10 Artists Who Modified Their Problematic Tune Lyrics

What she mentioned 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 mentioned 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 this planet.”

What she mentioned about it later: “Now, the best way that I’d say that and the best way that I’d really feel that type of ache is lots totally different,” she instructed MTV in 2011.

What they mentioned about it later: “I’m a 26-year-old particular person. And sure, a proud feminist. Simply perhaps not an ideal one,” lead singer Hayley Williams instructed Monitor 7. “The factor that irritated me was that I had already carried out 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 someway exemplify what it means to develop up, get data, and turn out to be any shade of ‘woke,’ then that’s A-OK with me.”

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

What she mentioned 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 instructed Pitchfork in 2017.

What they mentioned about it later: “I share duty and supply my sincerest apologies for the ache this has induced. People with autism have good and inventive minds, and their items 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 imagine that it’s the proper, accountable, and respectful resolution to take away the lyric from the tune.”

J. Cole additionally issued an apology.

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

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

What they mentioned about it later: Due to its homophobic language, the 1985 tune 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 reside. Dire Straits by no means publicly addressed the lyric change.

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