Why wasn't The Macarena on that list? It should have been banned!
But seriously, I don't usually agree with banning songs outright. At least not for the typical reasons. I enjoy giving meanings to songs that I, the listener, choose to give them. Censors tend to be heavy-handed and overly literal. Often missing the artist's intended meaning entirely. The way I see it, one of the best aspects of music is creative listening. To hear it in a way that suits my narrative rather than what somebody else wants me to think of it.
When Blow Up the Outside World, by Soundgarden, was banned after 9/11 I immediately understood why. However, the way my mind interpreted the lyrics was metaphorical. To turn from the foolishness of the external, to not dispair over the violence we see in the news etc., and instead focus on what's positive and meaningful to me. In my head, the garbage that the world foists on us dissolved into nothingness as I said no to "the outside world" in favor of a more serene and productive state of mind.
The song reminded me of my relationship with God, which is perhaps ironic as Chris Cornell was an atheist, but God is where I turn in part because he sees beyond the facades and circumstances that we face in the outside world. He sees our potential and inherent value when others don't. At the end of the day what matters is between us and our creator (or the order of the universe if that's how you prefer to perceive things). As a young person who often felt underestimated, was tired of negativity and wanting better, with a mind of his own and an active imagination, it resonated with me. Although I don't listen to this one very often, my tastes in music are broad and it still holds up after all these years.
As far as absurd bans on that list go I'd put What A Wonderful World, by Louis Armstrong, would be near the top if not in the top 10. Perhaps it was banned because it was decidedly -not- wonderful to witness the events that unfolded on 9/11, but it's a hopeful and optimistic song with a vision of the future that we can strive for. Violence and other problems were a sad reality even when the song was written. If anything, it helps us remember what's good and possible despite the problems that plague humanity. More of an antidote to the negativity than problematic, in my opinion.
