Clear Channel memorandum

Clear Channel Communications

Company type	Public company (at the time)
Industry	Media, Radio broadcasting
Founded	1972
Fate	Renamed to iHeartMedia
Successor	iHeartMedia
Headquarters	San Antonio, Texas , United States
Owner	iHeartMedia (current)

After the September 11 attacks in 2001, Clear Channel Communications (currently known as iHeartMedia), which owned the largest number of radio stations in the U.S., distributed an internal memorandum highlighting songs that program directors found "lyrically questionable" to broadcast during the sensitive period following the attacks.

In the immediate aftermath, numerous radio and television outlets adjusted their programming, and speculation arose that Clear Channel had compiled a list of songs with lyrics considered potentially inappropriate. This compilation served as a recommendation, advising stations that they "might not want to play these songs," rather than enforcing a strict prohibition. The list was eventually made public by the independent trade publication Hits Daily Double, which operates independently from iHeartMedia. Verification by Snopes.com confirmed that the list functioned as a guideline rather than an outright ban. Upon its release, this list garnered considerable attention from various media sources.

Containing 165 suggested tracks, the list notably included the entire known catalogue of Rage Against the Machine at that time (49 songs), as well as multiple cover versions, such as Bob Dylan’s "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" alongside the rendition by Guns N' Roses. Some covers were selectively included; for instance, Alien Ant Farm’s version of "Smooth Criminal" appeared on the list while Michael Jackson’s original did not. Similarly, both Martha and the Vandellas’ original "Dancing in the Street" and Van Halen’s cover were featured, whereas the cover by David Bowie and Mick Jagger was omitted.

Rationale for inclusion

The Clear Channel directive identified tracks whose titles or lyrics contained references to subjects associated with the September 11 events, including airplanes, crashes, mortality, conflict, violence, blasts, the month of September, Tuesday (the day of the attacks), and New York City. It also encompassed more general motifs such as the Middle East, the sky collapsing, and weaponry. Furthermore, certain lively and festive songs (for example, Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World) were prohibited because Clear Channel judged that joyous music was unsuitable in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

WASH, a Clear Channel-operated radio station in Washington, D.C., reportedly aired Kool & the Gang's Celebration while the directive was active, prompting a listener complaint; the station admitted this was an error.

Catalog of songs

Performer	Track title	#
3 Doors Down	Duck and Run	1
311	Down	2
AC/DC	Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap	3
	Hells Bells	4
	Highway to Hell	5
	Safe in New York City	6
	Shoot to Thrill	7
	Shot Down in Flames	8
	T.N.T.	9
The Ad Libs	The Boy from New York City	10
Afro Celt Sound System featuring Peter Gabriel	When You're Falling	11
Alice in Chains	Down in a Hole	12
	Rooster	13
	Sea of Sorrow	14
	Them Bones	15
Alien Ant Farm	Smooth Criminal	16
The Animals	We Gotta Get Out of This Place	17
Template:Sortname	What a Wonderful World	18
The Bangles	Walk Like an Egyptian	19

See also

• List of songs about the September 11 attacks
• List of songs banned by the BBC
• Music censorship

External links

• Clear Channel memorandum playlist on YouTube (featuring up to 202 videos)