Kiss my ar$e - Radio 1 censor "Fairytale of New York"

[Gromit]

Radio 1 have decided to censor the Pogues' classic christmas record "Fairytale of New York".

The song, which has been popular since first charting in 1987, is now deemed offensive. Radio 1 are playing the record with some naughty words edited out.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/71495 25.stm

Nanny State or overdue?

[carrust]

As a born-again sceptic, I think this is a marketing ruse by either the record company, or Radio 1. I remember when Rolf Harris did a version of Stairway to Heaven, & the record company put-out a statement to the media saying that people wanted it banned...I think it got to No1.
Remember...no publicity is bad publicity!

[sp1814]

I've just checked out the story on the BBC website.

Can someone please explain to me...what in God's name has happened to Shane McGowan's face????

[China Doll]

Yeah, yeah Splat... don't pretend you wouldn't, bit of rough and all that Looks for an eyebrow wriggling smileycom and fails to find one

Ahem, sorry...

It's always kinda looked like that hasn't it sweetie.... Perhaps he lost the last few teeth he had?!

[jno]

McGowan has a perfect set of teeth, he just puts in the car crash false ones as part of his stage persona. Offstage he is a chartered accountant and lives in Surbiton.

[teag1rl]

Radio One changed its mind about censoring yesterday and it will now be played as normal....
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/71506 93.stm

[jno]

I'm not a fan of Peter Tatchell but I think his question is a fair one:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,222 9465,00.html

but as I asked it myself yesterday I would wouldn't I

[Gromit]

If you look at the whole verse, and the conext it is used, then it is clearly not meant as a derogatory term for a homosexual:

"You're a bum
You're a punk
You're an old **** on junk
Lying there almost dead on a drip in that bed
You scumbag, you maggot
You cheap lousy faggot
Happy Christmas your arse
I pray God it's our last"

It is about someone visiting someone they love as they are dying of alcohol poisoning. There is anger directed at the dying person because they do not want the person to die and leave them. There is no homosexual slur intended.

MacGowan wrote a Pogues song about working as a rentboy (see link below), which doesn't display any homophobia on his part.

http://www.pogues.com/Releases/Lyrics/LPs/RumS odomy/MainDrag.html

[Lucy Thomas]

As an old 5lut on junk, I am deeply offended by this song.