Apple’s iTunes has seemingly walked back a decision to remove the song “Kiss Kiss (XX) My Arse,” performed by Holly Valance for the conservative Australian political party One Nation’s promotional film A Super Progressive Movie, after it reached number one on the iTunes paid-download charts, prompting accusations of censorship from supporters; the track was briefly unavailable on Apple’s platform, sparking public outcry and debate over corporate content moderation and perceived bias, before reappearing for purchase again.
Sources
https://www.theepochtimes.com/world/itunes-appears-to-reverse-ban-on-chart-topping-song-linked-to-one-nation-film-5978524
https://www.ladbible.com/entertainment/music/pop-song-removed-apple-music-360122-20260130
https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/pauline-hanson-song-tops-apple-music-itunes-chart-90248/
Key Takeaways
• A politically charged song tied to One Nation’s animated film briefly disappeared from iTunes after climbing the paid-download charts, leading to accusations of censorship by critics.
• The song’s return to Apple’s platform suggests Apple may have reversed its initial decision following public scrutiny.
• Coverage reflects broader cultural tensions over content moderation, “anti-woke” messaging, and how digital platforms enforce policies.
In-Depth
In a cultural flashpoint that reflects growing tensions over content moderation and perceived political bias by big tech platforms, Apple’s iTunes briefly removed “Kiss Kiss (XX) My Arse,” a provocative track by Holly Valance released in conjunction with One Nation’s satirical animated film A Super Progressive Movie, only to apparently restore it after significant pushback. According to reporting, the song, which was released to coincide with the film’s rollout, climbed to the top of the iTunes paid-download charts in Australia, a performance that shot the track to prominence and highlighted its popularity among a segment of consumers, even if it didn’t immediately translate into broader streaming chart success. Despite reaching number one on paid downloads, the song was pulled from the platform, prompting immediate accusations from supporters and conservative commentators that Apple had engaged in discriminatory censorship against content with a conservative or “anti-woke” message.
Critics seized on the removal as evidence that major technology companies are willing to suppress content that clashes with prevailing cultural norms or progressive narratives, particularly when that content is tied to outspoken critics of “woke” ideology. The song’s lyrics, described in coverage as confrontational and targeting contemporary cultural debates, became part of the broader controversy, with detractors arguing that Apple selectively enforced its policies in a way that silenced dissenting voices. The subsequent reappearance of the track on iTunes — reported by multiple outlets — was widely interpreted as a reversal of Apple’s initial decision, illustrating the power of public pressure and the high stakes of content decisions made by gatekeepers in the digital marketplace.
This episode has ignited debate beyond the music itself, touching on fundamental questions about free expression, corporate influence over cultural discourse, and the responsibilities of digital platforms in adjudicating what content is permissible. Whether one views the original removal as a policy enforcement action or a misstep corrected under scrutiny, the situation underscores the heightened sensitivity around politically inflammatory content and the perception of ideological bias in big tech moderation practices. As platforms like Apple balance community standards with user expectations for openness, controversies like this are likely to persist, shaping how tech giants navigate the competing demands of content oversight, cultural accountability, and marketplace fairness.