I'm With the Banned Trivia Quiz

Answer: Blondie

Owing to the breakout of the Gulf War in 1990, many songs were banned by the BBC for having words such as 'bang' in their titles or lyrics. B A Robertson's 'Bang, Bang', Cher's 'Bang Bang, (My Baby Shot me Down') and even Lulu's Eurovision song, 'Boom Bang-a-Bang', were victims of this.

Unfortunately, Blondie's song did not escape the ears of the Beeb, who banned it for having the title 'Atomic', because bombs can be atomic. The song had nothing to do with bombs.

Answer: Scott Walker

Originally recorded and co-written by the Belgian singer, Jacques Brel, this song was covered by Scott Engel, aka, Scott Walker of the Walker Brothers. Owing to its lyrics' references to the partaking of drugs and homosexuality, ('authentic queers and phony virgins'), the BBC chose to ban it. Consequently; it was not played by them.

Answer: Ricky Valance

Banned for its lewd lyrics, one may wonder. No, this song was banned by the BBC for what they regarded as being 'in bad taste'. Why? It is because it relates the story of a young guy who is killed in a car-race crash whilst he is endeavouring to win money in order to purchase a wedding ring for his future bride, whose name, needless to say, is Laura. The subject of teenage death was deemed too dramatic, according to them.

Answer: Chuck Berry

Chuck had this single of his banned by the BBC in 1955. He sang
'Maybellene, why can't you be true? Oh, Maybellene, why can't you be true?
You done started back doing the things you used to do', whilst pursuing her as she drove around in her Cadillac. According to the British Broadcasting Corporation, these lyrics promoted infidelity. Conversely, they did not, as they actually thoroughly disapproved of it.

Answer: True

Alas, 'tis true. This, her debut single, was recorded by Shirley in 1956 and was indeed banned by the BBC. At only nineteen years old and somewhat naive, she was perplexed by their taking exception to it, and she, therefore, wondered why this occurred.

The BBC, ever-watchful for things that they regarded as being 'not in good taste', banned the song for the sexual content of its lyrics. The title alone 'Burn My Candle', was just taboo they thought, and the lyrics were treated in the same way.

Answer: 1967

From the Beatles album 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', this single was banned by the BBC in 1967 because 'Lucy, Sky and Diamonds' were thought to have been a reference to Lysergic Acid Diethylamine, aka, LSD. Despite John Lennon's insisting that the song was not about the drug, the BBC refused to believe him. Lennon claimed that the song was based upon a drawing that his son, Julian, had done at school.

It remains a subject of debate to this day.

Answer: The Kinks

The British band, the Kinks, recorded the song, 'Lola', in 1970. Lola is a transvestite, who is involved in a relationship with a man. Oddly enough, the BBC did not take umbrage at the gender issue therein. No, it objected to band-member and composer of the song, Ray Davies', usage of the word 'Coca-Cola' in his lyrics. This went against their rules on advertising. Davies then proceeded to replace the offending word with 'Cherry-Cola'.

Answer: John Leyton

This little 'death ditty', these being popular in the late 50s and early 60s, was banned by the BBC in 1961 for what they termed as being 'too morbid'. It recounts the story of a young guy who appears to be haunted by his late girlfriend. It has a somewhat haunting melody and lyrics. Therefore, it was feared that it might be too distressing for sensitive members of the public

Answer: George Formby

George Formby and his ukulele were banned by the BBC when he recorded the song 'With My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock'. Oh dear, the lyrics were not, in their opinion, in good taste. Too many sexual innuendos, they decided upon listening to it. 'With my little stick of Blackpool Rock, along the promenade I stroll.

It may be sticky but I never complain. It's nice to have a nibble at it now and again. In my pocket it got stuck'. Hmmm, sounds innocent to my pure mind. How about yours?

Answer: The Easybeats

The Easybeats, who hailed from Australia, had their song 'Heaven and Hell' banned by the BBC in 1967. The following lyrics were the source of the problem: '(Hell) Is knowing that your face has gone red discovering someone else in your bed.' It made no impression on the charts because of this. It did, however, reach number nine in their native country's charts.