# 4 Songs From the 70s That Were Controversial but Later Became Pop Classics

> Four 1970s songs that sparked controversy but now define pop culture.
- Title: 4 Songs From the 70s That Were Controversial but Later Became…
- Summary: Four 1970s songs that sparked controversy but now define pop culture. Roxanne, Imagine, Love To Love You Baby, and Lola were banned or criticized in the…
- Keywords: roxxanne, imagine, love to love you baby, lola, the police, john lennon, donna summer, the kinks, 1970s, pop music, controversial songs, pop classics
- Source: American Songwriter — https://americansongwriter.com/4-songs-from-the-70s-that-were-controversial-but-later-became-pop-classics
- Author: Kat Caudill
- Published: 2026-10-20T12:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: roxxanne, imagine, love to love you baby, lola, the police, john lennon, donna summer, the kinks, 1970s, pop music, controversial songs, pop classics
## Roxanne by The Police
The Police's Roxanne was banned by the BBC for being too provocative but drew young punk audiences.

> Roxanne was controversial, but only as a means to drive a larger narrative.
## Imagine by John Lennon
Lennon admitted his song Imagine aligns with communist ideals but he himself was not a communist.

> Imagine that there was no more religion, no more country, no more politics, is virtually The Communist Manifesto.
## Love To Love You Baby by Donna Summer
Donna Summer's Love To Love You Baby was banned by the BBC and caused riots but became an iconic disco hit.

> When she put it out herself, it was banned by the BBC (shocker).
## Lola by The Kinks
The Kinks' Lola, inspired by a cross-dressing man, made Ray Davies uncomfortable despite its success.

> In fact, when 'Lola' was a hit, it made me feel a bit uncomfortable.
## Key takeaway

Roxanne, Imagine, Love To Love You Baby, and Lola were banned or criticized in the 1970s but became pop classics.