Money For Nothing banned in Canada for using "faggot." Do you agree?

[Strat-Mangler]

Agree or disagree?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/dire-straits-money-nothing-censored-broadcast-panel-rules-20110112-175448-551.html

[jaycee]

Vehemently disagree. I'm so sick of people trying to tell others how to talk. Everybody is offended everywhere at all times by all things.

[Polynitro]

lol Canada

[padols]

Vehemently disagree. I'm so sick of people trying to tell others how to talk. Everybody is offended everywhere at all times by all things.

I'm offended by this. :drink

[Polynitro]

isnt the singer British? he just means 'bundle of sticks' or whatever

[Strat-Mangler]

Vehemently disagree. I'm so sick of people trying to tell others how to talk. Everybody is offended everywhere at all times by all things.
Yeah, true.

I remember a South Park episode drawing that conclusion. It was a Christmas episode and the SP mayor decided it would be the first PC X-Mas ever, so they obliged anyone who has a problem with something. First came the biggies (any reference to Jesus, etc) and that went on to more stupid things like "I'm offended by trees."

In the end, what they were left with was so insanely devoid of any color or meaning that everybody said "screw it" to all the PC fanatics and they went back to having a real X-Mas.

[Strat-Mangler]

isnt the singer British? he just means 'bundle of sticks' or whatever
Sorry, nope.

See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy that’s his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he’s a millionaire

[EricPeterson]

People need to grow up.

[semi-hollowbody]

canada...tsk...what a bunch of faggots!

;)...no I think it is wrong...its a song for god sakes if it offends you do NOT liston to it

[Polynitro]

they should ban that song for being a bad song.

I read that Sting insisted on getting 50% album royalties just for singing that 1 line. Brilliant businessman that Sting.

[Leonardo]

Banning songs from the radio?! How gay is that...

:roll

[Platypus]

Talking about this in the context of a song/censorship is one thing, using it or other similar slurs in the thread otherwise is not going to fly.

[Doug's Tubes]

Was there a 25+ year debate on this? Song came out in 1985 for heaven sakes.

[Polynitro]

why not just bleep it out? They do that all the time with rap songs.

[drive-south]

I always though the song was poking fun at themselves since, after all, they are musicians and the song pokes fun at musicians.

I should have learned to play guitar. I should have learned to play those drums. That ain't working, that's the way you do it, get their money for nothing and your' chicks for free.

If you offend easily, stay far away from a Ted Nugent show.

[taez555]

I always find in amusing to see which Radio stations in the US choose to play which version. They’ve already been editing out that verse for years.

As for the song itself. Seeing as how the song is written from point of view of a blue collar worker, part of that character is his homophobia. It's not as if Mark Knopfler was advocating homophobia, he was merely trying to portray this homophobic character, who would be pissed off at "faggots" for making it big in music, while he was schlepping kitchen appliances while dreaming of being a rockstar.


It's all about context.

[THebert]

Wow, the political correctness is out of control!

[Joshlespaul1952]

Yeah .... can't they just "bleep" that part, or skip it altogether? Doesn't seem like such a huge issue to me. Listen to rap "music" nowadays (not that I'm some old codger who hates all new stuff - just don't like the mainstream rap scene).

[atquinn]

If you can bleep out rap song, that are, IMO offensive content-wise, why not bleep out this? Although for all I know, modern rap songs are banned on Canadian radio? Anyway, I don't think I've heard a full version of the song for years, that entire verse is always taken out. But hey, in a world where Reagan can use Born in the USA as a rallying song, it's not surprising that the droll humor in this song goes right over a bunch of powerful idiots' heads.

EDIT: O.k., after reading mc1's post it sounds like Canada is just going to do what US radio has been doing for many many years. Nothing to see here.

-Austin

[John Coloccia]

I don't have a face palm strong enough to express how I feel. You know, I get that someone who's sensitive might be offended, but so what? Just don't listen to it. I don't listen to rap because I find most of it absolutely offensive, but I couldn't imagine ever wanting to ban it. I just don't listen to it.

[Phalanx200bc]

Whats wrong with cigarrettes?

[Polynitro]

Chicks for free is not offensive?

The most offensive part is the guitar tone

[EricPeterson]

As for the song itself. Seeing as how the song is written from point of view of a blue collar worker, part of that character is his homophobia. It's not as if Mark Knopfler was advocating homophobia, he was merely trying to portray this homophobic character, who would be pissed off at "faggots" for making it big in music, while he was schlepping kitchen appliances while dreaming of being a rockstar.


It's all about context.

Exactly.

[Polynitro]

they are saying the word was not offensive when the song came out but now it is. Im calling shenanegins on that one. It was always offensive., if anything less so now.

[Jahn]

isn't it a little late in the game for banning? heck, that song's so old now it might as well just be archived in the library of congress - who doesn't censor archived material as far as i know, by the way.

[mnjordan]

Hah, I actually heard Money for Nothing on the radio not long ago, and the word in questions was edited out.

Simple enough, no?

[Strat-Mangler]

canada...tsk...what a bunch of faggots!
Oh, an anti-Canada "joke." How original.

Talking about this in the context of a song/censorship is one thing, using it or other similar slurs in the thread otherwise is not going to fly.
Exactly.

all kinds of words are banned or censored on the radio, why keep this old useless relic?
So I guess you're OK with censoring Huckleberry Finn too? (there was a thread about this)

[Mike7]

Canada, "and their beer sucks too!"

[paulrocker]

As for the song itself. Seeing as how the song is written from point of view of a blue collar worker, part of that character is his homophobia. It's not as if Mark Knopfler was advocating homophobia, he was merely trying to portray this homophobic character, who would be pissed off at "faggots" for making it big in music, while he was schlepping kitchen appliances while dreaming of being a rockstar.

well said

[semi-hollowbody]

Oh, an anti-Canada "joke." How original.


Exactly.


So I guess you're OK with censoring Huckleberry Finn too? (there was a thread about this)
didnt you see the ;)??
I thought it was obvious I was kidding...I love canada...and I dont use the word "faggots" unless I am kidding...sorry if you thought I was sincerely insulting all of canada! :(

[Platypus]

Some people cannot help themselves so I had to remove a post. Consider this the last warning or I'm closing this thread. This isn't complicated to understand.

[rob2001]

seems reasonable to me. the term is clearly derogatory

all kinds of words are banned or censored on the radio

It's at least as derogatory as the "N" word...isn't it?

[Dr. Tweedbucket]

Yes, if we don't protect ourselves from ourselves, then who will do it?

Someone hold me :cry:

[Polynitro]

they never said that. read more carefully.





A CBSC panel concluded that the word "faggot," even if once acceptable, has evolved to become unacceptable in most circumstances.

thats how I read that:the word used to be acceptable but now its not. Seems clear to me.

[Shiny McShine]

The song should simply be banned for being lame.

Lameness analysis: First off, there's that flatulent riff and all those King Kong tom hits. Just when you think something's about to happen after a couple of rounds, the bass comes in with the most stupid plodding line I've ever heard. Then comes his goofy voice and the most ridiculous lyrics ever written. He's the king of the mustached and side-burned rockers; he has virtually nothing to say in this song or most of his others. The song is really about him.

[Strat-Mangler]

nobody banned nuthin', and the op is just trying to spin this little mob into a frenzy. easy as 1, 2, 3.
Right, because you know my intentions are. Maybe you should listen to your own advice and use your mind more often before posting these idiocies.

[Section10]

Mark uses "mother" instead of faggot live. Many don't know this but i'm actually a son of a mother so u can see why I take great offense.

[Strat-Mangler]

i'm ok with censoring everything! i'm canadian, homosexual, and proud of it.
How does it feel to have the world's thinnest skin?

[Strat-Mangler]

Mark uses "mother" instead of faggot live. Many don't know this but i'm actually a son of a mother so u can see why I take great offense.
:roll

Ok, that one did make me laugh. Good one! :)

[mark norwine]

While I'm against censorship, it's kinda hard to give a damn about a song that hasn't been played on the radio for 10 years.....

[A-Bone]

I guess they played it Canada at least once, given that someone complained after hearing it on the radio.

[Polynitro]

its on the radio every. single. day. It comes on usually right after Sweet Home Alabama.

[starfish]

There's always some special interest scapegoat to frame for today's broad spectrum loss of liberty. Any reason at all is a reason given to censor, ban and burn ideas. Where they burn books, so too they will burn human beings - to paraphrase the great quote which broadly applies any speech, books and music alike - ideas.

Congratulations, you smuggled a bundle of twigs into to Nero's Rome. Will you stand there and fiddle, pour gas on the fire, or resist your enslavement?

[Blues Power]

Was there a 25+ year debate on this? Song came out in 1985 for heaven sakes.

my thoughts eaxactly.

I hope they never hear "Who Are you" Lyrics

I always wondered how that song never got banned.

[fredgarvin]

A CBSC panel concluded that the word "faggot," even if once acceptable, has evolved to become unacceptable in most circumstances.

thats how I read that:the word used to be acceptable but now its not. Seems clear to me.

According to your Overlords. :Spank

[Crimson Queen]

I hope they never hear "Who Are you" Lyrics

I always wondered how that song never got banned.

Canada is a different culture than the US. Hurtful speach and violence are often censored. Obsenities and cursing are not. Especially on French Canadian television and radio. Anyway, I hear Money for Nothing every day in Montreal.

[starfish]

Money for nothing = the unexpected royalties Knoppfler will collect in FY2011 thanks to the publicity, thus extending the very concepts they sought to ban. Ah, the unintended consequences of bloated, useless bureaucracy, all for your collective protection, of course.

[deluxemeat]

replace the offensive word with something that hits closer to home and the people with the more insensitive sounding posts in this thread might reconsider...

[Travst]

Life in general is going to be Pablum if this continues.

[ImmortalSix]

If you can bleep out rap song, that are, IMO offensive content-wise, why not bleep out this?

Sometimes bleeping sounds dirtier than the word that was there in the first place:

B-Wd-Q3F8KM

[Crimson Queen]

replace the offensive word with something that hits closer to home and the people with the more insensitive sounding posts in this thread might reconsider...

I agree one hundred percent.

[Big_Daddy]

Was there a 25+ year debate on this? Song came out in 1985 for heaven sakes.

Yeah, well, you know, we Canucks don't like to make hasty decisions, unless it involves slamming somebody into the boards during a hockey game. :roll

[Ed Reed]

Vehemently disagree. I'm so sick of people trying to tell others how to talk. Everybody is offended everywhere at all times by all things.

This!!!!

Can't the politically correct just get over it?

[Jeff Michael]

replace the offensive word with something that hits closer to home and the people with the more insensitive sounding posts in this thread might reconsider...

Lacquer-sniffer? Blues-lawyer? Poser?

JAM

[Stevil]

Anyway, I don't think I've heard a full version of the song for years, that entire verse is always taken out.

+1
i'm surprised when a station plays has the balls to play a non-edited version of the song. maybe it's just an administrative oversite.

[pickaguitar]

I'm not a fan of cersorship...but why are some songs edited and others aren't?

[louderock]

I'm from GA and my hair is long. So, does that mean I can complain and be offended by every song that has the word 'hillbilly' or 'redneck' or 'hippie' or..... and get it changed?

[Gargloic]

Come on, life as changed since it was written.

It is almost as stupid as removing/replacing the word French in French fries... because you don't agree with politic decisions from France.

:dunno


Gargloic

[R13D]

Would it be ok to replace the alleged offending word with homo? After all,it's just an abbreviation.

[Z_Zoquis]

This was done as a result of a single complaint received by a station in eastern canada launched by someone who found the song "offensive."

Seems to me the only people who should be offended by Money For Nothing are furniture delivery guys. :dunno I mean thats who the song is really "attacking" - well, anyone who isn't an "artist" and who criticizes artists for their ability to make money by performing (or doing nothing as the characters in the song would have it)...

Personally, I've always found the song Relax by Frankie Goes To Hollywood really offensive. Maybe I should launch a complaint...

[jaycee]

replace the offensive word with something that hits closer to home and the people with the more insensitive sounding posts in this thread might reconsider...

Nah. I guarantee you'll tire out before you're able to offend me with well-worn epithets, racial insensitivity, political rhetoric, etc.

People are just babies about anything and everything. People who have too much time on their hands have nothing better to do than say, "hmmmm, this bothers me so i must make sure it doesn't bother anyone else, ever."

To them i say, "go &^%* yourself.

[Gavin]

Canada=look at them yoyo's

[S.W.Erdnase]

See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy that’s his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he’s a millionaireGee, a multi-millionaire rock singer with immense hard-won talent and success singing a song where he refers to multi-millionaire rock singers as faggots who effortlessly make money despite having no talent.

Gee, Canada, do you think maybe he was making an ironic comment on the morons who think his money fell from the trees, rather than literally vilifying homosexuals?

I'll give you some time to think about this Canada because you are not going to pass the exams unless you smarten up and start using your loaf.

[Sidney Vicious]

It is clear from the video that accompanied the song that the working man moving the furniture was talking about the rock guys playing the song - Knopfler et al - as others have noted.

It was Knopfler giving voice to the presumed prejudices of the working man jealous of the easy life of the Knopfler's of the world.

Maybe the working man is the one that should be complaining!

(I see Z Zoquis beat me to it - I'll add I agree with you Z on that Frankie atrocity as well!)

[doublea]

Canada, "and their beer sucks too!"

:roll :roll :roll

[Jetrow]

I'm Canadian. You know Canadians have a lot of great qualities. Sadly some times some of us, well we get a little stupid.

I think that my government shouldn't call people faggots. Hell there are a lot of things I don't want my government to call people. I know most of you guys know what I mean.

But sometimes, people get going and get themselves all worked up and in a tizzy. Panties bunched up into a critical mass, mass hysteria, cats and dogs living together. Then they decide in their freaked out crazy mind that not only shouldn't the government call people faggots, but no one should call people faggots.

Yes I know it's ridiculous and of course so far over the top as to get you thinking there should be an adult present at these little committee meetings just in case this happens. Well you know, the economy the way it is, little groups of tyrants get in through the cracks and the next thing you know, crazy ass stuff like this gets spoken in public and before you know it, everyone starts associating you with these half wits.

The lyrics in context clearly point out that while all the hair and glitter of the music scene is the target of derogatory remarks, the same guy being insulted could buy and sell the people who would made the derogatory remarks.

So for the record, I as a Canadian, would like to apologise to the rest of the world, for letting this nonsense reach international media the way it has. Please excuse this behaviour and consider it a "flub" on our part while we work at getting this changed and the people who came up with this back to the institution with the comfy chairs and safe to look at paintings where they won't be bothered by all this music, poetry and entertainment. If you please, let's just take a muligan on this one. :dunno

Now please by my guest as a Canadian, and enjoy this Dire Straights song.

iwDDswGsJ60

[S.W.Erdnase]

replace the offensive word with something that hits closer to home and the people with the more insensitive sounding posts in this thread might reconsider...

Lyrics are literal for you aren't they? Like, when the guy sings "Mama said knock you out" you run for the cops to report on her because, apparently, Mama's gonna knock you out, right?

;)

[lcjc800]

released in 1985.....


there must be an a HUGE backlog at the Ministry of Banning, eh....25 yrs to get to this one, eh......hand me another MOLSON der Doug, thanks eh, hoot next, ban that silly long thin bacon......eh dat'll teach 'em eh


http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f66/LCJC800/Bob-and-doug-1.jpg

I can see Canada from my house, and keep an eye on them because of things like this......:nono

[doublea]

Did Canada ban Eminem's albums too? He uses the word faggot pretty often in his lyrics.

[5cent]

Would any of you have a problem if the character was talking about hip-hop stars, and he used the "N-word"?

Art itself should not be censored, but I think that public broadcasting should have lines that ought not to be crossed (at least during certain hours).

[S.W.Erdnase]

So for the record, I as a Canadian, would like to apologise to the rest of the world...

Hey we know it's not you, man. It's the gubmint!

:drink

[5cent]

Did Canada ban Eminem's albums too? He uses the word faggot pretty often in his lyrics.

You did read the article in question, yes?

[funkycam]

here's a thing: "faggot" is not a homosexual slur in the UK (which is where Dire Straits is from).

People don't use that word at all.
I grew up in Scotland in the 80s & people say "poofter" or "chutney ferret"

the only time I ever heard it was for this bizarre meat product called "Mr Brain's Faggots"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_(food (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot_(food))

[Travst]

I see no reason to pick on Canadians here. I'm sure that most of us don't want to serve as apologists for everything our officials say and do.

[Z_Zoquis]

I'm Canadian and I think its ludicrous. The song has been played over and over again on various stations here for 25 yrs and never been cited as having inspired a single case of violence or anything that I'm aware of against homosexuals. But now we need to be protected from it?

[Dexter.Sinister]

Naturally, the lyrics must be considered in context. The song is pretty obviously a tongue-in-cheek character study, not unlike the "Archie Bunker" character. It is a social critique meant to represent the grumblings of a character utside of the music industry, not a gay-bashing manifesto.

It isn't my favorite composition, but I see nothing to complain about.

As for the decision, madness.

DS

[lcjc800]

well. looks pretty unanimous, when's the invasion......

[Average Joe]

You can ban words but not the opinions they are used to express and therein lies the futility of banning the words. The people that would use faggot as a slur, such as the character in the song, will find other ways of being derogative. Wan't to stop derision? That takes education and enlightenment, not banning of particular words.

[Dickie Fredericks]

Nope, it shouldnt be banned.

[suckamc]

Ah, so it's not just us Americans who've become hyper-sensitive and weak.

[Melodyman]

Agree or disagree?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/dire-straits-money-nothing-censored-broadcast-panel-rules-20110112-175448-551.html

Laughable :roll

PC crap really totally out of control these days imo.

[Section10]

The song should simply be banned for being lame.

Lameness analysis: First off, there's that flatulent riff and all those King Kong tom hits. Just when you think something's about to happen after a couple of rounds, the bass comes in with the most stupid plodding line I've ever heard. Then comes his goofy voice and the most ridiculous lyrics ever written. He's the king of the mustached and side-burned rockers; he has virtually nothing to say in this song or most of his others. The song is really about him.


wait. you're talking about Money for Nothing being lame lyrics?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIKXG5OzagA

(more of the story)
The lead character in "Money for Nothing" is a guy who works in the hardware department in a television/custom kitchen/refrigerator/microwave appliance store. He's singing the song. I wrote the song when I was actually in the store. I borrowed a bit of paper and started to write the song down in the store. I wanted to use a lot of the language that the real guy actually used when I heard him, because it was more real...".

Even his biggest most poppy sounding hit had meaning behind the lyrics. Its not at ALL about him.

apparently this a little story
http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2011/01/13/canada-the-worlds-most-easily-offended-country/

[geekocaster]

that's just bizarre, the lyric is a satire

[EricPeterson]

Ywill find other ways of being derogative. Wan't to stop derision? That takes education and enlightenment, not banning of particular words.


yeah but that stuff is hard, banning words is easy. :aok

[snarkle]

they should ban that song for being a bad song.

I'd be happy never to hear it again.

A bunch of my fellow Canadians are already up in arms about this, saying that the song is satirical in intent...but after my one run-in with Mark Knopfler I'm not so sure.

Let's just say that although I like the sound of positions 2 and 4, not to mention a great ’burst, I can't listen to Dire Straits any more...

[Melodyman]

replace the offensive word with something that hits closer to home and the people with the more insensitive sounding posts in this thread might reconsider...

I've been called everything in the book on the internet, never whined or complained to anybody about it.

[5cent]

Ah, so it's not just us Americans who've become hyper-sensitive and weak.

Is it "hyper-sensitive and weak" that generally when this (NSFW) song:

(NSFW) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni_yk4HQfjg

is generally sung as "Run, Johnny, Run" today? After all, in it's time, it was a perfectly acceptable thing to say.

[Barefoot]

Really sad stuff.

[EXP]

There's always some special interest scapegoat to frame for today's broad spectrum loss of liberty. Any reason at all is a reason given to censor, ban and burn ideas. Where they burn books, so too they will burn human beings - to paraphrase the great quote which broadly applies any speech, books and music alike - ideas.

Congratulations, you smuggled a bundle of twigs into to Nero's Rome. Will you stand there and fiddle, pour gas on the fire, or resist your enslavement?

starfish nailed it as usual! Give up everything and you will have nothing left but the shackles around your feet. Brave New World, eh?

[Higher Landrons]

Canada, "and their beer sucks too!"

Umm, no. :nuts

http://www.frontiersaloon.com/BeerTakeOut/TakeOutImports/images/6pkbMoosehead.jpg

Carry on.

[Seakayak]

Yeah, Canada is now the centre of ultra conservative butt-clenching values. Um, yeah, sure we are.

Lots of respect for Dire Straits and Knopfler, but I'm hoping that song gets banned altogether.

[S.W.Erdnase]

finally i will add that mark self-edits that verse when singing it live.

Oh it's Mark now, is it? Lah-dee-dah!

[Section10]

I've been called everything in the book on the internet, never whined or complained to anybody about it.

maturity:aok

[Barefoot]

Is it "hyper-sensitive and weak" that generally when this (NSFW) song:

(NSFW) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni_yk4HQfjg

is generally sung as "Run, Johnny, Run" today? After all, in it's time, it was a perfectly acceptable thing to say.


Well, yes, it is "hyper-sensitive and weak".

If we change historical fact to give permission to ignore abberant or dysfunctional behaviour we loose the past as a referrence point.

You can create as much ignorance or as many lies as you want but if you rewrite/edit historical fact you're just looking for an excuse to achieve something else in a dishonest way.....Get it?

[whaiyun]

Ridiculous. Canada needs to stop being so whiny and cry about every little thing that might make them butthurt...

I hate the "political correctness" of this country.

[5cent]

Well, yes, it is "hyper-sensitive and weak".

If we change historical fact to give permission for to ignore abberant or dysfunctional behaviour we loose the past as a referrence point.

You can create as much ignorance or as many lies as you want but if you change historical fact you're just looking for an excuse to achieve something else in a dishonest way.....Get it?

Who's talking about changing historical fact *anywhere* in this discussion? I'm talking about modern performance of a very very racist (yet catchy) tune. I don't think the Dire Straits should be banned anywhere, but I do think that it is good that public radio has limits on what it will play. Privately, do whatever ya want.

[S.W.Erdnase]

really? is that all you got? you are upset that i sometimes refer to him as knopfler and sometimes as mark?

i was just pointing out the whole premise of this poll is invalid as the song has never been banned.

And I was just having fun. Sorry man. Should have used a lame-o-ticon.

[fritferret]

i think it should be banned or edited, absolutely. i feel the same way about the gn'r songs that makes a reference to "*iggers". i think the lyric is "police and *iggers" get out of my way".

that stuff is just so unnecessarily hurtful, especially given the context. if the song was about homophobia or something, then yeah, i think editing it is stupid, but this is not the case. this is a matter of political correctness, either. this is just being responsible. discriminating against someone or a group of people is wrong. this is not like calling someone a weakling or dumb; this is like calling someone a weakling or dumb _because_ of their sexual orientation. that's just not right.

[getbent]

I notice that when the US does something domestically, the whole world chimes in about our internal politics and 'votes' about what they think... when it is entirely a US issue.

In this case, this is a Canadian thing and I'd leave it to the Canadian people to sort it out and ask for the same level of support in not butting in to other people's business.

Sovereign states have the right and responsibility to solve their own problems and don't need our help... besides, politics is not what we do here, right?

[Jules]

they should ban that song for being a bad song.

I read that Sting insisted on getting 50% album royalties just for singing that 1 line. Brilliant businessman that Sting.

Then you read wrong. He got a co-writing credit and thus royalties off just that one song (mainly as the line was sung to the tune of 'Don't Stand So Close To Me')- and it was his publishing company that insisted on it.

I agree with you opinion of the song though. I can't stand it myself.

[getbent]

starfish nailed it as usual! Give up everything and you will have nothing left but the shackles around your feet. Brave New World, eh?

sounds like maybe 'starfish' (love teh euphemism) is gonna get to nail something else too.....

have fun girls!

[Barefoot]

Who's talking about changing historical fact *anywhere* in this discussion? I'm talking about modern performance of a very very racist (yet catchy) tune. I don't think the Dire Straits should be banned anywhere, but I do think that it is good that public radio has limits on what it will play. Privately, do whatever ya want.

Ok no worries.

But by that standard most current rap music should be banned from publicly available media.

But I do realize I could be missing a finer point.

[TommyGuitar]

I love Canada but I am so pissed at our government.

[SteveO]

I read that Sting insisted on getting 50% album royalties just for singing that 1 line. Brilliant businessman that Sting.

This is because Sting used the melody from "Don't Stand So Close To Me" for the "I want my MTV" line.

[CharAznable]

First line to "The Great Deceiver" by King Crimson

"Health food faggot, bartered bride"

apparently refers to the British faggot, which is a meatball.

[stratzrus]

Art itself should not be censored, but I think that public broadcasting should have lines that ought not to be crossed.:agree

i think it should be banned or edited, absolutely. i feel the same way about the gn'r songs that makes a reference to "*iggers". i think the lyric is "police and *iggers" get out of my way".

that stuff is just so unnecessarily hurtful, especially given the context. if the song was about homophobia or something, then yeah, i think editing it is stupid, but this is not the case. this is a matter of political correctness, either. this is just being responsible. discriminating against someone or a group of people is wrong. this is not like calling someone a weakling or dumb; this is like calling someone a weakling or dumb _because_ of their sexual orientation. that's just not right.Agreed, and for the record, Slash said he always felt uncomfortable with that GnR song.

I don't think the song should be banned from sale but playing it on the radio is something else. If you want to hear it, buy it and play it yourself. Problem solved.

Things that are considered offensive by society are prohibited from being broadcast all the time. This is not a unique situation, and as noted by many above Knopfler won't even sing it as written...that pretty much says it all.

[mannish]

I have no problem using the word faggot - I am homophobic, claustrophobic & afraid of heights.

I don't think it is healthy for society to be afraid of words, the longer we hide from using them the longer they remain hurtful. Bring it out and use it, talking about all of those words that we are scared of - we are wordphobic

[captain_bob]

The word has been edited out of american radio for years. At least where I'm at.

[EXP]

sounds like maybe 'starfish' (love teh euphemism) is gonna get to nail something else too.....

have fun girls!

What are you implying here exactly? Because if it involves mine or another posters sexual orientation then I'm deeply offended by this.:nono

:sarcasm

[Melodyman]

Some of this is generational as well, imo. PC people assume the word only means one thing, they take ownership of it and want it censored.

Back when I was growing up we used the word for anyone acting like an asshat. :roll

Used to be an english cigarette, or still is dunno. :dunno

[Fred Farkus]

It should be banned on the grounds that it is a stupid song, regardless of the lyrical content.

[Phalanx200bc]

Why can't they ban Nickleback?

[S.W.Erdnase]

Why can't they ban Nickleback?

Are they a cookie monster vocals ban? If so, where's the harm if you can't make head nor tail of what they are blabbing about?

[Srvwannab]

my thoughts eaxactly.

I hope they never hear "Who Are you" Lyrics

I always wondered how that song never got banned.
That might be because I have no idea what they are actually saying other than, "whoooooooooo are you who who who who.". :)

[Strat-Mangler]

Gee, a multi-millionaire rock singer with immense hard-won talent and success singing a song where he refers to multi-millionaire rock singers as faggots who effortlessly make money despite having no talent.

Gee, Canada, do you think maybe he was making an ironic comment on the morons who think his money fell from the trees, rather than literally vilifying homosexuals?

I'll give you some time to think about this Canada because you are not going to pass the exams unless you smarten up and start using your loaf.
By far the stupidest post I've ever run across. Saying 35 million people are dumb because one person launched a complaint. Apparently, when your nick's S.W.Erdnase, "using your loaf" prior to posting is an option rarely exercised.

[Srvwannab]

This!!!!

Can't the politically correct just get over it?

Completely aside from the to ban or not ban discussion, I believe that political correctness stops us from saying things that are true in fear of offending one group or the other. There is, at least in my mind, a big difference between that and slurs like this one.

[otterhound]

For years, one of my favorite Cream songs was banned from the American airwaves . SWLABR lacks one swear word or offensive reference . In fact , it may still be banned .
I wonder if Canada allows the Monty Python Lumberjack song , eh ?
Have they banned Lola by the Kinks ?

[Julia343]

No. Banning the song = bad. They can bleep it out on the radio. If they did most of the rap lyrics like they should the songs would be one solid bleep except for "the" and "and" and "a".

[starfish]

sounds like maybe 'starfish' (love teh euphemism) is gonna get to nail something else too.....

have fun girls!

Yes girls do have fun getting nailed by me.

[Twangzilla]

Some of this is generational as well, imo. PC people assume the word only means one thing, they take ownership of it and want it censored.

Back when I was growing up we used the word for anyone acting like an asshat. :roll

Used to be an english cigarette, or still is dunno. :dunno

This video is NSFW.

1IFloXOuLgA

South park had a pretty good point too. I think gay people should give it up and let annoying people have it.

[mikem]

canada...tsk...what a bunch of faggots!

;)...no I think it is wrong...its a song for god sakes if it offends you do NOT liston to it

:roll:roll:roll

Good one! There are a lot of pussies in this country, to be sure! Ontario banned UFC fighting for awhile because it was "too brutal". I like being Canadian, but this nation becomes more pansified with each passing day.

Mike

[funkycam]

this thread is reminding me...what is with this icon?

:console

[Rod]

Money for Nothing is a true story, so I'm told..What's to ban??.....Things have gotten so PC....and so bizarre!!

[pickaguitar]

context and understanding...things lacking these days


The GNR song is fine too...don't be so literal

[mikem]

Yeah, ban the song, I hate that ****ing tune!

Mike

[mikem]

canada did not ban the song!

why is that so hard for people to understand?

Should ban it! It sucks!

Mike

[Blanket Jackson]

ain't banned in America, last time I checked ... who's free now, beyauch!

[papa taco]

Ban Mustang Sally while you're at it, Canada. I get violent when I hear that over-worked piece of crap.

[pickaguitar]

Lots of folks saying the song sucks...I clearly remember it being a huge hit with many age groups. Kids sang it, parents sang it, grandma was familiar with it...

[cinimod8791]

Oh Canada!

[Blanket Jackson]

canada did not ban the song!

why is that so hard for people to understand?

sorry for yelling and all, it just i feel a little like this:

:bkw:bkw:bkw:bkw:bkw:bkw:bkw:bkw:bkw:bkw:bkw


Yell at the OP, bother ... look at the thread title.

[papa taco]

Lots of folks saying the song sucks...I clearly remember it being a huge hit with many age groups. Kids sang it, parents sang it, grandma was familiar with it...

My dad likes it. So I guess if you're in your 60's it might be considered a good song. They should put "Brothers in Arms" cd's, vinyl, tapes and 8-tracks next to the Depends at the super-market. Then all the coots can rock out in their Camry Solara's with the top down.
:love:

[mikem]

Ban Mustang Sally while you're at it, Canada. I get violent when I hear that over-worked piece of crap.

That and Proud Mary- better get me a barf bucket if I hear that tired old fogey tune again.

Mike

[EXP]

Umm, no. :nuts

http://www.frontiersaloon.com/BeerTakeOut/TakeOutImports/images/6pkbMoosehead.jpg

Carry on.

I think he was quoting the movie '' Canadian Bacon '' with John Candy.:dunno Funny movie BTW...and not because it pokes fun at Canada but politics in general.

2HGPh8Hjyg8

'' What? All I said was that the beer sucks! ''

[pickaguitar]

My dad likes it. So I guess if you're in your 60's it might be considered a good song. They should put "Brothers in Arms" cd's, vinyl, tapes and 8-tracks next to the Depends at the super-market. Then all the coots can rock out in their Camry Solara's with the top down.
:love:
How old do you think the song is?

1985...MTV era
I was like 9

[mannish]

I liked the intro lick - tune was OK but that particular album got too much airplay and became part of the same ole mainstream stuff

[papa taco]

How old do you think the song is?

1985...MTV era
I was like 9

I'm kidding. Kind of. Yeah I was a young 'un like you, cooter. But it's definitely what I'd call "Dad Rock." Was then, is now.

I recall that Brothers In Arms was the first cd to have "DDD" on it meaning it was digitally recorded, mixed, mastered, reproduced. Man that was considered godly at the time. But so was my Commodore 64.
:dunno

[EXP]

Ban Mustang Sally while you're at it, Canada. I get violent when I hear that over-worked piece of crap.

Please do and make sure you burn the master before you ban it. It has a clever way of resurfacing and reering it's ugly head in the form of mediocrity.

[jrockbridge]

I only read the first page of this thread....

Censorship should be banned! Let free speech thrive!

Somebody has probably already pointed this out, but this song was written when Mark overheard a real conversation between delivery/install workers as they watched an MTV clip. So, the song contains some offensive bigoted statements taken from real life.

Ever see the movie, "Gran Torino," with Clint Eastwood? Should that movie be banned for offensive bigoted language? I say, hell no!

Political correctness has gotten out of hand. Words are not dangerous. Actions against free speech are dangerous.

Legalize freedom! :aok

[Blanket Jackson]

been there, done that. didn't work out so well.
I like you Clarence

always have, .....
http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/true_romance.jpg
always will.

[mannish]

I chose to go out of my way to not offend anyone.

[Jetrow]

Yes girls do have fun getting nailed by me.

For some reason I thought he meant starfish as in a band or something. Didn't notice you posting before. Anyway I googled starfish and found what I thought maybe get bent was on about.

H3SzmfZ6F24

wtf

[Rumblefish]

Talking about this in the context of a song/censorship is one thing, using it or other similar slurs in the thread otherwise is not going to fly.

Then don't read the thread.

[Rumblefish]

they are saying the word was not offensive when the song came out but now it is. Im calling shenanegins on that one. It was always offensive., if anything less so now.

Yup it's offensive and was meant to be.Aint freedom great?

[mannish]

Freedom is pretty danged good ....

Yup it's offensive and was meant to be.Aint freedom great?

[Platypus]

Then don't read the thread.

As an administrator, I have to uphold the rules of the site. If you have a problem with my statement, feel free to not post in the thread.

[Barefoot]

That would make an awesome Depends commercial- grandpa in his old 66 Fleetwood with the suicide doors with the top down- Money For Nothing blaring away on the 8 track- all of a sudden he realizes he has pissed himself and has to pull over- then this busty little thing pops out from behind a tumbleweed and gives grandpa a box of Depends- cut to the grandpa cruising down the road rocking out with a big smile- the cute little busty thing's head appears down from where grandpa's lap would be if you could see it- cut to screen splash of box of Depends and logo- fade to black.

Mike

Best post of this thread for sure!

[Section10]

Freedom is pretty danged good ....


even times when i'm super offended. i'm just so happy that they had the freedom to offend me.
we'll miss the word faggot

[MightyGuru]

Canada? Really? Kind of surprised. I hate the word but there are worse.

[Peteyvee]

The most offensive part is the guitar tone

My feelings exactly...

[jtm622]

meh...

[tonedaddy]

Well, yes, it is "hyper-sensitive and weak".

If we change historical fact to give permission to ignore abberant or dysfunctional behaviour we loose the past as a referrence point.

You can create as much ignorance or as many lies as you want but if you rewrite/edit historical fact you're just looking for an excuse to achieve something else in a dishonest way.....Get it?

:agree.


I don't think it is healthy for society to be afraid of words, the longer we hide from using them the longer they remain hurtful. Bring it out and use it, talking about all of those words that we are scared of - we are wordphobic

No one owns language.
Nobody.

There are words I find offensive, but I can't imagine trying to stop someone from saying them. If I don't like the words, I can ignore/avoid them or tell the person I find it offensive. Not that hard to do, IMO.

[B-Squared]

The song was written from the perspective of the blue-collar workman that observed the MTV video...I believe it's based on actual events that Mark witnessed.

Next you'll tell me that here in the US they're talking about amending "Huckleberry Finn" to take out the "N" word...

Oh snap...they are!

How pathetic...yet some guy can stick a bullwhip up his behind on camera and it's "art"...

BB

[Jaan]

Vehemently disagree. I'm so sick of people trying to tell others how to talk. Everybody is offended everywhere at all times by all things.3


+1,000

[djdrdave]

This was of the songs that made me want to learn guitar!

[R3deemed]

They have much less free speech up there.

[Boobala]

Context is important.

[Stevil]

Stanhope has a hilarious bit about how it's too a good a word to lose.
Don't click if you're at all squeamish about language.
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/audio/play/1071373/

He's got another permutation of the same bit where he talks about how we should value it's ability to address effeminite/wimpy behaviour in a way that transcends homosexuality.

[airwarrior]

That's really ****ing lame.

[Jetrow]

This just in. The CBSC isn't a government committee or affiliated with the government in any way. They are a members group of organized broadcasters who are taking it on themselves to censor what a private radio station that is a member afaik of this group.

Which means basically, that while they have some control over what their membership does and doesn't do, they don't amount to anything but a private group in the eyes of the government. So they can go pound sand and any radio station that wants to play Money For Nothing without censoring the lyrics has nothing to fear from the government.

Rock on Mark!

[v-verb]

Pisses me off. And I'm Canadian. Hate political correctness.

[the floyd]

And precisely *how* many years later is this... Completely absurd, it just seems like some people seek out ways to be offended. It's this sort of thing that makes me less than entirely fond of my home country.

[Blanket Jackson]

And precisely *how* many years later is this...
Yeah, I thought that too, but then I remembered it was Canada, and they just got TV last year so we should cut them some slack.
Let's nobody tell them about Lady Gaga, or there will be rioting in the streets

[DGDGBD]

It wasn't banned, it just can't be played on Canadian radio without censoring the offending word (or maybe not even that, see Jetrow's post above).

In the context of the song, I can't see how its that offensive. The song parodies dumb blue collars guys.

[dnauhei]

:rotflmao:rotflmao:rotflmao:rotflmao:rotflmao:rotf lmao:rotflmao:rotflmao:rotflmao:rotflmao:rotflmaoi snt the singer British? he just means 'bundle of sticks' or whatever

[DGDGBD]

I remember that one...they decided to ban blinking lights because they were offensive to epileptics. Yeah, true.

I remember a South Park episode drawing that conclusion. It was a Christmas episode and the SP mayor decided it would be the first PC X-Mas ever, so they obliged anyone who has a problem with something. First came the biggies (any reference to Jesus, etc) and that went on to more stupid things like "I'm offended by trees."

In the end, what they were left with was so insanely devoid of any color or meaning that everybody said "screw it" to all the PC fanatics and they went back to having a real X-Mas.

[Frankee]

Bigots should just start saying "homosexual" with malicious inflections in their voices and menacing looks on their faces instead.......:nuts

[Section10]

this is one of those polls that make you wonder who the 14 people are

[Jeff Michael]

I lost count of the people who talked about rap tunes being banned from radio. But I'm pretty sure the number of them who listen to radio stations that would play rap, let alone any rap tracks if they actually did listen to such stations, is zero.

JAM

[Roadeye]

Shit, this is like the re-writing of Huck Finn all over again. And Mick Jagger said "faggot" 32 years ago on Some Girls. The live version of Shattered - "don't mind the maggots - or the faggots."

So get over it.

[Jeff Michael]

Wait, what? I never heard that in any version of Shattered ever.

JAM

[AllenMance]

why not just bleep it out? They do that all the time with rap songs.

I guess I'll just say it..

Cause he's not black... He's a white guy and they are ALWAYS the bad guy. If he was anything but it would have just be bleeped and forgotten about

The media and government (which are the same) make me sick. Look how the media covered the Arizona tragedy last week, shameless..

[_jt_]

I'm confused. Did the people that ban it actually get the point of the song and why they used those words?

[the floyd]

I'm confused. Did the people that ban it actually get the point of the song and why they used those words?

My guess is the people that got it banned probably have no damn idea how old it is, not to mention probably weren't even aware of its existence until it came up on 'oldies hour' on their favorite radio station, and the song just happened to trigger their stereotypically Canadian knee-jerk outrage reflex.

[candh]

Over here I listen to Armed Forces Radio from time to time. I love it when they play a Eminem or other rap songs that have been censored.....comical actually.

As for Money for Nothing.....The censored version has been around for years and years. Sorry if someone posted before..this thread is hardly worth reading through all these pages.

[slimjw]

For the record I don't agree with the song being banned or whatever, but can say with confidence that most casual fans of the tune don't realize that Knopfler is singing "in character" as the blue-collar guy in the song and at least partially poking fun at the attitudes expressed therein.

I remember the song being a favorite of all the homophobic jocks in my hometown when the song came out in the mid 80's. The irony was lost on them as far as I could tell, as they loved those specific lyrics for all the wrong reasons.

Knopfler himself, when facing criticism about the lyrics back in the day acknowledged the danger of being misinterpreted when singing in character and nowadays doesn't sing those lyrics when performing the song live.

To me, what this really speaks to is the fact that artist's have no control over their audience or who will like or dislike their music. Kurt Cobain learned the same lesson when a couple of guys raped a girl while singing his song "Polly" to her. They were either super twisted or just totally oblivious to the fact that the song was ABOUT a rape victim.

Does that mean we should censor them? No, but it's still a quandary...

[FeloniousBishop]

While I'm against censorship, it's kinda hard to give a damn about a song that hasn't been played on the radio for 10 years.....

God I wish that were true

[phoenix 7]

It wasn't banned, it just can't be played on Canadian radio without censoring the offending word (or maybe not even that, see Jetrow's post above).

Refreshing to see a fact-based post once in a while. I voted against banning. I suppose I'm okay with bleeping, though I'm usually against censorship.

[lukeII]

I never really paid much attention to those couple of lines but now it draws attention to them. Plus it draws attention to the song so people will be more inclined to listen to it.

[RocksOff]

I hope they censor all rap songs with the words "ni**er, b*tch, motherf*cker, and sk**t" in them, as I find these words offensive. Oh, wait. That won't happen. They play those sings uncensored on the radio frequently. Though I cannot figure out how they get away with it.

[bluesjuke]

Quote:
See the little faggot with the earring and the makeup
Yeah buddy that’s his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he’s a millionaire


edited for Canadian distribution

[davecan]

It makes about as much sense as banning the song "Short People" for being offensive to you know who (the vertically challenged).

[StompBoxBlues]

Vehemently disagree. I'm so sick of people trying to tell others how to talk. Everybody is offended everywhere at all times by all things.

To me it isn't about that. The word is very offensive to people that it refers to and if people use it, they are actually being incredibly insensitive, mean...but they have a right to use it, just like I have a right to ask them not to, or that there can be consequences for them.

I object because it is just totally brain dead to ban a song like that. Knopfler is playing a "role" in that song. He isn't singing what HE feels, he's playing a guy that feels this or that about the music business.

So if they are banning that song, if they aren't going to be hypocrites, they would have to ban any movie that had any character in it that was racist, homophobic, a terrorist, rapist, murderer (jeez...what movie other than Disney films would NOT be banned then?)


Someone mad a great point also about the N-word in Huckleberry Finn (one of the first and greatest american novels ever). Same thing here, I don't use that word, and confront anyone that does...it's a nasty, terrible word, BUT... it was the word in use in the setting and times of the writing of HF. To change the word to "slave", is to miss the point, and it is a huge point...that through his journey Huck is ignorant, is biased, and he learns that Jim is a real person through his journey. Mark Twain was anything but racist. To change Hucks words to be "softer" and more aware is to totally lose the point.

[phoenix 7]

Like I said, I'm against "banning" the song - that would be ridiculous (and it's not even what's happening).

At the same time, I think it's easy for people who haven't been on the receiving end of bigotry and serious oppression to say that OTHER people are "too sensitive about words." I can only imagine how a black person feels on hearing racial slurs or a gay person feels about hearing the word "faggot." I'm sure those words are a hell of a lot LESS painful for me to hear than they are to them.

[banjoze]

To me it isn't about that. The word is very offensive to people that it refers to and if people use it, they are actually being incredibly insensitive, mean...but they have a right to use it, just like I have a right to ask them not to, or that there can be consequences for them.

I object because it is just totally brain dead to ban a song like that. Knopfler is playing a "role" in that song. He isn't singing what HE feels, he's playing a guy that feels this or that about the music business.

So if they are banning that song, if they aren't going to be hypocrites, they would have to ban any movie that had any character in it that was racist, homophobic, a terrorist, rapist, murderer (jeez...what movie other than Disney films would NOT be banned then?)


Someone mad a great point also about the N-word in Huckleberry Finn (one of the first and greatest american novels ever). Same thing here, I don't use that word, and confront anyone that does...it's a nasty, terrible word, BUT... it was the word in use in the setting and times of the writing of HF. To change the word to "slave", is to miss the point, and it is a huge point...that through his journey Huck is ignorant, is biased, and he learns that Jim is a real person through his journey. Mark Twain was anything but racist. To change Hucks words to be "softer" and more aware is to totally lose the point.

A highly-intelligent response you have made - Yoda

[Jetrow]

I hope they censor all rap songs with the words "ni**er, b*tch, motherf*cker, and sk**t" in them, as I find these words offensive. Oh, wait. That won't happen. They play those sings uncensored on the radio frequently. Though I cannot figure out how they get away with it.

No one complains about it.

[Higher Landrons]

I think he was quoting the movie '' Canadian Bacon '' with John Candy.:dunno Funny movie BTW...and not because it pokes fun at Canada but politics in general.


My bad. Didn't catch the reference as I haven't seen the flick. Terrible, I know. The anti-Canuck sentiments are one thing, but those South of us not knowing of the fine aforementioned ale is criminal.

:drink

[Big_Daddy]

They have much less free speech up there.

You are kidding, right? :roll

[Gavin]

So, What do we Canadians Have to be Proud of?

1. Smarties (not sold in the USA)
2. Crispy Crunch, Coffee Crisp (not sold in the USA)
3. The size of our footballs fields, one less down, and bigger balls.
4.. Baseball is Canadian - 1st game June 4, 1838 - Ingersoll, ON
5. Lacrosse is Canadian
6. Hockey is Canadian
7. Basketball is Canadian
8. Apple pie is Canadian
9. Mr. Dress-up beats Mr. Rogers
10. Tim Hortons beats Dunkin' Donuts
11. In the war of 1812, started by America, Canadians pushed the Americans back past their White House. Then we burned it, and most of Washington ... We got bored because they ran away. Then, we came home and partied..... Go figure.
12. Canada has the largest French population that never surrendered to Germany.
13. We have the largest English population that never Ever surrendered or withdrew
during any war to anyone, anywhere. EVER! (We got clobbered in the odd battle but prevailed in ALL the wars)
14. Our civil war was fought in a bar and lasted a little over an hour.
15. The only person who was arrested in our civil war was an American mercenary, he
slept in and missed the whole thing. He showed up just in time to get caught.
16. A Canadian invented Standard Time.
17. The Hudsons Bay Company once owned over 10% of the earth's surface and is still
around as the world's oldest company.
18. The average dog sled team can kill and devour a full grown human in under 3 minutes. (That's more information than I need!)
19. We know what to do with the parts of a buffalo.
20. We don't marry our kin-folk...
21. We invented ski-doos, jet-skis, Velcro, zippers, insulin, penicillin and the telephone.
Also short wave radios which save countless lives each year.
22. We have ALL frozen our tongues to something metal and lived to tell about it.
23. A Canadian invented Superman.
24. We have coloured money.
25. Our beer advertisements kick ass (Incidently... so does our beer)
BUT MOST IMPORTANT !
The handles on our beer cases are big enough to fit your hands in with mitts on.

[Fred Farkus]

I object because it is just totally brain dead to ban a song like that. Knopfler is playing a "role" in that song. He isn't singing what HE feels, he's playing a guy that feels this or that about the music business.


What I find funny about this brain dead tune is that the lyrics are based on the weak premise that the blue-collar guy doesn't understand the "higher-art" of the music video or the "artistes" involved. Puh-leez...:rolleyes:

Many of these 80's artists felt that MTV was some sort of revolutionary artistic form of expression at the time, instead of just one more method of dumbing-down music for the masses, which is essentially what it really was, and was eventually obvious to everyone. I think the blue-collar character in the lyrics got it right. The innovative and interesting uses of video in music were far & few between. The majority of the music vids, including "money for nothing" were crap.

[davess23]

I love that song, which is based on a good riff, was most likely written with tongue firmly in cheek, and is exactly in line with how some people I've met actually think. In my opinion, it's nutzoid to ban any of it. The lyrics paint a picture, they don't call names.

The most effective censorship device ever invented is right at the end of your arm. Don't want to hear something? Shut it off, change the channel, plug your ears, or whatever floats your boat.

I find a lot of rap music genuinely disgusting. But damn if I'd ever advocate censoring it. While the hatred and violence and worship of thug culture repel me, I'm far more sickened at the thought of giving control to the kind of people who are always seeking to impose their beliefs on the rest of us.

[StompBoxBlues]

What I find funny about this brain dead tune is that the lyrics are based on the weak premise that the blue-collar guy doesn't understand the "higher-art" of the music video or the "artistes" involved. Puh-leez...:rolleyes:

Many of these 80's artists felt that MTV was some sort of revolutionary artistic form of expression at the time, instead of just one more method of dumbing-down music for the masses, which is essentially what it really was, and was eventually obvious to everyone. I think the blue-collar character in the lyrics got it right. The innovative and interesting uses of video in music were far & few between. The majority of the music vids, including "money for nothing" were crap.

I totally agree. It's an insulting song because it's premise is just too self-good. Like there is some yahoo saying all that about music videos.

I've ranted before, music is so personal, and the images I get from great music is SO much better than any of the videos, that they to me cheapen music. To me music is aural, not visual..or rather visual but in my imagination. They actually ruined a number of songs for me because the video was so cheesy.

[Polynitro]

I guess I'll just say it..

Cause he's not black... He's a white guy and they are ALWAYS the bad guy. If he was anything but it would have just be bleeped and forgotten about

The media and government (which are the same) make me sick. Look how the media covered the Arizona tragedy last week, shameless..

apparently you dont know about Eminem :console

[Polynitro]

I lost count of the people who talked about rap tunes being banned from radio. But I'm pretty sure the number of them who listen to radio stations that would play rap, let alone any rap tracks if they actually did listen to such stations, is zero.

JAM

thats true I listen to rap but there are no good rap stations. Just like rock stations really. All the good songs are so bleeped out half the song is dead air. And you really cant edit out what a rapper is spitting because it completely ruins the flow; And since rap is so popular the amount of radio friendly crap they can play far outweighs the number of actual good artist.

[Jagsound]

Would it be ok to replace the alleged offending word with homo? After all,it's just an abbreviation.

No, because the word is being used as a derogatory term. You can not use a word that directly references a particular section of society as an insulting term. This is discriminatory, end of story.

If they had used the word jack ass, that would be fine because it has no connection with any particular group of people, it could apply to anybody.

[Jagsound]

For the record I don't agree with the song being banned or whatever, but can say with confidence that most casual fans of the tune don't realize that Knopfler is singing "in character" as the blue-collar guy in the song and at least partially poking fun at the attitudes expressed therein.

I remember the song being a favorite of all the homophobic jocks in my hometown when the song came out in the mid 80's. The irony was lost on them as far as I could tell, as they loved those specific lyrics for all the wrong reasons...

That's exactly how I remember things going down when the song came out in my neck of the woods.

[pickaguitar]

Whether they get it or not...context is everything

[TubeStack]

Great song, clever lyrics, and killer guitar tone/playing. Love it.

I don't mind the word beeing bleeped or the verse left out when being played on the radio. Wouldn't want the song banned (which it hasn't been).

Extremely annoying how, in all the coverage I've seen/heard so far, no one mentions or gets the fact that he's singing in character. Such a simple point but seems to be completely missed.

[mannish]

it's offensive to blue collar workers as well - why no compassion for them..?

[Doodad]

I figured it was the sly slip in that is not part of the lyrics stating "get your *****" referring to a female part of the anatomy. Knofler is the one that says it.

[pickaguitar]

it's offensive to blue collar workers as well - why no compassion for them..?
How is it offensive to them? From what I've heard it's based off of something that actually happened...

[acguitar84]

I love that song, which is based on a good riff, was most likely written with tongue firmly in cheek, and is exactly in line with how some people I've met actually think. In my opinion, it's nutzoid to ban any of it. The lyrics paint a picture, they don't call names.

The most effective censorship device ever invented is right at the end of your arm. Don't want to hear something? Shut it off, change the channel, plug your ears, or whatever floats your boat.

I find a lot of rap music genuinely disgusting. But damn if I'd ever advocate censoring it. While the hatred and violence and worship of thug culture repel me, I'm far more sickened at the thought of giving control to the kind of people who are always seeking to impose their beliefs on the rest of us.

Excellent post! :beer :aok

[Rod]

How come Louie Louie never got banned??

[mannish]

I thought it was making fun of them...?

How is it offensive to them? From what I've heard it's based off of something that actually happened...

[mannish]

I thought it was banned for a while

How come Louie Louie never got banned??

[Subhuman]

How is it offensive to them? From what I've heard it's based off of something that actually happened...


I remember watching an interview with Mark Knofler on MTV back when that song was a new hit. He said he was in a big electronics store and based the lyrics off of a conversation he overheard between two of the store employees as they stood in front a wall of television displays. Some of the TVs were showing rock videos and they were commenting on the rich rock stars. They were bitterly comparing the lifestyles of the musicians to theirs.

[Serious Poo]

"Why are people afraid of words?" Frank Zappa

[zep41]

I dont know about anyone else here, but I am sick of the PC world worrying about catering to people's feelings. It's perposterous to me.

So someone's feelings are hurt by this or that. SO WHAT? How is that anyone else's problem but their own? Maybe they should learn to grow up, or TRY to not be "offended" by every little derogatory word. Do people have NOTHING better to do than to sit around feeling sorry for themselves because they were offended by a measly use of words in a song? Or they didn't like what they heard on the radio and their precious little feelings were hurt?

Seriously, it's sickening how much emphasis we place on feelings these days. It truly shows how big of wimps we've all become.

[mannish]

I agree with you - also some of my friends are blue collar workers they are good people what they do for employment is none of my business. I do not hold it against them.

I dont know about anyone else here, but I am sick of the PC world worrying about catering to people's feelings. It's perposterous to me.

So someone's feelings are hurt by this or that. SO WHAT? How is that anyone else's problem but their own? Maybe they should learn to grow up, or TRY to not be "offended" by every little derogatory word. Do people have NOTHING better to do than to sit around feeling sorry for themselves because they were offended by a measly use of words in a song? Or they didn't like what they heard on the radio and their precious little feelings were hurt?

Seriously, it's sickening how much emphasis we place on feelings these days. It truly shows how big of wimps we've all become.

[zep41]

I agree with you - also some of my friends are blue collar workers they are good people what they do for employment is none of my business. I do not hold it against them.

Thanks, but I'm not quite sure what you are saying here - can you elaborate? WHY would you hold anything about what someone does for a living against them?

[ACfixer]

Naturally, the lyrics must be considered in context. The song is pretty obviously a tongue-in-cheek character study, not unlike the "Archie Bunker" character. It is a social critique meant to represent the grumblings of a character utside of the music industry, not a gay-bashing manifesto.

It isn't my favorite composition, but I see nothing to complain about.

As for the decision, madness.

DS

Perfectly worded.

[mannish]

I was just joking since the song is making fun of blue collar workers

Thanks, but I'm not quite sure what you are saying here - can you elaborate? WHY would you hold anything about what someone does for a living against them?

[Midnight Lady]

I have not read all 13 pages of this thread.

I'm guessing the word "faggot" was banned because it is a word which promotes hate.

There are plenty of words which are allowed in songs and on TV which might surprise you.

I recall an Alanis Morrissette song which had the word "a$$". It was ok in Canada but was bleeped or changed in the U.S.

Every country is different. Frankly, we should be concerned with our own country and not judge the others.

[zep41]

I was just joking since the song is making fun of blue collar workers

Ohhhhh I see -- sorry I'm kinda slow with cathing on sometimes!

Yea, what's up with that? Making fun of blue collar workers, that's ok, but using a little derogatory word to describe a certian people of sexual orientation is so horrible?

[Flogger59]

Why does the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council have a problem with a medieval word for "little sticks"?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faggot

[Phalanx200bc]

So, What do we Canadians Have to be Proud of?

1. Smarties (not sold in the USA)
2. Crispy Crunch, Coffee Crisp (not sold in the USA)
3. The size of our footballs fields, one less down, and bigger balls.
4.. Baseball is Canadian - 1st game June 4, 1838 - Ingersoll, ON
5. Lacrosse is Canadian
6. Hockey is Canadian
7. Basketball is Canadian
8. Apple pie is Canadian
9. Mr. Dress-up beats Mr. Rogers
10. Tim Hortons beats Dunkin' Donuts
11. In the war of 1812, started by America, Canadians pushed the Americans back past their White House. Then we burned it, and most of Washington ... We got bored because they ran away. Then, we came home and partied..... Go figure.
12. Canada has the largest French population that never surrendered to Germany.
13. We have the largest English population that never Ever surrendered or withdrew
during any war to anyone, anywhere. EVER! (We got clobbered in the odd battle but prevailed in ALL the wars)
14. Our civil war was fought in a bar and lasted a little over an hour.
15. The only person who was arrested in our civil war was an American mercenary, he
slept in and missed the whole thing. He showed up just in time to get caught.
16. A Canadian invented Standard Time.
17. The Hudsons Bay Company once owned over 10% of the earth's surface and is still
around as the world's oldest company.
18. The average dog sled team can kill and devour a full grown human in under 3 minutes. (That's more information than I need!)
19. We know what to do with the parts of a buffalo.
20. We don't marry our kin-folk...
21. We invented ski-doos, jet-skis, Velcro, zippers, insulin, penicillin and the telephone.
Also short wave radios which save countless lives each year.
22. We have ALL frozen our tongues to something metal and lived to tell about it.
23. A Canadian invented Superman.
24. We have coloured money.
25. Our beer advertisements kick ass (Incidently... so does our beer)
BUT MOST IMPORTANT !
The handles on our beer cases are big enough to fit your hands in with mitts on.


RUSH!!!???!!!
SCTV!!!???!!!

[Stevil]

10. Tim Hortons beats Dunkin' Donuts


& starbucks.

[Bluedawg]

So, What do we Canadians Have to be Proud of?

5. Lacrosse is Canadian


.

Lacrosse was around long before there was a Canada or even Columbus.

:hide


and from what I've read Dire Straights long ago released versions of this tune for radio play with the "offensive" lyrics removed.

:phones

[Boris Bubbanov]

I'm so glad the Canadians pounced on this outrage and smashed it before too many delicate ears were hurt. Just in time, I say! :^)

As for those who chose this topic to prance out their favorite radioactive cliche, "political correctness", we see what you're doing and we encourage you to develop a bigger vocabulary someday soon. :^

[pickslide]

Apparently some radio stations don't care about this ban...and good for them!

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/halifax-rock-station-plans-marathon-unedited-version-money-20110114-061612-786.html

[big jilm]

I fear that humanity is moving backwards.

[Travst]

For me, the real question is whether 21 voters should dictate policy for the other 330 members. (Using polling data at this moment in time)

[mannish]

I fear that humanity is moving backwards.

as long as we hide from these issues/words and act like first graders only using the first letter of a word instead the word we will remain stagnant.
I don't see us moving backwards but we don't seem to be advancing in the human relations area. We are segregated

[big jilm]

Remember Archie Bunker? All In The Family would never get on the air today. That show used racial, ethnic, religious slurs every airing. It was poking fun at Archie - he was the butt of the joke. Nowadays, people wouldn't see that, as they would be too busy being offended by the air they breathe. Moving backward, says I.

[Pedal Dan]

God damn it's great being a white guy. No words bother me.

[Ed G.]

Chicks for free is not offensive?

The most offensive part is the guitar tone

You have got to be kidding me. That guitar tone is brilliant.

[Big White Tele]

just change the word to "Wanker"

[papa taco]

I'm just sitting here wondering if Alanis Morrisette would go down on me in a theater.

[mikem]

I'm just sitting here wondering if Alanis Morrisette would go down on me in a theater.

She's wondering if I'm thinking of her when I **** her.

:drink

Mike

[JPF]

And yet another dose of intellectually bankrupt political correctness.

[Stratobuc]

"Canada On Strike"!

[rob2001]

I don't get all the opposition. So you won't hear the word on public radio....big deal! Say it all you want, play the unedited version of MFN all day long and yell that line out loud, no ones rights are being trampled.

FWIW, no, i'm not gay. I have no idea what it's like to be gay and hear the word faggot used in a derogatory way. But from what I understand, gays do find it offensive so whats the big deal with not hearing it on public airwaves?

Pedal Dan nailed it, us middle class white guys aren't bothered by any words....what, honky? There are no hurtful words that single us out and make us feel bad.

I guess i'm just saying, think for a minute about the shoe being on the other foot. It might seem stupid to us but to gays it might mean a lot.

[JPF]

It's downright discriminatory - I DEMAND the right to be easily offended as a Caucasian heterosexual male.

[mannish]

What about Lou Reed's 'Walk on The Wild Side' - Stones Under My Thumb

[Scumback Speakers]

I gotta laugh at the idea of banning that song almost 30 years later. That horse ran out of the barn, sired some colts, who grew up and sired their own colts already and NOW they want to shut the barn door to prevent procreation by the horse??

:roll

[RhytmEarl]

For those of you yanks who are feeling all superior:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f307/Rhytmearl/zappacanada.png

From the wiki article about "We're Only In It For The Money", which happens to be on my iPod this moment.

Damn that's some FINE music.

[TubeStack]

I don't get all the opposition. So you won't hear the word on public radio....big deal! Say it all you want, play the unedited version of MFN all day long and yell that line out loud, no ones rights are being trampled.

FWIW, no, i'm not gay. I have no idea what it's like to be gay and hear the word faggot used in a derogatory way. But from what I understand, gays do find it offensive so whats the big deal with not hearing it on public airwaves?

Pedal Dan nailed it, us middle class white guys aren't bothered by any words....what, honky? There are no hurtful words that single us out and make us feel bad.

I guess i'm just saying, think for a minute about the shoe being on the other foot. It might seem stupid to us but to gays it might mean a lot.

Excellent post, Rob2001.

[phillygtr]

I gotta laugh at the idea of banning that song almost 30 years later. That horse ran out of the barn, sired some colts, who grew up and sired their own colts already and NOW they want to shut the barn door to prevent procreation by the horse??

:roll

It's like if they were to ban the 'Houses of the Holy' or 'Blind Faith' album covers. News Flash: We've Seen It. Like for many many years now. Decades. Sold in music stores ya know?

[scottpic]

For me, the real question is whether 21 voters should dictate policy for the other 330 members. (Using polling data at this moment in time)

+1

It is so sad to see this happening. If we don't stand for something, we will fall for anything!

[antojado]

I don't care. I don't think it's a good song anyway.

[DGDGBD]

Just thought I'd share that I wrote and erased five incredibly funny posts that would have landed me a week in the clink. I have to keep reminding myself...this isn't the onion.

[John Coloccia]

What strikes me as most peculiar here, especially after decades of this song being accepted, is that I don't think I've ever heard ANYONE ever call a homosexual a "faggot". At least not in a very very very long time. When I hear that term, I think of "effeminate or wimpy", not "homosexual". It's a bit baffling that all of a sudden this should be so offensive to so many people, especially in the context that it's used.

I don't want to be offended anymore than anyone else, but again I wish to be the judge of that for myself. I like having the power to listen to what I wish, uncensored, and turn off what I don't want to hear. That just seems very normal to me.

[Seakayak]

I gotta laugh at the idea of banning that song almost 30 years later. That horse ran out of the barn, sired some colts, who grew up and sired their own colts already and NOW they want to shut the barn door to prevent procreation by the horse??

:roll

Good point, its a very stupid, anal decision.
Just wondering, if I were to hear this song on any American radio / satellite station, at any time of day, would I hear an edited version?

Anyway, now this:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2011/01/14/ns-money-for-nothing-marathon.html

[Polynitro]

first Celine Dion now this. I might cancel my RUSH fanclub membership.

[dmort]

It is so easy for a majority to ignore their treatment of a minority. Its also easy to push this issue aside for a variety of reasons, free speech law, comparisons to other music, saying if you don't like it don't listen... But at the end of the day, I think the question is do you support further marginalization of a group that is already victimized. I'm proud to be the 22nd voter.

[_jt_]

Good point, its a very stupid, anal decision.
Just wondering, if I were to hear this song on any American radio / satellite station, at any time of day, would I hear an edited version?

Probably not any radio station. Depends on the market/area. I heard the unedited version on the radio a few times recently. I only heard the edited version in a different city a long time ago.

[Brian D]

I don't see the big controversy. The title of the thread is somewhat misleading, and I think quite a few posters didn't read the article very well (if at all). They aren't banning the song from the country, or from private sales, performance, or usage. They are prohibiting it from being broadcast publicly on the radio in it's unedited form. Bleep out or overdub the word and it can still be played on the radio. It happens all the time, and has for decades. There are dozens of other ways to listen to the song unedited if you desire.

Or is the controversy over the fact that the word "faggot" is being considered offensive? I'd be very surprised if that is the issue here.

[tonedaddy]

They have much less free speech up there.You are kidding, right? :roll

So Canada's Hate Speech Laws allow the same freedom of speech as countries that don't have such laws?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hate_speech_laws_in_Canada

"Hate speech laws in Canada

"Hate speech laws in Canada include provisions in the Criminal Code of Canada, provisions in the Human Rights Act and in other federal legislation, and statutory provisions in each of Canada's ten provinces and three territories. The Criminal Code prohibits 'hate propaganda.' The Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on various grounds, and forbids the posting of hateful or contemptuous messages on the Internet."


Sounds like restricting speech to me.
YMMV.



No, because the word is being used as a derogatory term. You can not use a word that directly references a particular section of society as an insulting term. This is discriminatory, end of story.

Sure you can use it.
And no, it's not discriminatory, it's social commentary.
In fact, Elton John, one of the early openly gay men in rock, has used such language in his music.

http://www.eltonography.com/songs/texan_love_song.html

"Well I'm gonna quit talking and take action now
Run all of you fairies clean out of this town"

If Elton John isn't going to be offended by such language in his music/art, I'm not sure anyone else should get too worked up about anyone else using it, particularly when the music/art is social commentary.

[Roadeye]

What about Lou Reed's 'Walk on The Wild Side' - Stones Under My Thumb

What is offensive about "Under My Thumb" besides the marimbas?

[rob2001]

In fact, Elton John, one of the early openly gay men in rock, has used such language in his music.

http://www.eltonography.com/songs/texan_love_song.html

"Well I'm gonna quit talking and take action now
Run all of you fairies clean out of this town"

If Elton John isn't going to be offended by such language in his music/art, I'm not sure anyone else should get too worked up about anyone else using it, particularly when the music/art is social commentary.

Well, there's always that, but isn't that like black people apparently not being offended when another black person uses the N word?

Total double standard but still a glitch in the premise.