4 Seemingly Great Classic Songs That Got Banned For Weird Reasons

Not all banned songs are loaded with controversy. Sometimes, it’s not the lyrics or the meaning—it’s just bad timing, weird associations, or overly cautious broadcasters. These four tracks got pulled from the air for reasons that still make people scratch their heads.

1. “Atomic” – Blondie
Blondie’s disco-punk anthem “Atomic” got the axe from BBC radio in the early ’90s. Why? Because of its title. During the Gulf War, the BBC blacklisted songs that had anything to do with conflict, even if it was just in name. “Atomic” isn’t about war at all—it’s a flashy, danceable track—but the word was enough to get it banned from rotation during a tense time overseas.

2. “Come Together” – The Beatles
You might expect this trippy Beatles song to raise eyebrows with its strange lyrics, but that’s not what got it in trouble. “Come Together” was temporarily banned on some stations simply because it mentioned “Coca-Cola.” Yep, free advertising on the airwaves was a big no-no, and that name-drop was enough to get the track pulled from playlists.

3. “Anarchy in the UK” – Sex Pistols
It’s punk. It’s chaotic. It’s “Anarchy in the UK.” So of course, you’d think it was banned for its in-your-face message, right? Not exactly. The Sex Pistols’ behavior offstage caused more issues than their lyrics. After some wild TV appearances that shocked viewers, radio stations decided to avoid anything with their name on it—including this rebellious anthem.

4. “Creep” – Radiohead
Believe it or not, Radiohead’s breakout hit “Creep” was considered too depressing for airplay in the UK. Some broadcasters worried the song’s heavy tone and downcast vibe might be a buzzkill for casual listeners. So instead of embracing its moody brilliance, they benched it—for being a total downer.

Sometimes, the story behind a song getting banned is stranger than the song itself.