Some album covers didn’t just catch attention, they crossed a line. Whether due to suggestive imagery, controversial symbols, or themes considered too bold for the time, these covers sparked enough public outcry to be pulled from shelves or replaced entirely.
In the golden age of vinyl and beyond, cover art was more than just packaging, it was a statement. But sometimes that statement proved too much for radio stations, retailers, or even governments.
From rock icons to rebellious newcomers, these albums pushed creative limits and paid the price. This gallery looks back at 20 album covers that were banned, censored, or reimagined, all because they challenged what was considered acceptable (or because they took it too far.)
1
Blind Faith - Blind Faith (1969)
Original cover was a naked young girl holding a spaceship. It was banned in the U.S. and replaced with this band photo.
2
The Beatles - Yesterday and Today (1966)
The infamous “Butcher Cover” showed the band with raw meat and baby doll parts. Pulled fast. This is the alternate version.
3
The Rolling Stones - Beggars Banquet (1968)
This cover of a graffiti-covered toilet wall was rejected by label, replaced with a plain invite.
4
Ice-T - Body Count (1992)
Cover with “Cop Killer” written on it and a man with a rifle. Heavily protested, later re-released.
5
David Bowie - Diamond Dogs (1974)
Featured Bowie as half-man, half-dog with visible anatomy. Cropped in later versions to look like this.
6
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
The original pictured a cartoon of Kanye with a naked demon. Banned at major retailers like Walmart. Blurred in alternate covers.
7
Electric Ladyland - Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968 UK)
Featured 19 naked women. Hendrix hated it. Banned in U.S. editions.
8
Nirvana - Nevermind (1991)
The infamous baby swimming naked for a dollar. Still controversial and sued over decades later.
9
Pantera - Far Beyond Driven (1994)
Original showed a drill in other body part. Replaced with a skull.
10
Roxy Music - Country Life (1974)
Featured two lingerie-clad women. Shrink-wrapped or banned in many stores. Released this alternate cover later.
11
Electric Light Orchestra - Out of the Blue (1977)
A spaceship? Not banned, but some conservative groups found it “occult-looking.”
12
Supertramp - Breakfast in America (1979)
A parody of the Statue of Liberty made of diner items, banned in some countries after 9/11.
13
David Bowie - The Man Who Sold the World (1970)
Bowie in a dress? Too much for America at the time. U.S. version had a cartoon cowboy instead.
14
The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers (1971)
Real zipper on the jeans cover? Cool. But it damaged the vinyl inside.
15
Scorpions - Virgin Killer (1976)
Featured a naked young girl. Banned in multiple countries. Later reissued with safer art.
16
The Beatles - Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
The original included controversial figures like Hitler and Gandhi, pulled before mass release.
17
Megadeth - Youthanasia (1994)
Cover art had a grandma hanging babies on a clothesline. Some retailers refused to stock it.
