5 Iconic Classic Rock Songs That Got Banned On The Radio

Classic rock is packed with legendary songs, but not all of them had an easy ride to fame. Some were banned from the radio—often for reasons that seem pretty ridiculous in hindsight. Let’s take a look at five iconic tracks that stirred up unnecessary drama.

1. “Let’s Spend the Night Together” – The Rolling Stones
Back in 1967, The Rolling Stones ruffled a few feathers with this cheeky tune. The title alone was enough to make conservative listeners clutch their pearls. Today, songs with similar themes are everywhere, but in the ‘60s, this was scandalous stuff. The song was promptly banned from some airwaves, but the Stones didn’t back down. Instead, they kept performing it live, making minor changes to the lyrics with just enough attitude to show they weren’t thrilled about the censorship.

2. “Hi Hi Hi” – Paul McCartney & Wings
Paul McCartney was usually seen as the “nice Beatle,” but his 1973 hit with Wings proved he could stir the pot. The title “Hi Hi Hi” was taken as a clear nod to drug use, and the lyric “get you ready for my polygon” was too much for the BBC, which banned the track almost immediately. McCartney insisted it was all just playful wordplay, but the censors weren’t buying it. Despite the fuss, the song became a favorite among fans—and a reminder that Paul wasn’t always the squeaky-clean Beatle.

3. “God Only Knows” – The Beach Boys
It’s hard to imagine a more beautiful song than “God Only Knows,” but in 1966, some conservative radio stations in the U.S. had a problem with the title. Using the word “God” in a pop song? To some, that was crossing the line. Thankfully, the ban didn’t last long, and the track went on to become one of The Beach Boys’ most beloved hits. Even today, it’s celebrated as one of the greatest love songs ever written.

4. “Jump” – Van Halen
Van Halen’s 1984 anthem “Jump” is a classic hair metal hit with infectious energy. But after the 9/11 attacks, the song took on unintended connotations. The tragic events made the idea of “jumping” too painful, and many stations quietly pulled it from rotation. While the ban wasn’t permanent, it highlighted how even innocent songs can take on new meanings in the wake of cultural shifts.

5. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” – The Beatles
John Lennon swore this dreamy 1967 track wasn’t about LSD, despite the song’s title conveniently matching the drug’s initials. He claimed it was inspired by a drawing his son Julian made, but the BBC wasn’t convinced. They banned the song, citing its psychedelic imagery and assumed drug references. Whether or not the claims were true, the controversy only added to the song’s mystique, making it a favorite for Beatles fans everywhere.

Censorship can’t erase great music. These tracks may have faced bans, but their legacies remain untouchable, proving that sometimes, a little controversy is all it takes to cement a song’s place in rock history.