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![]() ![]() ![]() “ LoveGame,” Lady Gaga (March 23, 2009) This nightclub hit was banned on the radio for its heavily suggestive themes– especially the infamous line, “I want to take a ride on your disco stick.” Gaga believed that radio authorities were too hard on her, but admitted that the line was not intended to be subtle by any means. The song was banned by radio stations for its mild sexual content, but it still sold over a million copiesģ3. It was also the first #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, which debuted in 1958. It is nothing less than an American classic and made history by becoming the first #1 hit by a black female group. “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” The Shirelles (November, 1960) “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” is a song about the day following an intimate encounter with a man. In 1965, Billie Holiday’s music was censored again when ABC radio refused to play “Love for Sale” as the song’s lyrics were about prostitution.ģ4. As dark as the lyrics were, this was a song that the public truly needed to hear at the time. radio for its heavy, morbid content upon its release in 1939. ![]() “Strange Fruit,” Billie Holiday (1939) This song was a profound and powerful depiction of Billie Holiday’s horror over a lynching. It topped the charts for four weeks but DJs simply referred to it as “I Don’t Want You Back.” A version of the song came out a year later with all 33 expletives silenced.ģ5. “ Fuck It (I Don’t Want You Back),” Eamon (November 23, 2003) Despite the fact that profanity on the radio has not been completely prohibited in the UK for some time, many stations refused to play this song due to its language. Some stations banned the song anyway for the line, “making love in the green grass.” However, an edited version was released later on, changing it to “laughin’ and a-runnin’, hey, hey.” Rock stations everywhere now play “Brown Eyed Girl” consistentlyģ6. Morrison changed the title because he believed it would make it more radio-friendly. “Brown Eyed Girl,” Van Morrison (June, 1967) This rock classic, originally called “Brown Skinned Girl,” is about an interracial relationship. But ironically, when the character Rizzo used the Italian curse word “fongool” in the song “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee,” it was not censored.ģ7. The line, “it ain’t no shit” is usually cut from radio airplay. “Greased Lightning,” John Travolta (1978)* The song “Greased Lightning” from the musical and film Grease, surprisingly features some fairly crude content. The Game has actually said that he wished more of his songs were banned because it seems to make him even more popular.ģ8. This did not affect the song’s popularity though, and the music video received over 10 million views on YouTube. “ Red Nation,” The Game (April 12, 2011) MTV, BET and numerous radio stations banned the rapper The Game’s “Red Nation” due to its references to gang life. ![]() The word “joint” was obscured by MTV as well through a technique where the word is reversed, making it indecipherable.ģ9. The line “let’s roll another joint” is almost always censored during airplay. “You Don’t Know How It Feels,” Tom Petty (October 1994) In Tom Petty’s “You Don’t Know How it Feels,” the common practice of censoring drug-related content was demonstrated. In honor of Music Freedom Day, NCAC has compiled a list of 40 banned and censored songs that we doubt your parents would approve of!Ĥ0. Whether referencing taboo subject matter, challenging the government and commercialism or just upsetting the masses (directly or indirectly), musicians are targeted out of fear of their power over listeners. Sex, violence, drugs, politics, religion and just plain loud noise have all been grounds for music censorship. for Teachers, Parents, and School Officials.Resources for Authors of Banned and Challenged Books. ![]()
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