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Music Trivia -> Songs That Are Banned -> B
Can you think of a song that was specifically banned by a radio station, tv station, or government?
Entries Beginning with B
"Baby Got Back," Sir Mix-A-Lot
Not exactly banned per se, but in 1992 it was restricted to airing only at night on MTV because of its raunchy visuals (such as giant model butts and fruit representing sexual organs), and its general assailment of white American aesthetics was a cause for objection.
Cat
"The Ballad Of John And Yoko," The Beatles
In July 1969, one half of the U.S.' Top 40 stations refuse to play this song because they feel the lyrics are blasphemous. "The Ballad Of John And Yoko" contain references to Christ and crucifixion.
Peter
"Bankrobber," The Clash
Banned on the BBC, presumably because of its lyrics about robbing banks
Ra'akone
"Barenaked Ladies," Barenaked Ladies
It wasn't a song but the name of the band "Barenaked Ladies" that forced this group off of city property. In 1991 the Barenaked Ladies were effectively banned from playing the New Year's Eve bash at Nathan Phillips Square because then Mayor June Rowlands felt that the band's name was sexist.
Celeste
"Beautiful Girls," Sean Kingston
This song was edited on Irish radio. Instead of "suicidal" it said "in denial". What is the world coming to?
mrx
"Big Five," Judge Dread
The lyrics were to sexual and homouros, he suggested the bad words but not actually saying them.
Judge Fan
"Big Girl," Mika
My local radio station hardly play this song, in case it insults fat people. Instead, they seem to be playing his first single, Grace Kelly.
rock music
"Bila," Versatones
To this day, the lyrics to this 1950s classic remain undecipherable. Naturally people assume it was obscene. The flip, "Tight Skirt And Sweater" was stopped by the program director in mid-play by DJ Alan Freed on WINS New York City because of its lyrics.
Jack Ortizano
"Black Day In July," Gordon Lightfoot
"Motor City Madness has reached the country side"... Obvious references to the Detroit riots in the Summer of Love (1967). Mostly because it was a Canadian commenting on American current events (How dare they!!??).
Royal Pfizbin
"Blown Away," Pam Tillis
This was a case of self banning/censorship. Blown Away was Pam Tillis' current single at the time of the Oklahoma City bombing. After the Oklahoma City bombing Pam Tillis requested that radio stations stop playing the song as she was trying to be sensitive to people who might be offended by it. The song actually has nothing to do with being physically "blown away". It's all about the strong and overwhelming emotions people have when they're falling in love.
Edward
"Blurred Lines," Robin Thicke
Banned by colleges in the UK for "promoting rap culture and misogyny
Evan
"Boogaloo Blues," Johnny Colon
A smash in the Latin sections of New York City, radio stations refused to allow this song to become a crossover hit because of its lyric, "LSD has a hold on me" and "Take it all off."
Jack Ortizano
"Boom," P.O.D.
After 9/11, this song made a list of many songs that Clear Channel Communications deemed inappropriate after the September 11, 2011 terrorist attacks. The list was very controversial and considered banning this song, seven songs by AC/DC, "Falling for the First Time" by The Barenaked Ladies, four songs by Alice in Chains, four songs by The Beatles, "Crash into Me" by Dave Matthews Band, "Bodies" by Drowning Pool, three songs by Elton John, four songs by Metallica, every song by Rage Against the Machine, "Click Click Boom" by Saliva, and other songs that mentioned airplanes, explosions, falling, crashing, dying, etc. Also, it included Alien Ant Farm's cover of "Smooth Criminal", but not the original by Michael Jackson.
JeReMy
"Boom Boom (Let's Go Back to My Room)," Paul Lekakis
For it's obvious title. Many schools refused to play this at dances
whistledog
"Boom Boom Pow," Black Eyed Peas
The word 'satellite' of 'satellite radio' is bleeped out so that commercial radio stations aren't playing a song that promotes satellite radio.
IndieLover
"Boom!," System of a Down
Banned by MTV because it consisted of demonstration against the Iraq War.
dxman
"Born In the U.S.A. (album)," Bruce Springsteen
the album cover got criticism from some pundits because the picture focuses on Bruce's jeans - IOW, the picture zeros in on his fanny. Also because Bruce is standing in front of a giant U.S. flag (and he's facing it, we only see him from the rear), some nimrods suggested that he was taking a whizz on Old Glory. Just because you were born in the U.S.A. doesn't mean you have any sence.
Dancer In the Dark
"A Boy Named Sue," Johnny Cash
The uncensored version features the line "'Cause I'm the son of a bitch that named you Sue." The censored version, which appears on his Super Hits CD, has the entire "son of a bitch" bleeped out.
Isac
"A Boy Named Sue," Johnny Cash
A second censorship occurs at the end of the song. "Any damn thing but Sue!" is shortened to "Anything but Sue!"
Bob
"Brain Stew," Green Day
This song has been banned in multiple places & on multiple media related broadcasts, because it was thought to possibly offend people or remind them of 9/11.
Optimus Lime
"Brown Eyed Girl," Van Morrison
In 1967, radio programmers pass on this Van Morrison song because the lyrics reference premarital sex and teenage pregnancy. Morrison cuts an alternative version with more acceptable lyrics.
Peter
"Brown Sugar," Rolling Stones
Banned by some southern US radio stations in 1971 owing to lyrics alluding to interracial sex.
Horatio
"Brown Sugar," Rolling Stones
Banned by some southern US radio stations in 1971 owing to lyrics alluding to interracial sex.
Horatio
"Brown-Eyed Girl," Van Morrison
Contrary to Peter's assertion, Van Morrison did not "cut a more acceptable version." His record label merely edited in the lyrics from another section of the song to replace the line "makin' love in the green grass."
MikeM
"Building A Mystery ," Sarah McLachlan
Not banned per se, but at least one edited version exists in which the line, "You're a beautiful, A beautiful f**ked up man." is altered to remove the swear.
Bob
"Bullet In The Head," Rage Against The Machine
The band was to perform on the famous TV show Saturday Night Live, but when the band arrived and was ready to play, the producers felt that the radical lyrics to this song were not appropriated and they banned the band from the show.
hypersk
"Burn Baby Burn," Ash
Was originally titled "Slow Suicide", until someone advised them that they wouldn't get much radio play using that title.
Kenny McDonald
New entries in this section are currently reviewed by Indy Gent. Previous editors (if any) are listed on the editors page.
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