Fairytale scumbags
BBC Radio 1 has decided to censor Kirsty McCall & The Pogues (Shane McGowan) on the on-air broadcast version of Fairytale of New York on the grounds that it might offend. They have muted out the words Faggot and slut. They left in maggot, punk, bum & arse though.
Ironically though, BBC Radio 2 has no such ban and will be playing it as normal.
It was released twenty years ago, was offensive then as well but was meant to be in the context of two old lushes being rude to each other.
In the spirit of “political correctness gone mad”, there has been a certain backlash against this decision. The edit isn’t even very well done…
Here is the (uncensored) video version, there are loads more variants on YouTube. It might not show the start image properly but click the play button to see it.
Update: They’ve changed their mind…
Comment by Shades — December 18, 2007 @ 9:09 pm
They might have changed their mind, but frankly I find the pompous, patronising claptrap they’ve spouted to explain why almost as infuriating as the original ban. Normally I find that blogging about stuff like this gets it off my chest, but in this case I’m even angrier now than when I started.
Comment by Womble On Tour — December 18, 2007 @ 9:55 pm
I was listening to Fairytale this morning, while cleaning, and the thought struck me, that at one point, they sing about being handsome and pretty, and I thought, ‘Shane McGowan pretty?!!!!!’
Comment by Liz — December 19, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
I guess this just demonstrates what complete patronising Arses run the Beeb these days.
Comment by Phil A — December 19, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
It was an utterly idiotic decision. I’m glad there was a huge backlash.
Comment by jams o donnell — December 20, 2007 @ 4:54 pm