BBC Radio Snowflake

• 19.11.2020 11:24 UTC+01:00
• [ perma(?)link ]
• < previous | next >

The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl's Fairytale of New York is a Christmas classic, beloved since its release in 1987. This year, however, BBC Radio 1 will only play an edited version because its audience may be offended by some of the lyrics. Shit…bag! (snowflake)

Radio 1 has played the song in its original form in recent years, but the insults contained in the lyrics, sung in the form of a blazing row between an alcoholic and a heroin addict, have long been criticised by some.

BBC News droid

But how representative are these some, other than of themselves that is? The problem here is, of course, that people who don't like something complain and criticise, while those who're happy with it remain silent, not expecting it to change. So now, to placate the whingers, MacColl will sing You're cheap and you're haggard in place of You cheap lousy faggot, while Shane MacGowan will no longer retort You're an old slut on junk.

When Radio 1 proposed removing faggot and slut from the song in 2007, they backed down in the face of criticism from listeners, The Pogues themselves, and even the late MacColl's mother. Andy Parfitt, who was Radio 1 controller at the time, explained the reversal of the decision:

we know our audiences are smart enough to distinguish between maliciousness and creative freedom. In the context of this song, I do not feel that there is any negative intent behind the use of the words.

Andy Parfitt, Radio 1 controller

Obviously, the intervening thirteen years haven't been kind to the mental acuity of Radio 1's listenership.

BBC Radio 2's listeners, on the other hand, will get the original, unadulterated version. Which is ironic, because when I was a callow youth, Radio 2 was the safe station for old farts, while Radio 1 was the stomping ground for hip 'n' happening dudes 'n' dudettes who lived for today and partied like there's no tomorrow; kinda…no, not really. But at least some of their output was more exciting, even edgy. Perhaps Christmas songs are no longer meant to be edgy?

I have an idea, Auntie Beeb. If you believe that your audience of snowflakes is too sensitive to enjoy a classic in the way it was intended, why play it at all? Just stick to All I Want For Christmas Is You and Mel & Kim's bloody awful Rocking Around The Fucking Christmas Tree. It's all that the pathetic bastards deserve! (grumpy)

Merry bloody Christmas. And a Bah! Humbug! to one 'n' all.