10 Artists Who Changed Their Problematic Song Lyrics

What she stated about it later: “Let me make one factor clear: I by no means need to promote derogatory language. As a fats black lady in America, I’ve had many hurtful phrases used in opposition to me so I perceive the ability phrases can have (whether or not deliberately or in my case, unintentionally),” Lizzo stated in a statement. “I’m proud to say there’s a brand new model of ‘GRRRLS’ with a lyric change. This can be a results of me listening and taking motion. As an influential artist I’m devoted to being a part of the change I’ve been ready to see on the earth.”

What she stated about it later: “Now, the way in which that I’d say that and the way in which that I’d really feel that form of ache is so much totally different,” she advised MTV in 2011.

What they stated about it later: “I’m a 26-year-old individual. And sure, a proud feminist. Simply perhaps not an ideal one,” lead singer Hayley Williams advised Observe 7. “The factor that irritated me was that I had already accomplished a lot soul-searching about it, years earlier than anybody else had determined there was a problem. … I used to be a 17-year-old child after I wrote the lyrics in query, and if I can by some means exemplify what it means to develop up, get info, and grow to be any shade of ‘woke,’ then that’s A-OK with me.”

What they stated about it later: Whereas the band by no means apologized for the track, they did rerelease it a yr later with the brand new identify and lyrics.

What she stated about it later: “I don’t prefer it. I don’t. I don’t sing it. I sing ‘Ultraviolence,’ however I don’t sing that line anymore. Having somebody be aggressive in a relationship was the one relationship I knew,” she advised Pitchfork in 2017.

What they stated about it later: “I share duty and provide my sincerest apologies for the ache this has triggered. People with autism have good and artistic minds, and their presents shouldn’t be disparaged or discounted,” Drake wrote in a assertion. “This was a studying lesson for each of us, and I’m grateful for the chance to attempt to proper this unsuitable. J. Cole and I consider that it’s the proper, accountable, and respectful determination to take away the lyric from the track.”

J. Cole additionally issued an apology.

What he stated about it later: “It has come to my consideration that lyrics from my contribution to a fellow artist’s track has deeply offended your loved ones,” Lil Wayne wrote in an open letter to the Tills. “As a father myself, I can not think about the ache that your loved ones has needed to endure. […] I cannot be performing the lyrics that comprise that reference dwell and have eliminated them from my catalogue.”

What he stated about it later: For the 10-year anniversary of the Born This Manner album, Woman Gaga hand-picked a number of LGBTQ artists to file their very own variations of a number of the songs. In his rerecording, Orville Peck took it upon himself to replace a number of the monitor’s poorly aged lyrics. He by no means publicly addressed the lyric change.

What they stated about it later: Due to its homophobic language, the 1985 track that includes Sting was banned from airplay on Canadian radio stations. The choice, nevertheless, was reversed in 2011. Former Dire Straits singer and lead guitarist Mark Knopfler has modified it when he performs it dwell. Dire Straits by no means publicly addressed the lyric change.

What he stated about it later: Unaware of simply how antisemitic his lyrics have been, the King of Pop advised Diane Sawyer in an interview that “it’s not antisemitic as a result of I’m not a racist individual.” Fortunately, Jackson later got here to his senses and rerecorded the insensitive lyrics. Even so, the unique lyrics nonetheless made their manner into each of the track’s music movies — the Brazil model and the jail model — however have loud sound results layered over the slurs.