This is an update to this post by Kate about the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council’s decision to ban the Dire Straits song Money For Nothing from Canadian airwaves after one person in Newfoundland complained about one particular word.
In the song, written by Mark Knopfler – surely one of the gentlest and most mild-mannered human beings extant – a frustrated, hardworking, furniture-moving yob sees a poodle-headed rock star on MTV, and says (in effect) to his buddy, in a tone that’s simultaneously awestruck and bitter, “Look at that guy! He’s a millionaire. Why the hell are we moving appliances for a living?”
This envious character who uses the word “faggot” also says “That’s the way you do it!” and “Lemme tell ya’, them guys ain’t dumb!”
Anyway, here’s the good news, brought to our attention last night by SDA reader Rob: an Edmonton radio station is refusing to abide by the limitlessly tone-deaf, dumb, march-step “progressive” – what an ironic word – ridiculousness:
While some of K-97’s content may be controversial, we respect the right to free speech for all Canadians and songwriters. That’s why K-97 has decided to go against the grain…yet again, and hold a “MONEY FOR NOTHING HOUR”. From 8pm – 9pm on Friday, January 14th, 2011 K-97’s Todd James will be playing the Dire Straits “Money For Nothing” unedited and non stop for the entire hour to express our deep concern about this decision and the precedent it sets.
That’s exactly how it’s supposed to work. You can support the station and it’s program director by calling 780-437-9323, or – perhaps preferably, given the number of calls they’re probably receiving in real time – by emailing the station’s program director, James “Gruff” Gushkowski, at jgushnowski@newcap.ca
And feel free to tool around the Canadian Broadcast Standard Council website for some thoroughly up-to-date bureaucratise.
And the nanny state marches on.
It say’s that number is not in service!
Ken
I think KISS sucks and Gene Simmons is a first class douch3bag
But I will never say any band should be banned.
Expression IS culture.
d
PiperPaul, thanks for the Mondegreen reference. I figured my condition wasn’t unique but after the strange looks I’ve gotten after I told people what I thought the words of songs were, I haven’t discussed it much. For a lot of music I find it far easier to figure out how to play the guitar parts than figure out what the (to me) distorted lyrics are. Similarly, a drummer I knew would get every rhythm nuance from a song a lot of which I’d miss.
What would be interesting to do would be to find out if someone who was homosexual would be more likely to here ‘scuse me while I kiss this guy in Hendrix’s Purple Haze. (one of the examples given in the Wikipedia Mondegreen article).
Noticed that the NP had a few articles about this latest episode of PC gone wild. What was unique about Money for Nothing was that for some people only could figure out the song by watching the music video. When the song came out I liked it and bought the tape, but had no idea what the words were for the most part. My girlfriend at the time, who seemed to be able to hear words in songs, told me it made no sense to her (and told me the words) but it suddenly made sense to her when she saw the music video. It made sense to me from a musical standpoint which was all that it took for me to want to listen to it again.
shurely ‘bureaucratEse” ?
Big ol’ jet airliner. SteveMiller Band
Who are you? The Who
100th Meridian The Hip
All contain a magical word, that might offend somebody.
And, how long will it be before some self-centered atheist comes along and is offended by the name Jesus. That will take of any number of songs, such as “One” by U2, “Boyfriend” (?) by the Killers, etc, etc……
It really is madness. If you don’t like the song, turn the station.
Rap has gotten away with murder for years with all of its derogatory euphemisms and language.
But a little faggot gets his kickers in a knot and its curtains.
Wouldn’t it be great if we inundated the CBSC with complaints about all the offensive songs out there…
And here I thought a faggot was a bundle of sticks. When I was a kid, a fag meant a cigarette. Gay meant happy or lighthearted. Words. I suppose they can mean anything you want them to. Shouldn’t we then ban all words?
Satellite radio played this one … as well as every song in their entirety, without commercials for $10 a month. If it is something you can afford, I would recommend it.
“Jetliner” should be played because it is a good song.
People mishearing lyrics is more humorous than tragic or controversial. “Luck Be a Lady Tonight” or “Huck Be a Monkey Tonight”? YOU decide.
I checked out K-97 (damn, I wish I could get their MILF calendar); they have a great compendium of Beatles videos with the “dirty” words censored out. It’s very funny.
http://www.k97.fm/viewvideo.asp?id=104&latest=1
Indiana Homez: “Does intent, or taste factor into this discussion regarding the censorship of music on the airwaves?”
I am the most powerful censor that exists. If I don’t like something, I immediately change channels. As far as the “children” are concerned – they don’t listen to radio any more.
Listen to as much of the rap crap as you want.
It’s kind of funny seeing an industry with it’s own death panel.
This story has now gone international. Of course, the Leftists will just paint it as “further proof that non-Leftists are all bigots & haters”.
To me, this story isn’t in the same league as trying to suppress the free speech of the likes of Steyn and Levant but it’s still most curious why it’s happening now.
Banning a song written by the guy who wrote the theme for The Princess Bride? Inconceivable!
They might as well ban The Princess Bride because it didn’t feature a gay marriage.
‘Next thing you know, these freedom-hating, free-speech prohibitors will be banning White Christmas and The Christmas Song because “Christmas” offends someone.
One person is offended by one person in Newfoundland and that’s enough to send these idiots into paroxysms of misplaced guilt and angst?
Grow a pair, whoever you are in Nfld. and you anti-free speech weenies at the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council.
For crying out loud.
Re my 10:18 comment:
One person is offended by one word … geesh
One person complains……..I just don’t get it. If we don’t stand up and fight against this ridiculous sensorship, everything thing in our lives will soon come under attack. This is so lame, they can’t sensor my album! I now have that tune stuck in my brain. F**kn faggot with your earring and your makeup………….Maybe we should all drive around with it blaring on our car stereo. A number #1 song by a #1 band.
“I knew the bride when she used to rock and roll”.
Wrong song?
Sorry….
Apparently the author is saying that the labourer in the song is an ignoramus and bigot and his intent was to highlight the ignorant bigotry of people who don’t properly appreciate art, or something.
All this time I had thought it was a little self deprecating humour now I find out the little faggot is merely denigrating the people who made him wealthy:(
As both a recording artist and a poet this story has gotten my boxer briefs in a twist.
Ya think Dire Straits should be banned?
Im gonna spin Eminem rap on national radio
see how many people I can offend with Slim Shady
Anyone else notice there is an apparent no-white-males policy on the CBSC website? I’m referring to the top left banner graphic that changes as you browse the site.