20 Banned Songs That Became Even More Popular Because of the Ban

The version of “Louie Louie” recorded by the Kingsmen in 1963 became famous in part because no one could agree on what Jack Ely was singing. Parents and authorities suspected that the lyrics were obscene, which led to an FBI investigation. The investigation turned up nothing concrete, but by then, the song already enjoyed the best possible reputation among teenagers: adults hated it.

The Sex Pistols released “God Save the Queen” in 1977, just as Britain was celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s Silver Jubilee. The song was deemed so distasteful that the BBC banned it. This reaction only served to boost the single’s appeal among punk fans, who were actively rebelling against the class systems of the time.

“Relax” was already beginning to climb the charts in early 1984 when BBC Radio 1 pulled it from the airwaves due to its sexual content. That ban didn’t slow down the Liverpool band. It gave the song a whole new reason to exist, especially in clubs, where Holly Johnson’s vocals and Trevor Horn’s production seemed even more striking once the track had been deemed too risqué.

After September 11, “Imagine” appeared on an informal list of songs deemed too sensitive for the time. Concerns centered mainly on Lennon’s blunt lyrics about countries, religion, and peace. Of course, that didn’t stop the song from reaching the height of its popularity.

In 1970, “Lola” was provocative enough to make many broadcasters uncomfortable, but the problem with the BBC was the words “Coca-Cola.” Ray Davies had to rush back from a leg of his U.S. tour to re-record that line, replacing it with “cherry cola.” Despite this change, the song still went on to become one of the Kinks’ biggest hits.

"Brown Eyed Girl" seems completely harmless today—the kind of song you hear at barbecues, weddings, or in supermarkets. In 1967, some radio stations had expressed reservations about the line “making love on the green grass.” While a toned-down version, adapted for a family audience, helped increase its airplay, it’s still the original version that has stuck in people’s memories.

Loretta Lynn’s song "The Pill" was released in 1975 and addressed a topic that country radio stations weren’t exactly eager to tackle: contraception. Some stations refused to play it, and Lynn faced harsh criticism because of the song’s subject matter.

N.W.A.’s song “F*** Tha Police” was released in Los Angeles in the late 1980s, fueled by a rage that refused to be tempered. The FBI sent a letter to the group’s record label objecting to the song’s message, which only served to reinforce its reputation.

Body Count’s song “Cop Killer” sparked a national controversy in 1992, drawing in police associations, politicians, and business leaders. Ice-T subsequently removed the track from subsequent editions of the album, but the debate continued to rage. The song then ceased to be merely a controversy and became a muddled public dispute centered on anger, art, and the question of who is entitled to the protection of free speech.

In 1988, Neil Young sought support from private sponsors, which led MTV to reject his music video. The video mocked advertising, influencer marketing, and the transformation of music into a mere sales tool. MTV later awarded him the “Video of the Year” prize, which must have made the on-stage presentation extremely awkward for everyone involved.

Lady Gaga’s song “LoveGame” was released in 2009 with a chorus centered around the phrase “disco stick,” the meaning of which… we don’t think we need to explain to you. Some radio stations and TV networks deemed the song or the music video too suggestive. This criticism only served to reinforce the public image Gaga was cultivating in her early days: a New York party girl, pop star, theater enthusiast, and professional troublemaker.

The Doors ran into trouble with “Light My Fire” during their appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967. The producers wanted Jim Morrison to change a line they interpreted as a reference to drugs, and Morrison agreed—only to perform it on air in its original version. The band was never invited back after that incident.

Initially, the BBC had refused to play The Who’s 1965 single “My Generation” because of Roger Daltrey’s stutter. It feared that this might offend listeners who stuttered. Ultimately, that decision was reversed.

Olivia Newton-John’s song “Physical” marked a radical departure from the sweet image that many listeners still associated with her. Some radio stations refused to play the single, deeming the lyrics too suggestive for their taste. This controversy didn’t really hurt the song. On the contrary, it propelled it to the status of a pop classic.

"Monster Mash" was banned by the BBC in the 1960s because it was deemed too morbid—as unbelievable as that may seem. It was a humorous Halloween record, featuring a Boris Karloff-style voice and kitschy sound effects.

In 2011, MTV and BET censored the music video for “Red Nation” because of images referencing gangs. The Game then turned to online streaming, allowing his fans to watch it outside of traditional television channels.

When it was released in 1972, “Rocky Mountain High” was mistakenly interpreted by some radio programmers as a song about drugs. Denver explained that it was about the peace and fascination he felt in Colorado, particularly in the Aspen area and the Rocky Mountains. Over time, this misunderstanding faded or simply lost its significance.

In 1969, the song “Je t’aime… Moi non plus” by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin made broadcasters uncomfortable because of its breathless and intimate tone. The BBC’s ban only served to pique the public’s curiosity. It still climbed to number one on the British charts, proving that listeners didn’t need a French dictionary to understand why everyone was blushing.

In 1967, the BBC banned the broadcast of “A Day in the Life,” fearing that the song alluded to drug use. This ban further cemented their reputation, even as the Beatles were already at the center of pop culture.

Paul and Linda McCartney wrote “Give Ireland Back to the Irish” in 1972, following “Bloody Sunday” in Derry, Northern Ireland. The BBC, ITV, and Radio Luxembourg banned the song from the airwaves, deeming it too politically charged. For the band Wings, which was still trying to step out of the shadow of the Beatles, this controversy gave their first single a level of public exposure it might not otherwise have had.