Even China bans 120 ‘immoral’ songs online

The order from the Ministry of Culture accompanied the list of 120 songs that “trumpeted obscenity, violence, crime or harmed social morality”, the official Xinhua News Agency said.

Other blacklisted songs include popular karaoke hits such as: Beijing Hooligans, I Don’t Want to Go to School and Suicide Diary.

All websites are forbidden from maliciously hyping the “Ministry of Culture Blacklists 120 Songs From the Internet” affair. “No unit or individual is allowed to provide [these songs]”, the ban demands, though it is unclear what the definition of “provide” is, and whether listening to the song at home constitutes submitting passersby to the song and thus “providing” them. They include the 2006 hit by Chang and rap artist MC HotDog, which has the lyrics: “If you’re pregnant, I will take you to the gynaecologist” and “Lift up your clothes, throw up your bra”. Songs by household names from Taiwan such as Chang Csun Yuk and Stanley Huang were also on the list.

In January 2014 China lifted a ban on the music of Lady Gaga, though much western music remains banned. Some commenters supported the blacklisting: “Thumbs up!” Such bad taste and vulgarity.

There has been a mixed reaction to the list in China, with people taking to social media to voice their opinions.

The list provided “specific targets for Internet organisations’ self-censorship”, the ministry said, adding companies should “remove the products accurately, be aware of the bottom line and improve their service”.

According to this translation of the song’s meaning, however, it is not being banned for being vulgar, but because it is a rebuke of sycophantic workers at the office who are too reverent to authority.

“Thanks to the Ministry of Culture for giving me a list of songs to listen to”, one Weibo user commented.