Timothy by the Buoys Was Written Specifically to be Banned

You're likely to have never heard the Buoys' song Timothy, and perhaps you've never even heard of them. Both were not particularly well-liked, but Timothy was really put on the outlaw list. It sings about devouring a man named Timothy as part of a cannibalistic ritual.

Timothy was intended to raise a stink and was written by Escape (The Pina Colada Song) composer Rupert Holmes. The idea was to play the song on the radio for a while so that listeners would get used to the upbeat pace and enjoy it. They would then outlaw it after everyone understood what it was about. When the song's fans learned it was forbidden, their desire to hear it increased. In any case, that was the plan.

The song recalls the tale of three guys who were trapped in a mine collapse; after their rescue, there were only two men remaining, and neither of them had any food. How then did they manage to secure approval from the record label? The band made up the story that it included a mule.