The cultural landscape in recent years has prompted a necessary re-evaluation of historical narratives, challenging long-held mythologies surrounding figures from Confederate generals to slave-owning founding fathers. This critical lens has also extended to more contemporary figures, particularly those who have shaped pop culture. This reassessment now includes the creators of some of our most beloved Classic Rock Songs. But this raises a complex question: can we continue to appreciate classic rock songs when confronted with troubling aspects of the artists behind them? Is it possible to reconcile our love for the music with the knowledge of problematic behaviors exhibited by figures like Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, or Eric Clapton, with his well-documented racist remarks and anti-vaccination stances?
There are no simple answers to this dilemma. Even Don McLean, the artist behind the iconic “American Pie,” doesn’t advocate for banning classic rock songs from playlists simply because they were created by flawed individuals. While some songs, like Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll (Part 2),” also known as “The Hey Song,” have been rightly removed from airplay following the artist’s conviction for child pornography and sex abuse, a blanket ban isn’t necessarily the solution.
Ms. McLean suggests that the focus should shift from celebrating the tarnished creators themselves. The issue isn’t with the classic rock songs themselves, but rather with the pedestal upon which some of these artists have been placed. “American Pie” itself remains a testament to great songwriting and musical storytelling. This enduring quality was recognized in 2016 when the Library of Congress inducted the original recording into the National Recording Registry for preservation.
It might be simpler if the issue were solely about the music, divorced from its creators. The Rolling Stones’ recent decision to remove “Brown Sugar” from their U.S. tour setlist highlights this very point. The song’s overtly racist lyrics, referencing slavery and sexual violence, have been a source of controversy since its release in 1971, the same year “American Pie” topped the charts. Keith Richards, in response to the removal, expressed some confusion, questioning whether critics understood the song’s purported intention to depict the horrors of slavery.
While acknowledging the musical merits of “Brown Sugar,” particularly Richards’s distinctive guitar riffs, it’s undeniable that the song’s lyrical content has aged poorly and its intended message, if any, has been widely misinterpreted over the past half-century. If even The Rolling Stones grapple with the song’s place in their repertoire, it underscores the ongoing challenge of navigating the legacy of classic rock songs in light of evolving social consciousness. The removal from a setlist, however, may only be a starting point in a much larger conversation.
