Words Fail Me, Have We Become This Sensitive?

[anotheoldgit]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46413209

[sp1814]

Another track (which I’ve always through was awesome) is ‘Under My Thumb’ by the Rolling Stones. Then one day, I was listening to it on my headphones and I could hear just how antiquated it sounded, a bit like ‘Kinky Boots’ by Patrick MacNee and Honor Blackman, which exhorts the pleasures of looking at ‘sexy little schoolgirls’ in their kinky boots - I’m not kidding.

Some songs just become victims of changing attitudes.

But I think we should keep in mind that this is an ongoing dialogue. For every ‘Oliver’s Army’ there’s a ‘Lola’.

[Cloverjo]

The radio station could have just quietly taken the song off its playlist and not made a fuss about it.

[maggiebee]

Not sure I remember Stuart, Togo. Mind you my memory's terrible and like you say I hope he's OK.

[Togo]

// where we are today//

Indeed, and where the hell are we pray? Going to hell in a handcart, that is being eagerly pushed by the narrow minded and readily offended half wits, is where we are.

[-Talbot-]

I don't think this is a News story but not for the reason it comes from America.

[retrocop]

I wonder how my niece finds the change in Canada. She was born and educated there and is now a young mid 40's.She e-mailed me a news letter about 3 days ago with birthday greetings etc but didn't mention the Christmas postal strike. Mind you my late sister told us about 50 years ago when she emigrated there that the postal service will strike regularly at the drop of a hat especially at Christmas. Perhaps my niece thought it unworthy of mention as it is so common there. :-(

[Mamyalynne]

It's a form of mass hysteria really, where once we may have shared opinions about the meanings of song lyrics, symbols etc with a pal and it may have spread to a group of friends - it's now round the globe in minutes and leaps from website to other media and like topsy it grows and grows.

[retrocop]

maggiebee
Stuey was a very interesting humerous gentleman who enjoyed horology and his daily walk across the field for his wobbly pops. He took a keen interest in British History as he was born here and moved to Canada at an early age.
Sadly after many entreaties to a certain ABer, no longer with us, to desist at calling North Americans 'stoopid' and dumbto no avail he decided he had no further place with AB. I miss his valuable advice on horological matters.

I apologise Mr aog for a slight diversion to your thread.

[hc4361]

I knew I read about this last year

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/9cb7d428-5d0e-4c70-8809-e4d07d9762eb

https://www.vox.com/identities/2016/12/19/13885552/baby-its-cold-outside-feminist-date-rape-romantic

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/em-and-lo/a-linebyline-take-down-of_b_6334026.html?guccounter=1

[sp1814]

Togo

But this has been going on for as long as I can remember.

There were a whole list of artists and songs which were banned from being played on the BBC and commercial channels during the first Gulf War (eg. Rock The Kasbah, anything but Bomb the Bass etc).

My Ding A Ling was banned by the BBC in the 1970s.

Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood was not played by the BBC in the 1980s.

Ebeneezer Goode by The Shamen was banned in the 90s.

And then there's that fantastic story about Wake Up Little Susie by the Everly Brothers being banned.

But my favourite is the one about Louie Louie by The Kingsmen being banned...because radon's stations couldn't make out what was being sung, but they suspected it was rude.

The great thing about now, is that we have ready access to practically any music we like. We don't have to rely on radio stations. We have Apple Music and YouTube and Spotify. It's not like the 1980s where you either had to own the song or wait for it to be played to you.

[hc4361]

Even 6 years ago
https://www.salon.com/2012/12/10/is_baby_its_cold_outside_a_date_rape_anthem/

[Mamyalynne]

I regularly get pulled up for stating things aren't new - backward records equal devil worship anyone?

But it's true, just the method of delivery has changed.

My Grandson (15) often spouts the latest theories and I tell him to think it through and decide what 'he' thinks and not to follow the pack.

[Mamyalynne]

I too hope Stewey is OK.

https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/members/stewey/

[retrocop]

I think it is sad and pathetic that people with over sensitive imaginations can interpret old songs in a perverse way, seeing things that are not there.They get their five minutes of publicity so keeps them happy I suppose.

[retrocop]

I've got Louie Louie by The Kingsmen on a 45rpm. I think the other side was Haunted Castle. I didn't know it had been banned. Maybe worth a tanner or two. :-)

[sp1814]

Mamyalynne

Spot on.

That is one of the jobs that teenagers and young people should be doing. Taking things that have gone before and discussing them with how they relate to their own world.

We did it in our youth.

Our parent did it.

The big difference now is that unlike any other generation, kids can voice their opinions to thousands of others instantly.

We only had the option of writing to newspapers and magazines.

I can totally see the point about 'Baby It's Cold Outside', but people should remember - it was written when the Queen was 17. It wasn't written last week. If people have an issue with 'rapey' songs, that are contemporary then that makes sense ('Blurred Lines' by Robin Thicke), but not something that was written when your grandfather was in short trousers.

[-Talbot-]

She smiled at me on the subway
She was with another man
But I won't lose no sleep on that
'Cause I've got a plan



Ban it.

[retrocop]

U-Bahn it. :-)

[ToraToraTora]

am I alone in not comprehending what is offensive about this song?

[Mamyalynne]

I have read the reports over the years, so I do know what some find fault with - it doesn't offend me as like Jim I view it as 'of its time'.