I always had the impression that the British are not as "moralistic" about sex. I have heard many many English "Bawdy house" songs that you simply could not sing here.
Historically, most of your moralistic fanatics, Oliver Cromwell Jonathan Edwards etc, you banished over here so their fanaticism has taken root and is (unfortunately) an integral part of our culture and politics. George Orwell talks about it in his Essay,"England, Your England"
What I am basically trying to say is that many of the Blues artists I was strongly influenced by, Leadbelly, Josh White and Big Bill Broonzy, went to the UK and Europe seeking new audiences They found them and inspired many to play and Lonnie Donegan was one of them. He had a great deal of commercial success - starting what we now call "The Skiffle Movement. Many early "British Invasion artists. - The Beatles, Chad and Jeremy, Peter and Gordon started out as Skiffle Performers.