The topic of censorship has been discussed in various forms of media — including music. This list of 20 songs about censorship highlights different types of songs, from political protest songs to personal expressions of freedom!
Every song here demonstrates the powerful role that music can play in speaking out against or speaking of censorship. So, take a listen to these 20 songs to find a new favorite!
1. “Morning Glory” by Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen’s 2004 song “Morning Glory” reflects on the theme of censorship and self-censorship. Cohen discusses a seemingly biblical story about going back in time. He sings about how there are no words and questions censorship.
For example, he sings, “Is it censorship? / No, it’s evaporation!”. This song has many meanings. Through all of these interpretations, Cohen sings about a mystic or biblical experience that touches on themes of censorship. However, in the end, “Morning Glory” positively explains that things may continue to be okay.
2. “Startin’ Up a Posse” by Anthrax
Anthrax’s 1991 song “Startin’ Up a Posse”, which appears on the band’s album Attack of the Killer B’s, also talks about censorship. This song follows the band as they rail against censorship and those in the past who have tried to control or censor their songs.
They sing the lyrics, “So now I’m startin’ up a posse / To fight for freedom of choice / To fight for freedom of speech / We’re gonna make you hear our voice”.
The song calls for others to stand up for freedom of speech and expression, while also explaining that the United States has never stood for censorship. They also sing in this song, “You know you can’t censor my feelings / You can’t censor my thoughts / Censorship’s against / Everything America stands for”.
3. “Triumph of the Swill” by Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys released their song “Triumph of the Swill” on their 1986 album Bedtime for Democracy. This song, whose title is a parody of a Nazi film, discusses how the music industry and the government censor so many musicians and artists.
The band claims that the industry only pushes those who go along with government ideals. As a result, the band claims that the industry would never sign someone like John Lennon if he was just getting started today (in the 1980s).
Thus, the band claims that censorship comes from both the media and the government — and they’re not happy about that.
4. “Love and Happiness” by John Mellencamp
In John Mellencamp’s 1991 song “Love and Happiness”, he discusses many issues around the world. As a result of these issues, he feels as if there’s truly no “Love and Happiness” left.
As he talks about the many trials the world faces, he also touches on the idea of censorship. He explains that many feel as if they are being censored when he sings, “They raise the price of oil / And they censor our mouths”.
5. “Voice of God Is Government” by Bad Religion
Bad Religion’s 1982 song “Voice of God Is Government” also talks about censorship. In this song, the band sings from the perspective of greedy people seeking money from others — all in the name of religion. As a result, the band talks about how some people can use religion to censor others.
They sing the lyrics, “And I assure you your modest pledge will be used to censor TV and radio / Ban questionable books, and contribute to many other Godly services”.
6. “Rebel of the Underground” by 2Pac
2Pac’s 1991 song “Rebel of the Underground” discusses how he tends to go against the rest. He’s different. He knows this — and he doesn’t care. As a result, he’ll keep being himself, even if he’s completely different from everybody else.
When discussing this idea, 2Pac also talks about censorship. He raps, “I just make another record ’bout the punks tryna sweat me / In fact, they tryin’ to keep me out / Try to censor what I say / ‘Cause they don’t like what I’m talkin’ ’bout / So what’s wrong with the media today?”
7. “Good Time Living” by Three Dog Night
In 1970, Three Dog Night released their song “Good Time Living on their album It Ain’t Easy. The band talks about a lot of issues in the world — and how this can bring a lot of stress to many people. Specifically, they talk about government control and how this can ruin people’s happiness.
So, the band instead sings that they should all just get away to enjoy life a bit. They sing, “Isolation, segregation, government controls / Call it a cop out gotta drop out / You and me we gotta save our souls”.
8. “Politics” by Bad Religion
Bad Religion’s 1981 song “Politics” also touches on ideas of censorship! This song mainly deals with how the government can control the masses — which is obviously problematic. However, the band also explains that the government doesn’t listen to what people say. This could hint at censorship, or at the very least ignorance.
The band sings at the beginning of the song the lyrics, “The guy running the government’s another jerk / Try to teach some values and they all erode away / You’re lucky if they listen to a single word you say”.
9. “Outro” by Missy Elliott
In the “Outro” to Missy Elliott’s 2003 album This Is Not a Test!, Elliott reflects on censorship. This song, which features Mary J. Blige, follows Elliott as she discusses some of the censorship she’s faced from the media, industry, and public.
She says, “Hip-hop is a freedom of expression / Not a freedom of depression”.
10. “Freedom” by David Guetta
In David Guetta’s 2017 song “Freedom”, he discusses freedom of expression through music. Even though others may feel like they are being censored, Guetta explains that many can find freedom of expression through music — and specifically house music.
The lyrics of this song say, “What is house music? / A unique form of music that gives complete freedom of expression”.
11. “Songs of Freedom” by Santana
Censorship and freedom to speak are also discussed in Santana’s 1987 song “Songs of Freedom”. The singer explains how many, including those in the music industry, consistently push him to make a hit song, or produce a good single. However, he doesn’t feel he should do this.
Instead, he just wants to make “Songs of Freedom” that truly connect with people. He sings, “What about the Constitution, freedom of expression / Listen to the music, just feel the sound”.
12. “Trouble” by Bob Dylan
In 1981, Bob Dylan released his song “Trouble”, which also reflects on government control, which can lead to unhappiness and censorship. This song mainly deals with all the trouble of the world. As a result, Dylan also touches on the trouble that government control can bring.
He sings the lyrics, “Drought and starvation, packaging of the soul / Persecution, execution, governments out of control / You can see the writing on the wall inviting trouble”.
13. “Be Free” by Ziggy Marley
Ziggy Marley released his song “Be Free” on his 2006 album Love Is My Religion. Ziggy Marley also sings about government control and how this can lead to a variety of different problems in this song.
He sings, “The government’s got too much control / Now is there some place that we can roll? / The politics of fear and oppression is everywhere now”.
14. “Why Does It Go On?” by Rod Stewart
In Rod Stewart’s song “Why Does It Go On?”, he sings about so many injustices in the world. He questions why people still starve, as well as why people are still driven to steal. So, he talks about so many problems here.
He also reflects on people who try to censor even regular people — especially when they’re young. On this topic, he sings, “They’ll burn your book and pencil boy / Throw your mind away”.
Here, he’s hinting that if kids just throw their minds away, they’ll be fine. But if they read books and use their mind, elders will not like this.
15. “Books Are Burning” by XTC
One of the most known forms of censorship often includes banning or burning books. And that’s exactly what XTC sings about in their 1992 song “Books Are Burning”.
This song opens with the haunting lyrics, “Books are burning in the main square / And I saw there, the fire eating the text / Books are burning in the still air / And you know where they burn books, people are next”.
16. “Garden of Eden” by Guns N’ Roses
In Guns N’ Roses’ 1991 song “Garden of Eden”, the band talks about problems with religion, as well as problems with the government. Basically, they rail against powerful people and how these people can cause harm to the masses.
The band sings, “Most organized religions make a mockery of humanity / Our governments are dangerous and out of control / The Garden of Eden is just another graveyard”.
17. “Speak” by Queensryche
Queensryche’s 1988 song “Speak” follows a narrator who gets power and thinks that he’s doing good things for everybody. However, we learn as the song goes on that this actually isn’t happening. Instead, the government and the narrator are still controlling and censoring people.
The band also mentions how the media, the law, and the government can all work together to censor people. They sing, “The rich control the government, the media, the law / To make some kind of difference”.
18. “Moral Majority” by Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys’ 1981 song “Moral Majority” rails against people who use religion to tear others down. This song mainly targets religious affiliations who have a lot of power in governments around the world. These groups of people work to censor others, and the band sings that they often have success.
When discussing censorship, the band sings that these people will, “Burn lots of books so they can feed your their lies”.
19. “Bulls on Parade” by Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine’s 1996 song “Bulls on Parade”, which was released on their hit album Evil Empire, is one of the best songs about government control and censorship. This song mainly talks about leaders of governments who will stop at nothing to increase their wealth and power.
As a result, these governments don’t feel bad about censoring the masses. The band sings about this, saying, “They don’t gotta burn the books, they just remove ’em”.
20. “Freedom of Speech” by Ice-T
Finally, we have Ice-T’s 1989 song “Freedom of Speech”. This song, as you can tell from the title, deals with Ice-T going against censorship and fighting for everyone to have their own freedom of speech.
In response to the political situation of censorship when this song was written, Ice-T accurately asks who can decide what is good and bad for the whole. He says in this song, “Censor records, TV, school books too /And who decides what’s right to hear? You?”