 sj |
||
|
||
banned songs
|
|
|
Subject: banned songs From: rick fielding Date: 05 Jan 99 - 02:31 PM Last week on my radio show "Acoustic Workshop" (in Toronto) I played a song written by the British composer Harvey Andrews called "The Soldier". I've been told by several sources that it was "banned" from BBC airwaves when it first appeared in the seventies. I'm not sure how a song gets "banned". I can only surmise that a (substantial) number of listeners first requested it and then the powers that be said "No way". Does anyone know of songs that have been banned on this side of the pond, and what form it took. Thanks |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Eric Date: 05 Jan 99 - 03:59 PM At a Kingston Trio concert a few years back, they mentioned that one of their songs was banned because they said "don't give a DAMN about the green-back dollar" They had to change it (I think they put a loud guitar chord over the word) before they could get any air-time. After hearing some of the lyrics today, I sort-of wish we were back in those times. E. |
|
Subject: Lyr Add: TRANSFUSION (Nervous Norvus)^^ From: SteveF Date: 05 Jan 99 - 04:01 PM 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. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: catspaw49 Date: 05 Jan 99 - 04:59 PM Oh yeah...I was just a kid when Transfusion was on the air, but like kids before and since we all went around singing along and the tag lines became a part of our everyday vocabulary...It was great...6-9 year olds going around saying, "SHOOT THE JUICE TO ME BRUCE." I remember a few adults making comments about what kids were coming to, etc. This was toward the tail end of the "Beat" generation and looked upon poorly by our midwest parents. Makes me think too that a little while later there was a song by ...damn...don't remember ...called "The Beat Generation" on the flip side of "The Mummy".......remember that one? "I'm a mummy; my daddy was a mummy too. I just came back to life to buy a copy of 'Kookie,Kookie,Lend me your comb'" Had that 45 and Transfusion too. What a long time ago...seems like yesterday. catspaw49 |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: catspaw49 Date: 05 Jan 99 - 05:19 PM Sorry...Hey Steve...Thanks for the lyrics, I'd forgotten most. I still use Shoot the juice to me Bruce and have tried to remember past the first verse several times. The tag lines though...had a quad by-pass a few years back and a young, male nurse was hanging another IV bag when I noticed his name was Allen. He said that we only had a few more of that particlar "elixir" to go and I'd be down to single bags. I said, "Hey, no problem...Pump a Gallon in me Alan." My wife later overheard him telling that to several nurses at the station. 'Course in trying tp tell someone from the other wing, he said I was the long haired "Hippie" looking guy. When Karen told me I cracked up and the next time I saw Allen I tried to get his decades arranged for him. Gotta' go cook some supper so thanks again...I'll be Leavin', See yuh Steven. catspaw49 |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Earl Date: 05 Jan 99 - 05:27 PM I have heard transfusion on the radio but I can't quite rememeber where or when. Possibly WFMU in New Jersey. They have the loosest playlist I have ever heard. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: alison Date: 05 Jan 99 - 06:21 PM Hi, I remember in the 80's when the BBC banned "Relax" by Frankie goes to Holywood. It was banned because the lyrics were suggestive but more-so because of the picture on the cover of the record, (people in bondage gear if I remember rightly.) Did the group no harm at all went straight to number one..... and stayed there for ages. Funny thing is the lyrics were really pretty tame.... certainly not like the stuff that's around now with warning stickers on the CD covers. Slainte alison |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 05 Jan 99 - 06:46 PM Starfucker by the Rolling Stones was also banned from the airwaves, and on the album cover was referred to as Star Star. I seem to recall that Sex And Drugs And Rock and Roll, by Ian Dury and the Blockheads, was also banned by the BBC. I think even the Beatles had songs banned. And of course, years ago "white" stations would never play the "black" version of a song, only the cleaned up and castrated white version. I don't think Joe Turner got too much air time on white stations.:) I used to do a folk and blues show at university years ago, and remember being told not to play a song and then speak badly of it. I broke this rule all the time, because I used to like to play a lame version of a song, and then a good version (IMHO, of course) and then point out what made the lame version lame and the good version good. Since the station brass never listened to folk and blues I usually got away with it. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Sandy Paton Date: 05 Jan 99 - 08:57 PM Interesting thread, Rick. I remember being told, years ago, that "Gloomy Sunday" was banned, but that may have been part of a hype to get it heard. I dunno. I may not be able to tell you about a folk song being banned, but I can tell you about a pair of folk singers being banned. In 1967, as I was busily engaged in helping organize anti-Vietnam War activity in Vermont (where we were living at that time), a friend who worked for the Burlington Free Press (ah, ironic name!) told me that a notice had been placed on the bulletin board at the paper to the effect that there would no further mention of the Patons in that publication. As a result, when some small village church would hire us to do a fund-raiser for their steeple repair, or what have you, the publicity notice they sent to the paper would not appear in print. When they asked why, they got no response. Needless to say, our audiences for such doings dried up and we felt obliged to warn potential concert producers of the problem they would face if they hired us. About that same time, however, we were planning to move down here to the tropics of northwestern Connecticut, so we sort of slid out from under the problem. Naturally, we continued protesting the war in our new location, and acquired some notoriety down here, as well. It was worth it. Sandy, with no regrets. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 05 Jan 99 - 09:08 PM It must surely have been a different Burlington, Vermont in those days. It's counterculturish to a fault, like Ann Arbor, Michigan. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Joe Date: 05 Jan 99 - 09:37 PM Yes! Nervous Norvis recorded the song Transfusion. I believe it was release around 1955 or 1956. I had the record. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Sandy Paton Date: 05 Jan 99 - 09:37 PM I know! Ain't it miraculous? What hath Bernie Sanders wrought? Some day I'll have to tell you about the antics of the "Millard Fillmore Society" up there. Had to do something to lighten up the atmospshere and warm the spirits during those arch-conservative Vermont winters. That's why we moved to the tropics. Sandy |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Roger in Baltimore Date: 05 Jan 99 - 09:45 PM During that brief period when "folk music" appeared on the airwaves, the local AM station in Baltimore, WCAO, banned "The Eve of Destruction." Well, it's not quite a folk song, but don't tell Barry Mc Guire. It was quite common during the '50's for media, TV, radio, newspapers, and magazines to just neglect to report things. It was blatant censorship. If you have a popular music show I think you have the right to choose your play list as long as you are willing to say you do that. If you are "reporting" I think it becomes unethical to censor news, period. Of course, Rock and Roll was going to lead to the sexual undoing of America and so was seen by many as evil. Surprisingly, "they" were right, I think it did assist the sexual undoing of America. The question becomes therefore, "Was that such a bad thing?" Pete Seeger and the Weavers, of course, were "banned' from radio and television for years due to Mc Carthy black listing that was so common. This leads me to comment, Rick Fielding, you must not be an "Old Folker" or "banning" as a concept would not have been so surprising to you. Bans are sometimes the decision of a station manager. Sometimes, it is the decision of a larger group and that decision may be overt or covert. If you only believe what you read in the papers (or see on the TV or hear on the radio), you will find yourself led around like a bull with a ring in its nose. This is why so many in power fear the Internet. Anyone with a PC, a modem, and an Internet connection is a publisher of sorts. And, consequently, all sorts of ideas appear. Roger in Baltimore |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 05 Jan 99 - 10:01 PM Our local newspaper's powers that be posted a memo to its staff dictating that they were not to write any more articles objecting to a downtown development project on the ground of historical preservation. (The reporters told me.) The paper's own building is neighbouring the site and they have development plans of their own. I sent a letter asking them to set out in print their own agenda, and what they figured they would gain by the neighbouring development. The editor replied to me stating that my question was nonsense and they had no agenda to discuss in print. Didn't publish the letter, but responded to me personally, which I found odd, because I have never had an editor respond to me personally no matter what the subject matter of my letter.
|
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Big Mick Date: 05 Jan 99 - 10:06 PM Great thread. I seem to recall that most of the Wolfe Tones music that dealt with the Great Britain's presence in the North was banned. I believe they wrote a song about it that was titled "Radio Toor-I-Li-ay". Seems as if it was on the "Sing out for Ireland" album. I will see if I can dig it up and post the lyrics. All the best, Mick |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Les B Date: 05 Jan 99 - 11:07 PM Seems to me that Pete Seeger's "Knee Deep in the Big Muddy and the Big Fool Says Push On" was banned from TV (as well as Seeger himself) after he sang it on the Smothers Brothers show during the late Viet Nam conflict. I've also been told that the bluegrass song "Gonna Sleep With One Eye Open" (Bill Monroe ?) was banned from radio because of the veiled sexual connotations. Also, wasn't Elvis banned from being shown below the waist as he gyrated on the Ed Sullivan Show ? Wow, am I showing my age with these ? |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Bill D Date: 05 Jan 99 - 11:41 PM "The Wearin'of the Green" was a song 'about' banning...and various aspects of Scots & Irish & Welsh music, language and culture were banned at various times... like Roger says, the internet/WWW is very dangerous to those who would ban that which they do not like!..why I could get on here and type stuff about the..*6^^##",,@@,,***|%&|++...and no one could stop me.
|
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Don Meixner Date: 05 Jan 99 - 11:45 PM In 1967 My friend's mother who was then a member of the John Birch Society got a film strip for Gary and I to watch called Communism, Hypnotism, and The Beatles, and the accompanying paperback, Rhythym, Riots, and Revolution, by Rev. Billy James Hargis. Her intent was well meant but the history contained there in was bogus at best. I learned all about that godless Bob Dylan and those clean cut tools of the devil, The kingston Trio. I remember the mention of the song of the flip of Scott Makenzies San Francisco, Flowers in your hair record. What's The Difference? A song intended to get kids to run away and further ruin the American family. I learned all about those communist agitators, The Weavers and Woody and Pete amd Tom and Phil and Malvina and Joan and Carolyn and and and.... Ofcourse the only success was that I had to know more about these people and what they stood for and against. My world has never been the same since. My late father, bless his eternal soul, said to me. " If you are gonna listen to that stuff, listen to the otherside as well." He liked Paxton's "Don't You Let Nobody Turn You Around." Dad was a Republican all his life but he admired courage of conviction and a well made point. So when we heard Pete Seegar sing "Big Muddy" on the Johnny Cash show Dad said " I expect he is probably right, we'll be lucky to get out of this war with our skins." Dad banned one song in the house. "Who Will Answer" as sung by Ed Ames. Not because he didn't like the lyrics, he just got tired of the song after the 50th time he heard it. Regards Don
|
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: rich r Date: 06 Jan 99 - 12:17 AM Pete Seeger relates that his version of "Waist Deep In The Big Muddy" was actually taped for the Smothers Bros. show, but deleted between taping and air time without telling Pete or the Smothers'. The edit wasn't even very smooth, one moment Pete was standing there with a guitar, the next moment a banjo (or vice vers). The Chad Mitchell Trio had the knack of repeatedly recording songs that the radio stations wouldn't play, beginning with "The John Birch Society" and including "Barry's Boys". Satirical and/or political songs were generally excluded from radio at the time (except maybe "Okie from Muskogee" and God Bless the USA). The Kingston Trio remained popular mostly by avoiding such material except the infamous "d" word. rich r |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Art Thieme Date: 06 Jan 99 - 12:40 AM In 1967 we moved to the coast of Oregon from Chicago. Opened up THE FOLK ART SHOP in the town of Depoe Bay---right on the ocean. Often, when the California Gray Whales were migrating from Alaskan waters to Baja California to have their calves, we'd walk out in front of the shop to watch the whales sound and leap three quarters of the way out of the water---some say to navigate by eyeballing the various headlands. (We'd only leave the shop when no customers were there.) Once, on returning from just being on the sidewalk in front of the shop, I found a magazine open to an article titled COMMUNIST INFLUENCE IN AMERICAN FOLK MUSIC. Names of people whose records were in our bins were highlighted--along with instructions on what could be done to fight the evil being done. There were several threats written in the margins of the article. The next day I put those records and books in a prominent place in our front window along with a sign saying, "To learn more about these fine singers and scholars just come on in & we can talk about 'em!" Nobody ever asked about Jean Ritchie, Sonny & Brownie, Pete, Sam Hinton, Frank Warner, Sandy Paton (his Elektra album), Lightnin' Hopkins, Howling Wolf, Muddy Waters, Wilf Carter--that's all I recall at this late date. During the time we were there, we were lucky if we got half a dozen sales from town people. I guess the banning of songs can take several forms. Art
|
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Gene Date: 06 Jan 99 - 12:55 AM LISTEN to NERVOUS NORVUS's TRANSFUSION - * HERE * |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Joe Offer Date: 06 Jan 99 - 12:57 AM Gee, it's interesting that "Transfusion" came up in this thread. I suppose it was my first "favorite song." The kid across the street had it when I was in about the first grade, and we used to play it over and over again, while reading contraband copies of Mad Magazine. We felt like we were real beatnicks. The flip side was an even more obnoxious gem called "Dig." Dig, dig, dig-a-roonie;I don't think there were any more words - just repeat that verse, over and over again. It was very satisfying to me back in those days. Kids thrive on obnoxious repetition. -Joe Offer- |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Kris Date: 06 Jan 99 - 05:47 AM I remember Transfusion being played on (probably) Radio One in the 70s - probably on that Sunday lunchtime Jimmy Saville slot where he played stuff from specific years and you had to guess who it was, when I was a YOUNG thing. I remember it being our absolute favourite - and I remember mum always made it seem that much better by looking ever so slightly shocked. I have email'd the lyrics to my sister, and no doubt we'll be full of nostalgia for at least a week. Ever grateful. Kris PS. I am horrified by some of the stuff they play on the radio & TV these days. I remember watching a karaoke event at a village fair a few years ago, and feeling really queasy when two little girls (about 7 & 9) got up and gave a word-perfect rendition of 'let's talk about sex baby'. Bring back banning!! (except for stuff I want to hear of course :) ) |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Ritchie Date: 06 Jan 99 - 07:33 AM Paul McCartney ..whoops I mean Sir Paul McCartney, had a single called "Give Ireland back to the Irish" banned not long after he left the Beatles. It was one of those records that always seemed to allude me,it was never played on the radio and was very hard to get a copy of. I spent ages scouring the second hand record shops but to no avail. Sometimes though things are better in your memouries. I'm now trying to 'rack my brain' for other banned songs, that will explain no doubt why there is a large black cloud circling around overhead. love and happiness Ritchie |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: hank Date: 06 Jan 99 - 09:51 AM I think banned songs are like banned books. I took a class in high school where the books were selected from a list of those banned. About half the books on that list were worthless no good %@%&#^$&%^ and @#$^%&^% (multiplied a few times) and not worth the heat you would get from burning the dumb things. Saddly the other half are all tied for positiongs on my top ten books list. (these 20 are number one, these 30 are 2...) Wonderful works like Huckely Berry Finn, the bible, and a few other classics.
I've noticed the same theme in songs. Many are banned for a reason. The purpose of "singing" them was to throw as much worthless profanity into 2 minutes 35 seconds as you can. The other half are wonderful, wonderful songs that have meaning on several level and even if you disagree with the point you know it is wonderful. What I want to know is how can I kill the idiot who bans the latter while keeping the former banned. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: SteveF Date: 06 Jan 99 - 10:04 AM In some cases, local censorship or even public protest can accelerate an artist to fame. In the mid 1950s, perhaps the most widely banned singer was a young southerner with the curious name of Elvis. While I was trying to do some research on the Internet I came across a photograph of Presley in a newspaper office, captioned as follows:
NEWSPAPER VISIT -- Elvis Presley stopped by the offices
I reported earlier that WNBC radio in New York City had banned "Transfusion." (Gene--thanks a heap to the link to the RealAudio file. I had to listen to the song three times before I could do anything else!) Soon after its ruling on "Transfusion," WNBC was banning songs by Elvis Presley. Why? Round up the usual excuses. :-)
A few blocks away, however, arch-rival WCBS decided to engage in a little one-upmanship. At that time newspaper columnist Ed Sullivan hosted the popular "Toast of the Town" television variety program (later re-named the "Ed Sullivan Shoe"), so naturally he simply had to sign Presley for an appearance.
I recall watching Presley's first appearance on national TV. It seemed the entire live audience consisted of adolescent girls who shrieked in unison at regular intervals. (Does anyone know how they co-ordinate so well?) Presley started his number and the cameras varied the close-ups and full length shots. But the moment he started to gyrate, a black band moved up the viewers' screen to block out all the below-the-belt action. The girls went wild!
The next day, all anyone could talk about was the stupidity of WCBS' actions. After all, if 13-year-old girls could see the performance live, how dangerous could it be for the rest of us?
Presley, of course, went on to fame and fortune. Sullivan repeated the coup a few years later with another oddly-named singing group, the Beatles in 1964. There were no blackout-screens that time, but apparently they used the same girls to comprise the audience! |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Benson Date: 06 Jan 99 - 10:14 AM Maybe it's "old age" setting in.....but I wish that things had not gone the way they have. I have heard it said...that with everything gained...there is also a loss....."You gain knowledge...you lose innocense" Is it just me????......In my youth, I was always against censorship.....but now, I am not so sure. Nowadays you can be driving down the road with the kids....or grandchildren......stop at a light...and a car with a "Boomer" pulls up next to you......The Bass hurts your ears.....and the lyrics......as many four letter words as you can think of......You can't get away...you have to hear it you've got no choice.....And the kids gotta hear it too.... In a way, I feel as though I have been deprived of a freedom....and the children verbally assaulted.....Maybe I just don't see things right........who knows??? Maybe there should be a "penalty"........Maybe the "offender" should be strapped into a chair and forced to listen to "Barney" records.......(played on his high output system) |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Big Mick Date: 06 Jan 99 - 10:24 AM Benson You are not advocating censorship, you are advocating for the freedom to hear what you want. There is a decided difference. People should have the right to express themselves artistically in any way they choose. And others should have the right to enjoy any art form they choose. Censorship would be to deny us those rights. But to force people, and their children to be exposed to art forms that one finds offensive is a form of censorship in itself. All the best, Mick |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Art Thieme Date: 06 Jan 99 - 11:04 AM Mick & Benson, Seems that what we're for here is the right to some modicum of privacy for everyone --- the right not to be assaulted by painful and intrusive SOUNDS that violate our personal space. The BOOMING technology of modern sound systems is something that drove a real wedge between my upstairs "neighbors" and myself for 15 years. Then, one fine day, we decided to talk about it and not act as if we had a bee up our butt. All those other years of posturing simply sidappeared. Strangely, the "peace" was attained at that time in life when natural testosterone levels decline. I still hate it when those sounds pull up next to me at a stoplight--or when the guy upstairs pulls into our shared driveway (before he turns off his ignition--all of 20 seconds usually). I feel many of those old feelings. But me and the kid in the car have no way to communicate within that bubble of privacy our cars can become except by giving each other the finger and tooling off. We are one second away from road rage! I always feel lucky when it does not come to that. Art |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Art Thieme Date: 06 Jan 99 - 11:31 AM The jazz classic "Love For Sale" was fine as an instrumentsl, but it was banned from the radio for years whenever it was sung.
Love for sale That's all I remember. Art |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: AndyG Date: 06 Jan 99 - 12:11 PM Day in the Life - Lennon/McCartney Je T'aime (sp?)- can't really remember, don't actually care. Both banned by the beeb (BBC) as I recall. AndyG |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Earl Date: 06 Jan 99 - 12:27 PM I remember buying "Eve of Destruction" primarily because it was banned by the local radio stations. It became a number one hit. The irony is that in those days stations would ban a song even if it would make financial sense to play it. Today they will play anything, regarless of quality or content, as long as they can make a calculated buck. In one sense there is less censorship today but in general there is far less diversity on the radio than there was thirty years ago. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Dr John Date: 06 Jan 99 - 01:22 PM Lord MacCartney of Liverpool (oops I anticipate) 's song about Ireland was played on a BBC program on protest songs a few years ago, in more enlightened times. Naive and poor: not worth listening too. The Beeb was very curious in those far off days. Lonnie Donegan had "Nobody Loves Like An Irishman" banned because he refered to the Koran and the Beeb thought that might offend those of an Islamic persuation. Anticipation of Mr Rushtie perhaps!! L.D. later turning the rollicking "Take a Whiff On Me" into a mild "Have a Drink On Me", perhaps as a result. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Big Mick Date: 06 Jan 99 - 03:24 PM Well Benson, I don't know about you, but I think there was some very good advice from Bro' Art in his posting. I agree, Art, in fact I am very tolerant as I have pretty eclectic taste in music. And the message to talk to one another resonates. But I was responding to the notion that being bothered by such intrusion might somehow, in an attempt to be enlightened, be considered to be censorship. And I don't by into that notion. Of course, when I am sitting on the deck with the lads playing music, and the young neighbors go running for the woods to escape the racket, I suppose that I could be accused of the same thing, eh? ***grin*** All the best, Mick |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: rick fielding Date: 06 Jan 99 - 04:02 PM Geez, thanks for all the feedback on my "banned songs" thread. Where has this list (and all you folks) been all my life? Since a couple of folks have mentioned "Give Ireland back to the Irish", and the recordings of the Wolfe Tones, I thought I'd let you know a little about Harvey Andrews' "The Soldier", which started this. In the late sixties and seventies, he got a lot of airplay on the BBC, so when his song about a British Soldier who fell on a bomb in a Belfast train station, and saved many lives, was never heard on the air he knew it was because of it's content rather than quality. In his last verse he sings about some locals outside the station cheering the British soldiers' death. He tells me that for years afterward he got huge amounts of flack...from English AND Irish people. He told me it was based on a newspaper story. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: catspaw49 Date: 06 Jan 99 - 05:05 PM Hey Benson, Art, Mick...I think you're off onto a slightly different thread...and one that definitely has merit. Maybe need a new thread here. Regarding banned songs...the power of music is amazing isn't it? Censorship has been around a long while, but outside of the initial religious fervor in the U.S., how far back do we go in this country? During the Civil War, "Lorena" was banned by BOTH sides because it adversely affected morale and increased desertions! Got some others? US or anywhere else...I'm interested. catspaw49 |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 06 Jan 99 - 06:41 PM Somewhere, buried away in my parents' house, I have a 45 of Give Ireland Back To The Irish. They certainly played it on the radio over here, because that is where I would have heard it before I went to the five and ten to get the 45. Can't remember what was on the flip side. I always liked Okie From Muskokee, which someone mentioned. Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, George Jones, Faron Young, and such were always popular music on the local radio station. I can never think back to getting a haircut without remembering that kind of music playing in the background, and hearing the men in the barber's chairs complain about The God Damned Yankee Draft Dodgers who were moving up here to spread sedition and put barbers out of business. Stand By Your Man, by Tammy Wynette, was another favourite in the barber shop. Merle sung Okie like he meant it, but today you only hear it sung ironically. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: alison Date: 06 Jan 99 - 06:46 PM Hi, I had forgotten about Je t'aime, until Andy mentioned it again. I've heard it played on the radio over here..... but then that doesn't surprise me....... it's very tame in comparison to a lot of the other stuff. Used to hear it at all the discos though...... always played during the slow section. The most recent one I remember being banned by the BBC was "Mr Blobby"..... because it was stupid!! Not offensive.... just stupid. for those of you who have managed to avoid him (be thankful) . Mr Blobby is a large pink creature with ?purple spots who says nothing apart from "blobby, blobby, blobby." slainte alison |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Tim Jaques tjaques@netcom.ca Date: 06 Jan 99 - 06:53 PM We should start a thread called "Songs We Wish They Had Banned".:) "Disco Duck", "Havin' My Baby", and anything from Saturday Night Fever would be right up there. The 70's were rich with songs that should have been censored. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Mary Ann Date: 06 Jan 99 - 09:04 PM victor Jara's music was banned by the Pinochet regime in Chile, of course. I understand they even banned folk instruments like the Kena (wooden flute) because they represented the Nuevo Cancion, which tended to be anti-running-dog-lackey. And Pete Seeger's appearance on Smothers Brothers actually ENDED the blacklist on him; it was his first appearance on TV, when the Brothers decided to defy the list. It was high time. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: alison Date: 06 Jan 99 - 09:13 PM Hi Tim, you're showing your age. Being a mere youngster, (having just checked out the how old is a mudcatter thread)..... I have to admit I loved the 70's..... was a disco kid..... can't help it anymore than a lot of you can help loving the 50's or 60's. Admittedly the lyrics were garbage....... but the rhythm... those bass lines..... those sparkly platform shoes........ aaaaaaahhhhhhhh. Slainte alison PS we did have songs we would like banned thread... managed to confine it to folk music though...... I'm off to see if I can find it. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: alison Date: 06 Jan 99 - 09:18 PM Hi, OK we didn't exactly ban them but we wanted them ditched... Slainte alison |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Alan of Australia Date: 06 Jan 99 - 09:23 PM G'day, I AGREE WITH TIM about 70s music. Especially after having to listen to the stuff nearly every time Alison gets into my car. There should be a button on car radios which excludes any station which plays 70s music.
Cheers, |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: John Hindsill Date: 06 Jan 99 - 09:27 PM I guess I'm about as old as anyone on this, or any mudcat thread. I remember TRANSFUSION, heard it for several weeks on KFWB & KLAC in Los Angeles, and it went away... probably more from tiresomeness, but banned?...I don't think so, here. Then, almost anything by Hank Ballard as WORK WITH ME ANNIE and ANNIE HAD A BABY was banned except on (as they were then called) race stations, and then usually played only in late night. Also, I remember that Clyde McPhatter's HONEY LOVE was quickly banned as too suggestive--the lyrics as well as the delivery. But, you know, banning never works. Whether songs, prose, politics or whatever, ideas will find their place. |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: alison Date: 06 Jan 99 - 09:34 PM HHHUUUMMMPPPHHH!!!!!!!! that is a downright lie!!! what about all that 50's twaddle I get subjected to??? Eh?? (the folk music is OK though... usually......) I think that if I get subjected to that "stuff" on the way to a gig /folk club/ whatever it's only fair if I enrich alan's limited music experience (of the 70's and 80's) with some gems from my era, on the way back. Slainte alison |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Alan of Australia Date: 06 Jan 99 - 09:45 PM Alison! Words like "twaddle", "enrich", "gem" seem like complete anomolies in the context of your message. My experience of 70s & 80s music WAS limited before you started twiddling my knobs (that didn't come out right....RADIO knobs). I suppose it only seems like most of the time.
Cheers, |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Art Thieme Date: 07 Jan 99 - 12:33 AM Here'a a diatribe/polemic from ol' Art: One song that I've always wished was banned/ditched (but is loved by others) is "Waltzing With Bears" !! That song seemed to bring wimpishness into singing gatherings--a kind of preciousness that smacked of self-help literature instead of __The Grapes Of Wrath__ and Thomas Wolfe (not Tom Wolfe). This is just one person's opinion--not a prescription for anybody else but me. Therefore it's not censorship. I certainly don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings--or exclude anything or anyone, but I don't have to enjoy, or sing along on obvious mediocrity. I say that fully realizing that one man's mediocrity is another man's cumquat; just ask our president! Mick, I love ya, but my liking one kind of music and not liking another kind is not de-facto censorship to me. It's just what is. We've lost the descriptive realism that paints a narrative picture (see "California Joe"), and we have opted, seemingly, for music with a pastel, New Age, cholesterol free and taste free, Muzak feel and sound---and it's accepted as being one of the many channels in the mainstream now. That's sad, but it's also just WHAT IS. I'll live with it, but I don't have to waltz with it. Art |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Zorro Date: 07 Jan 99 - 12:57 AM During the holidays someone sent me e mail with an explanation of the meaning of the "Twelve days of Christmas" It was an example of a "code" song, similar to the code songs the Irish wrote when songs, music and instruments were outlawed by England because their music had the ability to ignite and unite. Code songs were written by early black blues singers, references to the "black snake.." something or other was an allusion to anatomy... I'm going to post the 12 days of Christmas on a new thread for those who would like to see it. I'd not heard the explanation for the song before. Good bad or indifferent, songs will continue to be banned, and folks with continue to sing them. I like what Big Mick said about not censorship but an invasion of privacy. I recall a saying: "Your rights end where mine begin.." The idea being you have a right to listen to your music but not to force it on me.. I'll stop the sermon and look for the 12days.... Zorro |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Barry Finn Date: 07 Jan 99 - 01:28 AM Nice Zorro, I'd like you to tell that to the kid that drives up my street at midnight & his/her base drowns out the sounds inside my house (when I'm sleeping I can't even hear myself snore) & the stuff I have to listen to while in traffic with all the windows up & the heaters & the AC going, talking road rage, I'd like to shoot them. Barry with the boxed in ears. Art, loved your statement on mediocrity, kind of puts Billy Balls in the same position as Tricky Dick. Barry |
|
Subject: RE: banned songs From: Barry Finn Date: 07 Jan 99 - 01:31 AM Nice Zorro, I'd like you to tell that to the kid that drives up my street at midnight & his/her base drowns out the sounds inside my house (when I'm sleeping I can't even hear myself snore) & the stuff I have to listen to while in traffic with all the windows up & the heaters & the AC going, talking road rage, I'd like to shoot them. Barry with the boxed in ears. Art, loved your statement on mediocrity, kind of puts Billy Balls in the same position as Tricky Dick. Barry |
| Share Thread: |