Parental Guidance

Album: Turbo (1986)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song is about the Parental Advisory warning stickers that record labels agreed to put on albums with offensive lyrics after being pressured by a group called the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC), which was comprised of the wives of prominent legislators and led by Tipper Gore, wife of Senator Al Gore. In 1985, the PMRC released a list of 15 songs they found particularly offensive, and a Judas Priest song - "Eat Me Alive" - made the list. The group found it hard to fathom that anyone would take the subject matter of that song (forced oral sex) seriously, and like many musicians, didn't like where this was heading. In "Parental Guidance," they make their position clear:

    No parental guidance here...
    One life and I'm gonna live it up


    The upside of the controversy was that it boosted sales of the acts that incurred the ire of the PMRC, as kids bought the albums to see what the fuss was about.
  • This was one of the first songs Judas Priest recorded for their Turbo album. They laid it down at Compass Point Studios in the Bahamas before the temptations of the island proved too enticing. After a lot of drinking and a few run-ins with locals, they they left the island and returned to the mainland. Before they could start up again at the Record Plant in Los Angeles, leas singer Rob Halford's drug and alcohol use got out of control and he entered rehab. When he got out, the band finished the album, but many of Halford's lyrics and vocals weren't up to standard. "Parental Guidance" is one of the tracks he made while still functional.
  • Judas Priest made a live video for this song with director Wayne Isham that was shot at their show in Dallas on June 22, 1986. Earlier in the set, they had a mishap: Halford swung his arm in a stage gesture that caught K. K. Downing's guitar, and the end of a string went into his eye. Downing put on big sunglasses to cover his bleeding eye, which he's wearing in the video. Many fans assumed he was making some king of fashion statement.

Comments: 1

  • Dan Gillespy from Courtenay BcA killer Judas Priest classic and a rebellious teen anthem that I hope they play live in concert again in the near future.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' Albums

We Will Rock You (To Sleep): Pop Stars Who Recorded Kids' AlbumsSong Writing

With the rise of Kindie rock, more musicians are embracing their inner child with tunes for tots - here, we look at pop stars who recorded kids' albums.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Lori McKenna

Lori McKennaSongwriter Interviews

Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie Combination

Stand By Me: The Perfect Song-Movie CombinationSong Writing

In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.