Canada bans original version of Dire Straits 'Money for Nothing' from radio

[Newsjock]

Source: The Globe and Mail

Canada’s broadcast standards council has reached back to 1985’s Top 40 to ban an anti-gay epithet in an old Dire Straits hit from the radio.

The song Money for Nothing was a smash when an animated music video seemed new and cool. But its lyrics, in which a loutish store worker ridicules a pop star as a “faggot,” don’t meet the test for 2011’s public airwaves, the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council ruled.

St. John’s OZ FM aired the song last year, sparking a complaint that has essentially resulted in a ban on the word from radio airplay in any song – a victory, according to a major gay-rights group, against a slur often hurled by violent gay bashers.

The ruling also brought criticism from those who argued the censors ignored the context of the song, and complaints to the council from many who feel a 25-year-old hit should be left alone.

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/complaint-about-anti-gay-slur-prompted-ban-on-dire-straits-song/article1869585/

[Webster Green]

1. How fucking lame.

What a great song! They are completely ignoring the context in which the line was written.

Fucking fascist mutherfuckers up in Canada rival our own idiotic neanderthals.

[Hoopla Phil]

3. Absolutely 100% correct!!!!!!!!!

[Mark Maker]

2. And he's up there, what's that? Hawaiian noises?

Banging on the bongos like a chimpanzee.

I suppose that's racist too.

*SMH*

[Webster Green]

6. I love the song. The production is absolutely amazing.

I play that song to see how far I can crank up a kick-ass sound system without getting distortion.

[badtoworse]

13. If you really want to test a sound system...

get a copy of The Overture of 1812 on Telarc CD. The digitally recorded cannon shots are amazing. One warning: play it at lower volume until you're sure the system can handle it.

Oh yeah, it stinks screwing around with a 25 year old classic.

[Webster Green]

15. My bohemian aunt played that for me back in the '50s.

She was an audiophile, and played the LP version for me one time to show off her system.

[badtoworse]

32. An analog recording has its limits

If the sound intensity is too great, the needle won't stay in the record's groove. For that reason, the sound intensity (wave forms?)on a 1950's recording was probably modulated. A digital recording is not limited in that way. Again, if you can find the CD, listen to it - it's amazing on a first class system.

[Blue_Tires]

34. I still remember the first time I saw the video as a kid

it was like a "2001" moment for me to see that kind of technology...

[RZM]

4. Oh please

I don't think the song endorses the slur at all, though I didn't entirely understand that point back then when I was a kid. But from what I understand, the lyrics are based on a conversation that Mark Knopfler overheard - he was just calling it as he heard it. Real people often say things that don't conform to PC sensibilities and I wish that fact was better appreciated.

At least the Weird Al version is safe.

[rocktivity]

5. I recall that they tried to change it to "queenie..."

And I recalled there were complaints back then. It does seem stupid to make an issue of it now.

:eyes:
rocktivity

[IDemo]

7. I see your Twain 'n' word and raise you a gay slur

Cultural cleansing continues. Anyone familiar with Knopfler's music know that he likely understands more about American culture and history than most American citizens.

[Karenina]

16. The Marks are on the mark and know well

what they describe in their writings. As soon as I think the discourse couldn't get more reee-dikulus... :shrug: Whatever.

[IDemo]

18. Is that in reply to me, or to the censorship?

:shrug:

[Blue-Jay]

8. I'd compare this to those who (STILL) want to censor Mark Twain.

Context is everything. Knopfler was showing his distaste for people who use that sort of language.

[badtoworse]

14. He was shitting all over a couple of guys in Crazy Eddy's - nt

[Mark Maker]

9. Let's spend some time together

♪♫♪Now I need you more than ever♪♫♪

And everyone on base was yelling at the little B/W screen "ED It's NIGHT you fool, let's spend the night together!!"

No wonder the '60's were so weird.

[KharmaTrain]

10. Totally Counter To Why Knopfler Used Those Lyrics

There was a time when you couldn't mention gay or mention same sex relationships in music and MTV. Those lyrics were there to break through a barrier of prejudice. This censoring, while well intentioned, goes against the intent of the author...adulterating the work.

[LTR]

20. Does "faggot" have a different connotation in the British vernacular?

I do know that the word 'fag' is slang for a cigarette, though I'm the sure the two aren't related in this context.

Perhaps the term isn't as loaded in that culture as it is here.

[KharmaTrain]

22. An Interview I Heard Years Ago...

Back when Brothers in Arms came out there were some stations that did censor the song or bleeped out the "faggot"...Mark Knopfler commented that he purposely used the word to see how others would react to it. He specifically directed it at MTV that he felt had far too much control over the breaking of new music and to see if they'd play this video that took a shot at a lot of taboos of the time. It was also a shot at BBC Radio 1 and British society (a constant theme in all his music)...just to see what type of reaction it would get. He joked that the MTV reference was intended to get his video played and then the "faggot" reference would get it banned...either way the song would get attention.

Cheers...

[Behind the Aegis]

23. I read your other post as well.

I find his remarks confusing. Calling gay men "faggots," is not really a great way to "introduce" a reference to same-sex relationship references. I remember hearing that song when it came out and it was painful. I was in HS at the time and being called a "faggot" was something I endured often, including calls to my home and me having to pretend it was someone calling for a homework assignment so my parents didn't know. I don't see this as the same as the "Huck Finn" controversy.

[KharmaTrain]

29. Where We've Come From...

I'm just relating what I heard circa 1985 when the song first came out and there was a controversy with some over the lyrics. Maybe what's more telling of the time is how few paid that much attention...and draws to your painful experience where that word was accepted by "society". The fact that the CBC is sensetive to these lyrics show where we've come as that word is now considered improper. I also recall reading, but never heard Knopfler ever verify this...that the song was a slam on the popularity of Boy George and how much attention he was getting at the time.

The big problem with censorship is that if the ban isn't explained it loses its meaning and actually may make some curious what was so bad about the word. Not sure if that's a good thing or not.

Cheers...

[Puregonzo1188]

11. Don't they edit that line out on US radio?

I heard it on commercial radio a couple of times and they seemed to mute the vocals over that line, whereas when I knew someone who had XM satellite radio and some station would play it constantly they left the song in tact.

[MrSlayer]

12. They cut out the entire verse.

It's dumb.

[lumberjack_jeff]

17. Dangit. No more chicks for free? n/t

[fishwax]

19. they require the word be masked, as the U.S. does with the other f word ("fuck," I mean)

Much of the commentary I've seen about this story has been along the lines of saying Canadian censors are out of control, as though we don't have such restrictions in the U.S. I wonder, incidentally, whether Canadian radio stations can play Tom Petty's "You Don't Know How It Feels" without editing "let's roll another joint," as MTV and FCC-weary U.S. stations did.

I agree with the comments above that the context of the song is missed--knopfler was writing a character and intended for that character's perspective to be criticized. From what I understand, though, knopfler doesn't sing that line in concert any more, but replaces it with "mother" or some such thing.

[MilesColtrane]

21. Does the CBC also censor episodes of 'All In The Family'?

How would Archie Bunker be exposed for the ignorant bigot he was if he didn't speak his mind?

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

24. I am 100% okay with this under one condition

And that is the same standard be applied to misogynistic language in hip-hop music,

Power 106 will sure be interesting as a Big Band and Jazz station...

[Le Taz Hot]

25. Stupid.

I think it shows just how far we've come in 25 years. I was listening to Ten Years After "I Love to Change the World" on Pandora the other day and I noticed the lyrics contained the following " . . . dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity." Back "in the day" all that stuff was acceptable verbiage. Thank the goddesses for evolution.

[DiverDave]

26. A saying comes to mind:

something about a barn door or sumthin,
A bit late CBC.

[SidDithers]

27. "Now, I ain't sayin' she's a gold digger, but she ain't messin' wit' no broke broke"...nt

Sid

[crappyjazz]

28. I wish it was possible to REC a post.

Thank you.

[lame54]

30. American radio always plays the edited version - they always have

[WolverineDG]

31. From the "Day Late, Dollar Short" file

well, I guess this incredibly late reaction to the song will now, ironically, get it more airplay.

Money for nuthin', chicks for free.

dg

[SidDithers]

33. Complaint and decision here...

http://www.cbsc.ca/english/decisions/2011/110112.php

Sid