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The old Mud single by Keir Starmer and the Granny Harmers is a political statement. But the BBC has banned it !? Why ? If they disagree with the sentiments that's one thing. But are they not aware of their own track record with banning singles ? In short it always ensures they are successful. See Frankie Goes to Holiwood. Relax.
It is a piece of political satire. The BBC likes political satire. See Python, Not the 9 O 'Clock News, and at the moment Have I Got News For You.
Dont the intelegent idiots realise that by banning something you ensure it's success.?
So what do you think ? Should it be banned ? Should the people who banned it be banned ?
That at least had the excuse of banning something that is foul mouthed. I personally don't know why people would want to listen to a political satire song.
Taking the Mick out of your political opposition was well established when Disraeli was having a go at Gladstone 150 years ago. It's not new. So why ban it on the BBC now ?
I have no axe to grind over the content. For me that is not the issue. It's about freedom of speach and does the BBC have the right (at a time when we are not at war nor is there an election looming) to censor what we can listen to?
Taking the Mick out of your political opposition was well established when Disraeli was having a go at Gladstone 150 years ago. It's not new. So why ban it on the BBC now ?
I have no axe to grind over the content. For me that is not the issue. It's about freedom of speach and does the BBC have the right (at a time when we are not at war nor is there an election looming) to censor what we can listen to?
Couldn’t care less what the BBC bans, they have been doing that for at least 50 years.
Personally I think the song in question is well written, even sounds like Les Gray. The biggest irony is that the original song was a send up of Elvis. A parody of a parody so to speak.
Taking the Mick out of your political opposition was well established when Disraeli was having a go at Gladstone 150 years ago. It's not new. So why ban it on the BBC now ?
I have no axe to grind over the content. For me that is not the issue. It's about freedom of speach and does the BBC have the right (at a time when we are not at war nor is there an election looming) to censor what we can listen to?
Erroneous. Edited.
[Post edited 20 Dec 2024 9:58]
I'm one of the people who was blamed for getting Paul Cook sacked. PM for the full post.
That at least had the excuse of banning something that is foul mouthed. I personally don't know why people would want to listen to a political satire song.
They didn't play 'Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead' a few years back, that's pretty clean...
I'm one of the people who was blamed for getting Paul Cook sacked. PM for the full post.
Taking the Mick out of your political opposition was well established when Disraeli was having a go at Gladstone 150 years ago. It's not new. So why ban it on the BBC now ?
I have no axe to grind over the content. For me that is not the issue. It's about freedom of speach and does the BBC have the right (at a time when we are not at war nor is there an election looming) to censor what we can listen to?
But the BBC doesn't control everything, so you could (for example) listen to it on other radio stations. The BBC obviously has guidelines they want to follow, whether we all agree with those or not. But you still have the option of listening to it in other places where they believe it doesn't break their guidelines.
Given that the Beeb didn't play "Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead", despite it reaching #2 in 2013 after the death of Baroness Thatcher, I'd say that they're being reasonably consistent here. K & The Gang's song about Boris Johnson wasn't played either - although that was a complete swearfest as well as political statement so that's also understandable. I'm not aware of any commercial station that's playing it either although, funnily enough, it's only the BBC that are being picked up about it. Rinse and repeat.
Is it political satire? "The use of humour, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity or vices, particularly in the context of contemporary politics and other topical issues." I've read the lyrics, and I don't think that any of the four uses given in the definition are met - exaggeration perhaps but not in any amusing way. It's a bit of 6th form debating society 'comedy' set to an old tune with a half decent impression of Les Gunn. Must try harder.
Taking the Mick out of your political opposition was well established when Disraeli was having a go at Gladstone 150 years ago. It's not new. So why ban it on the BBC now ?
I have no axe to grind over the content. For me that is not the issue. It's about freedom of speach and does the BBC have the right (at a time when we are not at war nor is there an election looming) to censor what we can listen to?
the bbc aren't playing it because of balance, which is fair enough, there's thousands of meh novelty songs every year which don't get played on all sides of politics.
i doubt the commercial stations are playing it either as there's little to no demand; it's very niche with a handful of streams. people might buy the download for the bantz, but do they listen to it more than once? blame capitalism!
They didn't play 'Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead' a few years back, that's pretty clean...
Tramp the Dirt Down reached no. 78 in the I-tunes download charts at the same time.
I rather doubt it would have been played on the radio at the time, but I have come across this version from 1989 on the Late Show.
Perhaps this points to slightly more leeway when it comes to arts, alternative and "highbrow" programmes. Indeed, I think 6 Music plays songs (not necessarily political) that mainstream BBC radio stations wouldn't because of their content.
the bbc aren't playing it because of balance, which is fair enough, there's thousands of meh novelty songs every year which don't get played on all sides of politics.
i doubt the commercial stations are playing it either as there's little to no demand; it's very niche with a handful of streams. people might buy the download for the bantz, but do they listen to it more than once? blame capitalism!
From what I read, no station BBC or commercial is playing it, not banned as such just not on play lists.
I can’t understand why the BBC has banned it. Where is the harm in it?
If people want to see what real boot in the gonads satire looks like they should take a look at Gillray and Rowlandson’s stuff more than 220 years ago. Nobody was spared, royalty or politicians.
Edit: I’d have played Ding Dong The Witch is Dead too. Satire holds few limits for me beyond the obvious things and too extreme language (don’t know the lyrics of this). Politicians are fair game. In fact they always have been.
I can’t understand why the BBC has banned it. Where is the harm in it?
If people want to see what real boot in the gonads satire looks like they should take a look at Gillray and Rowlandson’s stuff more than 220 years ago. Nobody was spared, royalty or politicians.
Edit: I’d have played Ding Dong The Witch is Dead too. Satire holds few limits for me beyond the obvious things and too extreme language (don’t know the lyrics of this). Politicians are fair game. In fact they always have been.
[Post edited 20 Dec 2024 12:47]
See all the responses above regarding impartiality
That at least had the excuse of banning something that is foul mouthed. I personally don't know why people would want to listen to a political satire song.
But the BBC doesn't control everything, so you could (for example) listen to it on other radio stations. The BBC obviously has guidelines they want to follow, whether we all agree with those or not. But you still have the option of listening to it in other places where they believe it doesn't break their guidelines.
Which is good. Why does the BBC have sutch guidelines ?
I wonder if the Government will fiddle the charts to stop it getting to number 1 like they did with the Sex Pistols 'God Save The Queen' in 1977 Jubilee week.
I wonder if the Government will fiddle the charts to stop it getting to number 1 like they did with the Sex Pistols 'God Save The Queen' in 1977 Jubilee week.
no need, it stormed in at no.37!
"are they not aware of their own track record with banning singles ? In short it always ensures they are successful."
what number would it have been without banning? 137?
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