1973 Classic Rock Song That Became a Massive Hit in the US Was Banned by the BBC

"Kodachrome" was a 1973 song by Paul Simon from his third studio album, There Goes Rhymin' Simon. It was released 53 years ago today, on May 19.

The song, which was named after a film brand that is now discontinued by Kodak, has lyrics like, "Kodachrome, they give us those nice bright colors, give us the greens of summers, makes you think all the world's a sunny day. I got a Nikon camera. I love to take a photograph, so mama don't take my Kodachrome away."

Although the song became a hit in the United States, rising all the way to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, it was banned by the BBC and the Federation of Australian Radio Broadcasters because of its title, which was trademarked. Kodachrome was a brand of color reversal film initially introduced in 1935. However, its manufacturer was discontinued in 2009 once digital photography became more popular.

Simon, who has had many hits as a solo artist and as a part of Simon & Garfunkel, is currently 84. He is still actively touring and recording new music.

In a 2016 interview with Billboard, Simon discussed his songwriting process. When the interviewer asked whether he ever comes up with songs in a flash, he said, "Well, that's what happened with ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water.' That's rare, when you get into flow like that and ­something comes unedited and pure and with a degree of clarity and intensity. It doesn't usually last very long, and you can't manufacture it again. I mean, you could try, if you want to use a substance or something. It's a mystery, writing songs."

Related: 1989 Rock Hit Released 37 Years Ago Today Came From an Iconic Band That's Still Touring in Their 70s

Simon continued, "I think that is why I've been doing it for all this time. I like that mystery: ‘How come I feel this way? Why do I hear this thing in my head, but can't quite get it to come alive?' On those occasions that you do get it right, when you say what you want to say with music and words - the dopamine floods through your brain, and whoa! You're hooked. You could spend years trying again, because you want that dopamine fix."

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This story was originally published May 19, 2026 at 1:20 PM.