Sunday, 3 August 2025

Snapshots #407: Fifteen Banned Records

Hello! Thank you for joining me. 

This weekend, we had a list of records that were banned from the radio... for one reason or another...


15. Hello In There old lady.

In the John Prine song Hello In There, the old lady is called Loretta.

Loretta Lynn - The Pill

Banned by a lot of US radio stations because it promoted promiscuity (!)

14. Person Wanted: apply within.

Person Wanted

Not quite sure why this one was banned...

NWA - Fuck Da Police

13. Clio: Papa?

Remember the Renault Clio adverts with Papa and Nicole?

Nicole - A Little Peace

One of many, many songs banned by the BBC during The Gulf War because... well, we wouldn't want anyone singing about peace, now would we? 

12. Six topless fools. (What do you mean there's only four?)

"Six topless" was an anagram.

Sex Pistols - God Save The Queen

Sex Pistols - Anarchy In The UK

By banning these two records, the BBC forced John Lydon into a life of poverty that he was only able to claw his way out of by selling butter.

11. Cyclone, Oblivion, Steel Vengeance.

Three famous roller... coasters.

The Coasters - Charlie Brown

Banned in 1959 because it might encourage little kids to throw "spitballs". 

Setting fire to the auditorium was fine though.

10. Former egg yob goes straight.

"Former egg yob" was an anagram for this famous jockey / singer...

George Formby - With My Little Ukulele In My Hand

George Formby - With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock

Both banned because he was clearly using a euphemism for his penis. 

George Formby - When I'm Cleaning Windows

Also banned, because of some of the things he sees while doing his job.

Naughty, naughty, George - very naughty. To quote another banned record

9. "Right! Well, don't say I haven't warned you! I've laid it on the line for you time and time again! Right! So, this is it! I'm gonna give you a damn good thrashing!"

That, of course, was Basil Fawlty taking his frustrations out on his Austin 1100 Countryman.

Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name

Banned by the BBC because of the repeated line "Fuck you, I won't do what you tell me". Bruno Brookes then "accidentally" played the whole thing on the chart show. And in November 2008, it was "accidentally" played to shoppers in an Asda supermarket in Preston. Asda apologised.

8. Hooligan deflowers Tokyo... that's very disturbed!

"Hooligan deflowers Tokyo" was an anagram.

Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax

Banned by the BBC for its "overtly sexual" lyrics, this became the third biggest selling single of 1984.

7. Quartz has an annoying Paddy.

Paddy is an annoying McGuinness. Flint is a type of quartz.

McGuinness Flint - Let The People Go

Like Paul McCartney's infamous "Give Ireland Back to the Irish", this was banned in 1972 because it referred to the Ulster Crisis in Northern Ireland.

6. Everybody's favourites.

First Choice – Armed and Extremely Dangerous

Another song banned during The Gulf War, along with Sailing by Rod Stewart and In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins. Add your own witty comment here.

5. Atticus's client.

In To Kill A Mockingbird, Atticus is defending Tom Robinson.

Tom Robinson – Glad To Be Gay

What's more shocking, that Tom felt the need to write this protest song in 1978... or that the BBC refused to play it?

4. Bond musician meets Sugartime Sisters.

The Bond composer is John Barry. Sugartime was a hit for The McGuire Sisters.

Barry McGuire - Eve Of Destruction

Another song banned for daring to point out that war is bad, m'kay?

3. Don't wink, Leila... keep it inside!

Twinkle - Terry

Banned because she had an affair and drove her boyfriend to suicide (possibly) in the lyrics.

2. Boots beauty products - made for angels!

Heaven 17 – (We Don't Need This) Fascist Groove Thang

Banned because fascists don't like being called fascists.

1. Whiz kids.


Nope, I'm stumped again.

The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up


Don't worry, you have not been banned from playing Snapshots. You are free to join us again next Saturday.

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