10 Most Infamous Tracks In Rock N Roll
3. Big Man With A Gun - Nine Inch Nails
When Nine Inch Nails released their critically acclaimed record The Downward Spiral, the rock music world was taken aback by this raw display of anger and aggression. Running as a concept record of one man's self destruction and eventual suicide, the album was under scrutiny from its inception for having disturbing and even "Satanic" messages.
Of all the songs on the record, "Big Man With a Gun" was the track singled out by the PMRC as one of rock's most vile and offensive tracks. The album-filler tune runs at about 2 minutes and is full of aggressive references to oral sex and a misogynistic lyrical approach. When the song was brought into the legal system, it was cited by many to not only be an offensive track, but also an outward display of modern cultural decline.
However, it was made even more laughable when frontman Trent Reznor conceded that the entire song was, in essence, a goof. While the backing track is disturbing, Reznor simply told the public that the song was meant as a satire of the gangsta rap scene and their cartoonish tendencies for talking about violence. Nevertheless, "Big Man With a Gun" stands as one of the most visceral tunes in 90's rock.