Banned Rock Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Kingsman

"Louie Louie" by The Kingsmen was banned in 1963 from several radio stations because some of the lyrics were thought to be obscene. An investigation was even conducted by the FBI. The FBI couldn't detect any obscenities. The original song by Richard Barry and the Pharaohs from 1956 has almost the same lyrics as The Kingsman version. The song has been covered by numerous artists.

Answer: The Beatles

"I am the Walrus" was recorded by The Beatles in 1967. It was banned from many markets because of its over the top lyrics. John Lennon wrote some of the lyrics while on LSD trips. His reason for writing the song was to confuse everyone who was trying to dissect The Beatles songs.

Answer: Rage Against the Machine

"Killing in the Name" was released by Rage Against the Machine in 1992. It was supposedly recorded as a response to the Rodney King beating in 1991. It was banned in many markets because of its anti-police lyrics. It links the police with the Ku Klux Klan.

Answer: The Police

The Police recorded "Roxanne" in 1978. It was banned in several markets because of its explicit lyrics dealing with prostitution made some listeners uncomfortable.

Answer: The Band

"The Weight" was banned by several radio stations because its lyrics were considered by some to be disrespectful to "The Bible". The lyrics tell of a traveler on his way to Nazareth and the various characters he meets there. But the Nazareth in the song is not the Nazareth from "The Bible", it is a town in Pennsylvania, home to Martin Guitars. The Band released this song in 1968.

Answer: Eminem

This controversial song was released by Eminem in 2000. "The Real Slim Shady" was banned because of its explicit lyrics which criticized our culture and society. The song also contained lyrics that marginalized drug use and mental health issues.

Answer: The Rolling Stones

This song's suggestive title and even more suggestive lyrics resulted in it being banned by several radio stations. The Rolling Stones recorded "Let's Spend the Night Together" in 1967. The theme of casual love was considered too risqué for the time. Of course, the banning made the song that much more popular.

Answer: The Temptations

This song was released by The Temptations in 1972. "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" was banned by some radio stations because of its portrayal of a broken family and abandonment, a touchy subject with certain segments of society.

Answer: Vicki Lawrence

In 1972 when this song was released it was banned by some radio stations as being too violent. "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" dealt with murder and revenge and was uncomfortable to many listeners. It did, however, make Vicki Lawrence a star.

Answer: The Beatles

When it was released in 1967 "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" was thought to be about LSD, which resulted in its being banned by numerous radio stations. John Lennon, who wrote the song, said he got his inspiration from a drawing his son did, as well as from "Alice in Wonderland". Lennon's drug use was well-known and the capitalization of each noun in the title does equal LSD.