Pop Songs That Were Banned (and Why)

Wake Up Little Susie was banned in Boston in 1958 for suggesting a teen couple fell asleep together raising concerns about their reputation per Everything Zoomer.

God Only Knows was banned by Southern US stations in 1966 for using God in a pop song seen as blasphemous despite its spiritual intent per Ask.com.

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow was banned by US radio in 1960 for mild sexual references about a one-night stand deemed too risqué per The Things.

Give Ireland Back to the Irish was banned by the BBC in 1972 for its protest against Bloody Sunday and British actions in Ireland per Daily Music Roll.

My Generation was briefly banned by the BBC in 1965 because Roger Daltrey’s deliberate stuttering was seen as insensitive to people who stutter per Mental Floss.

Justify My Love was banned by MTV in 1990 for its sexually explicit video featuring same-sex encounters criticized as hypocritical by Madonna per The Things.

Physical was banned by stations in Utah for suggestive lyrics like let’s get physical and sexual imagery in its gym-themed video per Freedom Forum.

Love to Love You Baby was restricted by the BBC in 1975 for its 22 simulated orgasms deemed too sexual for airplay per The Guardian.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds from Sgt. Pepper’s was banned by the BBC in 1967 for its title allegedly referencing LSD despite John Lennon’s denial per Songfacts.

Relax was banned by BBC Radio 1 in 1984 after DJ Mike Read found its lyrics and marketing homoerotic and sexually explicit boosting its popularity per The Guardian.