|
Title: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: analogdemon on January 23, 2006, 11:00:31 AM 1986 - Frank Zappa becomes the only artist in history to ever have a parental advisory given to an instrumental album.
The distributor, Meyer Music Markets, placed a parental advisory sticker on Zappa's 1986 release, "Jazz From Hell" even though the album is entirely instrumental. The decision was made because of one song title, "G-Spot Tornado". Wal Mart and other retailers refuse to sell the album because of the advisory. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Jason on January 26, 2006, 12:41:22 PM Only in the world of Zappa would he be ridiculed for a song title on an instrumental album. The Yellow Shark had a recording of the same track, but that didn't feature a parental advisory sticker.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 26, 2006, 12:45:17 PM Cyndi Lauper's She Bop being one of the 3 songs that created the PMRC is pretty damn hilarious to me.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Aegir on January 26, 2006, 12:47:32 PM Cyndi Lauper's She Bop being one of the 3 songs that created the PMRC is pretty damn hilarious to me. Well, isn't that song about female self-stimulation?Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 26, 2006, 12:49:12 PM Yep, but man, why not sticker every rock record then! Claudine Clark's Party Lights is a song about that, over 20 years earlier.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Jason on January 26, 2006, 12:50:22 PM Why not sticker all of Robert Johnson's material! His blues are DIRTY!
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Aegir on January 26, 2006, 01:05:53 PM Yep, but man, why not sticker every rock record then! Claudine Clark's Party Lights is a song about that, over 20 years earlier. (http://www.cod.edu/People/Faculty/pruter/Horror/clark.JPG)Ewww... Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 26, 2006, 01:09:49 PM Quote Ewww... Why do you say that? Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: donald on January 26, 2006, 01:23:43 PM Mulligan stew for Bloom,
the only Jew in the room Saxon's sick on the holy dregs and their constant getting throw up on his leg. on After Bathing at Baxters, throw is sung as worth Also on Brown Eyed Girl Makin Love in the green grass behind the stadium with you changed to laughin and a-runnin hey hey behind the stadium with you and both versions are played, seemingly at random, on oldies stations today Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 26, 2006, 01:30:42 PM One of the funniest things is on Judy is Disguise by John Fred and his Playboy Band, when he quite clearly sings "strings on my kike", Fred making fun of a song he hated.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: donald on January 26, 2006, 01:50:12 PM strings on my KIKE? Is there some anti semitic reference there? Is John Fred Jewish?
watsup wi dat? Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 26, 2006, 02:11:37 PM No, he's just tryin' to be funny with it. And it works for me. I crack up every time I hear it.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Aegir on January 26, 2006, 02:17:47 PM ...
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: halleluwah on January 26, 2006, 10:18:01 PM The US single version of "Substitute," where they made Pete Townshend change the line "I look all white but my dad was black," has always struck me as being pretty ridiculous.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: cabinessence on January 26, 2006, 10:37:59 PM Did anyone object to "Pictures of Lily"? Don't know the answer, but it's an obvious candidate for a ban.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: koeeoaddi there on January 27, 2006, 01:25:20 AM Almost But Not Quite There by Traffic Jam (who went on to become Status Quo)
this was banned by the BBC, as its about a gentleman leaving a lady almost but not quite there. which seems pretty tame really. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Jeff Mason on January 27, 2006, 04:15:35 AM THe BBC banned Lola -- not for the transvestitism (if it is there -- huge debate) but for using an official brand name. He had to fly back from a tour and re-record "cherry" over "coca".
And they totally missed Apeman -- The lyric sheet saying "foggin up my eyes" but come on! Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Rocker on January 27, 2006, 07:32:10 AM My fav-censorship is Elvis being filmed from the waist up on Sullivan, and therefore transporting his movements into the upper-region (say his arms), like on "Don't be cruel" . That cat is so cool...
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: donald on January 27, 2006, 08:06:02 AM Along the same lines as Elvis' hips, the Stones singing "lets Spend Some Time Together" in place of the original lyrics on Ed Sullivan
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Sheriff John Stone on January 27, 2006, 12:57:49 PM For anyone who was around then - did Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side" survive any radio censorship?
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: the captain on January 27, 2006, 01:05:35 PM For anyone who was around then - did Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side" survive any radio censorship? The common story now (I wasn't alive then) is that most DJs had no idea what it meant, so yes, it was played as-is. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: the captain on January 27, 2006, 01:06:26 PM I believe Zappa's WOIIFTM and Absolutely Free were both censored for (misinterpreted) obscenity.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 27, 2006, 01:07:34 PM The Money one is partucularly hilarious, the line about the waitress with her pad, feeding all the boys at the cafe.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Lester Byrd on January 27, 2006, 02:19:39 PM The First Annual International Rock Awards show, 1989, AKA the "Elvis Awards". (I mean, like, "The envelope please. And the Elvis goes to...") Totally lame-ass show biz award show dripping with fake "rock 'n' roll attitude" emanating from posers who wouldn't know real rock and roll if it bit them on the ass.
So, somehow, on wander the Replacements. They were supposed to do their current single ("I'll Be You"), but they did "Talent Show" instead. Over the opening chords, Paul Westerberg says into the mic, "What the hell are we doing here?" And during a pause in the song, PW just looks incredulously into the camera and says, "the Elvis?!?!". And censorship. The rather innocuous line "Feeling good from the pills we took" got bleeped. So at the end of the song, where on record Paul sings "it's too late to turn back, here we go" over and over, instead he sang "it's too late to take pills, here we go." Over and over. Now that's rock and roll! Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 27, 2006, 03:13:06 PM Tommy said the Elvis comment. Classic, I remember it well.
They also did the classic Saturday Night Live appearance where they sang Bastards Of Young, and Paul looked straight into the camera and mouthed "Motherfuc*er!". Then Bob sang Kiss Me On The Bus for a 2nd song. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Matinee Idyll on January 27, 2006, 03:17:58 PM 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. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 27, 2006, 03:22:21 PM Quote that too was an ode to female self-stimulation. WHAT????!!!!! I thought that was about a girl with a rash! Ban it! Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Matinee Idyll on January 27, 2006, 03:23:29 PM Haha.
Touche ;) How you beean Ian? Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 27, 2006, 03:24:30 PM Good, man. How bout you? Missed ya.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Chris D. on January 27, 2006, 03:24:57 PM Quote 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. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Matinee Idyll on January 27, 2006, 03:52:20 PM 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. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: pavlos brenos on January 27, 2006, 11:46:34 PM John Lennon allowed EMI to censor "I Found Out" and "Working Class Hero" from "Plastic Ono Band"...............
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: sugarandspice on January 28, 2006, 12:26:11 AM What was censored? and does anyone remeber EMI? by the sex pistols??????? can bite my dick...
xoxoxo suga Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: pavlos brenos on January 28, 2006, 02:38:19 AM 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"..............
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: GP1138 on January 28, 2006, 09:06:03 AM Everytime I hear the censored version of "Brown Eyed Girl" by Van Morrison I roll my eyes. ::)
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 28, 2006, 03:48:03 PM 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. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Jeff Mason on January 28, 2006, 08:10:49 PM 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!" Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: pavlos brenos on January 28, 2006, 10:53:54 PM 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!!!). Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 28, 2006, 11:04:09 PM If you can post a sample of a censored version, I'll believe you.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: pavlos brenos on January 28, 2006, 11:45:36 PM 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.....................) Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Jeff Mason on January 29, 2006, 04:33:36 AM HOw about this then -- The American and the British versions have never been censored.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: pavlos brenos on January 29, 2006, 01:08:08 PM 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. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 29, 2006, 01:39:46 PM 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. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: pavlos brenos on January 30, 2006, 03:51:59 AM 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).................. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on January 30, 2006, 09:37:36 AM 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. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: pavlos brenos on January 31, 2006, 01:01:46 AM 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................................
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: sugarandspice on January 31, 2006, 03:55:53 AM cop killer,
better you than me cop killer f*** police brutality ...i want to turn you OOOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNnNNNNNNN Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: cabinessence on February 07, 2006, 11:35:26 AM from the BBC online:
Quote 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." Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Maybelline on February 07, 2006, 11:41:52 AM 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. :) Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: theeponymuseudonym on February 14, 2006, 10:49:49 PM 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??!!! Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on February 15, 2006, 01:02:55 AM Courtney's a nice person. Please refrain from attacking her in my presence. Thank you.
The Pissings was taken out because the show was edited to an hour for cable reruns. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: theeponymuseudonym on February 15, 2006, 09:10:43 AM i'm a Courtney-hater, man sorry.
then leave out "Teen Spirit" hahaha!!!!! what about WAR? from ms. oconnor? Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Maybelline on February 15, 2006, 09:46:27 AM Whaaaaaaaaat? Celebrity Skin and Live Through This are great albums. Always thought they were quite an underrated band.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on February 15, 2006, 12:09:20 PM i'm a Courtney-hater, man sorry. then leave out "Teen Spirit" hahaha!!!!! what about WAR? from ms. oconnor? Well, talk about it someplace else. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: theeponymuseudonym on February 15, 2006, 06:53:15 PM alright, man sorry bout that.
Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: Chris D. on February 15, 2006, 06:56:07 PM Whaaaaaaaaat? Celebrity Skin and Live Through This are great albums. Always thought they were quite an underrated band. Live Through This is very nice. I remember being pleased to by that after my mom was horrified at the cover of Pretty On the Inside. Her description of Olympia is hilarious. Title: Re: Great Moments in Rock Censorship Post by: I. Spaceman on February 16, 2006, 01:39:04 AM Quote I remember being pleased to by that after my mom was horrified at the cover of Pretty On the Inside. That's a beautiful cover!!! |