Ever since the music video has been around, there have been artists who have tried to push the envelope and see just how much they can get away with in their clips. On the other hand, there have been plenty of videos that have been banned or censored for seemingly non-existent or innocuous reasons. Trace it all back to Elvis Presley’s hip-shaking days that threw networks in a tizzy. At any rate, here’s a handful of music videos that for one reason or another was censored by somebody out there. What is art, anyway?
Devo – “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” Devo’s excellent devolution of the Stones’ classic includes a couple of rather innocent through-the-shirt breast groping sequences. This kind of thing would still not fly with American censors these days. Go figure.
Frankie Goes To Hollywood – “Relax” The song should have been enough to get the axe by many ceonsors’ standards, but instead it was the original video for the song that was banned. What have you missed all these years? Why, only a fine gay party! Everyone jump in and groove.
Fatboy Slim – “Slash Dot Dash” In an inspired Fando Y Lis knockoff. A couple strapped with a ton of Sharpies go nuts tagging up a public bathroom. There are brief shots of nudity once the female’s already scant outfit is ripped clean off. Not at all titillating or sexy when it gets down to it, but even with the rapid fire edits, it didn’t stand a chance with the censors.
Jay-Z – “99 Problems” Here’s the full video in all its unedited glory, with all lyrics intact and the climactic ending featuring Jay-Z getting gunned down. The man himself said the violence wasn’t gratutitous but a symbol of his rebirth, putting Jay-Z to bed and allowing Mr. Carter to be born. It’s a kickass tune no matter how you slice it.
The Cardigans – “My Favourite Game” We’ll close this first volume of censored videos with this clip from The Cardigans that could alternately act as a PSA stating simply that reckless driving causes much destruction, death, and suicide. Or not.
