{"id":5879,"date":"2024-09-23T09:00:51","date_gmt":"2024-09-23T13:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/parsons\/?p=5879"},"modified":"2025-01-31T14:55:11","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T19:55:11","slug":"parsons-playlists-music-censorship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.richmond.edu\/parsons\/2024\/09\/parsons-playlists-music-censorship\/","title":{"rendered":"Parsons Playlists: Music Censorship"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome back to Parsons Playlists<\/a> — a special Banned Books Week<\/a> edition! Today\u2019s playlist is curated by Music Library student manager Amy (class of 2025) and features tracks that have been censored over the years.<\/em><\/p>\n

Music Censorship<\/strong><\/p>\n

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For decades, musicians’ artistic liberties have been censored, whether it be because of references to sex, violence, drugs, politics, or religion, it is all a restriction of one\u2019s freedom of speech. In honor of Banned Books Week<\/a>, here is a list of songs that might be on your playlists that were banned or censored in one way or another.<\/p>\n

Billie Holiday – \u201cStrange Fruit\u201d <\/a><\/p>\n

Billie Holiday\u2019s protest song \u201cStrange Fruit\u201d which was a direct call out of American racism, especially Southern lynchings, was too controversial for most radio stations. The song, originally a poem by Abel Meeropol inspired by the 1930 lynchings of Thomas Ship and Abraham Smith, was performed by Meeropol before Holiday made it her closing act in 1938. Time magazine named it “Song of the Century” in 1999. (1)<\/a><\/p>\n

Lady Gaga – \u201cJudas\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Christian groups in Lebanon and the Philippines called for a ban on Lady Gaga\u2019s concerts and her album as a whole. Christian and Muslim groups in 2012 worked hard to try to ban Gaga\u2019s shows, calling them the \u201cwork of Satan.\u201d (2)<\/a><\/p>\n

Loretta Lynn – \u201cThe Pill\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Loretta Lynn\u2019s song about sexual freedom and birth control, \u201cThe Pill\u201d<\/a> shocked the world in 1975 because of its lyrics discussing birth control, something that was only made legal three years before the song\u2019s release. When the song was released, three years after its initial recording, over 60 radio stations banned the song. Modern country artists like Miranda Lambert and The Chicks were heavily influenced by Lynn\u2019s strength to stray from the norm and talk about important topics not everyone wants to sing about. (3)<\/a><\/p>\n

The Notorious B.I.G. – \u201cJuicy\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

In 1993, a bomb exploded under the North Tower of the World Trade Center, killing six people. Some historians see this attack by Islamic radicals as the start of a two-decade conflict with the West. The Notorious B.I.G., nearby at the time, referenced the event in his 1994 single “Juicy” with the line “blow up like the World Trade,” symbolizing his desire for rapid success. After his 1997 death, his music became iconic in 1990s rap culture. Following 9\/11, the lyric was removed from media, and the edited version of the song is still played today. (4)<\/a><\/p>\n

Britney Spears – \u201cIf U Seek Amy\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

In 2009, the Parents Television Council urged radio stations across the country not to play Britney Spears\u2019s newest song, \u201cIf U Seek Amy,\u201d because of the lyrics’ double meaning. If the title of the song is said quickly, it sounds like one is spelling out F-U-C-K me. (5)<\/a><\/p>\n

Olivia Newton-John – \u201cPhysical\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Olivia Newton-John\u2019s most successful song of her career, \u201cPhysical\u201d was banned from many radio and TV stations for being too sexual. However, this didn\u2019t stop the song from its roaring success. Over 40 years later the song\u2019s release, her song is now sampled by modern music artists like Dua Lipa and Doja Cat. (6)<\/a><\/p>\n

DJ Vadim & Sarah Jones – \u201cYour Revolution\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

Sarah Jones\u2019 lyrical poem, \u201cYour Revolution\u201d was a direct call out of the treatment and portrayal of women in hip-hop music. The FCC called out a radio station and Jones for playing the song, and when Jones sued them, the case was dismissed, but many stations didn\u2019t play the song while the case was ongoing. (7)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Parental<\/a><\/p>\n

Eminem – “The Real Slim Shady”<\/a><\/p>\n

Following up on a listener complaint, the FCC fined a radio station $7000 for airing the radio edit of Eminem’s “The Real Slim Shady.” The FCC complained that the song contained offensive sexual references that were intended to shock audiences. (8)<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rolling Stones – “(I Can\u2019t Get No) Satisfaction”<\/a><\/p>\n

The Rolling Stones’ song “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” was initially played only on pirate radio stations in the UK due to its sexually suggestive lyrics. (9)<\/a><\/p>\n

Madonna – “Like a Prayer”<\/a><\/p>\n

Madonna’s 1989 hit was censored for its provocative mix of religious imagery and sexual themes. The accompanying music video, which featured depictions of burning crosses and Madonna receiving stigmata, caused outrage among religious groups and led to boycotts and bans. (10)<\/a><\/p>\n

The Beatles – “Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds”<\/a><\/p>\n

Though the band denied it, many believed this 1967 track was a reference to LSD due to its initials and psychedelic lyrics. As a result, the song faced bans from radio stations, particularly in the more conservative U.S. and U.K. (11)<\/a><\/p>\n

Queen – “I Want to Break Free”<\/a><\/p>\n

The 1984 song was banned by MTV in the U.S. due to its music video, which featured the band members dressed in drag, parodying soap operas. While it was intended humorously, it was deemed inappropriate and sparked controversy in more conservative regions. (12)<\/a><\/p>\n

N.W.A. – “Fuck Tha Police”<\/a><\/p>\n

This 1988 protest song against police brutality faced heavy censorship due to its explicit language and perceived incitement of violence against law enforcement. The FBI even sent a warning letter to the group\u2019s record label, leading to bans from mainstream radio. (13)<\/a><\/p>\n

The Chicks – “Travelin\u2019 Soldier”<\/a><\/p>\n

Released in 2002, this anti-war ballad was censored after the band spoke out against President George W. Bush and the Iraq War. Country radio stations pulled the song in response to public outrage, severely impacting its airplay. (14)<\/a><\/p>\n

The Chicks – “Not Ready to Make Nice”<\/a><\/p>\n

This 2006 track was the band\u2019s response to the backlash they received for their anti-Bush comments. The song\u2019s defiant tone led to continued boycotts from country radio, reflecting the politically charged climate at the time.(14)<\/a><\/p>\n

Here is a link to the whole playlist on YouTube: https:\/\/youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLU94rco57Zez6tcIiiPxQ2h-Y7-caO4Al&si=SeQtFDtS3hLMuMLA<\/a><\/p>\n