Country music radio has not always been a welcoming space for all songs, including some by the most famous, distinguished artists. Why is that? According to Business Insider, so-called self-appointed "gatekeepers" in the genre have erected "barriers" that have "been enforced in an attempt to bar Black artists, outspoken women, and progressive themes from Nashville."
Videos by Wide Open Country
To their credit, these and other groups of music-makers have not allowed themselves to be silenced or marginalized. Exclusionary "barriers" have just spurred them on further to sing more authoritatively, adamantly, and passionately about the issues they care deeply about. Here are a few examples of songs that were targeted by swirling radio controversies, yet found a receptive audience.
"The Pill" By Loretta Lynn
Released in 1975, Lynn's song about what the outlet described as "birth control and reproductive freedom" was widely shelved by country radio. Per the outlet via The Daily Beast, "it was 'banned by radio stations spanning Atlanta to Detroit.'" For her part, Lynn was unswayed and unapologetic. In 2021, the year prior to her death, she shared this sentiment per the outlet via Parade. "I would never set out to write something just for it to shock someone. I am not that clever. It's always been about truth and if that means radio wants to ban it, well that's their problem. Most of my records they banned became No. 1 anyway."
"Follow Your Arrow" By Kacey Musgraves
For some people, the content of "Follow Your Arrow" was too explosive to handle. The song addressed themes like pre-marital sex, drinking versus abstaining, being gay, smoking joints, and being religious or not. The 2013 track was co-written by Musgraves, along with Shane L. McAnally and Btandy Lynn Clark, both of whom the outlet identifies as gay.
The tune's message is to be exactly who you are and to stand proud.
It bred criticism among those with traditional-leaning viewpoints. Some radio station programmers, per the outlet via Billboard, declined to air the song, especially in some Southern areas.
Per the outlet via The Hollywood Reporter, Musgraves said, "It ended up tanking. It was banned by country radio. But I would never trade that for the love and the people it brought to my world." 'Follow Your Arrow" was the CMA Song of the Year in 2014.
"Girl Crush" By Little Big Town
This 2014 song penned by Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, and Hillary Lindsey was mistakenly thought by some to refer to a lesbian relationship, per American Songwriter. If you listen to the frankly sensuous lyrics closely, however, that is not at all what "Girl Crush" is about. The narrator simply wants to dramatically emulate the woman her man cares for. Although some radio stations yanked the song, it nevertheless soared to the top rung of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
"Okie From Muskogee" By Merle Haggard
Some embraced this song. Others were troubled by what they interpreted as a strident political message from Haggard. Still others saw it as a light-hearted satire. Per Taste Of Country, the track "was banned by radio stations who disagreed with [Haggard's] politics." Released in 1969 during the Vietnam War, it references things like being patriotic, and not burning draft cards, smoking marijuana, or acting like a "hippie."
