'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada

Subject: BS: Banned in Canada
From: 3refs
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 07:24 PM

I know this kind of fits in with the "political correctness" thread but this is new up here!
The C.R.T.C. has banned Dire Straits' "Money For Nothing" from the air waves because it contains the word "Faggot" on a couple occasions.

Only in Canada!

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: bobad
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 07:55 PM

Sigh!

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,number 6
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 07:55 PM

yup ... it has .... fer chissakes.

What a crazy week .... crazies all over the media, crazies all over the blogs and crazies at the CRTC.

I've been shaking my head with disbelief all week now my neck is starting to hurt.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Slag
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 09:11 PM

We should hold a faggot ceremony for them.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Little Hawk
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 09:29 PM

Un-fucking-believable.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: J-boy
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 09:55 PM

Smoking fags is very bad for your health.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Beer
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 10:05 PM

Let me ask a "Straight" question. If you were a "Faggot" would you disagree with the ruling? Just thinking out loud. BTW, this should bring up sales again to one of Dire Straits great recordings. Unbelievable. Anyone remember if this has happened before in Canada?
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Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: J-boy
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 10:20 PM

I don't know about Canada but I think the BBC once banned "Fairytale of New York" because of the F-word. The six letter one, I mean.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Beer
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 10:31 PM

I think that the U.S. has banned lots of songs. Or maybe I should say "States' I seem to remember that "Harper Valley P.T.A." was banned as well as some song/"s of Iris DeMent's, but I could be wrong. Wonder if there has been a thread on the subject of banned songs. Must try and find out.
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Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 11:16 PM

At the risk of being known as clueless what do you mean by faggot?
Since I don't know the song are we talking about a homosexual or a bundle of wood for burning? I don't know any Dire Straits music.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: J-boy
Date: 13 Jan 11 - 11:46 PM

"Money for Nothing" was a very popular song(circa 1985) from Dire Straits in which the singer mentions "a little faggot with earrings and make-up." Implying that the subject is indeed homosexual.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Richard Bridge
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 01:08 AM

Ah well, the BBC banned "Je t'aime" (Birkin & Gainsbourg) and Tony Blackburn refused to play "Relax" (Frankie goes to Hollywood).

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: michaelr
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 01:18 AM

The little faggot with the earrings and the makeup
Yeah buddy, that's his own hair
The little faggot got his own jet airplane
The little faggot he's a millionaire

Story goes that Knopfler was in a department store when he overheard a salesman and an appliance installer commenting on someone they saw on MTV. I've always suspected it must have been Prince.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Michael
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 05:03 AM

So The C.R.T.C hopes that by banning a song we will faggot about the existence of homosexuals? That's a load of bollocks.

Mike

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 05:11 AM

Did Canada ban Elvis Costello in 1979 for what he said after Stills and Bramlet wound him up in an arguement?

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Ed T
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 07:32 AM

An isolated case, or something broader?
Let's see where this goes?

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: number 6
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 07:40 AM

Good question Ed .... I've been wondering about that also.

biLL

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Beer
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 07:48 AM

Very strange after all these years. biLL, Ed could be on to something.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: bobad
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:02 AM

The CBSC was acting on a complaint from a listener:

"In a ruling released Wednesday, the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council says the song contravenes the human rights clauses of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters' Code of Ethics and Equitable Portrayal Code.

The council is an independent, non-governmental group created to administer standards established by its members, Canada's private broadcasters. Its membership includes more than 700 private radio and TV stations across the country.

Last year, a listener to radio station CHOZ-FM in St. John's complained that the '80s rock song includes the word "faggot" in its lyrics and is discriminatory to gays.

The broadcaster argued that the song had been played countless times since its release decades ago and has won music industry awards.

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

The panel noted that Money for Nothing would be acceptable for broadcast if suitably edited."

Source: CBC

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Ed T
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:06 AM

The decision:CANADIAN BROADCAST STANDARDS COUNCIL

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:28 AM

The word itself shouldn't be a problem. As an earlier poster pointed out, it can mean a bundle of firewood. It can also be something you might eat, resembling a small haggis.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Ed T
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:30 AM

I suspect the use of the word is clear in the song, not to be haggis or firewood.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:35 AM

So is it the meaning that is the problem? Would the song have been banned if a different word had been used?

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 11:34 AM

It's a song from the viewpoint of cranky old fart who thinks musicians get "money for nothing." Pretty stupid to ban what is essentially making fun of the sort of person who would use the word.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 11:39 AM

The lunatics are taking over the asylum.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 12:05 PM

The people at the CRTC are clearly incapable of understanding context. ;-) And so is the person who sent them the letter of complaint. It's just another sad case of someone's kneejerk reaction to a trigger word with no comprehension of what is being conveyed or intended in the lyrics of the song.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Charmion
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 12:09 PM

It's the CRTC, specialists in literal thinking and spasmodic reaction to the most recent unpleasant stimulus. This branch of the mandarinate has never been known to assess a complaint on its merits (or lack of same) or to evaluate a work of art (drama, music, what have you) in its cultural context.

In short, they never bothered to listen to the song, and they wouldn't care what point it makes if they did. It gave rise to a complaint and, consequently, must go.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Charmion
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 12:10 PM

Snap, LH. Like you said ...

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 12:18 PM

Pity that a letter of complaint from someone couldn't shut down the CRTC in a similar fashion, isn't it? ;-) They could be allowed to resume operations after taking (and passing) a 3 month course on grasping context in popular literary works...

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Beer
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 12:29 PM

Interesting article in today Montreal Gazette.
ad.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Canadian+censors+Dire+Straits+themselves/4106399/story.html

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 12:40 PM

LOL!!! Pretty good article.

It's amazing, isn't it, that one complainer who writes one letter can deny 32 million people the right to listen to a specific song on the radio?

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 01:48 PM

In his opening monologue on Q today, Gian Ghomessi points out that the track in question is the original album version of "Money For Nothing" and that the objectionable verse does not appear on the "radio" version, an abridgement which was included on the Dire Straits' "Greatest Hits" album. He suggests that if the original artists practised discretion in putting the word "faggot" out there, then it behooves the rest of us to chill.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Ed T
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 01:50 PM

"Would the song have been banned if a different word had been used?"

I find haggis obscene. Maybe I will lodge a complaint. Surely there is a song with haggis in it...though likely not listened to much.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: GUEST, topsie
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 02:01 PM

Has anyone set Burns's poem to music?

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: pdq
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 03:16 PM

The concept of "free speech" as found in the U. S. Constitution allows people to say what they want, even it offends someone else.

If potentially offensive speech is banned, you don't have "free speech", you have "controlled speech".

The ban on yelling "fire!" in a crowded theater is one of safety, not one of speech.

Canadians do not really have private ownership of property either, not as U. S. citizens do, since all land ultimately belongs to "the crown" and you folks are allowed to act as though you own it.

If the Canadian government owns the broadcast system or is in control of the "air waves" in general, their folks can ban anything they want. That doesn't make a given decision right or even reasonable.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: gnu
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 03:37 PM

I am just happy that Mark, one of the greatest guitarists and songwriters of all time will make some coin from this. As for banning the song from Canuck radio, the CRTC has done done more damage to thier reputation than they have to Mark's.... and so has the faggot that complained. Oops... I meant to say idiot faggot.

Before anyone jumps on me ( >;-) ) I'd like to point out that sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will not reign/rain down intolerance if people are reasonably educated and intelligent. Which brings us to selection of the CRTC executive... ?

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: 3refs
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 03:44 PM

Try this one on for size!

Apparently, the reference made about the "F" person by the song writer, was in reference to Michael Jackson!
I wonder if that has anything to do with the banning?

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: bobad
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 03:56 PM

NB. It is NOT the CRTC which made this ruling, it was the CBSC (Canadian Broadcast Standards Council), two separate bodies.

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,bankley
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 05:38 PM

exactly... the censors have had a busy month on both sides of the border
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is having the n-word taken out plus Injun Joe is not correct either... Carlin died too soon... so fuck 'em

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Brian May
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 05:46 PM

When I have faggots, I like lots of gravy, mashed potato and peas . . .

Only in England

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 05:48 PM

I haven't thought of listening to "Money for Nothing" for quite a while. It runs a delicious 8 minutes and 24 seconds on the Brothers in Arms album. It's much shorter on Sultans of Swing, but still good. I'm glad my wife is out on snowshoes, so I can turn the volume up.

-Joe-

---

Here's the full text of the Montreal Gazette article:

Canadian censors are in Dire Straits themselves
By MARK LEPAGE, The Gazette January 14, 2011

Read more: (click)

Congratulations, Mark Knopfler. You are the new Eminem.

You, balding Glaswegian fingerpicker, headbanded Stratmaster from another age, have been retrofitted as the scourge of the Canadian airwaves.

When you heard that the Canadian Broadcast Standards Commission had censored the song Money for Nothing for containing the word "faggot," I'm sure you experienced the same fuddled reaction -people listen to radio? The CBSC ruled on Wednesday in response to a written complaint from a listener to CHOZ-FM in St. John's, Nfld., who either doesn't have iTunes or whose parents had no CD collection.

The suddenly-discovered lyric was deemed "extremely offensive" to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Canadians, falling afoul of the Canadian Association of Broadcaster's Code of Ethics: "broadcasters shall ensure that their programming contains no abusive or unduly discriminatory material or comment which is based on matters of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status or physical or mental disability."

Marital status? This may draw Beyonce's Single Ladies into the crosshairs. But it also sparks an idea -rather than the entirely plausible outrage and anarchy we can expect in the wake of this ruling. (They've banned Knopfler, let's hit the #!!*@& streets!) let's help the CBSC with this BS. Round up the usual suspects.)

For space purposes, we'd leave aside the global library of songs with foul language -including Who Are You, Working Class Hero (F-word), Pink Floyd's Money (b. s.) - and concentrate on those that violate the CBSC code.

Line up Dylan's Hurricane, who "to the black folks was just a crazy nigger" and Walk on the Wild Side's "coloured girls." Add the Rolling Stones in Miss You, grading the ladies by ethnicity. In Every Picture Tells a Story, Rod Stewart is taken with his "slit eyed lady." Born in the USA - the "yellow man," that could cause problems. Michael Jackson? "Jew me, sue me / Kick me, kike me." Oliver's Army mentions the n-word. Woman is the Nigger of the World would be self-explanatory, Mr. Lennon, as would the Stones' Bitch, in their very titles. As is Lennon's Crippled Inside, of issue to the handicapped, and Aqualung, for its ageist portrait, and 19th Nervous Breakdown and Brain Damage, for mocking mental instability. And we'll leave aside Short People.

But no, let's be "fag"-specific here. The Stones' are reliably back again with When the Whip Comes Down and the "fag in L.A.", The Who's Helpless Dancer calls out "the lesbians and queers." There was once a rumour that the Beatles sang "baby you're a rich fag Jew" ... but we digress. Green Day's Holiday may be a little obscure, but the Tom Robbins anthem Glad to Be Gay mentions "queer." And Merry Christmas: Fairytale of New York runs "You scumbag, you maggot / You cheap lousy faggot / Happy Christmas your arse I pray god it's our last."

You can add American Triangle and its "God hates fags where we come from." That was written by Elton John in the wake of Matthew Shepard's murder in Wyoming.

One would like to point out to the CBSC that the vexation took fully 25 years to register, as Money for Nothing has been floating around appalling the airwaves offensively since 1985. In any case, even back then, the song was committing something more dangerous than a purported anti-gay slur. It was almost committing satire.

At the time, I remember being annoyed on behalf of the group actually targeted by the song -blue-collar workers, the kind who would supposedly mock rock stars with that Other F Word while humping your new fridge up a flight of stairs -and who were apparently being lampooned for their envy and lowbrow prejudice. Was this homophobia ... or was it classism? Or was it simply "quotation in character"? Either way, I was pissed.

But let's "get real." The genuine fear isn't of a country becoming the Ministry Of Managing Permanently Offended People (MOMPOP), but that this tempest calls into question the meaning and intent of words themselves.

Words -they're problematic. So many interpretations! And so many opportunities to leave in a huff. One man's "I love the dead before they're cold" is another's "lady is a tramp." The censoring of Money For Nothing for its use of a slur for gays, despite the obvious absence of any real attempt to injure that group, calls into question the meaning of another word: standard.

A standard would imply a judgment based on a set of feelings and opinions and moral codes, the latter two themselves based on consideration, understanding of context, and something we might call "wisdom." The CBSC would respond that they were responding to a complaint -so let's get it right, and rename them the Canadian Broadcast Reflex Council. One complaint by one person in Newfoundland, and someone in Victoria 7,300 kilometres away can't hear a song on the radio. One letter, and one new judgment for 32 million people.

There are no real "standards" there at all -certainly none that are consistent, balanced or sensible. Both Gord Downie and Eazy-E have been censored in the past, and one of those guys might receive the Order of Canada one day. And if we have regulatory bodies, why is radio favoured with so much attention? Never mind films, which in theory have age ratings, whereas radio offends across the very air we breathe, passing its filth into every innocent passing ear. What about newspapers? Absent wise decisions on context, we will need a stronger body to censor articles like this one, in which you will now have read the word "faggot" a half-dozen times.

Now, while you watch Frank Zappa own James Lofton in this 25-year-old 1986 Crossfire debate www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ISil7IHzxc), and while Mark Knopfler laughs and laughs on his way to the Bank of Scotland, let's get back to considering that Old Woman who lived in a shoe, whipping her starving children.

[e-mail]

© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette

---

I moved the thread to the Music Section. Seems to belong there, doesn't it?

Subject: RE: BS: Banned in Canada
From: gnu
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 06:00 PM

Indeed... it is to laugh... or to cry.

In any case, the song-video was ground breaking at the time of the song-video explosion. Not to mention the chops in the composition and execution of both. Dire Straights has always been one of my favs. Some of their songs define moments in my life besides being just amazing pieces.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Joe Offer
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 06:36 PM

Note to unnamed Guests: I deleted your post. If have something to say, use a consistent name.

-Joe Offer, Moderator-

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Jeri
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 06:37 PM

I first heard "Sultans of Swing" on an Austin, TX radio station as I was drifting off to sleep, and it became one of those half-memory/half-dream songs that haunts you until you hear them in the daylight and pin down who the band is. The song still feels a bit mythical to me. Then, on a New Year's Eve maybe 8 years later, a friend played me "Money for Nothing" before we headed out for First Night. It was the guitar into that he loved--the rest of the song was "ok", and we listened to that guitar cranked WAY up.

The whole point of snark is that it often feels like an "in" joke that mostly everyone gets. I guess the government of anywhere getting anything is iffy.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Gurney
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 06:39 PM

A lesson for all songsmiths. Might try rissole next time. That should confuse censors.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Crowhugger
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 06:50 PM

For better or for worse, Canada's constitution, statutes and common law lean toward (someone's definition of) protection of group and community rights, not like the US which leans toward individual protections. I still haven't figured out which suits me better.

Anyway coverage of the CSBC decision makes for a nice bit of free publicity for Dire Straits, and probably some sales will result from the press coverage--a few people will probably now go out and update their vinyl to some digital medium since they've been reminded of it.

If the the CBSC continues to make foolish decisions like this (i.e. decisions that prohibit satire), perhaps its members will eventually become obsolete. Some would say this already well under way because of the changes in how music is marketed and sold.

Back to the original complaint, to me it really begs the question: Why wouldn't an unhappy listener simply change the station and inform the station that they did so and the reason? And I wonder: Who gains from the CSBC decision, besides Dire Straits?

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Rose
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:23 PM

AFter 25 yrs of listening to this song, I can't believe the CRTC is banning it. It's all I can talk about and think about. There are so many songs out there, ex. RAP, that is way way worse than this. And it seemed Michael Jackson didn't take it personally. Why now? That's all I want to know. I am totally flaberghasted!

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Little Hawk
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:29 PM

Does this mean I can get Rap music taken off Canadian radio stations by writing a letter of complaint? ;-D Wow. I had no idea I had such power at my fingertips.

I would too...but I never listen to the radio, so why bother? ;-D

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Wesley S
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:40 PM

As noted before - a 25 year old song and Canada is just getting around to banning it? I knew things moved a little more slowly up there in the frozen north - but really - how silly is that? They've closed the barn door a little late. The horse is already dead.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: mousethief
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:47 PM

I prefer the other song made from the same melodic riff in the lyrics: "Don't Stand So Close to Me" by the Police. MFN is just tooooo long. Only song on the album I routinely skipped.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Bob Landry
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:55 PM

Oh, good God! My sons (then 5 and 12 years old) and I first heard Money for Nothing on the road near Halifax, NS. I cranked up the volume and all three of us grooved to the guitar riffs. I have the song on vinyl, on CD and on my iPod. It's only due to the sheer volume of tunes on my iPod that I didn't hear it this week on a 707km round trip over the ice- and snow-covered roads of central Alberta. As the stepfather of an adult lesbian who I love very dearly, I can only opine that CBSC fucked up on this one. As for the Newfoundlander who complained, I wonder if he'd object to my posting the lyrics to the Newfoundland song, Saltwater Cowboys to the Mudcat. The word "Newfie" is being considered perjorative in some Candian (dead)heads.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: bobad
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 08:57 PM

As previously noted these agencies act on complaints, I would surmise that no one complained 'til now.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: 3refs
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 10:59 PM

bobad
Yer right, the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council made the objection to the lyrics. Keep playing the song containing the
offensive "F" and the C.R.T.C. doesn't renew your license or just suspends it.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: EBarnacle
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 11:04 PM

We shall always have bluenoses [usage intentional] with us.

In this case, the word "faggot" is routinely used by gays to and about each other in common speech, without any sense of insult as is common with many of the users of the "n-word."

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Beer
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 11:21 PM

I bet the next thing this particular Newfie will complain about is the word "Newfie". God help us all if this becomes a word that is looked down upon.
When I was there 4 years ago I was warned by the folks I stayed with to be careful not to use the word Newfie in public. i was shocked but thought to myself. Fuck it. I'll use it if I wants to.
Yes B'y.
ad.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: open mike
Date: 14 Jan 11 - 11:57 PM

what is C.R.T.C.? even though it apparently is not the agency which has banned the song, what do the initials stand for?

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Howard Jones
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 08:35 AM

While they're about it, they'd better ban the Canadian national anthem too:

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

Clearly sexist!

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Bob the Postman
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 08:52 AM

CRTC = Canadian Radio and Television Commission. Among other things, it is mandated to allocate frequencies to broadcasters and regulate cable distribution networks. It performs functions similar to the USA's FCC.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 09:55 AM

Howard, there has been some serious discussion about changing that very word in the anthem.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 10:16 AM

I had better give up on my idea to export Mr Brains's Faggots to Canada I suppose, then. Ah well...

BTW - I am not sure about rissoles either. The other day someone asked me for pissholes and chips. When I said it as an 'r' not a 'p' they asked for r-soles and chips. You can't win:-)

DeG

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: JedMarum
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 10:27 AM

ludicrous! the song does NOT have a homophobic message (the reason the correct poklice ban the word). The song shows the absurdity of small minded guys who talk like that.

But the all-powrful, small minded beuarocrat who imposed this ban - apparently isn't capable of understanding the message.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 10:39 AM

Maybe the correct poklice are after the song, but the English language poklice are gonna kick your ass all over the playground!

Live version of song on YouTube.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 10:43 AM

And on that version, he sings "maggot" and "mother".

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 12:48 PM

It's a great song, who cares if it mentions a person who doesn't know what his backside is for??

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: terrier
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 04:19 PM

From: Jeri - PM
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 10:43 AM

And on that version, he sings "maggot" and "mother".
................................

and what's this "Mother trucker" he's singing about, LOL
must dig out my copy of Brothers..

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 04:28 PM

Jed beat me to it - that song is ironic and sarcastic. Whoever filed the complaint is showing their shortcomings as far as understanding what the song is about.

"Money for nothing, chicks for free." That used to bug me, when I first heard it, until someone pointed out the entire song is meant to do that.

SRS

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 04:36 PM

If they can retroactively ban oldies based on recently established moral criteria, what's to keep 'em from banning '50s rock-n-roll classics like "Sweet Little Sixteen" or "Little Queenie" ('She's too cute to be a minute over seventeen') because they depict females under the legal age of eighteen as (shudder!) sexually attractive? Nevermind that, at the time they were written, scarcely anyone over the age of eighteen even listened to rock-n-roll and that they were talking about 16-year-old girls being attractive to 17-year-old boys, not to dirty old men.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: The Vulgar Boatman
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 06:14 PM

Sorry Joe - that might have been me not noticing my cookie had gone missing.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Tim Chesterton
Date: 15 Jan 11 - 07:20 PM

Please note that, contrary to the headline, 'Money for Nothing' has not been banned in Canada. An independent body made up of representatives of Canada's broadcasting community has ruled that its member radio stations may not play the unedited version of the song on the radio. That's not the same as saying the song is banned.

Note: there has already been a rebellion .

Also, for those who were complaining about government, the CBSC is not a government agency; it's radio policing itself.

Personally, for all the reasons given above, I think it's a silly ruling. And it prompted me to get 'Brothers in Arms' out again, which I hadn't for a long time.
.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Mrs Brigand
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 11:01 AM

The Song HAS NOT BEEN BANNED and the CRTC had NOTHING to do with the decision regarding the word faggot. So typical people like you spreading things that are wrong and have so many people to accept lies as being the truth

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,999
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 11:09 AM

Article from The Globe and Mail.

Prepare for the chugga-chugga guitar riff of the Dire Straits 1985 hit Money for Nothing to be lodged in your brain for more time to come as federal regulations seek to continue the debate over the banned song on a national scale.

In a letter to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Commission, federal regulators are asking the commission to rethink its ban of Money For Nothing and the derogatory use of the word "faggot."

In the letter, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission said it has since received a number of complaints, "most of which have suggested that the CBSC made an incorrect decision." The CRTC has forwarded approximately 250 letters from the public to the CBSC, and it is recommending that the standards commission take the issue before a national panel.

Ronald Cohen, national chair of the standards commission, said it isn't mandatory that the CBSC follow the request, but "there is no reason that we would not embrace the opportunity to do exactly what they are asking."

The CRTC, however, "has ultimate authority, as they do in all broadcasting and telecom matters," he added.

Although the original ruling banning the song was by the CBSC's Atlantic regional panel, the ban is effective across Canada. So, the CRTC says it should be re-examined from that larger perspective.

As a staple of classic-rock radio for 2½ decades, some stations, such as Q104 Halifax, have flouted the decision altogether and have continued to play the song.

"I think audiences in general have felt that this impinges on their right to free speech," said J.C. Douglas, program director at Q104, which even played the song eight times in a row from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. a week ago.

Mr. Douglas has called the offending word "ugly, destructive and hurtful," but he also feels that given the context of this song, the ban merely trivializes gay-rights issues. He has received around 1,000 e-mails, mostly supporting the station's position.


The CBSC announced the ban on Jan. 12 in response to a complaint in Newfoundland last February about radio station OZ FM broadcasting the song, specifically its original version from the band's career-defining album Brothers In Arms. Some other versions have had the lines with the word "faggot" altered or edited out, in part to cut down the song's original length of more than eight minutes. Sometimes band frontman Mark Knopfler has substituted a different word, such as a "queenie." The CBSC ruled that stations can play an edited version without the offending word.

With backup vocals by Sting, the lyrics are meant to be from the perspective of a not-too-bright delivery man, who watches rich rock stars on MTV and disparages their seeming ability to have everything in life. Over the years, the song has also been criticized for apparent racism ("bangin' on the bongos like a chimpanzee") and sexism ("get you money for nothin' and your chicks for free").

Supporters e-mailing radio stations like Q104 "felt like we were sticking up for the common man – which is more credit than we deserve, because we were really taking to task a niggling point in the CBSC's decision," Mr. Douglas said.

"It was what the decision was hinged on: Whether or not contextual consideration should be extended to a songwriter in the same fashion they would be to a screenwriter or documentary producer. That's what it came down to for us, that songs should be considered for context the same as any longer-form artwork is," he said.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Cool Beans
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 12:39 PM

Three things I learned from reading Mudcat today that I didn't know yesterday:
1. There's an album version of "Money for Nothing."
2. Dire Straits is from Scotland.
3. They've got gay people in Newfoundland.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Smedley
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 12:59 PM

Just to correct a couple of errors around here:

Dire Straits are NOT Scottish - so the Canadian newspaper got that wrong. Mark Knopfler is from the NE of England.

The rich pop singer attacked by the 'narrator' in the lyrics was Boy George.

And a couple of observations:

Just once, in a Mudcat discussion which mentions homosexuality, can we not have the extraordinarily lame and predictable anti-gay ''''quips'''' from a small minority of posters ? There are of us faggots (oh irony) out here reading the site, and enjoy doing so despite its overwhelming heteronormativity (look it up!)

And it's very scary that so many here seem to rate this bland dreary song so highly! I do like some DS songs, but by the time of MFN they were dull corporate FM-radio soft-rock.

I wouldn't ban the song, if you're wondering, but I'd rather never hear it again on the grounds of personal taste!

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 01:19 PM

"I will just say this: the (council) is a private body that works with broadcasters, makes its own decisions," Harper said.

It's private? Then how can it impose a ban?

Smedley... "... can we not have the extraordinarily lame and predictable anti-gay ''''quips'''' from a small minority of posters ?"

No. We can not not. Humour is not censored here unless it is personal. Now, if you wanna have a discussion about poor taste, fine, but it will never end. I really don't think my quip was "anti-gay". Poor taste, childish, etc, perhaps.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 01:20 PM

"Mark Knopfler is from the NE of England."

Sometimes both sides of a discussion can be kind of right. The Knopflers were born in Glasgow and Mark lived there for the first 7 years of his life. So while I presume he regards himself as a Geordie he was originally from Scotland.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 01:42 PM

I don't care where he is from. His chops and licks are superb. Many DS tunes are amazingly crafted with intricate music and lyrics. MFN is one as it spoke to a generation, nay, generations, in a new media form... that time was an explosion of creative genius and DS was up there with the best... them guys ain't dumb.

BTW, while we are at it, Tommy Makem originally sang, "...she's the devil, she's black..." Now, we all know TM was NOT referring to ethnicity but he changed the word to "cracked". So glad the mentally challenged police didn't get after him for "cracked". Hey, what would have been next?

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 03:25 PM

Banned only on the air waves.
I will sing a chorus of "I Don't Care."

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Smedley
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 05:10 PM

Gnu, be as anti-gay as you feel you need to be, but why not break a habit and do so with just a glimmer of originality ? The least I can ask is not to be insulted in ways I've heard for the past forty years.

As for humour not being censored here, I look forward to seeing how long the next racist joke lasts.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Raptor
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 05:29 PM

I'm a huge fan of Mark Knopfler and dire straits and I'm pretty sure Mark himself is Gay. Not that I give a shit he's onne of the greatest of all time.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 05:33 PM

Two old men sitting on a park bench.

The Jewish man turns to the Chinese man and says, "I've decided to forgive your people for Pearl Harbor."

"What are you talking about? The Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor - I'm Chinese, not Japanese!"

"Chinese, Japanese - what's the difference?"

The Chinese man thinks about this for a while, then says, "I've decided to forgive your people for sinking the Titanic."

"What are you talking about? The Titanic was sunk by an iceberg!"

"Iceberg, Goldberg - what's the difference?"

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 05:45 PM

Famous old pre- punchlines:
And you, my friend, are pissing on my feet.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 07:07 PM

"be as anti-gay as you feel you need to be, but why not break a habit and do so with just a glimmer of originality ?"

Smedley, it's not easy to come up with an original way of being anti-gay or making jokes and quips about gayness, etc, because all the available and possible ground has already been well and fully covered by the last few thousand years of our western civilization. I fear that you shall remain insulted in the same old familiar ways as long as the rivers flow and the grass grows, to use the old Native American analogy.   

I was a skinny, pacifistic kid with thick glasses...and I got insulted in all the old familiar ways too. Not a glimmer of originality! We all have crosses to bear. ;-)

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 07:38 PM

"The rich pop singer attacked by the 'narrator' in the lyrics was Boy George."

Would the narrator be jealous of Boy George not only getting money for nothing but also getting his "chicks for free"? IMHO that doesn't sound likely

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Little Hawk
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 08:03 PM

Ah, but how can you be sure?

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 09:28 PM

Smedley... "Gnu, be as anti-gay as you feel you need to be, but why not break a habit and do so with just a glimmer of originality ?"

I don't care in the least if you or anyone else is gay. I DO, however, care if you are a gentleperson and have a sense of humour. Your post is unblievably ridiculous. How dare you! I am beside myself. Your intolerance really bothers me.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 22 Jan 11 - 09:33 PM

The intolerant take refuge in excessive political correctness.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Smedley
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 04:38 AM

Little Hawk, you're quite right, but I'm an optimist. I keep hoping there's at least one straight person out there somewhere who can transmute their prejudices into something fresh.......

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Callie
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 05:43 AM

He is singing IN CHARACTER. He's showing up how ridiculous the character is.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Raptor
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 09:16 AM

How dare you accuse gnu of being anti-gay I read nothing in his posts that hint that here or in any other threads. Be gay all you want but stop being a victim as Little Hawk points out everyone gets picked on but that doesn't mean everyone is picking on you. They are picking on Mark Knopfler for pointing out the ignorance of gay hate.Its all misunderstood.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Tootler
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 11:35 AM

Go into a pub in a working class district in any major city in the UK (and, I bet in Canada and elsewhere) and you will encounter the type of attitude that Mark Knopfler is parodying in Money for Nothing. Not just in pubs, either. My daughter was complaining about someone expressing such attitudes - and worse - in a very loud voice on the bus to work one day last week.

If the CBSC had listened to the song properly instead of reacting in a knee jerk manner to the presence of a single word, perhaps they might have taken a more robust line. Then again, in our present PC world, perhaps not.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Stringsinger
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 01:27 PM

Apparently the term comes from Oxford where the lower classmen were required to fetch "fags" (cigarettes) for the seniors. The fetchers became "fags".

The best thing it to do is "fag-gid-a-boud-id!"

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Stower
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 04:14 PM

The song is quite obviously written deliberately from the point of view of a pinhead.

That it has been banned reminds me of the reaction to a song by the late great Jake Thackray, 'One Of Them', in which he uses several offensive words relating to groups of people. On one occasion at a performance several audience members walked out shouting - they just didn't get that the lyrics were deliberately written from the viewpoint of a smallminded moron to illustrate just how smallminded morons can be.

I expect a song by Randy Newman - another master of 'character songwriting' - 'Sail Away' will be banned next. If it hasn't been already.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: sandinmyears
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 04:49 PM

The meaning of the word makes the difference. Not just the word itself. I remember watching a show with Betty White showing her pet dogs. This was around 1970 and she referred to one of them as a bitch. At that time, the "B" word couldn't be broadcast in the US but it went by because of its meaning.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,999
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 04:55 PM

For those who know, the song was sung with Elton John. He didn`t mind. He`s the `little faggot who`s a millionare`.

He don`t mind. Why do any of you.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Smedley
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 05:02 PM

It was sung with Sting, not Elton. Get your facts right/

As for me accusing gnu of being anti-gay, I didn't. I complained about a small number of posts/posters, not naming names. He stepped up! For what it's worth, his lame jokes were by no means as bad as a few others, which were specifically aimed at gay people and were not about the song.

I'm not a victim, by the way, I merely reserve the right to express my perceptions, just like everyone else.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Raptor
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 05:19 PM

Fair enough please accept my apoligy, Bad spelling and all.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Allan Conn
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 05:41 PM

"The song is quite obviously written deliberately from the point of view of a pinhead."

http://victorian.fortunecity.com/stanmer/288/intervw/interv.htm

Quite so in this link he explains in an interview that it is based on a guy he overheard ranting in a hardware store.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Smedley
Date: 23 Jan 11 - 05:43 PM

Apology accepted, however spelled.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Reality
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 11:37 AM

This "ban" hasn't stopped any radio stations from playing the song anyway...

So, what's the big deal?

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 12:52 PM

Savoury Ducks


100

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: gnu
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 03:22 PM

Smedley... "As for me accusing gnu of being anti-gay, I didn't."

You did. You posted it. I quoted it. You specifically used my name and now you are trying to weasel out of it on a technicality regarding your grammar. Pffft!

I hope I haven't offened any weasels, PETA, the SPCA...

Just don't bother discusiing it anymore. Make your points and leave me out of it. I don't deserve it and I don't need it. If you can't take a joke...

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: PHJim
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 03:53 PM

The ban only applies to stations that are members of the Canadian Broadcast Standards Commission, which is not a government agency. In fact, the CBC, a coast to coast government owned radio station played the song at least two times while reporting the Canadian Broadcast Standards Commission's ban. Canadians can still listen to the song, just not on radio stations that belong to the CBSC.
Just as anyone can still read and buy new copies of the Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn, just not in the edition that has been abridged.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: PHJim
Date: 24 Jan 11 - 04:21 PM

"The only valid censorship of ideas is the right of people not to listen." (Tommy Smothers)

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 14 Jul 19 - 01:49 PM

But I've heard it done live there more than once. What gives?

This just in! (Sept., '11)

Repealed!
"The new decision was based on what CBSC calls “considerable additional information” – such as learning that alternative versions of “Money For Nothing” have existed since 1985, proving “the band and the composer considered that there was a less offensive way of presenting the song to the public long ago” and the context in which the word is used demonstrates that “the composer’s language appears not to have had an iota of malevolent or insulting intention.”

You don't want to sound dumb, don't want to offend
So don't call me a faggot
Not unless you are a friend
Then if you're tall and handsome and strong
You can wear the uniform and I could play along.
[Joe Jackson, Real Men]

Stumbled across this gem searching for "dire straits" nautical folklore. Oh Canada!

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: meself
Date: 14 Jul 19 - 03:53 PM

' proving “the band and the composer considered that there was a less offensive way of presenting the song to the public long ago”'

Now if I were prosecutor and this were a criminal case, I would call that "consciousness of guilt"!

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Nick Dow
Date: 14 Jul 19 - 07:53 PM

They (not sure exactly who) threw Burl Ives into prison for 30 days for singing The Foggy Dew. Check it out on Wikipedia. The more things change the more they stay the same.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 14 Jul 19 - 08:42 PM

' He was jailed in Mona, Utah, for vagrancy and for singing "Foggy Dew", which the authorities decided was a bawdy song. ' Somewhere near 1930.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: meself
Date: 14 Jul 19 - 10:59 PM

... yeah ... except no one was thrown into prison over this one ... or fined ... or - anything, much .......

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Mrrzy
Date: 14 Jul 19 - 11:03 PM

Ya learn something new every day.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 15 Jul 19 - 04:32 AM

From a Guardian reader, Raghu Shetty;

Aged 18, I met the world's first spaceman, Yuri Gagarin at Bombay University.

I asked him: "What did you see below from the spacecraft?"

He said: "Nothing much except the clouds of injustice."

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Jul 19 - 05:57 AM

"...learning that alternative versions of “Money For Nothing” have existed since 1985,...”

“...and the context in which the word is used demonstrates that “the composer’s language appears not to have had an iota of malevolent or insulting intention.”

Radio Edits "...often come with any necessary censorship done to conform to decency standards imposed by government agencies.”

Translation: “We incorrectly banned the wrong song.” Oopsy.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 15 Jul 19 - 05:59 AM

Oops. That was me.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,henryp
Date: 15 Jul 19 - 06:37 AM

And here's another volte-face. Announced today; computer pioneer and codebreaker Alan Turing will feature on the new design of the Bank of England's £50 note. Can't say that I've ever seen a £50 note!

Bank of England governor Mark Carney said, "As the father of computer science and artificial intelligence, as well as war hero, Alan Turing's contributions were far ranging and path breaking. Turing is a giant on whose shoulders so many now stand."

In 2013, he was given a posthumous royal pardon for his 1952 conviction for gross indecency following which he was chemically castrated. He had been arrested after having an affair with a 19-year-old Manchester man.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 15 Jul 19 - 07:26 AM

If I was gay, I'd have sense to tolerate certain words in art and songs
if I felt sure they were not intended maliciously.
I would certainly make those allowances for creative works written in the less enlightened past,
when such words were more acceptable in normal everyday common use.

If I was a member of any minority - ditto...

Actually I am, and do...

I get more annoyed by self indulgently over-censorious folks who are too hyper-sensitive and quick to take offence.
Particularly when they are not members of the minority they are being offended on behalf of...

My sister was an LGBTQ+ and disabled rights activist.
She was so full of her own self-importance, so fanatical,
she became utterly obnoxious as a human being.
A complete stereotype, more of a liability and harm to her causes than she would ever accept...
As a close member of family, I knew her history of mental health issues
underlying her unforgiving public persona and zealotry...

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: meself
Date: 15 Jul 19 - 12:01 PM

I'm disappointed in Yuri Gagarin, but I suppose he was just saying what he had been told to say.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 02:01 PM

Of course, Mark - in the lyrics -is simply quoting what an idiot in a shop is saying.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: robomatic
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 03:27 PM

I am all for absolute freedom of expression - until I am offended.

I don't think I saw the origin of this thread, I remember the MTV primitive but funny and endearing animated version of the song not long after it came out.

I remember the word from my youth, tough I didn't hear it often in any of its meanings: the original bit of wood, the allusion to a cigarette, or the pejorative.

What's on my tiny mind is the moving target nature of the offense. An earlier posting mentioned that the radio version of the song does not contain the offending word.

I have in mind that its so easy to offend or allude by simply using good old plain non-offensive words. How about the Rolling Stones' song "Some Girls" which had a line: "Black girls just want to **** all night, honey I don't have that much jam!" On a "Saturday Night Live" Garrett Morris did a number where he asked the Stones where did they find such girls...he wanted to know.

I also have a warm memory of singing "Imagine" in a chorus in a chu)rch all friendly even though the lyric contains "and no religion, too".

And personally I'd like to find a substitute for the term "Indian giver" because it shows up in a lyric I really like, otherwise: Gordon Bok's "Little River" (It is not Gordon Bok's lyric, he set a poem to music and the poem contains the line)

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: robomatic
Date: 17 Jul 19 - 03:32 PM

Oh, and let's not forget Randy Newman's immortal "Short People" or my favorite United Nations Promo: "Political Science".

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 12 Nov 20 - 08:36 AM

Well, if it's in song lyrics, it should not be allowed in a play or movie. Ironically, the character in the song using the word "faggot" is depected as an idiot.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Jeri
Date: 12 Nov 20 - 09:43 AM

Wow.
This is an ancient thread.

This has been a non-issue since 2011.

Some people are way too into the whole "recreational offendedness" trip, but whatever...

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 13 Nov 20 - 02:13 AM

But the guitar sound is wonderful, all those harmonics, the words are irrelevant.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 13 Nov 20 - 06:30 AM

Here is a List of songs banned by the BBC!!

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 13 Nov 20 - 06:32 AM

Interesting that Money for Nothing is not on the list - showing what stupid pc idiots the Canadians are, they should stick to being lumberjacks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Thompson
Date: 13 Nov 20 - 09:33 AM

And me thinking it was "chicks for free" that offended!

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 14 Nov 20 - 11:35 AM

And the Dixie Chicks will always be the Dixie Chicks!!!

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: robomatic
Date: 14 Nov 20 - 04:09 PM

Well, there are some singers who have modified earlier songs or simply left verses out of them.

Randy Newman I don't know if he has modified "Rednecks" or not. And I haven't heard the song "Short People" on the radio in ages, but that doesn't mean much.

Meanwhile, the right wingers including politicians have developed a way to get under Democratic skins for some time now: truncating the name of the Democratic Party to "Democrat Party". I used to notice it every time they did it, but now I'm beginning to ear-adapt to it and I believe it has crept into usage by those who do not mean to offend, just because they've heard it so many times.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 14 Nov 20 - 08:12 PM

I have had it with these monkey-fighting snakes on this Monday-to-Friday plane! (See my previous.)

The album cut runs 8:20+, it has an extended intro and outro and three (3) faggots in the second verse. This is the song the CBSC 'banned.' Problem being it's not licensed for airplay pretty much anywhere on the planet. Pity, the guitar work in the last 1:50 is first rate headphone listening.

The radio edit is trimmed down to an MTV friendly 4:00 and the problematic verse is dropped altogether*. This is also the standard music video cut.

Pants first… then shoes. Everybody involved, from offended consumer to bureaucrat knew the album lyrics and had an opinion about them but, obviously, had never once during the entire process listened to the actual product the record company licensed for radio airplay.

CBSC banned the radio edit for offensive lyrics it did not have. Never mind anybody's opinion of them. There was never anything there to have an 'official' opinion of in the first place.


* Chicks not included.

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 14 Nov 20 - 08:15 PM

The artist's take:

“In a late 1985 interview in Rolling Stone magazine, Knopfler expressed mixed feelings on the controversy:

    "I got an objection from the editor of a gay newspaper in London – he actually said it was below the belt. Apart from the fact that there are stupid gay people as well as stupid other people, it suggests that maybe you can't let it have so many meanings – you have to be direct. In fact, I'm still in two minds as to whether it's a good idea to write songs that aren't in the first person, to take on other characters. The singer in "Money for Nothing" is a real ignoramus, hard hat mentality – somebody who sees everything in financial terms. I mean, this guy has a grudging respect for rock stars. He sees it in terms of, well, that's not working and yet the guy's rich: that's a good scam. He isn't sneering."

    By this he most likely means that the so called "Fa****" knows what he is doing and has a life of luxury, not meaning at all a racial slur. Not withstanding, it might seem controversial, but instead is a tribute to the credit of the LGBTQIA community, especially in rock and roll.” [song wiki]

Subject: RE: 'Money for Nothing' Banned in Canada
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 15 Nov 20 - 12:35 PM

Why should calling the Democratic Party "the Democrat party" be a way to get under the skin of any Democrat? What's the difference, and where's the reason to be offended?