I believe you are right about how a song gets 'banned' on the radio--a station manager simply issues orders to his staff not to play it. Of course, thisban applies only to that station.

I recall back in the mid 1950s, just before the onset of rock & roll -- we were still scratching our heads over a novelty number called "Blue Suede Shoes" by Carl Perkins -- the first time a heard of a song being 'banned.'

I was listening to WNEW in New York. The morning man was a very witty fellow named Gene Klavan, who was still doing the show into the 1980's (at a salary of $250,000/yr). He reported that rival WNBC had banned a song called "Transfusion" by Nervous Norvus. After a few wry comments, naturally he played the song.

Maybe WNEW then also banned this song on the spot, I dunno, for it was the only time, I believe, that I ever heard "Transfusion" played on the radio. But thanks to the magic of the Internet, I have found a copy of the lyrics, which I now present. The song is sung at a frantic pace with appropriate sound effects.


TRANSFUSION
Nervous Norvus

ZZZZZZOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMM
Tooling down the highway doing 79
I'm a twin-pipe papa and I'm feelin fine
Hey man dig that--was that a red stop sign-

(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)

Transfusion transfusion
I'm just a solid mess of contusions
Never never never gonna speed again
Slip the blood to me Bud

I jump in my rod about a quarter to nine
I gotta make a date with that chick of mine
I cross the center line--man you gotta make time-

(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)

Transfusion transfusion
Oh man I got the cotton-pickin convolutions
Never never never gonna speed again
Shoot the juice to me Bruce

My foot's on the throttle and it's made of lead
But I'm a fast-riding daddy with a real cool head
I'm a-gonna pass a truck on the hill ahead-

(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)

Transfusion transfusion
My red corpsuckles (sic) are in mass confusion
Never never never gonna speed again
Pass the crimson to me Jimson

I took a little drink and I'm feelin right
I can fly right over everything--everything in sight
There's a slow-poking cat I'm gonna pass him on the right-

(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)

Transfusion transfusion
I'm a real gone paleface and that's no illusion
I'm-a never never never gonna speed again
Pass the claret to me Barrett

A-rollin down the mountain on a rainy day
Oh when you see me coming better start to pray
I'm a-cuttin up the road and I'm the boss all the way-

(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)

Transfusion transfusion
Oh doc pardon me for this crazy intrusion
I'm never never never gonna speed again
Pump the fluid in me Louie

I'm burning up the highway early this morn
I'm passing everybody oh nothing but corn
Man outa my way I don't drive with my horn-

(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)

Transfusion transfusion
Oh nurse I'm gonna make a new resolution
I'm never never never gonna speed again
Put a gallon in me Alan

Oh barnyard drivers are found in two classes
Line-crowding hogs and speeding jackasses
So remember to slow down today
Hey daddy-o
Make that type O, huh?
Atta-boy

(scrreeech-BANG!!tinkle)


Out of curiosity, has any Mudcatter ever heard Transfusion before? Where? When?

--SteveF.