When country legend Loretta Lynn released “The Pill” in 1975, she wasn’t just singing about birth control, she was kicking down the doors of country radio with a truth most stations didn’t want to hear. A woman taking charge of her own body? That was too much for the Nashville old guard. Banned by dozens of stations across the country, the song still became a cultural lightning rod and a chart hit.

In this episode, we dig into the story behind “The Pill,” from Loretta Lynn’s own experience raising six kids by age 34 to the explosive reaction the song sparked in conservative circles. It’s a three-minute anthem that challenged the status quo, reshaped country music, and proved you didn’t need permission to tell your truth.

Want to hear all the songs we couldn’t play on the show? Head to dontplaythatsong.com for the official companion playlist.

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Sources For This Episode:

https://time.com/6219550/loretta-lynn-dies-the-pill-legacy/

https://theboot.com/loretta-lynn-the-pill-secret-history-of-country-music/

https://cocaineandrhinestones.com/loretta-lynn-pill-ban

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/loretta-lynn-feminism-song-pill/6837/

https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/loretta-lynn-the-pill-feature/

https://countryreunionmusic.com/loretta-lynns-the-pill-sparked-controversary-and-change/

https://www.thedailybeast.com/after-country-stations-banned-loretta-lynns-the-pill-it-became-her-biggest-pop-hit

https://americansongwriter.com/revisiting-the-meaning-of-loretta-lynns-1975-womens-reproductive-rights-song-the-pill/

https://tasteofcountry.com/controversial-banned-loretta-lynn-songs/

https://www.newyorker.com/recommends/listen/loretta-lynn-the-pill

https://pitchfork.com/features/afterword/loretta-lynn-obituary