Christmas music plays in the homes of many people who celebrate this time of year. Some of the songs we listen to today have been banned in various cities, radio stations and stores over time. We’re even talking about famous artists like Elvis or Eartha Keith.

Elvis Presley – White Christmas (1957)

Although Elvis is known for rock ‘n’ roll, his version of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas” was in trouble. A year before White Christmas, a judge in Jacksonville accused Elvis of undermining American youth. Some feared that his music would corrupt children. So, although the holiday album was harmless, it caused outrage. A Portland DJ has been fired for playing a White Christmas on his show.

Jimmy Boyd – I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus (1950)

It was first sung by 13-year-old Jimmy Boyd.

The Roman Catholic Church in Boston reacted negatively on the grounds that the song confused the kiss with the birth of Jesus Christ, leading to a series of radio station boycotts. Eventually, Columbia Records sent Jimmy to explain to the Archdiocese that the Santa he referred to in the song was actually Dad in disguise, and the ban was quickly lifted.

Perry Como and the Fontane Sisters – It’s Starting to Look a Lot Like Christmas (1951)

This song has all the ingredients to be a hit, from the old jazz intro to the loud explosions of “ha ha ha” before the final chorus. Why was it banned? Two children, Barney and Ben (the characters in the song), use the gift-giving season as an opportunity to ask for a pair of boots and a gun. Of course, we are talking about cowboy outfits, but Mood Media, which created playlists for the largest stores in the United States, removed the song from the list in 2019. Reason? “If you don’t play, it won’t hurt you,” they told CNN.

Eartha Kitt – Santa Baby (1953)

In 1953, Kitt performed this song for King Paul and Princess Frederica of Greece when they visited New York, and the politicians attending the party were not happy to hear the “adult” song for the guests. Soon after, several radio stations in the southern states of America took it off the air, but this did not stop “Santa Baby” from becoming a classic.

Bing Crosby – I’ll Be Home for Christmas (1943)

The song appeared in 1943 during World War II and became the most requested song at United Service Organizations benefit parties for soldiers and their families. Although the song was a hit with Americans, especially war-affected families, the BBC disagreed and banned the song during the war because it lowered morale.

Cliff Richard – Mistletoe and Wine (1988)

Costa Coffee banned Cliff’s Christmas Carol from its premises in 2013. They feared it would turn customers away from ginger lattes.

“We can’t deny our love for Sir Cliff, but unfortunately people have made up their minds and the holiday song Mistletoe and Wine has been voted the worst Christmas song of all time, so we’ve had to remove it from the list,” he said. a spokesman for NME said at the time.

The list was compiled by NME.

Photo source: Dreamstime.com