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OT: Money For Nothing Censorship

minnow
Any place that interests me.
Several of us are probably familiar with Dire Straits "Money For Nothing" hit song from the mid 80's. It seems that over a quarter century later that some PC/ Thought Police folks are offended by some of the lyrics. These lyrics, in part : "That little faggot got his own jet airplane"/ "That little faggot he's a millionaire." The word "faggot" appears 3 times in the song. In the last several months, I've heard the song played with "faggot" bleeped out. Some versions have the whole offending verse erased in a slightly shortened version.

What do you all think of this ?
IMHO, I think this is over-reacting. If this continues to be censored, what's next. Maybe the deletion "steer or queer" lines from the DI's in the movies "An Officer And A Gentleman", and "Full Metal Jacket." The things that I find ironic about this whole deal is that the censorship is taking place over 2 decades after the song hit the airwaves. Usually censorship happens at the time of the release of the movie, song, article, book, whatever. What is even more ironic (moronic?) is that I heard the beeping out on a radio station that proudly boasts "we play it all". No you don't play it all. Thoughts.....................

28 comments

Latest

gawker
•
10 years ago
Censorship in any form is reprehensible. For music, it changes the original and might open the door to liability. I'm no fan of rap, but on a long ride with my ATF earlier this week, she hooked her phone up to my cars Bluetooth and played some of the most raunchy shit I've ever heard. I realize it wasn't broadcast, but it typifies what the norm is in some sub-cultures. What you heard was a feeble attempt to be politically correct. Do they really think that this would offend or drive away their homosexual audience? (11% of the public, if what I read recently is accurate). For Christ's sake, Katy Perry sang "I kissed a girl & I liked it" during 1/2 time of the Super Bowl - great game though iit was.
Clubber
•
10 years ago
It blows, in a BAD way. I always thought it referenced Michael Jackson.
deogol
•
10 years ago
We all know who the book burners were...
jester214
•
10 years ago
Love Dire Straits.

Dylan said 'nigger' in Hurricane, nuff said.
mikeya02
•
10 years ago
@Clubber,,,that makes sense, don't see the problem with faggot. Didn't Archie bunker say queer or fariy or the same thing on TV?
JamesSD
•
10 years ago
Let's be clear, corporate self censorship isn't government censorship. In my local market the Clear Channel stations are way more likely to edit songs than the independent ones. The most laughable is when a song is a few weeks old and they suddenly realize they should bleep a sex or drug reference after playing it repeatedly for weeks.

Hip hop in particular gets some ridiculous edits for radio play.
Blakeney
•
10 years ago
Gays are about 3%, not 11%. On TV, they're about 25%, but that's another story.
Dougster
•
10 years ago
Censors are complete faggots.
Josh43
•
10 years ago
I don't like censorship either.

Douglas likes to sling faggot jokes all over TUSCL, but I can tell that he's kidding, and he's sometimes funny (at least when he's asleep). In other contexts, calling someone a faggot is offensive for the simple reason that it connotes violence against gays. Archie Bunker was a hit and great satire because he was stupid and not malicious. For that reason, Archie might call someone a queer, but would never call someone a faggot.
jackslash
•
10 years ago
The song is an ironic comment on rock musicians, and taking out "faggot" is like taking out "nigger" from "Huckleberry Finn."

Now that ain't workin' that's the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain't workin' that's the way you do it
Money for nothin' and your chicks for free
Money for nothin' and chicks for free

DandyDan
•
10 years ago
First of all, I thought "faggot" in "Money for Nothing" referred to Elton John. Secondly, the song is 30 years old and should just be left alone.
Dougster
•
10 years ago
Before my time but weren't there some famous episodes where it turned out Archie Bunker wasn't racist after all when the chips were on the line? Something to do with his black neighbor?

Also heard that Eric Cartman from South Park was modeled somewhat after Archie Bunker. I didn't detect any redeeming qualities in the small amount of South Pari I watched though.
Holdem2
•
10 years ago
The people who censor "faggot" in that song are from the left. These are the people who are supposed to be more tolerant and open minded than the people on the right.

It makes no sense to me. Besides, the singer is referring to himself as the "faggot". The song is based on movers he overheard at his house.
Clubber
•
10 years ago
"Faggot", just a word. Who hasn't been called some derogatory name. I go by my Grandfather's sentiment, "Call me anything, but just don't call me late for supper!"
georgmicrodong
•
10 years ago
This isn't censorship. It's not the government requiring the change.
rockstar666
•
10 years ago
I wouldn't take 'nigger' out of Tom Sawyer and I wouldn't take 'faggot' out of Money For Nothing. Art is sacred.
gawker
•
10 years ago
Censor: any person who supervises the manners or morality of others. It doesn't have to be a government representative. Churches, schools( private), libraries & others have practiced censorship for centuries. When a parent limits children's access to porn on the internet, censorship is taking place. We, as adults can choose to see/ read/ visit that which is available. I enjoyed reading Nobokofs "Lolita", one of the most widely censored books written. I choose not to view "Christpiss" a work of art of Christ on a crucifix submerged in urine.
A radio station removing the word faggot from a broadcast changes the impact/meaning/ intent of the song.
JohnSmith69
•
10 years ago
Holdem is right. Liberals who most loudly preach tolerance are the most likely ones to show intolerance by censoring stuff like this.

GMD, not sure
JohnSmith69
•
10 years ago
why government action is required to call this censorship. Social pressure and political correctness can result in pressure to censor just like government action can.
former_stripper
•
10 years ago
No, I don't believe this song should be censored but the political correctness crowd (aka the thought police)does. I think political correctness has run amok where everything one says can offend people, and it seems online these people tend to try to moderate everything. I agree that it seems to be liberals who do this more often than conservatives online. Second, with this song I was told by someone who this song refers to and the person in question is not gay. The person in question is still a member a band that was very popular back then and the rumor is that someone in Dire Straits had met this guy while doing a concert and the other person was rude. I believe it because I have met the person in question and if it is based on him I can see this because he is an exceptionally rude jerk. Censorship is wrong and 30 years later is asinine.
JamesSD
•
10 years ago
Anyways, in that song the character throwing faggot around is an asshole. He lacks talent, education and drive, yet complains about what others have. It was based on a real experience the songwriter had at an electronics store.
GACA
•
10 years ago
I don't like it when we try to rewrite history through censorship. Taking 'Nigger' out of Huckleberry Finn or any other literary work because it's "no longer the way we do things" takes away first and foremost how far we've come, and a true taste of the past (weather it is tasteful now or not ). Yes in the 1980's we're more focused on dealing with racial shit (Different Strokes) than giving a shit about what the even more marginalized gay community thought. Now we are thinking about them, and I say leave the word "faggot" in the song a a marker for the progress we have made since then.
And to quote my favorite band (GnR) in Middle School. "Police and niggas" and "immigrants and faggots" get outta my way :)
lopaw
•
10 years ago
I'm pissed every time I hear Green Day's "Holiday" on the radio and they bleep out "fags". I'm gay and I don't find it offensive, and Green Day is about as liberal and socially responsible band that you'll find. The radio also bleeps out the word "faggot" in their song "American Idiot". The use of derogatory words and phrases really has to be looked at how they're used, and by whom. As a form of artistic expression? Or just using it for shock value with hate undertones? Tough call sometimes, while other times it's obviously used to make a point, as in the Dire Straits & Green Day songs.
Clubber
•
10 years ago
A word is just that, a word. It only becomes offensive or derogatory when someone determines it is.

I would imagine many dancers don't like being called "strippers" as it is deemed offensive by some. Any word can offend someone.. All BULL SHIT!!!
LeeH
•
10 years ago
While I agree that one should distinguish between government censorship and corporate censorship, given the fact that the crowd who feels this is necessary at all overlaps heavily with the crowd running the government, the distinction rapidly becomes moot.

Here's the thing: You can't offend me by anything you say or do. I can only choose to be offended. And if I do so, then I need to get a life. Or lean into the next pitch.

Ordinarily, I'd say that the reason that the song was acceptable 30 years ago, but not today, is because we're turning into a nation of pussies. But I like pussy, so I won't say that.
rockstar666
•
10 years ago
There are things I find offensive in art and literature. And when I'm subjected to them, I do get very upset. But I'd rather be offended by some things and have others be offended with "fags" and "niggers" in context than have no one ever be offended through censorship.
Clubber
•
10 years ago
rock,

Well put!
minnow
•
8 years ago
Wtf, if a bunch of thread bumping is going on, I might as well bump my own thread. Wrt original subject song: Yes, the version without the "little faggot" lyrics is still played, and is the most prominent version on YT today.

There may still be hope in the PC overboard world in that I saw multiple YT versions of a classic rock hit still having 2 words in the song with common nicknames for people in the LGBT crowd. I haven't heard it on radio station lately, but I don't recall those being bleeped out. I hesitate to name the song, because some PC pinhead might decide to censor it out.
This second example isn't played on radio, but there's a "Good Morning Vietnam" soundtrack out that mixes some Robin Williams schtick with some songs played in the movie. His play on the term "protective dike" is one of many classics in the film: "Can't say lesbian anymore, it's women in comfortable shoes."
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