Keep It Down, Please! A Shortlist of Banned Protest Songs
Cancel culture in music is an American tradition that predates the current variant
Freedom is fleeting. Especially if you disagree with mainstream messaging.
Sometimes song topics are too hot to handle for the chattering classes that prefer the status quo that keeps them in power. Upstarts are not always welcomed due to their rude commentary.
The music industry is notorious for following convention and oppressing it’s own creators when kowtowing to the social moralists.
Protest songs go against the grain for a reason. And they are usually ahead of the pack, which disturbs and disrupts the comfortable culturati. Thus, banning songs is deemed appropriate to avoid tearing up the entrenched social fabric.
Let’s unpack a few songs from America’s past to see how this all plays out.
A Smattering of Banned Protest Songs
There is no discrimination among banned songs: every genre is subject to censorship.
Lyrics and imagery are powerful tools. Coupled with musical energy, certain songs can either throw an issue in your face or subvert your mind to rethink it. Both methods act as change agents.
The following protest songs were banned in the USA. Let’s dive into the lyrics, the attitudes and the outcomes:
Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday (1939) - This evocative blues-jazz song, which describes the lynching of black Americans in the South, was initially banned by some radio stations due to its graphic and disturbing content.
This song is still hard to listen to due to its harsh realism. Imagine how communities felt 80 years ago when the “strange fruit” was fresh. No wonder the record company tried to stop Holiday from recording it. But when truth prevails, we are enlightened.
Southern trees bear strange fruit
Blood on the leaves and blood at the root
Black bodies swinging in the southern breeze
Strange fruit hanging from the poplar trees
Okie from Muskogee by Merle Haggard (1969) - This somewhat mainstream country song was banned by some radio stations due to its conservative and anti-hippie lyrics. It was a reaction to the counterculture movement of the time that denigrated the flag protested against the Vietnam War. It’s simple and direct message was criticized by some for its narrow-mindedness.
[By the way an Okie is a term to describe someone from the state of Oklahoma. Muskogee is a small town in Oklahoma.]
We don't smoke marijuana in Muskogee
We don't take our trips on LSD
We don't burn our draft cards down on Main Street
We like livin' right, and bein' free
Killing in the Name by Rage Against the Machine (1992) - This alt rock or metal rap style song, which features profanity and calls for political action against police brutality, was banned by some radio stations. It’s a anthemic tour-de-force that pulls no punches and makes no excuses for its anger.
Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
Those who died are justified, for wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
You justify those that died by wearing the badge, they're the chosen whites
Cop Killer by Ice-T and Body Count (1992)- This metal rap song was banned by radio stations and department stores due to its violent lyrics and anti-police message. It is a brutal expose of the hatred exemplified by the victims of a sadistic police state. In the aftermath of the Rodney King beating in Los Angeles, this song caused a major uproar due to its social significance.
President George H.W. Bush spoke out against the song’s harsh lyrics and police associations tried to shut down sales of the album. Ice-T made the decision to re-release the album minus the controversial song, which was then distributed as a free single.
I'm a cop killer, better you than me
Cop killer, fuck police brutality
Cop killer, I know your family's grieving (fuck 'em)
Cop killer, but tonight we get even, haha
A Coda
In the modern era, banning songs is not as efficient. Today we ban people, we ban the platform, we ban the entire portfolio. Cancel culture is stronger than ever and social media is a potent catalyst.
Artists and content creators are always on the edge of cancellation for opinions that go against the established narrative. Though enshrined in the Constitution of the United States, free speech is a constant struggle.
The purveyors of social morality and public safety require scrutiny. Every political party, elected government and oppressed group determines their own set of values.
If we ever stop banning songs or artists, then we know the bastards have won.
==================================
If you like the songs and/or essays, please help me distribute them by sharing and following me on Twitter, Substack and Instagram. I appreciate your time and support in this endeavor.
For more content, listen to Succinct Shots here and check out my original songs.