Great Moments in Rock Censorship

[Matinee Idyll]

I'm surprised Divinyls "I Touch Myself" wasn't banned anywhere (I don't think it was)... that too was an ode to female self-stimulation.

This one ain't funny, but in 1983, when Split Enz's "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" single was just taking off in England (stations there played the entire track, with the minute long instrumental 'Pioneer' preceeding it...)  It looked like it was about to hit paydirt and become their biggest selling single when it was banned because the Falklands dispute was going on, and a British ship had been sunk.  So any references to 'Leaky Boats' were no longer acceptable... Banned by the BBC.

Pity they didn't realise the leaky boat was a metaphor for the band.  Poor Tim didn't have a hit in England until "Weather with You" with Crowded House...

What a great thread, been very interesting  guys.

[I. Spaceman]

that too was an ode to female self-stimulation.

WHAT?!!!!! I thought that was about a girl with a rash! Ban it!

[Matinee Idyll]

Haha.

Touche

How you beean Ian? 

[I. Spaceman]

Good, man. How bout you? Missed ya.

[Chris D.]

This one ain't funny, but in 1983, when Split Enz's "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" single was just taking off in England (stations there played the entire track, with the minute long instrumental 'Pioneer' preceeding it...)  It looked like it was about to hit paydirt and become their biggest selling single when it was banned because the Falklands dispute was going on, and a British ship had been sunk.  So any references to 'Leaky Boats' were no longer acceptable... Banned by the BBC.

I think similar happened to Crass.  Which brings to mind...everything they ever did!  Especially "Reality Asylum," which the factory wouldn't even press.

[Matinee Idyll]

Good, man. How bout you? Missed ya.

Fine, fine thanks mate... Y'may not know, but "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" is ACTUALLY a well clouded metaphor for female self-stimulation.

[pavlos brenos]

John Lennon allowed EMI to censor "I Found Out" and "Working Class Hero" from "Plastic Ono Band"...............

[sugarandspice]

What was censored? and does  anyone remeber EMI? by the sex pistols? can bite my dick...
xoxoxo
suga

[pavlos brenos]

The word "c*ck" was censored in most versions of "I Found Out" and the word "fcukin'" (sic, to pass the censors here!) was censored on most versions of "Working Class Hero"..............

[GP1138]

Everytime I hear the censored version of "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison I roll my eyes.

[I. Spaceman]

The word "c*ck" was censored in most versions of "I Found Out" and the word "fcukin'" (sic, to pass the censors here!) was censored on most versions of "Working Class Hero"..............

There has never been a version where those lyrics were censored, besides radio.

[Jeff Mason]

The word "c*ck" was censored in most versions of "I Found Out" and the word "fcukin'" (sic, to pass the censors here!) was censored on most versions of "Working Class Hero"..............

There has never been a version where those lyrics were censored, besides radio.

I was going to say, my copy in 1986 on LP certainly was uncensored, including lyric sheet.

Reminds me of those who thought that Anthology 2 was edited.  The Day in the Life track was edited for radio, and lots of folks thought that meant that the CD itself would get edited.  Which would have cost the track some of its charm.  Not often that you can hear Paul singing over a track with heavy reverb/echo, call out "Oh, merda!"

[pavlos brenos]

Just checked my copy of "Plastic Ono Band" which was pressed in the '70s and an asterisk was used in place of the profane words in the lyrics printed on the inner sleeve................
And yes, the songs were most definitely censored (I've heard the album many dozens of times in the past 25+ years!!!).

[I. Spaceman]

If you can post a sample of a censored version, I'll believe you.

[pavlos brenos]

Not sure that I like my credibility being called into question (and I'm sure that you'd feel the same way!) but you have challenged me to get my turntable set up and I am currently listening to this superb album again. Listening to the absolutely awesome "I Found Out" and yes "c*ck" is absent from the recording as presented on my copy.
"Working Class Hero" is now playing, and you guessed it, "fuckin'" has been edited out for the two times in the song it should have been present.
I have an Australian pressing from the late '70s; our record market is small and the plate used to press the record I have was most likely the original one used  for the first pressings in 1970. We had a conservative government and a conservative society in 1970 (they say that the '60s didn't happen in Oz until the Labor Party (similar to the Democratic Party) came to power in late '71!). Profanity appearing on popular records was frowned upon and the local EMI honchos probably freaked out about it.....................................
At any rate, you won't believe me until you've heard it probably: you suggest a neat way for me to send you a copy (and I'll send some Bee Gees "Birth of Brilliance" cuts that I suspect you haven't heard, as well.....................)

[Jeff Mason]

HOw about this then -- The American and the British versions have never been censored.

[pavlos brenos]

Absolutely true, Jeff. The Oz version of "POB" has a rare longer version of "I Found Out" with a different mix.
Stereo versions of songs like "I Want To Hold Your Hand" and "She's A Woman" were available on locally-compiled greatest hits LPs issued in the mid-60s, strangely enough.

[I. Spaceman]

Not sure that I like my credibility being called into question (and I'm sure that you'd feel the same way!) but you have challenged me to get my turntable set up and I am currently listening to this superb album again. Listening to the absolutely awesome "I Found Out" and yes "c*ck" is absent from the recording as presented on my copy.
"Working Class Hero" is now playing, and you guessed it, "fodain'" has been edited out for the two times in the song it should have been present.
I have an Australian pressing from the late '70s; our record market is small and the plate used to press the record I have was most likely the original one used  for the first pressings in 1970. We had a conservative government and a conservative society in 1970 (they say that the '60s didn't happen in Oz until the Labor Party (similar to the Democratic Party) came to power in late '71!). Profanity appearing on popular records was frowned upon and the local EMI honchos probably freaked out about it.....................................
At any rate, you won't believe me until you've heard it probably: you suggest a neat way for me to send you a copy (and I'll send some Bee Gees "cadela of Brilliance" cuts that I suspect you haven't heard, as well.....................)

Nah, I've had Birth Of Brilliance since 1990. All the original Aussie vinyl of that stuff too.
I admit I was just thinking UK/US. I wasn't thinking rest of the world. Censorship sucks.

[pavlos brenos]

I remember reading many years ago an interview piece with Mick Jagger (can't recall which book, though the interview is early '70s vintage) where  Jagger is cattily expressing surprise at John Lennon allowing himself to be censored; maybe some of the early Capitol (and/or EMI UK-made) pressings of "POB' were censored................
Of course, nowadays, Yoko doesn't mind John being depicted referring to McCartney as a "cnut" (sic) in the "Imagine" film (or the later "Gimme Some Truth" doco where the engineer Phil McDonald was similarly blasted with this term!).............................

So Ian, what did you think of the trax the Bee Gees laid down in Oz? Some very sincerely flattering Beatlesque moments there (alongside and amongst the distinctive and original ones)..................
 

[I. Spaceman]

I think that BG stuff is very wonderful and a crime that it's not considered in their "real" discography, their first UK LP being called First.
It would be like if all the early Beatles LPs were ignored and Revolver was called First.
I love Exit Stage Right.

[pavlos brenos]

The Oz Bee Gees trax are top notch, especially the band cuts. Vince Melouney: top guitarist. He probably had banjo chops like Dr. Winston O'Boogie. We never had the chance to hear Winston strike banjo strings. "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)" would have sounded very different if John played a banjo instead of George playing sitar: bringing it all back home, 4th time around................................

[sugarandspice]

cop killer,
better you than me
cop killer
f*** police brutality
...i want to turn you OOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNnNNNNNNN

[cabinessence]

from the BBC online:

The Rolling Stones agreed to have two songs censored during their half-time performance at the Super Bowl, National Football League officials have said.
The sound was cut when frontman Mick Jagger sang lyrics that were deemed inappropriate for TV audiences.

"We agreed to that plan earlier in the week," NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said. "The Stones were aware of it and were fine with it."

[Maybelline]

BBC radio 1 had kittens over Frankie Goes to Hollywood's Relax... remember hearing the ban was instigated by DJ Mike Read.

Was Turning Japanese by the Vapours ever censored, or were media folk too stupid to realise what it's about? Love that song. 

[theeponymuseudonym]

Howz about this one? oh so liberal Lorne Michael's SNL MANY CENSORS!!!!! in the 90's

INCLUDING cutting both Sinead O CONNORS War live telecast OUT of future reruns AND NIRVAna DOING
mONTEREY-LIKE  DESTRUCTION OF INSTRUMENTS AND THE STAGE ON tERRITORIAL pISSINGS?
AS WELL AS MAN TO MAN FRENCH KISS AT THE CLOSE?

IS THAT MORE OF COURTNEY'S DOING??? I'LL BET SHE DIDN'T CUT HER DOLL pARTS
WHERE HE TOSSED HER AMP??!!!