Songs That Wouldn't Fly Today

“American Pie” by Don McLean:

“And the three men I admire most: The Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost”

Holy shit you can’t say that on the radio … you’ll have the ACLU on you like stink on bear crap … separation of church and State, can’t say that on Federal air waves … buck-o … now go sing about dorking loose women …

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“Cross-eyed Mary” by Jethro Tull …

“Laughing in the playground gets no kicks from little boys; Would rather make it with a letching grey”

Yeah, thirteen year old prostitutes do it on the cheap …

Right. Just like they banned “Jesus Take the Wheel”. Have you ever heard of a pro-religion song being “banned” from US airwaves?

The fuck are you talking about?

When they banned gospel music from the federal airwaves, I said nothing.

When they banned televangelists from the federal AM radio, I said nothing.

??? What the hell are you talking about???
When has a song been banned from the radio because it has religious lyrics???
Just last month while driving across the state while scanning through the radio to listen to local stations I came across 5 different religious stations, 3 of which were playing music.

The ACLU? Really? :dubious:

Do you even understand what the ACLU does?

ACLU DEFENSE OF RELIGIOUS PRACTICE AND EXPRESSION

I have to admit that it took me much, much longer than it should have to realize that “Darktown” in “Darktown Strutters’ Ball” wasn’t just a place name but rather a reference to its inhabitants. Catchy tune, though.

Jesus (:p) I hope that was a whoosh, an ironic comment on a caricature of what is and is not objectionable.

A song like Mustapha would likely be considered very controversial in 2017. More than a few people would be outraged at someone appearing to be casually mocking Islam, what with all the nonsensical quasi-Arabic lyrics interspersed by references to Allah and Mohammad.

Right. There are different kinds of “taboo” in different times in our culture. One contrast is discussed here: Benjamin Bergen on profanity and the brain.

…the part where McWhorter says how he wouldn’t put much energy into correcting his 4-year-old daughter’s occasional passing use of the word “shit,” whereas if she said the n-word, he’d have a serious conversation with her.

I think it is possible that i have previously seen, on the internet, a sentence that is both as poorly constructed and as full of misinformation and ignorance as this one. But not very often. Kudos!

When they banned ads for Gold Bond Medicated Powder from federal AM radio, I said “I remember Paul Harvey doing those. Remember Paul Harvey? That guy was something else, I tell you.”

Today in Hip Hop there is a Holy Trinity of three words: N*****, bitch, and mother f******.

In “Electric Avenue”, Eddy Grant makes a reference to “the dark side of town”. We knew, even then, what he meant.

I remember my best friend’s dad playing “Lookin’ For a Handout” and other songs by Johnny Rebel. These were actually sold in record stores in the 60’s.
Lyrics snippet (should probably have a trigger warning):

*Now my suggestion to their problem of bein’ free
is goin’ back to Africa and be cannibals like they used to be.
And they can spend the rest of their lives
eatin’ each other, throwin’ coconuts, and swingin’ from a tree.

Still lookin’ for a handout
Things are still the same
Still lookin’ for a handout
They outta be ashamed*

Pretty sure this wouldn’t fly today.

Maybe it is the circles I keep, but last Christmas people really turned against “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” due to the rapeyness of the lyrics.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=my+quadroon

I know the Jerry Lee Lewis version: “My Quadroon”

It’s been awhile since there was a cover.

I love the song, but to be honest, I’m not sure how The Crucifucks got away with Hinkley Had a Vision back in the day.

I’m pretty sure AT would release it today, but I can’t imagine the stink it would raise.

Probably by being called The Crucifucks.

It might raise a tiny bit more of a stink because it would become a relatively minor hit for a few million people on YouTube, instead of being a massive hit among both of the people who listened to it back in the day.

You’re right: It wouldn’t be played on mainstream radio. That much hasn’t changed since 1985.

I’ll take “Old songs that were never played on the radio and no one has heard of” for $200, Alex.