Banned Songs: Coming Into Los Angeles
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (69304)
United States
July 2, 2023 10:38am CST
Day two of the monthlong look at songs that tipped the ire of various radio program directors over the years, and we’ve already hit a subject that’ll show up a few times. This one gets JJ’s full approval (the subject matter, if not the song itself). Let’s get…ahem…rolling!
Coming Into Los Angeles - Arlo Guthrie
Arlo Guthrie was born to write songs. His father was legendary folk songwriter Woody Guthrie (who wrote, among millions of others, “This Land Is Your Land”), and his uncle was Jack Guthrie (who also wrote a lot of songs, including “Oklahoma Hills” with Woody). Every Thanksgiving you’re regaled with “Alice’s Restaurant Mascaree,” the long-flowing talking blues about Guthrie’s arrest for littering and subsequent disqualification from the draft because of it. (True event!!!) Oddly enough, Guthrie’s biggest hit, chart-wise, was written by someone else: Steve Goodman penned “City of New Orleans.”
Guthrie performed this at Woodstock, and it was released as a single. A lot of AM radio stations, however, wouldn’t play it. We just couldn’t have explicit references to drugs in songs back then.
Worse, he’s smuggling it in this song!!!! The horror!!!!
I’m sure all those stations who refused to play this song were lining up for promotional copies of Glenn Frey’s “Smuggler’s Blues” 15 years later.
Coming Into Los Angeles
Written by Arlo Guthrie
Recorded by Arlo Guthrie
From Running Down the Road, 1969
Reason banned: drug references
Said he was the Lone Ranger:
Your browser isn’t supported anymore. Update it to get the best YouTube experience and our latest features. Learn moreRemind me later
5 people like this
5 responses
@FourWalls (69304)
• United States
2 Jul 23
I’ve had enough of you! Go sit by the pool and don’t come back until you’re tanned!!!!!!!
2 people like this
@FourWalls (69304)
• United States
2 Jul 23
@NJChicaa — serves you right, not knowing any of these songs!
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (182535)
• United States
3 Jul 23
Nope. I don't recognize this one at all.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69304)
• United States
3 Jul 23
To be honest, I don’t see you hanging off a speaker at Woodstock listening to this back then.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (182535)
• United States
4 Jul 23
@FourWalls No. Hubby almost went there (we weren't married at the time); but he was glad that he didn't go.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69304)
• United States
3 Jul 23
Wow, that’s cool! He still tours, too!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69304)
• United States
3 Jul 23
I always liked how he pronounced “Los Angeles” to get it to rhyme with “keys.”
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (69304)
• United States
3 Jul 23
Minor hit, so you had to be listening or like Arlo Guthrie, I guess.
1 person likes this