Vanity

Home‎ > ‎The Pantheon‎ > ‎Somewhat Appreciated Items 8‎ > ‎

VANITY

Vanity (born Denise Katrina Matthews; January 4, 1959 – February 15, 2016) was a Canadian singer, songwriter, dancer, model, and actress, who turned away from her music and acting career to concentrate on evangelism. She was the lead singer of the female trio Vanity 6 from 1981 until it disbanded in 1983. Vanity’s music career also included two solo albums on the Motown Records label, Wild Animal and Skin on Skin, as well as the minor hit singles “Pretty Mess”, “Mechanical Emotion”, “Undress” (from the movie Action Jackson), and “Under the Influence”. She also had a successful film career, starring in the movies The Last Dragon, 52 Pick-Up, and Action Jackson. (More from Wikipedia)

The infamous Filthy Fifteen, along with the reasons for their inclusion on the list, follow.  Not only is Prince listed first on the list, he was also the songwriter for #2, “Sugar Walls”; and Vanity, at #4, is a one-time Prince protegé. 
 
       1.   Prince – “Darling Nikki”   (sex, masturbation) 
 
       2.   Sheena Easton – “Sugar Walls”   (sex) 
 
       3.   Judas Priest – “Eat Me Alive”   (sex) 
 
       4.   Vanity – “Strap on Robbie Baby”   (sex) 
 
       5.   Mötley Crüe – “Bastard”   (violence) 
 
       6.   AC/DC – “Let Me Put My Love Into You”   (sex) 
 
       7.   Twisted Sister – “We’re Not Gonna Take It”   (violence) 
 
       8.   Madonna – “Dress You Up”   (sex) 
 
       9.   W.A.S.P. – “Animal (F--k Like A Beast)”   (sex)  
     10.   Def Leppard – “High ’n Dry”   (drug and alcohol use) 
 
     11.   Mercyful Fate – “Into the Coven”   (occult) 
 
     12.   Black Sabbath – “Trashed”   (drug and alcohol use) 
 
     13.   Mary Jane Girls – “In My House”   (sex) 
 
     14.   Venom – “Possessed”   (occult) 
 
     15.   Cyndi Lauper – “She Bop”   (sex, masturbation)
 
*       *       *
 
Rolling Stone’s article provides reflections from some of the rock artists involved in the PMRC controversy.  From what I know of her, Vanity was even more over-the-top than Madonna when it comes to sexuality.  She is now a born-again Christian and says of her musical career:  “I was young and irresponsible, a silly woman laden with sin, not caring for anything except fame and fortune and self.”

(June 2016)