I'm With The Banned, In The Groove

IN THE GROOVE: I’M WITH THE BANNED (November 14, 2023)

Nancy's Notes 🖊️🎶

Since 1934 when the FCC was created, countless recordings have been banned or censored for a variety of reasons, including “provocative or sexually suggestive lyrics, inciting violence or promoting hate and political or religious beliefs and/or associations”.

The ban on most, if not all of these songs has been lifted; however, in some countries, certain types of music are still banned. They are considered illegal and carry severe penalties if the law is broken. Incredible, isn’t it?

Come join me as I reveal some of these controversial songs, why they were banned and the artists who made them (in)famous.

Creep – Radiohead

Last month was the 31st anniversary of the debut single release of “Creep” by the English rock band Radiohead. “Creep” is what I like to call an “angst love song“; it’s about loving someone who you mean absolutely nothing to, being totally ignored and feeling like a creepy weirdo because you just can’t get that person out of your head.

The original lyrics contain the line “so fucking special”. Obviously, that wasn’t going to fly with the censors so a cleaned-up version was recorded for radio with the line “so very special” (which makes me think of Dana Carvey’s “Church Lady” routine on SNL).

I neither like nor dislike Radiohead but this song blew my mind the first time I heard it and I still think it’s a great song. The music is quite sophisticated with unexpected chords and key changes. As far as the lyrics go, I think they’re brilliant and I have no problem with the curse word. I don’t appreciate gratuitously throwing the F Bomb around so often that it loses its “gravitas”; that is doing a great word a grave injustice. That’s not what’s going on with this song. Sometimes this perfect “mother of all curse words” is a must and everything else either falls short or is overkill.

Let’s listen to one of my favorite recordings from the early 90s – Radiohead performing the uncensored version of “Creep”:

🙈 🙉 🙊

Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead! – Ella Fitzgerald

Hold on. Back up.

Am I talking about the 1939 song written by Harold Arlen for The Wizard of Oz? The same song Ella Fitzgerald recorded in 1961?

You bet your sweet Munchkins I am!

If seeing this little ditty on the list of banned songs doesn’t blow your mind, nothing will!

Who would have ever thought “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead” would become a #2 hit on the British charts? Well, that’s exactly what happened in the spring of 2013 — even though the song was banned by the BBC.

Why was this seemingly innocuous song banned, you ask? Well, because of a deliberate campaign in 2013 to boost the song to the top of the charts after the death of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The BBC deemed the song inappropriate because it was “clearly a celebration of death.” And in this case, the BBC was correct!

This is the divine Ella Fitzgerald singing “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead!”

Guess what! We made it through four banned songs since starting up last week and I haven’t heard anyone’s teeth fall out yet! Now honestly, it hasn’t been that bad, has it? 😬

And I’ll let you in on a little secret: today you heard the only curse word you will hear for the remainder of this segment. The songs I have planned for the coming two weeks will stand on their powerful message alone without the need of expletives …. and they are very powerful songs.

It’s my goal here in The Rhythm Section to always entertain and inform …. never to offend. To that end, I hope I was successful in bringing you some good entertainment today.

I’ll be back here in two days for Birthday Thursdays; I hope you’ll stop by to see who we’re celebrating this week.

Till then, be well and stay safe.

See you on the flip side.

I’m The Sicilian Storyteller

NAR © 2023

33 thoughts on “IN THE GROOVE: I’M WITH THE BANNED (November 14, 2023)”

  4. Ok, just something completely off topic, but I’m looking for a song sung by at least two singers which is a conversation. The only song I can think of is Meatloaf and I won’t do that. Any others come to mind?

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  5. I will say again that your Banned series, Nancy, are useful in multiple levels; portraying the absurdity of it all, not the least of them.

    And synchronicity reigns supreme; here is what I was watching ( again) last night

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    2. That’s the word I was searching for .… absurdity …. it really is incredibly absurd, isn’t it? That’s one of the reasons I chose to do this blog. Now I’m thinking I just may have to continue it in my next life. What do you say, Nico?

      Talk about freaking synchronicity …. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve watched this video (not counting today lol)! This whole thing is just fascinating. Can Greg f’ing sing or what? And, BTW, I do believe this is the subway station at or near 14th Street in NYC. Just saying.

      Thanks for your great comments and for sharing this video today.
      Happy Tuesday, Nick!

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    3. That’s fabulous. I couldn’t bring myself to sing in public like that. I’d dissolve into a puddle on the floor, and then someone would probably skid right through me. The guy was very good and knew what he was doing, but I admire the woman for her courage. A woman with courage is unstoppable. ❤️

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    2. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
      Well, sis, it should come as no surprise to you that I am a huge fan of PMJ, in particular this fab young singer named Haley Reinhart and the cool bass player, Casey Abrams, since they first appeared together (and competed against each other) on American Idol back in 2011 ….. before the show went to shit and I stopped watching.😂
      It was a real delight for me about 10 years ago to discover these freaky talented artists performing together again, along with other AI alum …. almost as delightful knowing you dig them as much as I do. Really, it would be so wrong if you didn’t!
      Thanks for this amazing vid! If I should decide to make good on my threat/promise to do a top-notch covers blog, this vintage-style group (along with Puddles Pity Party) will be featured prominently; to exclude PMJ would be a travesty.
      Damn, girl! Thanks for helping me make up my mind! 🥳
      Good morning, sis!

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