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

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

John Lee Hooker

John Lee HookerSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write the blues.

Who Wrote That Song?

Who Wrote That Song?Music Quiz

Do you know who wrote Patti Smith's biggest hit? How about the Grease theme song? See if you can match the song to the writer.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Ian Astbury of The Cult

Ian Astbury of The CultSongwriter Interviews

The Cult frontman tells who the "Fire Woman" is, and talks about performing with the new version of The Doors.

Donny Osmond

Donny OsmondSongwriter Interviews

Donny Osmond talks about his biggest hits, his Vegas show, and the fan who taught him to take "Puppy Love" seriously.