Ongoing History of New Music: Censorship and Music - Part 1
Podcast Title: Ongoing History of New Music
Host: Alan Cross
Episode: Censorship and Music: Part 1
Release Date: July 23, 2025
Produced By: Curiouscast
Introduction
In the premiere episode of the two-part series on music censorship, Alan Cross delves deep into the multifaceted world of musical suppression. Exploring historical precedents, governmental influences, and corporate interventions, this episode provides a comprehensive overview of why certain songs, bands, and musical styles face censorship. Through engaging narratives and insightful analysis, listeners gain a nuanced understanding of the forces shaping the music industry's landscape.
Historical Overview of Music Censorship
The Devil's Interval: Ancient Beginnings
Alan Cross opens the discussion by tracing the roots of music censorship back to nearly 1700 years ago. He explains how the Young Christian Church deemed the augmented fourth—a tritone interval—as diabolical, believing its dissonant sound was akin to Satan's composition. This led to the Church banning musicians who employed these "evil" chords.
“[...] if Blur were around in 350 AD, Damon Albarn would have no doubt been burned at the stake for writing this song. All because of those few opening chords.” – Alan Cross [04:30]
This early example underscores how musical elements can become targets of moral and religious scrutiny, setting a precedent for future censorship efforts.
Early 20th Century: Racial and Political Suppression
Cross highlights the early 20th century as a pivotal era for music censorship, emphasizing how racial biases played a significant role:
- Radio Discrimination: Numerous radio stations prohibited records by black artists, labeling the music as "subversive."
- Nazi Oppression: The Nazis attempted to eradicate jazz and R&B, deeming them incompatible with the "European concept of music." The 1938 document, Conditions Governing the Grant of Licenses for Dance Music, explicitly targeted African-influenced genres.
“These people were freaks.” – Alan Cross [05:45]
Such actions illustrate how authoritarian regimes leverage cultural gatekeeping to enforce ideological conformity.
The 1938 Top Hatters Case
In 1938, the Top Hatters, a North American government band led by Russian émigré John Savita, released "WPA (Works Progress Administration)." The U.S. Government, suspecting Communist propaganda, banned the song to prevent inciting worker strikes.
“WPA was banned...because it was deemed to incite American workers to strike.” – Alan Cross [06:30]
This case exemplifies how political tensions and fears of subversion can lead to the suppression of artistic expression.
BBC's Censorship Practices
Sexual Content and Explicit Lyrics
The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has long maintained strict criteria for banning songs:
- Sexual Connotations: Songs with explicit sexual themes are often prohibited.
- Political Content: Music with political messages, especially those critical of government or royal institutions, faces intense scrutiny.
- Morbid and Profane Themes: Morbid content, swearing, and even mentions of consumer brands can lead to bans.
“Songs with sexual connotations are in trouble immediately... If it contains swearing, it's up for review.” – Alan Cross [08:15]
Case Study: Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax"
In January 1984, the BBC banned Frankie Goes to Hollywood's "Relax" due to its perceived homoerotic undertones. Despite the ban, the song soared to number one in the UK, demonstrating how censorship can inadvertently amplify a song's popularity.
“One week later, 'Relax' was the number one song in the UK.” – Alan Cross [09:10]
The Sex Pistols' "God Save the Queen"
Another notable example is the Sex Pistols' "God Save the Queen," banned during the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The ban, coupled with limited distribution, propelled the single to legendary status.
“Single sold 150,000 copies in just five days, and the Sex Pistols became a legend.” – Alan Cross [10:20]
Wartime Sensitivities
During periods of conflict, such as the Falklands War and the Gulf War, the BBC heightened its censorship efforts to prevent anti-war sentiments from influencing public opinion.
“The BBC is not alone when it comes to being sensitive about music.” – Alan Cross [10:56]
PMRC and Parental Advisory
Rise of the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC)
In 1985, Tipper Gore and other Washington wives founded the PMRC, aiming to introduce parental advisory ratings for music albums based on explicit content. Their efforts led to widespread implementation of advisory stickers, significantly impacting the music industry's distribution and marketing strategies.
“Now, this created a huge problem... some stores stopped selling stickered albums to people under 18.” – Alan Cross [13:30]
Impact on Record Labels and Retailers
The PMRC's influence forced record labels to produce clean versions of albums to ensure marketability, particularly in major retail chains like Walmart. This led to alterations in album artwork and lyrical adjustments to comply with retail standards.
“Sheryl Crow saw her self-titled 1996 album totally banned by Walmart because one song contained lyrics criticizing the chain's policy towards selling guns.” – Alan Cross [16:05]
Case Study: The Dead Kennedys Trial
Arrest and Charges
In 1986, the Dead Kennedys, a hardcore punk band from San Francisco led by Jello Biafra, faced severe legal challenges when their album Frankenkraust was deemed to contain "harmful matter." This resulted in the arrest of five individuals connected to the album's distribution and production.
“We were all charged by the Los Angeles City Attorney's office with one count each of distributing harmful matter to minors.” – Jello Biafra [25:35]
Court Proceedings
The trial showcased intense legal maneuvering, with the defense targeting the prosecution's evidence and motivations. Despite dropping several charges, the remaining accusations threatened the band's survival.
“The trial ended with the jury deadlocked 7 to 5 in favor of acquittal. The judge dismissed a motion for a retrial and all the charges were dropped.” – Alan Cross [33:34]
Aftermath and Industry Impact
Although the trial concluded without convictions, it effectively bankrupted the Dead Kennedys and set a precedent for future censorship laws targeting the music industry. The case underscored the precarious balance between artistic freedom and societal norms.
Corporate Censorship: Walmart's Dominance
Influence on Album Distribution
As the world's largest retailer, Walmart wields significant power over which albums reach the consumer. Their stringent policies led to the banning of numerous influential albums, compelling artists to alter their work for broader distribution.
“Walmart is the world's largest department store chain and they sell millions upon millions of CDs every year.” – Alan Cross [20:30]
Notable Bans and Their Consequences
- Prodigy's "Fat of the Land": Pulled after initial success due to lyrical content deemed inappropriate.
- White Zombie and Beck: Forced to release special editions with altered artwork.
- Sheryl Crow: Faced significant financial loss when Walmart refused to stock her album over anti-gun sale lyrics.
“Sheryl Crow saw her self-titled 1996 album totally banned by Walmart because one song contained lyrics criticizing the chain's policy towards selling guns.” – Alan Cross [16:05]
Conclusion and Forward Look
Alan Cross concludes the episode by highlighting that while this discussion covers significant ground, the topic of music censorship is vast and ongoing. The next episode promises to explore further instances of censorship, including the struggles of bands like The Smiths, The Cure, XTC, and Marilyn Manson.
“We have to talk about the problems encountered by The Smiths and The Cure and XTC and of course, Marilyn Manson.” – Alan Cross [34:50]
Listeners are encouraged to explore additional resources and episodes available in the Ongoing History of New Music Vault, accessible through various podcast platforms.
Notable Quotes
- Alan Cross: “These people were freaks.” [05:45]
- Alan Cross: “Songs with sexual connotations are in trouble immediately... If it contains swearing, it's up for review.” [08:15]
- Jello Biafra: “We knew we had to fight.” [25:40]
Additional Resources
For those interested in delving deeper into the intersection of music and censorship, the next episode in this series will provide further insights and case studies. Additionally, Alan Cross invites listeners to explore related content such as the "Crime and Mayhem in the Music Industry" podcast for more intriguing narratives.
Connect with Alan Cross:
- Website: alanlancross.ca
- Email: information@ajournalofmusicalthings.com
Note: This summary is based on the transcript provided and does not include advertisements, intros, outros, or non-content sections as per the request.