FREE SPEECH I: Virgin Records’ Jeff Ayeroff,...

FREE SPEECH I: Virgin Records’ Jeff Ayeroff, one of the few record execs brave enough to take a stand against censorship and record labeling, has already made news by saying he’ll put pro-First Amendment stickers on new Virgin discs starting next week. But now Virgin is battling censorship with the best weapon possible--satire. Friday, the label will release “(If U Want Free Speech) Go to Russia,” a mock-rap single by political spoofster Harry Shearer that features a biting attack on anti-rock crusaders. (The single will have cover art designed by “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening.) It goes in part:

This is the Sheriff of Yahoo County talkin’,

If you’re sellin’ smutty rap, you better start walkin’,

No use suin’, no use squawkin’ , the judge sez I can come in and hush ya ,

If U want free speech, go to Russia . . . .

From museums to movies to record stores, we’re drying up America’s sores,

A mind is a terrible thing to have without doors,

So don’t make me come in and cuff and cuss ya,

If U want free speech, go to Russia.