Music Censorship

Censoring music is a way for one group of people to control what we, as individuals, should determine for ourselves. The concept of censoring music has been around for as long as music itself. From wondering minstrels roaming the countryside during Medieval Times singing of the world to rap music of today discussing issues of society; the line between freedom of speech and the art of music has been always debated.

Throughout the ages, music has been censored for different reasons including political ties, religious beliefs, moral issues, and personal opinions. In the late 1700s, the Archduchess of Austria, Marie Theresa, censored operas because of political and sexually based sections. During the late 1800s, music in Russia that became popular would be banned by authorities because of the feelings it stirred. It was not until 1955, that America started to begin censoring music.

As rock and roll music started to become popular with society, many people believed that it was corrupting the youth and promoting immoral behavior. Radio stations in the 1950s and 1960s that played rhythm and blues music would be ridiculed because it was considered “dirty” music or they would change the lyrics of a song if they believed it had any innuendos of sex, drugs, or violence. At this point it was up to each individual radio station to choose how they censored the music they were playing.

It was during the 1980s that censoring music went to a whole new level. Rap music stated making its way to the airwaves, heavy rock music started coming under attack for obscene lyrics, and a group of people became organized and trying to control the type of music that would become part of our culture. Tipper Gore, wife of then current Vice-President Al Gore, purchased “Purple Rain”, an album by musician Prince, for her daughter. Tipper Gore was shocked to hear that one of the songs had a reference to female masturbation. Susan Baker, wife of former Treasury Secretary and White...