From electric guitar riffs to rebellious lyrics, rock music has always had a way of shaking more than just speakers, it shook entire governments.
These weren’t just songs; they were anthems of resistance, chaos, and freedom that threatened the status quo. From War-era crackdowns to bans on “satanic” music, these tracks were blamed for corrupting youth, inciting riots, and even toppling regimes. Some were censored. Others were outlawed completely. But one thing's for sure: if a song scares the people in power, it's probably saying something worth hearing.
Whether it was too loud, too wild, or just too honest, these rock tracks made the establishment sweat and became legends in the process. Ready to hear the songs that made governments nervous? Turn it up. Let’s press play on rebellion.
1
Riders on the Storm: The Doors
Restricted by some stations for being “dark” or “morally questionable.”
2
Imagine: John Lennon
Removed by some U.S. stations after 9/11, accused of being anti‑religion or unpatriotic.
3
War Pigs: Black Sabbath
Banned post‑9/11 in the U.S. by some radio stations / media for references to war/pig etc.
4
Holiday in Cambodia: Dead Kennedys
Banned in certain countries or heavily censored due to its political criticism & content.
5
F*** Tha Police: N.W.A
Though more hip‑hop / rap, but it’s rock‑adjacent in its aggression and electric instrumentation. Heavily censored / banned from radio due to strong anti‑law enforcement content.
6
Creep: Radiohead
Banned or rarely played by the BBC initially due to depressive tone and some expletives.
7
Money for Nothing: Dire Straits
Edited or restricted in some places due to slur(s) in original lyrics.
8
Born in the U.S.A.: Bruce Springsteen
Misinterpreted by some govt / conservative groups; banned in some contexts because the critical nature of its lyrics was seen as unpatriotic.
9
Lola: The Kinks
Banned (or restricted) in Australia originally, also by the BBC for “advertising” (reference to Coca‑Cola) and for its implied gender/trans issues.
10
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds: The Beatles
Banned or limited airplay in several places because of perceived references to LSD.
11
God Save the Queen: S*x Pistols
Banned by the BBC and refused airplay in the UK for anti‑monarchy / anti‑establishment lyrics.
12
Rock Around the Clock: Bill Haley & His Comets
Banned in Memphis in 1955 because officials feared its influence on youth and “juvenile delinquency.”
13
Eight Miles High: The Byrds
Banned by some U.S. radio stations for alleged drug references.
14
Sun City: Artists United Against Apartheid
Banned in South Africa because it opposed apartheid and refused to let artists perform at Sun City resort.
15
Highway to H*ll: AC/DC
After 9/11, included in a list of songs considered too “offensive” or inappropriate for broadcast in the U.S. because of its title/themes.
16
My Generation: The Who
Banned by some BBC radio stations for the lyric “Hope I die before I get old,” judged offensive or rebellious.
17
Another Brick in the Wall (Part II): Pink Floyd
Banned in South Africa under apartheid because its chorus “We don’t need no education” was seen as inciting rebellion.
18
Louie Louie: The Kingsmen
Banned by the governor of Indiana in the U.S., and scrutinized by the FBI, over alleged obscene lyrics (which turned out to be mostly misheard).
19
Chinese Democracy: Guns N’ Roses
The album (and the title track) was banned in China because of lyrics referencing Falun Gong and the word “Democracy.”
20
Let’s Spend the Night Together: The Rolling Stones
Banned in China for being “immoral” or promoting promiscuity.
