List of “songs with questionable lyrics” following the September 11, 2001 attacks – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is a list of songs purportedly deemed inappropriate by Clear Channel following the September 11, 2001 attacks. In the days following the attacks, many television and radio stations altered normal programming in response to the events. During this period, the rumor spread that Clear Channel Communications and its subsidiaries had established a list of “songs with questionable lyrics” that stations may not want to play after the attacks. This list was distributed by the independent newsletter Hits Daily Double, which is not affiliated with Clear Channel.
Snopes did research on the subject and concluded that the list did exist as a suggestion for radio stations, but not a ban on the songs in question.
The list contains 166 songs, including “all songs” by Rage Against the Machine and songs done by multiple artists (for example “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Bob Dylan and the same song by Guns N’ Roses). Interestingly, the cover of “Smooth Criminal” by Alien Ant Farm is on the list despite the fact that the original version, sung by Michael Jackson, is not.
The songs are listed alphabetically by artist. The compiled list had been the subject of much media attention around the time of its release as reported by The Northern Territory News days after the attacks.
This list has been criticized — and its very existence debated — over some of the songs which were placed on the list apparently only because of certain words appearing in the title, or because of content. For example, The Beatles song “A Day in the Life” is on the list, though there is only a car crash mentioned; but the song “I Am The Walrus” is not, even though there is a “stupid, bloody Tuesday” mentioned (September 11, 2001 was a Tuesday). In addition, Weird Al Yankovic’s “Christmas at Ground Zero” does not appear on the list, despite being about apocalyptic events (nuclear bombings) occurring on Christmas. Stations which were not owned by Clear Channel may have created similar lists, thus further confusing the issue. The list has also been criticized for the inclusion of Queen’s “Killer Queen”, and the inclusion of the song “Falling for the First Time” by Barenaked Ladies. The list also does not include “Shattered” by The Rolling Stones even though it includes the line “My Brain’s been battered, splattered all over Manhattan.”