This article was originally published on Lizanest.com

Radio censorship has shaped music history, sometimes for obvious reasons—explicit lyrics or political messages—but other times for surprisingly absurd motives. These decisions have often sparked more curiosity than suppression, from banning a song to avoid offending stutterers to restricting tracks simply for their titles. Ironically, many censored songs became even more popular, turning controversy into a badge of honor. Whether for social, political, or moral concerns, radio bans have fueled debates, boosted careers, and cemented certain tracks as rebellious anthems that stand the test of time.

#1: “You Don’t Know How It Feels” by Tom Petty

“You Don’t Know How It Feels” became a monumental success for Tom Petty, despite initial controversy. Released in 1994 as the lead single from Wildflowers, the song featured the lyric “Let’s roll another joint,” which led to bans from several radio stations.

In response, an edited version replaced “joint” with an indecipherable mumble, allowing wider airplay. The controversy only fueled interest, helping the song reach No. 1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart.