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Britain's Most Dangerous Songs: Listen to the Banned

From My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock to God Save the Queen, this is the story of ten records from the 1930s to the present day that have been banned by the BBC.

From My Little Stick of Blackpool Rock to God Save the Queen, this is the story of ten records from the 1930s to the present day that have been banned by the BBC. The reasons why these songs were censored reveals the changing controversies around youth culture over the last 75 years, with Bing Crosby and the Munchkins among the unlikely names to have met the wrath of the BBC.

With contributions from Carrie Grant, Paul Morley, Stuart Maconie, Glen Matlock, Mike Read and John Robb.

59 minutes

Last on

Sat 27 Sep 202523:20
BBC Two

Clip

Music Played

  • George Formby

    With My Little Stick Of Blackpool Rock

  • Bing Crosby

    I'll be Home for Christmas

  • Louis Armstrong

    Mack the Knife

  • The Shangri‐Las

    Leader of the Pack

  • The Beatles

    A Day In The Life

  • Mott the Hoople

    All the Young Dudes

  • Frankie Goes to Hollywood

    Relax

  • The Singer Midgets

    Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead

  • D Mob

    We Call It Acieed

  • Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin

    Je T'aime Moi Non Plus

  • Sex Pistols

    God Save The Queen

  • Jane Birkin & Serge Gainsbourg

    Je t'aime...moi non plus

  • George Formby

    My Ukelele

  • The BBC Dance Orchestra

    Radio Times

  • The Bangles

    Walk Like An Egyptian

  • Billy Ocean

    When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going

  • The Bangles

    Walk Like An Egyptian

  • ABBA

    Waterloo

  • Twinkle

    Terry

  • The Byrds

    Eight Miles High

  • Jimi Hendrix

    Purple Haze

  • The Beatles

    Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

  • Bruce Dickinson, Mott The Hoople

    All The Young Dudes

  • Elmer Bernstein

    Main Title (From The Man With The Golden Arm)

  • Sex Pistols

    God Save The Queen

  • Sex Pistols

    Anarchy In The U.K.

  • Cat Stevens

    The First Cut Is The Deepest

  • Joe Smooth

    Promised Land

  • The Shamen

    Ebeneezer Goode

  • Taylor Swift

    I Knew You Were Trouble

Credits

DirectorJenny MacLeod
Executive ProducerPauline Law

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Dangerous Songs BBC Music Playlist

Dangerous Songs BBC Music Playlist

Listen to the Banned playlist! With music from The Kinks, Sex Pistols & more.

More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On

More Dangerous Songs: And the Banned Played On

Compilation of songs previously banned by the BBC.