# songs that were popular, but today the singer would be arrested **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 18, 2007, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464 "2007-03-18T18:19:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/1 "2007-03-18T18:19:46Z")
yes, times change, and song lyrics reflect that, of course. But usually we think of the changes as showing that our culture has become more permissive, and how songs today would have been censored a couple decades ago. But it’s also true the other way round: Some songs from back then would be totally censored today. Tom Jones–_Delilah_. About a jealous stalker who sees his girlfriend’s shadow thru the curtains kissing another guy, so he proudly stabs her to death. Yeah, that’s a good idea for a song Gary Puckett and the Union Gap-- _Young girl_ Sure,he doesn’t explicitly say that he’s fantasizing about kiddie porn. But he doesn’t deny it , either. Any other examples? ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/2 "2007-03-18T18:28:28Z")
[Does your mother know](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/abba/doesyourmotherknow.html) by Abba: > [@](#): > > You’re so hot, teasing me > So you’re blue but I can’t take a chance on a chick like you > That’s something I couldn’t do > There’s that look in your eyes > I can read in your face that your feelings are driving you wild > Ah, but girl you’re only a child ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/3 "2007-03-18T18:30:05Z")
_You’re Sixteen_ - Ringo Starr ---
**Author:** ![Cheers\_My\_Corn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Cheers\_My\_Corn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheers_My_Corn)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/4 "2007-03-18T18:39:40Z")
Oh please. I’ve heard every one of those songs on the radio within the past year. If anything, radio is even more liberal as far as what does and doesn’t get played. I know of several rap stations in my area that play uncensored versions of songs, complete with the endless bleatings of **THAT** \*\* word, and far as I know, not only has no one complained, but the stations are routinely among the top ranked in the area. ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/5 "2007-03-18T18:40:58Z")
[QUOTE=cochrane] _You’re Sixteen_ - Ringo Starr [/QUOTE] Isn’t 16 the age of consent in England? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/6 "2007-03-18T18:46:08Z")
I don’t think the singer of _Kissing Booth_ would be arrested, but the reaction to the lyrics might be quite different now. It is a song by Bill LaBounty, from my private collection, partial lyrics: Pardon me, Compadre May I have this place in line? You see, the woman I love is standing there Underneath that cardboard sign. That’s saying, Fifty cents a hug at the kissing booth, To buy a little love at the kissing booth. Loan me fifty cents for the kissing booth. … I want a little more, I need a little more, Give me alittle more love… ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/7 "2007-03-18T18:52:43Z")
Maybe these wouldn’t get the singer arrested, but some songs have been shelved because they are politically incorrect. “Please Mr. Custer” - Larry Verne References to redskins, injuns, etc. “Ahab the Arab” - Ray Stevens The title itself shows the incorrect (some would say offensive) pronunciation of “Arab”. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/8 "2007-03-18T18:56:07Z")
[QUOTE=chappachula] Tom Jones–_Delilah_. About a jealous stalker who sees his girlfriend’s shadow thru the curtains kissing another guy, so he proudly stabs her to death. Yeah, that’s a good idea for a song [/QUOTE] I presume you’ve never heard [Murder Ballads](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_Ballads). ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/9 "2007-03-18T19:00:23Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaMan] I presume you’ve never heard [Murder Ballads](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_Ballads). [/QUOTE] Yeah, who will ever forget Nick Cave gently crooning to Kylie Minogue his desire to batter her to death with a rock live on Top of the Pops. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/10 "2007-03-18T19:02:11Z")
A sweet young thing of 16 thought that she’d step out one night Alone to get the thrills in life she’d missed She met a youth, a bit uncouth, although he seemed all right She’d known him but a moment when they kissed When she came home next day with swollen head And her girlfriend asked “did you have fun?” she said: (several stanzas of what would amount to date rape today, excised here for copyright reasons) Am I glad? Holy gee Have I had? You’re tellin’ me Was I drunk? Was he handsome? And did my ma give me hell? ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/11 "2007-03-18T19:09:38Z")
What makes you think that singers today have any more restrictions on them than they did “back then”? I take it you have never picked up a hip-hop album. For example, Eminem had a small hit a few years back called “Stan” about an obsessive fan who eventually kills himself and his girlfriend. Even had Dido and Elton John singing on various versions of it. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/12 "2007-03-18T19:14:32Z")
[QUOTE=wolf\_meister] Maybe these wouldn’t get the singer arrested, but some songs have been shelved because they are politically incorrect. “Please Mr. Custer” - Larry Verne References to redskins, injuns, etc. “Ahab the Arab” - Ray Stevens The title itself shows the incorrect (some would say offensive) pronunciation of “Arab”. [/QUOTE] Along the same lines, The Cure’s [Killing an Arab](http://www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/Killing-an-Arab-lyrics-The-Cure/A5D795BA89619B5248256BC10023E4A5) will probibly never get airplay again. Sgt Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/13 "2007-03-18T19:35:32Z")
Chinks do it Japs do it Up in Lappland even Lapps do it Let’s do it Let’s fall in love -Cole Porter, 1928 ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/14 "2007-03-18T20:17:50Z")
[QUOTE=Sgt Schwartz] Along the same lines, The Cure’s [Killing an Arab](http://www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/Killing-an-Arab-lyrics-The-Cure/A5D795BA89619B5248256BC10023E4A5) will probibly never get airplay again. Sgt Schwartz [/QUOTE] I wrote a story some time around 2003-2004 where Toby Keith had a big hit covering that one. One of The Cure’s better songs. ---
**Author:** ![Fionn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Fionn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fionn)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/15 "2007-03-18T20:24:18Z")
[QUOTE=Sgt Schwartz] Along the same lines, The Cure’s [Killing an Arab](http://www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/Killing-an-Arab-lyrics-The-Cure/A5D795BA89619B5248256BC10023E4A5) will probibly never get airplay again. Sgt Schwartz [/QUOTE] Did it get a lot of airplay when it was released? I was too young to be aware of any controversy about it. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/16 "2007-03-18T20:25:04Z")
[QUOTE=Sgt Schwartz] Along the same lines, The Cure’s [Killing an Arab](http://www.sing365.com/music/Lyric.nsf/Killing-an-Arab-lyrics-The-Cure/A5D795BA89619B5248256BC10023E4A5) will probibly never get airplay again. [/QUOTE] That song’s not a paean to casual racist murder; it’s about Albert Camus’ _L’Etranger_. ---
**Author:** ![SSG\_Schwartz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SSG\_Schwartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SSG_Schwartz)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/17 "2007-03-18T20:28:18Z")
[QUOTE=Fionn] Did it get a lot of airplay when it was released? I was too young to be aware of any controversy about it. [/QUOTE] I worked for a college radio station when it came out, and it was getting pretty popular. Then came the memo that the song was unplayable. Couple weeks later the new memo came out saying that the song was not racist. That lasted for about a week and then the song was banned for good. Sgt Schwartz ---
**Author:** ![WishIHadACoolName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a587f6/32.png) [@WishIHadACoolName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WishIHadACoolName)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/18 "2007-03-18T22:43:49Z")
I can’t believe I’m the first on this one. Maybe Mick wouldn’t have gotten arrested, but he certainly would get his clock cleaned had Brown Sugar been listened to a little more closely. Gold Coast slaveship bound for cotton fields Sold in the market down in New Orleans Scarred old slaver knows he’s doin’ alright Hear him whip the women just around midnight Then he goes on about how hot it is for white guys to have sex with their black slaves… Geesh, and FTR, I’m a huge Rolling Stones fan. But when I was like, 12, and looked up the lyrics to this one, I was shocked. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/19 "2007-03-18T22:56:39Z")
[QUOTE=msmith537] What makes you think that singers today have any more restrictions on them than they did “back then”? I take it you have never picked up a hip-hop album. For example, Eminem had a small hit a few years back called “Stan” about an obsessive fan who eventually kills himself and his girlfriend. Even had Dido and Elton John singing on various versions of it. [/QUOTE] Not to mention that yucky alternative hit from the 90s with the Joe Walsh guitar lick and the guy who keeps screaming “Do you wanna die?” ---
**Author:** ![Spoke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a88e57/32.png) [@Spoke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoke)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2007, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464/20 "2007-03-18T23:08:06Z")
From [_Santeria_](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/sublime/santeria_20133073.html) by Sublime (1996). _…If I could find that heina and that sancho that she’s found, Well Id pop a cap in sancho and I’d slap her down…_ _…Tell sanchito that if he knows what is good for him he best go run and hide. Daddy’s got a new .45. And I wont think twice to stick that barrel straight down sanchos throat…_ I don’t see how that’s much different from the OP’s example of _Delilah_. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-that-were-popular-but-today-the-singer-would-be-arrested/396464.md?page=2)