Sausage,

It has nothing to do with shock value. When you play clubs songs take on a life of their own. There are many songs by artists like Toby, Hank Jr. etc. that the audience gets to know and sings out their own lines. It is normal conversation in that arena the same as it is normal conversation in the rap and hip hop arena the way they talk and issues they relate to.

Most artists who have this type of a song will ship two versions to radio. One for the "safe version" and one the other way. The program director in that particular station makes the decision of which one is played. It is a very common practice. In the days of singles there would actually be one version on one side and the other on the other side.

Back in the 50's there were often versions of songs by Ray Charles, Big Mama Thorton, etc. that were called "Race Music' and had lyrics that didn't fit when more conservative artists recorded them.

This has all been going on for many years and is always something artists are keenly aware of.

MAB