Banned Songs: Hi-De-Ho

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When I announced this countdown of songs that have been banned by various stations over the years I promised some that would make you go, “What on this earth are you talking about?!?!?!!!” Welcome to one of those. You can’t make this stuff up. So here’s today’s song. Hi-De-Ho - Blood, Sweat, and Tears So here’s the thing (with apologies to JJ, The Horse, or anyone else who’s ever lived in — or even been to — Illinois): there was this thing called the Illinois Crime Commission. Back in the 20s and 30s they dealt with the Mob. But they hadn’t had much to do for, oh, 40 years oh so. In late 1970 they decided they’d join the war on drugs by holding a meeting about songs that were drug references and shouldn’t be played on the radio. This song, originally titled “That Old Sweet Roll (Hi-De-Ho”) and recorded by Carole King’s band The City, was on the list. Obviously any song with the word “hi” in it was a drug reference, right? (Oh, and they didn’t even notice that King conveniently disguised “E-Z Rider” papers as “sweet roll.” ) The public service ads used a tag line, “Why do you think they call it dope?” in anti-drug commercials in the 70s. But let me tell you something, some of the “rationale” behind these make me wonder what the “authorities” were smoking! Hi-De-Ho Written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin Recorded by Blood, Sweat, and Tears From 3, 1970 Reason banned: perceived drug references Thank you very kindly: