10 Often-Censored Songs from the Early ’50s(strong language warning)

Rebeat ^ | Rick Simmons

[Slings and Arrows]

Pluto Shervington - “Sixpence”

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7wTklcig1Ec&itct=CEAQpDAYASITCKTagp33mMgCFZF1fgodifgOdlIPc2l4cGVuY2UgcmVnZ2Fl&client=mv-google&gl=US&hl=en

[Impala64ssa]

Speaking of cartoons, Barnacle Bill the Sailor One of many Betty Boop cartoons from the 30's that were considered a bit edgy in their day. Not to mention years later the rather "colorful" lyrics we young smart a**es thought up for that crazy song.

[wafflehouse]

bookmark

[octex]

Follow-ons to Work With Me Annie:

Annie Had A Baby

Sexy Ways

Annie’s Baby Had Sexy Ways

...I remember them all from the early ‘50s.

[octex]

I think I still have the LP for Knockers Up.

‘All the men out mowing their yards...’

I need to dig that out and see if it’s as funny as I thought it was way back then.

[octex]

When in Jr. and Sr. HS in ‘50s, there was a radio station in Fort Worth (KNOK) that played primarily black R&B/soul music and I was hooked on it! ......Late at night, “Night Train” with DJ Jim Lowe on WRR in Dallas did the same. ...btw, Jim was the ‘voice’ of Big Tex at the Texas State Fair for many, many years. .....Also late at night was the Howling Wolf broadcasting from a powerful transmitter in (or across the border) Del Rio, Texas. Fantastic music from folks like Muddy Waters, Lightnin’ Slim, Jimmy Reed, Bo Diddley, etc.

[4yearlurker]

The first time my daughter heard Bobby Glodsboro's "Honey" and the line: "She was kinda young at heart,kinda dumb and kinda smart"she just shook her head. Then there's Mr. Sinatra with his "Kookoo broads" line.

[firebrand]

I remember some of these songs being played on one of Newark’s black radio stations. They are an outgrowth of an older tradition of blues singers like Bessie Smith. It’s unfortunate that illicit sex was considered part of being edgy and new in popular music. We still have it today of course.

[firebrand]

Wolfman Jack. Howlin’ Wolf was the guy who made “Smokestack Lightning” and others.

[Fiji Hill]

I saw Bull Moose Jackson peroform in Washington, DC in 1979. He started his set by singing Rosemary Clooney’s hit “I Could Have Danced All Night” and a few other standards—which he performed well—and got polite applause. But when he sang the tunes for which he was notorious—”Bow-Legged Woman,” “Big Ten Inch,” etc., the crowd went wild.

[Fiji Hill]

Some answers to "60 Minute Man"

5-10-15 Hours--Ruth Brown (1952)

Can't Do 60 No More--The Du-Droppers (1953)

Don't Stop, Dan--The Checkers (1954)

[Fiji Hill]

Here's a bunch of songs that spun off from "Work With Me, Annie" and "Annie Had a Baby." Included is the super-rare "Annie Kicked the Bucket" and "Annie Met Henry." Unfortunately, "I'm the Father of Annie's Baby" by Danny Taylor has disappeared from Youtube.

• Annie Pulled a Humbug--The Midnights

• Annie’s Answer--The El Dorados

• My Name Ain’t Annie--Linda Hayes & Group (the group is the Platters)

• Annie Kicked the Bucket--The Nu-Tones

• The Wallflower--Etta James & the Peaches

• Roll On--The Lamp Lighters

• Hey! Henry!—Etta James & the Peaches

• Henry’s Got Flat Feet--Hank Ballard & the Midnighters

• Annie Met Henry--The Champions

• The Wallflower--Georgia Gibbs

[Fiji Hill]

This party record is the only song that I know of that's about the Truman Doctrine.

Everybody Wants a Little Peace--Billy Gray's Hollywood Band Box Review (1948)

[Impala64ssa]

LOL, great find! An early anti-war song full of double entendres ;)

[octex]

Of course it was Wolfman Jack! I screwed up! Mixed the Wolves. Howlin’ Wolf was on some other station that I occasionally listened to.

[JRios1968]

AC/DC wins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ3tqIukBKg

[Sensei Ern]

How about the scatalogical song, “Duke of Earl”?

[hoagy62]

The link that you gave took me to "What'd I Say?" from Ray Charles.

Here's an actual link to the song....

Strokin'- Clarence Carter