Some Christmas music has been banned in the past for reasons ranging from bias against the musician, inducing overwhelming emotions in lonely or hurt people, raunchy lyrics, and much more. Bing Crosby released “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” two years before WWII ended, and his song was banned on the radio till then because families would not reunite.
Yankovic’s “Christmas At Ground Zero” was acceptable since its release in the ‘80s until 9/11 happened. The lyrics about atom bombs and humanity ending reminded victims and empathizers of the unfortunate incident, and Yankovic made sure to never perform it ever since. Here are other banned Christmas classics you should know;
‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ by Frank Loesser
Broadway composer Frank Loesser wrote “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” in 1944, but it was considered inappropriate for encouraging pre-marital sex at the time. It was later used in the 1949 romantic comedy Neptune’s Daughter.
Even now, the part of the song that says, “The answer is no and what’s in his drink?” clashes with the topic of consent. Regardless, stars like Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Jourdan, Liza Minelli and Alan Cumming, Lady A, Kelly Clarkson and Ronnie Dunn, Idina Menzel and Michael Bublé, and others have covered the song.
‘I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus’ by Tommie Connor
The Boston base of the Roman Catholic Church reportedly banned Tommie Connor’s “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” for bringing up extra-marital affairs during the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Singer Jimmy Boyd explained to the Archdiocese that Santa was simply a joke to describe his father. The Ronnettes and The Jackson 5 did their versions of the song, making it even more popular.
‘Santa Baby,’ Eartha Kitt
This popular holiday classic was an instant hit about a materialistic lady, and songwriter Philp Springer admitted to expecting the reaction it got. The sultry voice and rendition by Eartha Kitt gave it a suggestive undertone, leading to its ban from radio stations.
This did not stop “Santa Baby” from hitting number one on the US charts, and Madonna’s version more than three decades later popularized it further.