Remarkably for such a druggy song, there's nothing SPECIFICALLY drugs-related in the lyrics.
It was originally meant as a campaign song for acid-guru Dr Timothy Leary when he was going to run for US President (no kidding!), but later John re-wrote it in its present form. Alongside references to blues singer Muddy Waters and Yoko's Ono's company "Bag Productions" there is an inevitable Walrus. "Spinal cracker" reportedly refers to a form of Japanese massage involving a wife (Yoko?) walking on her husband's spine! But guess why the song got banned by the BBC...
Yes, because the State-owned broadcasting corporation deemed that the mention of Coca-Cola was advertising and therefore could not be played on the BBC!
The same thing happened with "Lola" by the Kinks, but they actually changed the lyric to the more evocative "cherry cola".
sgt1pepper, you are almost right..it was the reference to "knickers" that got the song banned. Makes me wonder how Paul got the word "breast" passed the censors in "Lady Madonna".
sgt1pepper, you are almost right..it was the reference to "knickers" that got the song banned. Makes me wonder how Paul got the word "breast" passed the censors in "Lady Madonna".
Remarkably for such a druggy song, there's nothing SPECIFICALLY drugs-related in the lyrics.
It was originally meant as a campaign song for acid-guru Dr Timothy Leary when he was going to run for US President (no kidding!), but later John re-wrote it in its present form. Alongside references to blues singer Muddy Waters and Yoko's Ono's company "Bag Productions" there is an inevitable Walrus. "Spinal cracker" reportedly refers to a form of Japanese massage involving a wife (Yoko?) walking on her husband's spine! But guess why the song got banned by the BBC...
Yes, because the State-owned broadcasting corporation deemed that the mention of Coca-Cola was advertising and therefore could not be played on the BBC!
The same thing happened with "Lola" by the Kinks, but they actually changed the lyric to the more evocative "cherry cola".
Simon Beck London, UK
I think "Coca-Cola" was banned for more suggestive reasons than the beverage. Just a hunch, man.
I think "Coca-Cola" was banned for more suggestive reasons than the beverage. Just a hunch, man.
i think the BBC also banned 'i am the walrus' too for something to do with the "pornographic priestess" part, im not too sure.
i think the BBC also banned 'i am the walrus' too for something to do with the "pornographic priestess" part, im not too sure.
sgt1pepper, you are almost right..it was the reference to "knickers" that got the song banned. Makes me wonder how Paul got the word "breast" passed the censors in "Lady Madonna".
sgt1pepper, you are almost right..it was the reference to "knickers" that got the song banned. Makes me wonder how Paul got the word "breast" passed the censors in "Lady Madonna".
Simon, Thanks for knowing your stuff and posting it. You are correct, sir.
Simon, Thanks for knowing your stuff and posting it. You are correct, sir.