the rock band’s musical style. Many songs in the album explore consumerism and media manipulation themes, broken down through the band’s ability to provide a searing satire on social issues. Today, listeners may find these themes controversial in light of how the band uses their music to present ideas that may not be agreeable to all.
Crown of Creation by Jefferson Airplane (1968)
Jefferson Airplane was a popular psychedelic rock band from the ‘60s. Crown of Creation was their fourth studio album, which was enjoyed and well-received by fans. The album had science fiction themes run through most of their songs, which was also evident in the album’s art. The album art featured a mushroom cloud of smoke that would form after an atomic bomb explosion, with the band members atop the cloud. Today, the album art would be considered controversial owing to the devastation that atom bombs have caused in the past.
Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan (1966)
Bob Dylan is considered one of the most prominent singer-songwriters who has had a significant influence on many artists till today. Blonde on Blonde was his seventh studio album, which some critics call his most excellent album. The album features many great songs with themes relevant to the times and resonated with many listeners. However, some may find these themes provocative for modern listeners and, therefore, controversial, even though many still claim it to be one of his best albums.
Good Times by Willie Nelson (1968)
Good Times is the eighth studio album released by the American country music singer. It became a big hit among many country music fans. The album’s first impression is the theme that runs through the cover art. It features the artist next to a woman in a suggestive manner, which many would regard as suggestive and supportive of the patriarchy. This cover art would cause many controversies today because of the evident themes of patriarchy.
Let It Bleed by The Rolling Stones (1969)
Let it Bleed became another hit by the English rock band. The whole album contains many iconic sounds of the band’s music and lyrics that shook listeners and resonated with them. Some of the main themes running through the album are decadence, violence, and societal decay. Many modern listeners may find these themes too controversial for a music album.
Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde by The Byrds (1969)
This is The Byrds’ seventh studio album, released in 1969. The album was well received by fans who enjoyed it for its experimental themes. Some of the themes that run through the songs in the album include identity and societal change, which many fans in the ’60s resonated with. However, these same themes may cause a lot of controversy with modern listeners, who may find the themes too intense for music.
Last Time Around by Buffalo Springfield (1968)
This was the band’s third and final studio album. It contained some of the best songs written by the folk-rock duo. The songs in the album mostly explored themes of introspection, identity, and social critique that resonated with listeners from the ‘60s as they were also reflective of the times. Today, these themes may be considered too controversial for modern fans.
Mothermania by The Mothers of Invention (1969)
The band released this compilation album containing mixes or edits of songs specially made for the album. Most of the songs were from previous albums, which contained the same themes that ran through most of the band’s songs. This includes satirical themes that reflect the society and culture of the whole decade. Listeners today may find these themes provocative and potentially stir up controversy.
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