Music has always been a powerful force, shaping cultures, challenging norms, and sometimes stirring controversy. Over the years, several iconic songs—once adored and played non-stop—have been yanked off the airwaves due to censorship, controversy, or changing societal norms. Whether it’s due to explicit content, political pressure, or unexpected real-world events, these songs have been blacklisted from radio stations worldwide.

Here’s a list of 17 legendary songs you won’t hear on mainstream radio anymore—and the scandalous reasons behind their bans!

“Imagine” – John Lennon and The Plastic Ono Band

This timeless song dreams of a world without borders, war, or division. But its message of “no countries,” “no religion,” and “no heaven” has led to bans in many places, especially in religious and patriotic circles.

Did you know? Yoko Ono inspired the song and wrote most of the lyrics.

Despite the controversy, Imagine remains one of the most powerful anthems for peace. It was banned before the Gulf War and again after 9/11, considered too sensitive for events like graduations and funerals. Originally recorded in 1971 as part of a campaign for world peace, its message reminds us that before peace can happen, we must first imagine it.

Despite criticism from religious conservatives, Imagine remains one of the most famous peace anthems ever written. It was banned before the Gulf War and again after 9/11, considered too controversial for graduations and funerals in both the U.S. and Europe. Recorded in 1971 as part of a peace campaign, the song’s message suggests that imagining a better world is the first step toward creating it.

“Strange Fruit” – Billie Holiday

This haunting song should have been Billie Holiday’s biggest hit, but radio stations refused to play it, and promoters warned her not to sing it. Released in 1939, Strange Fruit was based on a poem condemning racism and the horrors of lynching in the Deep South.

Shockingly, a song protesting such violence faced backlash in the so-called “land of the free.” The FBI even put Holiday on a watch list. The song was banned in South Africa during apartheid, and Columbia Records refused to record it. Thankfully, Holiday found a way—she worked with a smaller, left-leaning label, Commodore Records, to bring the song to life.

Though controversial at the time, Strange Fruit was later recognized for its impact. In 1999, Time magazine named it the “Song of the Century.”

“Take the Power Back” – Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine is no stranger to censorship. Their blend of punk, rap, metal, and hip-hop, combined with Zack de la Rocha’s anti-establishment lyrics, has made them a frequent target.

After 9/11, Clear Channel banned their music, and Saturday Night Live permanently blacklisted them in 1996 after they draped upside-down American flags on their amps while performing Bulls on Parade. In 2009, BBC Radio 5 Live cut off the final refrain of Killing in the Name during a live broadcast, later issuing a public apology.

In 2015, Take the Power Back was censored in the Tucson Unified School District. High school teachers were warned for using the song in a Mexican-American history class, as Arizona law prohibited “ethnic solidarity.”

From radio bans to education censorship, Rage Against the Machine’s music continues to challenge authority—just as they intended.

“Like a Prayer” – Madonna

Madonna has always been a master of controversy, and Like a Prayer was one of her most shocking moments. When the music video premiered on MTV in 1989, it wasn’t just the lyrics that sparked outrage—it was the religious imagery.

The video, featuring burning crosses and Madonna with a Black saint, angered Catholics so much that even Pope John Paul II condemned it. The Vatican called it blasphemous, leading to a boycott of a Pepsi commercial featuring Madonna singing with a church choir. Under pressure, Pepsi pulled the ad—but not before paying her $5 million.

Despite the backlash, the controversy only fueled the song’s success. Decades later, Like a Prayer remains one of Madonna’s most iconic hits.

“God Only Knows” – The Beach Boys

Despite being one of the most beloved love songs of all time, God Only Knows faced resistance in the U.S. When it was released in 1966, some Southern radio stations refused to play it—not because of its lyrics, but simply because it had the word “God” in the title.

As a result, the song stalled at No. 39 on the U.S. charts, overshadowed by its A-side counterpart, Wouldn’t It Be Nice. Meanwhile, in the UK, it soared to No. 2, receiving the recognition it deserved.

Even with the initial controversy, God Only Knows has since been praised as one of the greatest songs ever written—Paul McCartney himself once called it the best song ever made.

“Splish Splash” – Bobby Darin

In 1958, Splish Splash was a catchy, lighthearted pop hit—but even it wasn’t safe from censorship. Some radio stations found the lyrics too suggestive, as they implied the singer was naked in the bathtub. The idea of someone walking into a party wearing only a towel was apparently too much for the era’s gatekeepers.

Despite the mild controversy, Bobby Darin wasn’t held back. The 22-year-old Bronx-born singer became an overnight teen sensation when Splish Splash climbed to No. 3 on the pop charts. Looking back, the uproar seems almost amusing—especially considering what later artists like Lady Gaga would bring to the stage!

“Royals” – Lorde

Of all the reasons a song could be banned, Royals might have the strangest one. Released in 2013, the song became a massive hit—and by the 2014 World Series, it had unofficially turned into an anthem for Kansas City Royals fans.

When the Royals faced off against the San Francisco Giants, die-hard Giants fans weren’t happy about the song’s association with their rivals. In response, Bay Area radio station KFOG banned Royals for the duration of the Series, stating, “No offense, Lorde, but KFOG will be a Royals-free zone.” Other San Francisco stations followed suit.

Despite the temporary ban, the song’s success was unstoppable. Royals remains one of Lorde’s biggest hits, proving that even sports rivalries couldn’t keep it off the air for long.

“In the Air Tonight” – Phil Collins

It’s unclear why In the Air Tonight was banned during the Gulf War and after 9/11, but the haunting breakup song was somehow deemed too sensitive for airplay during those times of conflict.

Oddly enough, while Phil Collins’ song was pulled, Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door—a song often associated with mortality—remained on the air. Some speculate that the lyric “It’s all been a pack of lies” was interpreted as a critique of war efforts.

The censorship, brought to light by the BBC and Clear Channel Communications, remains one of the more puzzling cases of music bans in modern history. Despite this, In the Air Tonight remains an enduring classic, best known for its unforgettable drum break.

“Wake Up Little Susie” – The Everly Brothers

When Wake Up Little Susie hit No. 1 in 1957, it didn’t sit well with everyone. A Boston radio station banned the song, claiming it was too suggestive. The lyrics tell the story of a teenage couple who accidentally fall asleep at a movie and wake up late—implying, according to censors, something inappropriate had happened.

At the time, even the idea of a girl staying out late with her boyfriend was considered too risqué. Yet, despite the ban, the song became a massive hit.

Decades later, the controversy seems almost laughable. Even George W. Bush once told Oprah that Wake Up Little Susie—as performed by Buddy Holly—was his favorite song. Most of The Everly Brothers’ biggest hits, including this one, were written by the legendary songwriting duo Felice and Boudleaux Bryant, who also penned songs for Elvis, Bob Dylan, and Buddy Holly.

“Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow” – The Shirelles

Written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow was first recorded by The Shirelles, making history as the first No. 1 hit by a Black all-girl group.

But not everyone embraced the song. Some U.S. radio stations banned it, believing the lyrics—particularly, “So tell me now, and I won’t ask again, will you still love me tomorrow?”—implied a young woman contemplating her first intimate experience. In 1960, even a subtle suggestion of romance was enough to cause controversy.

Despite the bans, the song became a massive success, topping the U.S. charts and reaching No. 4 in the UK. Over the years, it has been covered by many artists, cementing its place as one of the most iconic love songs in music history.

“I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” – Jimmy Boyd

In 1952, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus became an instant holiday hit, soaring to No. 1 on the Billboard charts. Sung by 13-year-old Jimmy Boyd, the festive tune sold over two million copies that season. But not everyone was in the holiday spirit.

The Catholic Church condemned the song for blending Christmas with romance, and several radio stations banned it, claiming lyrics like “She didn’t see me creep / Down the stairs to have a peep” were inappropriate. The irony? The song was completely innocent—Santa was just Dad in disguise!

Eventually, the bans were lifted, and the song became a beloved Christmas classic. Decades later, it still brings festive cheer—proving that sometimes, even a little holiday humor can cause a stir.

“Louie Louie” – The Kingsmen

Few songs in history have been banned for a more absurd reason than Louie Louie. It all started when a concerned father wrote a letter to Attorney General Robert Kennedy, blaming the song for the country’s “moral decline.” The complaint was enough to trigger an FBI investigation into its supposedly obscene lyrics.

The irony? The FBI never actually figured them out. The lyrics were slurred and nearly impossible to understand, but that didn’t stop wild speculation. Investigators claimed to hear explicit lines like “At night at ten / I lay her again / F** you girl, oh / All the way.”*

In reality, the only actual obscenity in the recording was accidental—about 50 seconds in, the drummer dropped a drumstick and muttered, “F**.”*

Originally written and recorded by Richard Berry in 1957, the calypso-inspired song gained popularity when The Kingsmen covered it after hearing The Wailers’ version on a jukebox. Despite (or perhaps because of) the controversy, Louie Louie became one of the most iconic rock songs of all time.

“If U Seek Amy” – Britney Spears

Britney Spears has never shied away from controversy, and If U Seek Amy is a perfect example. The song cleverly sneaks in an obscenity using wordplay—when sung aloud, “If U Seek Amy” sounds like something much more explicit (F-U-C-K Me).

While some listeners debated whether the double meaning was intentional, the music video made it clear. It starts with a wild party scene before shifting into a polished, “perfect” domestic setting—like a provocative twist on Mrs. Robinson.

The suggestive nature of the lyrics sparked outrage, with parents and media watchdogs calling for a ban. Despite the controversy, the song became a hit, proving once again that Britney Spears knows how to turn shock into success.

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” – The Rolling Stones

When Satisfaction was released in 1965, UK radio banned it, deeming its lyrics too provocative. In the U.S., it spent four weeks at No. 1, though TV performances were censored—Mick Jagger’s gyrations were too much, and lines like “I’m trying to make some girl” were muted.

Critics called the song’s themes “tasteless,” pointing to its anti-establishment lines, but controversy only fueled its success. It hit No. 1 in the UK despite the initial ban, and Rolling Stone later ranked it the second greatest song of all time.

Covered by legends like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, and even Britney Spears, Satisfaction remains one of rock’s most iconic anthems.

“Rolling in the Deep” – Adele

Adele’s powerhouse anthem Rolling in the Deep was too intense for some radio stations—not because of its fiery emotion, but because of one word. The phrase “I’ll lay your sht bare”* was deemed too explicit, leading to censorship. Adele even swapped “sht”* for “stuff” on TV to dodge controversy.

Did it hurt the song’s success? Not at all. Rolling in the Deep exploded, ruling the Billboard Hot 100 for seven straight weeks and proving that nothing— not even a little censorship—could silence Adele’s voice.

“The Real Slim Shady” – Eminem

Even a censored version of The Real Slim Shady was too much for some. In 2000, Colorado Springs radio station KKMG was fined $7,000 for playing a radio edit after a listener complained to the FCC. The reason? “Unmistakable offensive references.”

Despite containing no expletives, the song fell under new FCC guidelines that allowed innuendo to be classified as obscene. While the fine was later overturned, another station in Wisconsin wasn’t as lucky—airing the unedited version cost them a fine they chose to pay rather than fight.

For Eminem, controversy wasn’t a setback—it was fuel. The Real Slim Shady became a cultural phenomenon, proving that censorship only made his music more irresistible.

“Cop Killer” – Body Count

Few songs sparked as much outrage as Cop Killer by Ice-T’s metal band, Body Count. Critics, politicians, and law enforcement groups condemned it, calling for bans and boycotts. But Ice-T stood his ground, stating, “I’ve become the hero of the people, and the more they attack me, the stronger I’ll get.”

However, the backlash grew intense, and Ice-T ultimately decided to remove the song from the album. Looking back, he acknowledged that while free speech allows artists to say what they want, “you have to be prepared for the ramifications of what you say.”

Song fact: Ice-T got the idea for Cop Killer while singing Psycho Killer by Talking Heads—proof that inspiration can come from unexpected places.

“Light My Fire” – The Doors

One word was all it took to get The Doors permanently banned from The Ed Sullivan Show in 1967.

Before the live performance, producers warned the band to change the lyric “girl, we couldn’t get much higher” because it implied drug use. They suggested replacing “higher” with something “more appropriate,” like “better.”

Jim Morrison wasn’t having it. Ignoring the request, he sang the original lyrics live on air. Guitarist Robby Krieger grinned at Morrison’s defiance, but CBS executives weren’t amused. Furious, they told Morrison the band would never be invited back.

His response? “Hey, bro. We just did the Sullivan show.”

“Juicy” – The Notorious B.I.G.

When Juicy plays on the radio today, there’s an awkward silence where Biggie once rapped, “Blow up like the World Trade.” Though the song was released years before 9/11, the line led to post-tragedy censorship.

At the time, The Notorious B.I.G. was referencing the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, not the later attacks. In his lyrics, “blow up” was a metaphor for massive success and wealth.

Tragically, Biggie was killed in 1997 and never saw the controversy unfold. While some now call his words eerie, the censorship of Juicy remains one of hip-hop’s most debated edits.

“Lola” – The Kinks

You’d think a song about an unexpected romantic encounter with a transvestite would be the reason for controversy—but that wasn’t what got Lola banned. Instead, the BBC pulled the song due to its strict rules against product placement.

The issue? The original lyrics mentioned “Coca-Cola.” To get airplay, lead singer Ray Davies had to fly from New York to London just to re-record the line as “cherry cola.”

The song itself was inspired by a real-life incident—when the band’s manager, after a few too many drinks, danced the night away with someone he later realized wasn’t quite who he thought. Despite the censorship, Lola became one of The Kinks’ most famous hits.

“Physical” – Olivia Newton-John

In 1981, at the height of the conservative Reagan Revolution, Olivia Newton-John’s Physical was deemed too risqué for some audiences. Radio stations in Salt Lake City and Provo, Utah, banned the song over the suggestive lyric, “Unless it’s horizontally.”

The controversy didn’t stop there. The music video, released just as MTV launched, featured a playful gym setting but ended with a surprising twist—hinting at a same-sex romance. As a result, MTV shortened it, while some Canadian and British broadcasters banned it entirely.

Despite the backlash, Physical became Newton-John’s biggest hit and even won a Grammy for Video of the Year, proving that controversy often fuels success.

“Greased Lightning” – John Travolta

Despite Grease being a beloved family favorite, Greased Lightning isn’t exactly kid-friendly. Packed with rebellious energy, the song celebrates illegal street racing, flashy car upgrades, and teenage antics.

In John Travolta’s 1978 film version, the word “sht”* was censored on radio play with a bleep. Strangely, the more suggestive lyric, “You are supreme, the chicks’ll cream for Greased Lightning,” remained untouched.

Beyond its risqué lines, the song is basically a high-energy car repair manual, packed with references to overhead lifters, four-barrel quads, dual-muffler twins, and chrome-plated rods. Despite the mild controversy, Greased Lightning remains a cult favorite, proving that a little rebellion never goes out of style.

“Baby, It’s Cold Outside” – Frank Loesser

When Frank Loesser wrote Baby, It’s Cold Outside in 1944 as a playful duet with his wife, it was considered charming and romantic. By 1949, it had won an Oscar for Best Original Song after being featured in Neptune’s Daughter.

But times have changed. In 2018, during the height of the #MeToo movement, the song came under fire for its suggestive lyrics, with critics arguing it implied coercion. As a result, some radio stations pulled it from their playlists, sparking a heated debate over whether it was a harmless classic or an outdated relic.

Despite the controversy, Baby, It’s Cold Outside remains a holiday staple—though now, it’s one of the most debated Christmas songs of all time.

“LoveGame” – Lady Gaga

With its provocative lyrics and infamous “I wanna take a ride on your disco stick” line, LoveGame stirred controversy worldwide. Many countries banned Lady Gaga’s The Fame, and Australia took issue with the song’s suggestive music video.

In the U.S., MTV censored scenes where Gaga appeared nearly nude, while MTV Arabia removed the video entirely. The song’s inspiration? Gaga once revealed it was sparked by her attraction to a stranger in a nightclub.

Despite the bans, LoveGame became a club hit, proving once again that Lady Gaga thrives on pushing boundaries.

*“Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” – The Wizard of Oz

For decades, this lively Wizard of Oz tune was just a whimsical classic—until British politics turned it into a protest anthem.

When former UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher passed away in 2013, her critics launched a campaign to push Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead to No. 1 on the charts. The song soared to No. 2, but BBC Radio 1 stepped in, refusing to air it in full. They called the movement “a celebration of death” and deemed it inappropriate for broadcast.

Though the campaign didn’t quite reach its goal, it remains one of the most unique cases of a song’s unexpected political revival.

“Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison

Released during the Summer of Love in the 1960s, Brown Eyed Girl became an instant hit—but it almost sounded very different. Van Morrison originally titled it “Brown Skinned Girl”, hinting at interracial romance. Given that interracial marriage was still illegal in 17 states at the time, the title was changed, likely to avoid controversy.

Even with the edit, the song still faced censorship. Radio stations objected to the line “making love in the green grass,” forcing some versions to replace it with “laughin’ and a-runnin’” to make it more “appropriate” for airplay.

Despite the changes, Brown Eyed Girl remains one of rock’s greatest classics, proving that even the most innocent love songs weren’t safe from controversy.

“Happiness Is a Warm Gun” – The Beatles

One of The Beatles’ most daring tracks from the White Album, Happiness Is a Warm Gun was an instant favorite among the band—but not with censors.

The BBC immediately banned the song in 1968, citing its “controversial symbolism” and gun-related imagery. In the U.S., many radio stations also refused to play it. The title itself was inspired by an article in The American Rifleman magazine titled “Happiness Is a Warm Gun.” John Lennon found the phrase so absurd that he turned it into a song.

With its dark, shifting melodies and cryptic lyrics, the song remains one of The Beatles’ most intriguing—and most controversial—tracks.

“Puff the Magic Dragon” – Peter, Paul and Mary

In 1970, amid the Nixon administration’s war on drugs, Puff the Magic Dragon found itself in an unexpected controversy. Vice President Spiro Agnew targeted 1960s music that he believed promoted substance abuse, and this innocent folk tune made the list.

Authorities claimed words like “puff” and “papers” were drug references, while “dragon” supposedly symbolized drug use. By December, the Illinois Crime Commission even labeled it a “substance-oriented” song.

Peter Yarrow, one of the song’s writers, firmly denied the allegations, insisting Puff the Magic Dragon was simply about the loss of childhood innocence. Despite the controversy, the song remains a beloved folk classic—though the myth of its hidden meaning still lingers.

“My Generation” – The Who

In the rebellious 1960s, My Generation became an anthem for youth—but not without controversy. The song, featuring Roger Daltrey’s bold declaration that he’d “rather die than grow old”, was seen as an attack on older generations.

Pirate radio stations embraced it, pushing the track to No. 2 on the UK charts, but the BBC wasn’t impressed. They nearly banned the song—not for its message, but for its famous stuttered line: “Why don’t you all f-f-fade away.” Executives feared it was a sneaky way to drop the F-bomb and also claimed it was offensive to people with speech impediments.

Ironically, the stutter wasn’t planned. Daltrey struggled to read Pete Townshend’s lyrics at first, and the band loved the raw energy it created—so they kept it. That happy accident helped make My Generation one of the most iconic rock songs of all time.

“Love to Love You Baby” – Donna Summer

Before disco exploded into the mainstream, it thrived in underground dance clubs—especially in the LGBTQ+ scene. Donna Summer’s Love to Love You Baby was one of the first tracks to bridge that gap, soaring to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1976.

But getting from the clubs to the radio wasn’t easy. The issue? Not the lyrics, but the song’s steamy, very suggestive moans. The BBC quickly banned it, identifying 23 climaxes, while Time magazine called the 17-minute track “a marathon of 22 peaks.”

Rumors swirled that Summer recorded the sensual sounds lying on the floor in a dark studio, leading to even more speculation. When The Guardian asked if she had “touched herself” during recording, she cheekily responded, “Yes, well, actually, I had my hand on my knee.”

Despite—or because of—the controversy, Love to Love You Baby helped define disco’s provocative edge, cementing Donna Summer as the Queen of Disco.

“Atomic” – Blondie

In the early 1990s, during the first Gulf War, the BBC went into full panic mode—banning 67 songs they deemed potentially insensitive to the conflict. Among them? Blondie’s Atomic.

Why? Simply because of the word “atomic.” Never mind that the 1979 track is a love song with no war-related themes. Meanwhile, in the U.S., even Clear Channel Communications—known for its post-9/11 radio blacklist—didn’t bother banning Atomic.

Despite the BBC’s overreaction, Atomic remained one of Blondie’s most iconic hits, proving that sometimes, censorship makes even less sense than the songs it targets.

“Anarchy in the U.K.” – The Sex Pistols

By 1978, the Sex Pistols weren’t just banned—they were blacklisted. Their music was too raw, their message too rebellious, and their antics too outrageous for mainstream media.

Their debut single, Anarchy in the U.K., was a lightning rod for controversy, leading to bans from radio, television, and even live performances. EMI dropped them after they cursed on live TV, while A&M Records signed them—then dropped them six days later. The band’s chaos came to a head in San Francisco, marking the end of their short-lived but explosive career.

Their only studio album, Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols (1977), was delayed for a year due to its violent, anti-government themes. Meanwhile, God Save the Queen was banned from radio but still climbed to No. 2 on the UK charts.

Too hot to handle in Britain, Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious took their punk rebellion to the U.S., cementing the Sex Pistols as icons of anarchy, even in exile.

“Johnny Remember Me” – John Leyton

Released in 1961, Johnny Remember Me was part of the “death ditties” craze—melancholic pop songs about tragic love and loss. But while the genre was wildly popular, it made censors uneasy.

The BBC banned the song, fearing its morbid theme was too much for young listeners. Ironically, that didn’t stop it from becoming a massive hit. Johnny Remember Me soared to No. 1 on the UK singles chart, selling over 500,000 copies.

In the end, the fans won—and the censors lost.

“I Want Your Sex” – George Michael

In 1987, just having the word “sex” in a song title was enough to cause an uproar. George Michael’s I Want Your Sex—the first mainstream pop song to include the word—faced instant bans.

Radio stations in the UK and U.S. refused to play it during the day, and MTV restricted its video to late-night hours, fearing it promoted “problematic themes.” Ironically, the song actually emphasized monogamy, but that didn’t stop the controversy.

Despite the bans, I Want Your Sex became a platinum hit and landed at No. 3 on MTV’s Most Controversial Videos Ever Aired list in 2002—proving that nothing sells quite like scandal.

“Glad to Be Gay” – Tom Robinson Band

Written for a 1976 London Pride parade, Glad to Be Gay was more than just a song—it was a protest. Though homosexuality had been decriminalized in the UK in 1967, discrimination remained rampant, and Tom Robinson used his music to call it out.

Released in 1978 as part of the Rising Free EP, the song directly criticized homophobia, particularly police raids on gay bars. That was too much for mainstream radio—BBC Radio 1 refused to play it on its Top 40 chart. However, legendary DJ John Peel defied the ban and aired it anyway.

Inspired by the Sex Pistols, Glad to Be Gay became more than a punk anthem—it became a lasting symbol of LGBTQ+ activism in the UK.

“I Love a Man in a Uniform” – Gang of Four

Gang of Four’s I Love a Man in a Uniform was a hit in 1982—until the BBC abruptly banned it for an unexpected reason.

The post-punk track, with its satirical take on militarism and attraction, was gaining popularity, especially in LGBTQ+ circles. But just as it climbed the UK charts, the Falklands War broke out. The BBC quickly pulled the song, circulating an internal memo stating: “Do not play this song. This song will no longer be played, period.”

Ironically, I Love a Man in a Uniform was never about war—it was a critique of power and conformity. Yet, for the BBC, timing was everything, and the song became yet another casualty of censorship.

“Burn My Candle” – Shirley Bassey

In the 1950s, if lyrics were even suspected of being inappropriate, censors didn’t hesitate to pull the plug. That’s exactly what happened to Burn My Candle, the 1956 debut single of a then-19-year-old Shirley Bassey.

Written by Ross Parker, the song was filled with suggestive metaphors—too suggestive for the BBC, which quickly banned it. Bassey, still young and unaware of its double meanings, was stunned by the decision.

Despite the minor controversy, Burn My Candle was just a small blip in what would become a legendary career. Bassey went on to be one of Britain’s most iconic vocalists, proving that early censorship couldn’t dim her star power.

“Jackie” – Scott Walker

Released in 1967, Jackie was ahead of its time—and too much for the BBC. The song, originally written by Jacques Brel and translated into English by Scott Walker for his debut solo single, was the first track ever banned from the newly launched BBC Radio 1.

The censorship wasn’t just about the lyric “authentic queers”—the BBC also objected to references to illegal substances and so-called “immoral language.” Despite the ban, Jackie became a cult classic, cementing Walker’s reputation as a bold, unconventional artist.

While the song may have been too risqué for 1960s airwaves, its legacy proves that true artistry can outlive controversy.

“You Don’t Know How It Feels” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Tom Petty’s You Don’t Know How It Feels didn’t escape censorship—radio stations, MTV, and VH1 all edited out certain words, most notably “let’s roll another joint.”

Despite the edits, the song was a hit, earning Best Male Video at the MTV Video Music Awards. Petty, rather than being upset, found the controversy amusing, saying he was “elated” by the ban. The only place it was played uncensored? The Late Show with David Letterman.

Originally released in 1994 on Wildflowers, the song was even banned again during the Heartbreakers’ Lollapalooza performance in 2007. But as with most censorship cases, it only made the track more legendary—just like Tom Petty himself.