# Why do some songs with obscenities get played on the radio while others don't? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 5, 2002, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441 "2002-07-05T02:46:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![WSLer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a6a055/32.png) [@WSLer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WSLer)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 2:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/1 "2002-07-05T02:46:10Z")
For instance, in **Who Are You** , Roger Daltrey **clearly** sings **Who the FUCK are you?** and it’s played on classic rock stations all the time. Also, in Pink Floyd’s \*\*Money[/B, Gilmour sings **Money, it’s a hit. Don’t give me that do goody-good bullshit.** Again, this song is played on classic rock all the fucking time, with obscenities intact. But whenever Pearl Jam’s **Jeremy** is played, they air the version that does not have the word “fuck” in it. What gives? And no, in neither case, can what Daltrey and Gilmour sing be mistaken for anytrhing but the nasties that they are. I’m not in favor of censorship, but rather am wondering if the older songs have some kind of “grandfather clause” or something that exempts them. Anyone have any wisdom out there? ---
**Author:** ![RZA](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/43a26b/32.png) [@RZA](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RZA)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 2:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/2 "2002-07-05T02:57:37Z")
Bah! In both cases the singers were not the REAL talent in the band, that being Pete Townsend and Roger Waters. EAT IT BITCH! EAT MY FUCK! ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/3 "2002-07-05T03:11:23Z")
Also, EMF’s “Unbelievable” had the word fuck in it many many times and it was never edited because no one noticed. ---
**Author:** ![Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/db5fbb/32.png) [@Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fred)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 7:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/4 "2002-07-05T07:54:11Z")
I’ve said this before, and I don’t think anybody corrected me, so here’s my guess, based mostly on things I vaguely remember: Most record companies cut two versions of a single: The album version and the radio edit. This is especially common with modern rap music, in which every other word is a curse. Therefore, all “censorship” in both singles and music videos is done in-house by the recording agencies themselves, rather than by the radio stations. This leads to a rather large disparity in what different songs will blank. For example, the music video edit of Papa Roach’s “Last Resort” blanks the word “Resort”. This is, I believe, a record company decision, rather than the decision of the broadcaster (In my case, Much Music). ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/5 "2002-07-05T14:10:49Z")
Both unedited and “radio-edit” versions of “Who Are You” and “Jeremy” exist. Both were produced in-studio. I personally own both versions of both songs, and have heard both versions of both songs on the radio. Which version gets played on a particular station is up to that station’s management. Their decision will be based partially on their audience. They may even play the edited version at certain times of day and the unedited at others. This is because the FCC does not generally monitor radio broadasts for language, but rather fines stations for obscenity only in response to listener complaints. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/6 "2002-07-05T15:30:32Z")
Every radio station I worked with would “razor blade” lyrics the boss found offensive. However, we would also often let the unedited version of the song play in late night, in a live version of the song, etc. Part of it may be a “grandfather” clause for older, classic songs. But I can assure you from firsthand experience that when Who Are You and Money were first released they were definitely edited. I can also remember edits to Steve Miller’s Jet Airliner, the Eagles Life in the Fast Lane and others. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2002, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/7 "2002-07-05T22:22:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by interface2x \* > \*\*Also, EMF’s “Unbelievable” had the word fuck in it many many times and it was never edited because no one noticed. \*\* I think that this explains a lot of songs…I’ve heard several songs that I’ve been shocked weren’t censored, but I bet people from the FFC don’t pay close attention to lyrics of many songs, particularly the backup vocals. For example, I’ve never heard an edited version of **Re-Aranged** by Limp Biskit, though \* I\* can understand the lyrics at the end quite clearly- which include " you kept fucking with me," but… There are tons of hardcore songs that fly under the radar because the music helps mask the vocals or something along those lines. ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/8 "2002-07-06T00:55:58Z")
The other posts cover different aspects of this issue much better than I could, but locally the situation is the opposite on some of the songs you mentioned. “Money” gets edited by every local station that plays it now. Our classic rock station used to leave “bullshit” uncut; but once they became a Clear Channel station, out it went. “Who Are You?” still gets by uncut though. Our modern rock stations are piped in from Nashville and Birmingham on translators. The original version of “Jeremy” used to get the snip on one station, but they would play an unedited live version at all hours. Now “Jeremy” gets played unedited at all hours of the day regardless of the version. The other station is too new to have ever played the song when it was current; I honestly can’t remember them playing it. But they don’t edit many of the songs they play, so it probably would get a pass. ---
**Author:** ![typhoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ed8c4c/32.png) [@typhoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typhoon)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/9 "2002-07-06T01:24:48Z")
Whenever VH-1 plays Pearl Jam’s Touring Band 2000 video, it keeps the song Lukin ([http://www.theskyiscrape.com/nocode.html#lukin](http://www.theskyiscrape.com/nocode.html#lukin)), but it’s a live version where nobody has any idea what he’s singing. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![PlanMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/2bfe46/32.png) [@PlanMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlanMan)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/10 "2002-07-06T01:38:37Z")
Ah, I was gonna post a question on this, cause I clearly remember the Pink Floyd song “don’t give me any of that bull (silence)…” Same with other “classic rock” when originally on the radio in days gone by, had a bleep or silence, now the “word” is heard. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/11 "2002-07-06T04:14:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by elfkin477 \* > \*\* > I think that this explains a lot of songs…I’ve heard several songs that I’ve been shocked weren’t censored, but I bet people from the FFC don’t pay close attention to lyrics of many songs, particularly the backup vocals. > \*\* The FCC normally does not pay any attention _at all_ unless they receive complaints from listeners. You don’t think they pay people to sit around listening to every new song just in case it might have a naughty word in it, do you? > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by typhoon_ > \*\* > Whenever VH-1 plays Pearl Jam’s Touring Band 2000 video, it keeps the song Lukin ([http://www.theskyiscrape.com/nocode.html#lukin](http://www.theskyiscrape.com/nocode.html#lukin)), but it’s a live version where nobody has any idea what he’s singing. > \*\* I doubt many people would have any idea even if they listened to the studio version! ---
**Author:** ![Mudshark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f04885/32.png) [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/12 "2002-07-06T04:34:10Z")
The classic rock station I listen to is a Clear Channel station, and they pley **Money** with “bullshit” and **Who Are You** with Fuck. They also play **Titties and Beer** by Frank Zappa on Halloween, complete with the words shit, fuck, ass, and bitch. No edits. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/13 "2002-07-06T15:08:44Z")
The weirdest edit i ever heard was in Semi-Charmed life, 3rd eye blind: “Doin’ [blank] will lift you up until you break.” This was weird because i had no idea what the heck they were saying in the first place, i mean why edit out something unintelligible???. It only made a little more sense when i found out that it was “doin crystal meth’ll lift you up until you break” ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/14 "2002-07-06T17:38:39Z")
According to Dave Marsh, in the Book of Rock Lists, the best songs to pass the censor:[ul][li]Blinded by the Light[_]Do Me (Bell Biv Devoe)[_]Don’t Eat the Yellow Snow[_]Feel Like Making Love[_]Gloria[_]Good Golly Miss Molly[_]Great Balls of Fire[_]Hanky Panky[_]Honky Tonk Woman[_]Humpin Around (Bobby Brown)[_]I Shot the Sherrif[_]Imaginary Lover (ARS)[_]Juicy Fruit (Mtume)[_]Little Red Corvette[_]Lola[_]Louis Quatorze (BowWowWow)[_]Love to Love You Baby (Donna Summer) {I still remember my Mom turning the radio off when we were kids when it came on}[_]Me So Horny[_]Miracles (Jefferson Starship)[_]Mr Brownstone[_]Pictures of Lily[_]Shake Rattle & Roll[_]She Bop[_]Too Drunk Too Fuck[_]Walk on the Wild Side[/ul][/li] IMHO, most of those songs don’t even border on risque and I’ve never heard the DK’s Too Drunk…played on the airwaves before. Songs I’ve never heard edited: Money, Locomotive Breath, Who Are You, Not Now John, Jet Airliner, Unbelievable Song’s I’ve never heard unedited on the radio (even college stations): Killing in the Name, Closer ---
**Author:** ![Harvey\_The\_Heavy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Harvey\_The\_Heavy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harvey_The_Heavy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/15 "2002-07-07T02:34:11Z")
I heard the “Fuck You” version of _Killing In The Name Of_ once on the radio. The same station once played the DK’s _Police Truck_ unedited (KROQ in Los Angeles). I heard the edited version of _Who Are You_ in Bakersfield. I guess it depends on the market. ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/16 "2002-07-07T13:52:06Z")
Mom and Dad are more likely to complain, to the station or the FCC, about “Do me on the Teacher’s Desk” by the Pubescent Snail Fuckers than about a classic rock song they know and love. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/17 "2002-07-07T14:22:17Z")
when it first came out on the radio, I heard this radio version of Man in the Box: “I am the man in the box, buried in my _spit_”…:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![kiz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/7feea3/32.png) [@kiz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiz)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2002, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/18 "2002-07-07T16:00:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ludovic \* > \*\*The weirdest edit i ever heard was in Semi-Charmed life, 3rd eye blind: > > “Doin’ [blank] will lift you up until you break.” > > This was weird because i had no idea what the heck they were saying in the first place, i mean why edit out something unintelligible???. It only made a little more sense when i found out that it was “doin crystal meth’ll lift you up until you break” \*\* I know – that version was played here, too, and at first I was like, “WTF?!?” Then it dawned on me that perhaps the Censors That Be didn’t want pre-pubescents asking their parents what crystal meth is…?!? The other “bleep” that drives me nuts is the radio version of Alanis Morrisette’s “You Oughta Know” – “Will she _ **bleep** _ on you in a theatre?” I mean, really…:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2002, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/19 "2002-07-15T09:42:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Ludovic \* > \*\*The weirdest edit i ever heard was in Semi-Charmed life, 3rd eye blind: > > “Doin’ [blank] will lift you up until you break.” > > \*\* The version I’ve heard plays the words “crystal meth” backwards, so they sound like a record scratch. Blink 182’s “What’s My Age Again” (if that’s the title) also has two versions, one with “The state looks down on sodomy” and “And that’s about the time the bitch hung up on me”, the other with euphemisms. The uncut version is played between 10pm and 6am. At least on K-Rock. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2002, 11:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441/20 "2002-07-15T11:02:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by JohnBckWLD \* > **According to Dave Marsh, in the Book of Rock Lists, the best songs to pass the censor: I Shot the Sherrif** What are the bads words in I Shot the Sherrif? > [@](#): > > Me So Horny I actually heard this for the first time on the radio about a week ago (for those of you that don’t know - this song is at least 10 or 12 years old.) They TOTALLY butchered it…“Sittin’ at home _watching Arsenio Hall_…etc.” It was acutally pretty funny. \*\* > [@](#): > > Song’s I’ve never heard unedited on the radio (even college stations): Killing in the Name, Closer \*\* I heard on 106.5 WEND here in Charlotte once…And now here’s Rage’s “Killing In the Name”…[radio guy voice]_From the only station that has the BALLS to play it…_ I don’t know if that was a one shot deal or what but they played the whole song uncut. Also, I’ve never heard Pearl Jam’s Jeremy cut. I always figured they refused to make a cut version but the song was so popular that all the stations played it anyway. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-some-songs-with-obscenities-get-played-on-the-radio-while-others-dont/117441.md?page=2)