3 Songs by The Beatles That Were Banned in the United States

When John Lennon released his song about heroin withdrawal, “Cold Turkey,” in 1969, radio stations refused to play it because of the lyrics and Lennon’s distorted guitar and screams. Years later, the Beatles also faced a new stream of bans. After 9/11, Clear Channel (later iHeartMedia) sent a memo to more than 1,100+ radio stations under its umbrella with a list of more than 160 songs they suggested pulling from the rotation for being “lyrically questionable” or insensitive to the events. On the list were four Beatles songs.

The Beatles’ songs that were temporarily banned in the U.S., or not played as much, followed the September 11 attacks, and included their 1968 White Album track “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da.”

Decades earlier, the band also faced some radio freezes around some of their other songs in the UK.

John Lennon passes his driving test in Weybridge Paul McCartney Ringo Starr and George Harrison are there to congratulate him 15 February 1965 (Photo by Eyles/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)

Shortly after its release, UK radio refused to play “I Am the Walrus” for its sexually suggestive lyrics—Boy, you’ve been a naughty girl, you let your knickers down. In 1967, “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” was banned by the BBC for its alleged references to drugs, and the title spelling out LSD.

The BBC also banned “A Day in the Life” for the lyric I’d love to turn you on and the band’s Abbey Road opener “Come Together” for its mention of the brand Coca-Cola.

Throughout their history, the Beatles had their fair share of bans. Here’s a look at three more of their songs that were banned in America following 9/11.

Source: Tina Benitez-Eves/americansongwriter.com

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