Geoff Robinson presents a programme "Listen to the Banned" about songs which were banned by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service in the past, He speaks with broadcasting historians Peter Downes and Graeme Ross about how and why some of these decisions were made. [All songs mentioned are played in the programme.]
"Always true to you darling, in my fashion" from "Kiss Me Kate" - all versions were banned in 1951 as the lyrics implied adultery in marriage which was unacceptable.
Peter Downes recalls as a young broadcaster he campaigned to be allowed to broadcast complete Broadway shows in which banned songs featured. "Gee, Officer Krupke" from "West Side Story" is another example of a song from a Broadway show that was banned from New Zealand radio, this time because of a line about "a social disease."
Peter Downes notes that film versions of Broadways shows often altered lyrics as film censorship was much tougher. The example of a line from "Get me to the church on time" from "My Fair Lady" is given.
Edith Piaf's "Milord", although sung in French was banned, after the Solicitor-General at the time, who spoke fluent French, alerted broadcasters that the lyrics were about a prostitute soliciting clients.
Graham Ross talks about divisive religious lyrics in music such as the Irish songs "Old Orange Flute" and "The Orange and Green". Irish folk songs which were often heavily political, such as "The Wearing of the Green" were also banned.
Peter Downes notes that in the 1950s they were able to broadcast items which would today be banned for being racist or sexist.
Graham Ross talks about censorship of children's session records and gives the example of Elmer Fudd, a Bugs Bunny cartoon character who could not pronounce the letter "r" and used to refer to the 'wascally wabbit". He was banned because it was felt children would learn to mispronounce their own "r's".
Little Richard's version of "Tutti Fruitti" was banned because it was more salacious than others.
Peter Downes says there is a myth that early rock and roll was banned on New Zealand radio, but says this is not true, although not a lot was played initially.
The soundtrack of the musical "Hair" was banned because of the controversy around nudity in the stage show.
Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg''s "Je t'aime moi non plus" was banned because of the sexual background sound effects. Peter Downes explains in the days of the N.Z.B.S. which was a government department, the Minister of Broadcasting had much more direct control over what could be broadcast.
This changed with the transitions to the N.Z.B.C. and eventually Radio New Zealand. In the 1930s or 40s, George Formby's "Cleaning Windows" was prohibited because it was mildly salacious but would not have been in later years.
Copyright meant some songs were still banned for legal reasons, such as music from touring shows or parodies. "The House of the Rising Sun" by The Animals was not played in New Zealand because the original version was about a brothel. "Cigarettes, Whisky and Wild, Wild Women"
The influence of private stations is discussed - Peter Downes says it was only limited as not that many songs were being banned at any one time. Any references to drugs in any shape or form, were still not acceptable e.g. "Cocaine" by J.J. Cale.