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Music Trivia -> Songs That Are Banned -> R
Can you think of a song that was specifically banned by a radio station, tv station, or government?
Entries Beginning with R
"Rape Me," Nirvana
In 1993, Wal-Mart and K-Mart refuse to stock Nirvana's second major label album, "In Utero," because they object to the cover art and one of the song titles. Shortly after the record becomes the number one selling album in the U.S., the mass merchandisers strike a deal to carry the album. The album's back cover art is subdued and the title of the offending song is changed from "Rape Me" to "Waif Me."
Peter
"Rape Me," Nirvana
MTV never aired the video because they thought the song was trying to slag them off. At the 1993 MTV Music Awards, Nirvana were down to perform "Rape Me", but the camera crew were told that if this happened, they would cut to a commercial. Kurt Cobain started to play the chords to "Rape Me", but when he realised what was happening played "Lithium". This is why most casual Nirvana fans who think they've heard "Rape Me" have actually not; they've heard "Lithium".
Jakko Wakko
"Relax," Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Due to the suggestive single cover and lyrics, a BBC DJ pulled the song from rotation. Which of course only made it more popular.
ChuckyG
"Rhapsody In The Rain," Lou Christie
In 1966 after enduring calls for censorship, Christie agrees to change the suggestive lyrics to this song.
Peter
"Rise Of The Fenix (Album)," Tenacious D
The cover art on the PA version looks quite like male genetalia. The edited version has completely different cover art, for obvious reasons.
GlamRockNinjaLord
"Riverside," Sidney Samson
Before the main riff first begins, he says "Riverside, motherf***ers!", but on the radio version it's just "Riverside!". Can you guess why?
A Stranger
"Rocky Mountain High," John Denver
Many radio stations throughout the U.S. banned John Denver's "Rocky Mountain High" back in 1972, because of the thought that the "high" Denver was referring to was from the influence of drugs.
Peter
"Rolling In The Deep," Adele
The word "ship" was altered on radio edits. Obviously, it sounded like a classic dirty word.
Paul Bear
"Rough Justice," Rolling Stones
The Stones played 3 songs at Super Bowl XL in Detroit. "Rough Justice" has these double-entendre lyrics: One time you were my baby chicken, Now you've grown into a fox; Once upon a time I was your little rooster, But now I'm just one of your cocks Because of this the sound of Mick Jagger's mike was turned down momentarily when he sang the word "cocks". There is debate on whether the Stones knew or approved of this. This was 2 years after that "wardrobe malfunction" scandal that got tongues wagging. This Stones hit is way MUCH better than that generic crap that Justin and Janet did their act to anyway.
I'm Stoned
"Royals," Lorde
The song was banned in San Francisco during the 2014 World Series due to, get this, the San Francisco Giants playing against the Kansas City Royals in the game. One has to wonder if Kansas City radio stations are banned from playing Bear Hands' "Giants".
Brian Kelly
"Rubber Bullets," 10cc
Briefly banned by the BBC in 1973 due to several incidents involving overzealous police and the ammunition mentioned in the title. The song rocketed to number one regardless, possibly because it was about a riot in an American prison and not The Troubles.
Horatio
"Rumble," Link Wray
In January 1959, even though it has no lyrics, the guitar instrumental "Rumble" by Wray was banned by many U.S. radio stations, who feared the title would promote teen violence. When Wray appears on the popular teen ABC television program "American Bandstand", Dick Clark introduces Wray and his band, but refuses to mention the song's title. Despite the ban, the song would still sell over a million copies and Link would follow it with an instrumental entitled "Jack The Ripper".
Peter
"Rumble," Link Wray
The only instrumental song ever banned because it "promoted gang violence" in 1958.
gary k
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