Thought control runs rampant in the Great White North. Canada’s Broadcast Standards Council has banned “Money For Nothing,” a 25-year old song by Dire Straits.
In its supreme wisdom, the Council has decided that the song’s lyrics are unacceptable for sensitive Canadian ears because the word “faggot” is used repeatedly.
Here are the lyrics that are now scandalizing our northern neighbor twenty-five years after the song was a number one hit:
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
There is, however, one small problem with the Thought Control Council banning “Money For Nothing.” That is, the song is a parody specifically written to put down people who express such unenlightened opinions.
Mark Knoopfler, Dire Straits’ lead singer and co-writer of the song, describes his inspiration in Wikipedia:
“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….”
In 2000, Knopfler appeared on Michael Parkinson’s interview program and explained again where the lyrics originated. According to Knopfler, he was in New York and stopped by an appliance store. At the back of the store, they had a wall of TVs which were all tuned to MTV. Knopfler said there was a man working there dressed in a baseball cap, work boots, and a checkered shirt delivering boxes who was standing next to him watching. As they were standing there watching MTV, Knopfler remembers the man coming up with classic lines such as “what are those, Hawaiian noises?…that ain’t workin” etc. Knopfler asked for a pen to write some of these lines down and then eventually put those words to music.
So the song is actually a brilliant parody of redneck ignorance, something that the Royal Canadian Mounted Thought Police should celebrate, not ban.
But comprehending that concept would require actual thought, something that was banned in Canada at about the same time that “Money For Nothing” was a hit.
It really is a great song. Here’s the original video. Crank up the volume and enjoy it while you still can, because it won’t be long until the American thought police decide it’s unacceptable here, too.
H/T: Jammie Wearing Fool
Source: Wikipedia.org
This post was last modified on January 16, 2011
View Comments (81)
Many radio stations, like Classic Rock or Album-Oriented Rock (AOR) stations I think would play the song with those lyrics in question. Others like say AC stations with lots of 80's in their playlist would play the edited version. I've heard both versions, the latter most often and it hasn't taken away from the listening enjoyment.
I can enjoy listening to the edited version, as far as the music goes, but my deep-rooted love of freedom would make me angry that somebody changed the original intent of the artist, just for PC nonsense.
Do you realize all the facts in this article are wrong. The ban was put in place by the CRBC, which is a non-governmental agency created by private broadcasters in Canada to administrate standards. The ban was a result of a single compliant to the CRBC. The CRTC, a federal government agency much like the FCC in the USA asked the CRBC to reconsider the ban as they thought it did not violate any laws or decency standards. Canadian radio stations have basically ignored the ban and many classic rock stations have had the song in heavy rotation recently. The ban had nothing to do with any police i.e. Royal Canadian Mounted Police or the federal government. The tone of your article is totally misleading and in fact totally wrong.
4mTX: "The ban was a result of a single compliant to the CRBC. The CRTC, a federal government agency much like the FCC in the USA asked the CRBC to reconsider the ban as they thought it did not violate any laws or decency standards."
Please don't allow the alphabet soup of acronyms fool you, my friend. Canada's sets and sub-sets of ultra-Liberal government/non-government controlling bodies are as incestuous as they are here in the States.
There is now an effort afoot to yank the license of the Toronto Sun's broadcast body because it dares to question the spending of taxpayer funds for the support of "artistic" programs. Watch the 3 videos on the attached link and see if the station's argument isn't on solid ground.
WARNING: To all of our more "Liberal" friends, you might be careful when watching, as the station is rather factual and frank in the FOX News tradition.
http://www.sunnewsnetwork.ca/sunnews/opinions/archives/2011/08/20110812-195103.html
While the Sun may not be everyone's cuppa' tea, it stands that freedom of speech should hold trump, 'eh you hosers?
Now, I understand that it is very very cold in Canada right now and that could be the reason you are so confused. Please read the article again. Please note where it says the CRBC banned the song. Please note the headline, which does NOT state anything about the RCMP, but rather the RCM THOUGHT POLICE (hint hint a very witty play on words).
And when you wake up from hibernation, try to have a sense of humor and please refrain from scolding or lecturing us. This motley crew already has a Canadian nanny watching over them. This board ain't big enuf for the both of us, eh?
Thanks to the Canadians, a new generation who didn't have a clue about this song will now know all about it. Good job, Ottawa!
Don't thank Ottawa. Thank St. John's, Newfoundland. It is actually Ottawa who is ordering a review of the ban.
In any event, I agree with you that this kind of publicity is priceless - raises awareness of a classic song to a new generation, and makes the nannies look like the utter fools they are.
Several radio stations in Canada have announced that they will be having "Money for Nothing" marathons - they will be playing the original song with the original lyrics on a continuous loop for an hour at a time.
To imagine that ONE SINGLE complaint generated this nonsense is truly mind-boggling. Welcome to my world, where the most right-wing party is still left of the Obama Dems, and where the truth is no defense. Seriously. According to our "Human Rights" commissions and tribunals, THE TRUTH IS NO DEFENSE.
Did I happen to mention I hate this place?
This past summer I was in Winnipeg, & the radio up there sucked big time. It was worse then American radio, which is getting worse by the day. Thankfully, I have been a subscriber to XM Satellite Radio & I could circumvent it. Sirius/XM has 20million subscribers now, & when you listen to regular radio, you know why.
Broadcast radio has nobody but itself to blame for the emergence of Sirius/XM.
Barb, may I suggest: if you're not already there, move to either AB, SK or MB; form a coalition government then declare an intention to secede from Canada; apply for U.S. territory status; talk the governors of the Dakotas, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and Nebraska into creating a second coalition, then declare an intention to secede from the U.S. and create a new nation. You'd have water coming out your ears; the ability to grow all the grain crops necessary; enough sunshine to go with greenhouses in which to produce your own fruit; enough oil, coal and gas to have your own energy-based economy; enough gun owners and national guardsmen to create a standing army and militias; you can raise all the livestock you'd need; there is an adequate road/rail/air transport infrastructure; and let's not forget the greatest commodity of these provinces and states of which there'd be no shortage: common sense conservatism. Sounds like the makings of a great nation to me. As for the rest of us, I guess we'll be relegated to languishing in what fast became known as, "Amerika" because our military erfuses to stand up and defend the constitution from its domestic enemies.
Oh Ruben, I forgot to mention: I like how you think. :)
Ruben, thanks for the suggestions but you missed one very important fact - if Global Warming doesn't hurry up and get here FAST, the places you've mentioned are freaking COLD.
If I hadn't moved back to Canada to be closer to Mom and Dad, I would have stayed in Nevada. Even California is more conservative than this place! Yes, even with good old Moonbeam back in the saddle. (BTW, what the hell were you people thinking??!!)
I don't know what the people who voted for MoonBeam were thinking, but I was holding my nose tightly as I voted for what'serface.
Too funny Barb, and so true! Here in New Mexico we have been getting close to near record cold temps at night for the past 2 months. Where is Al-Gorebachov when we need him!
Perhaps you should start a website called IHateThisPlace.com. In what part of the country do you live and why are you there?
I'll have to check to see if IHateThisPlace has already been taken - what a great name!
But it would probably be considered "hate speech." We also do not have freedom of speech - ask Ann Coulter, who was run out of town before she could give a speech at the University of Ottawa. But that's a whole other story.
I had to move back to Canada four years ago to take care of my elderly parents. My brother was watching out for them, but we unfortunately lost him to cancer, so it was my turn to step up. I don't begrudge my folks because they are so darned cute, but without a doubt it's been the hardest four years of my life.
I'm "living" in Ottawa, a tantalizing 30 minutes from the border. It's a far cry from southern California and northern Nevada, you have no idea.
Hang in there, I know how you feel. I too am taking care of my elderly parents and it do get hard at times, especially on the social life. But, like you said, they are my parents and as the oldest son it is my duty to make sure they get whatever care they need.
One thing you can do is call or email all the radio stations you can and show your support!
So...what about all the other pop music that is on the air? The ones that are even more offensive (Both lyrically and musically) and aren't parodies?
We need to start banning Lady Gaga, any singer that spells part of his/her name with a symbol, and "hip hop" that takes a sadomasochist attitude towards women!
That would ban 90 percent of the music.
I have no problem with this.
i listened to American idioy by green day on the radio today and they bleeped out the work faggot in that song too. what a joke.
Well, back in the day (OK...1973), the local radio stations in SoCal like KHJ dubbed the word 'crud' for the word 'crap' in Paul Simon's "Kodachrome"...
"When I think back
On all the crap
I learned in high school..."
*sigh*
I suddenly feel old...
93KHJ, Boss Radio in Los Angeles, the greatest Top 40 radio station of all time. Ahhh, those were the good ol days. Check out a website called RadioLogoLand.com. You'll like it.
Wow, thanks for the time trip...loved the site.
Nothing beats KHJ Boss Radio...the best in the 60's & 70's. When I hear old clips from the dj's, like the Real Don Steele & Machine Gun Kelly, it brings back soooo many memories...I loved growing up in LA & CA back then.
Many, many years ago when I was a young ad agency guy we did a a Twilight Zone parody radio commercial. We were told that Machine Gun Kelly could do a perfect Rod Serling impression. And perfect is exactly what it was. He told us that Serling had died in the middle of narrating a Jacques Cousteau TV show. Kelly was hired to complete the narration and viewers never knew where Serling ended and he began.
And, yes, Southern California was absolutely the best then, but it's awful now.
Forgot to mention for those fans out there that Machine Gun Kelly has a fantastic website: http://www.mgkelly.com/
Since you are up and around Mr Editor how can I add my own avatar to my profile? I ain't a 'puter geek so keep it simple please.
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Thanks for the information.
I was there. It was pretty cool. KLOS was one of my favorites, and I once rode my bicycle backwards in a 20 mile ride against cancer, sponsored by KRLA. Those were the days.
Oh my god, that brings back memories! I remember listening to KHJ in the San Fernando Valley a long, long time ago. I can remember the jingle.
I saw the KHJ logo'd shirts over at RadioLogoLand.com. Cool.
Well that whole album is a joke, so it works out :)
I agree... and it is funny because the singer is bisexual.
"Money for Nothing" was sung from the perspective of a working class stiff delivering household appliances. He was envious of the successful rock singer so he called him a "faggot" because the rocker had the money, the women and the noteriety while he had nothing but his back breaking job. The Canadian Broadcast Council (aka music nazis) is too stupid to appreciate the satire or social comment that Knophler was making.
And, 25 years later, it's still a great song,
BINGO! They were making fun of the people who would say the offensive things talked about in the song .
It is still a good tune after 25 years, & "Brother's in Arms" was the 1st CD to sell 1million in that format.
Were Dire Straits referring to anyone specific with their lyrics? I think if it was anyone it was Prince, and they were just using the pejorative "faggot" as an insult and not as an ascribing of identity sort of thing.
Your thoughts?
I always thought they were referencing Boy George or any of the what would now be labeled 'Emo' or 'gender bender' nu-wave male singers.
In case Americans forget to check the mirror, remember what the U.S. is doing to Huckleberry Finn right now. (For those of you educated by the public school system in recent years, no, Huckleberry Finn is not a music group.)
Hello. My name is Enward Nigardlee. I am from the Center for Removing Angry Pronouns. Please deposit all you angry pronouns into the language control devices provided at the far left.
Judging by your last name, you should be a cheap skate. Very tight with your money you must be.
It is French.
Well it is one company that is doing that. Idotic, I know, but it isn't the government.
Not saying the US government wouldn't stoop to such levels, but in this case it is just one company.
Yes I know... It's sickening how the so-called "Proponents of Tolerance & Understanding" are working overtime to censor, eradicate, and out right destroy anything they don't agree with - namely history, literature, art, and most importantly THE FREEDOM TO MAKE UP YOUR OWN MIND.
On a musical note (pun intended!): These @-holes remind me of Frank Zappa's 'Central Scrutinizer' in "Joe's Garage"...
"This is the CENTRAL SCRUTINIZER... it is my responsibility to enforce all the laws that haven't been passed yet. It is also my responsibility to alert each and every one of you to the potential consequences of various ordinary everyday activities you might be performing which could eventually lead to The Death Penalty (or affect your parents' credit rating).
Our criminal institutions are full of little creeps like you who do wrong things... and many of them were driven to these crimes by a horrible force called MUSIC!
Our studies have shown that this horrible force is so dangerous to society at large that laws are being drawn up at this very moment to stop it forever!
Cruel and inhuman punishments are being carefully described in tiny paragraphs so they won't conflict with the Constitution (which, itself, is being modified in order to accommodate THE FUTURE)."
Just add water, it makes it's own sauce!
Geddy Lee and the boys better watch out. Fans of Ayn Rand are surely going to be considered to "ideologically impure" to be be permitted in the public square.
"2112"... 0r should I say "2012"...
@Necron
Excellent, just excellent!
After 30 plus years, I really don't think the boys in Rush care what people think. Hell, 2112 is was their last stand against their record label, & it's about the individual vs the mass. Kinda rings true today...
"Attention all planets of the solar federation...
We have assumed control"
...They are also 1 of my favorite bands, & if you have never seen them live, you really should. Absolute legends.
I saw them live in 1977 and they were awesome. What suprised me was their opening act, they kicked serious ass as far as I am concerned, and they are still around. Their opening band? Aerosmith!
Sorry, but Rush blows the doors off Aerosmith.
Different strokes for different folks. I like the words, the meaning, what the band is trying to say and how it relates to life in general. Rush, like KISS, are more commercial entertainers and do not really say anything with deep meaning. And, very few bands do. But when they do come up with a song, like "Sweet Child 'O Mine" by Guns-N-Roses, or "Mother" by Pink Floyd, that is what I hone in on. It's the message, the words, that make the song great even if it was not a "top ten" hit.
Sweet Child 'O Mine is far from deep. Just like Rush is far from commercial entertainment. I have yet to hear a band other than Pink Floyd equal Rush in terms of lyrics, skill, and all-around stage presence combined. Heck, I can barely listen to much else after I discovered them.
This tells me you are not old enough to have lost a child. I did, 6 years ago, he was killed in a car wreck. But, I have two beautiful grandchildren to remember him with and in the here and now that is what is important. Think about it in that sense then listen to the song again.
Sorry for your loss, & if that song has a special place in your heart, & you can use it to help you, by all means. That's the beauty of music, it means different things to different people at different stages of people's lives. G'N R were a disapointment to me after "Appetite for Destruction", they should have gone on to be 1 of the greatest bands ever, they flamed out quickly because of Axel, & despite the brilliance of "Appetite...", I quit caring.
Now, you seem to have something in common with Rush's drummer Neil Peart, who in 1997 lost his 19 year old daughter in a 1 car crash. Then 10 months later, his wife of 22 years to cancer. His recaction was to go on a solo 55,000 mile motorcycle journey to collect his thoughts. He also wrote a book about it, "Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road" Now am I saying you should read his book or follow Rush because of this? Not at all, but I am putting it out there, since it's not exactly a secret.
For the record, I am old enough to have had kids that could have graduated high school by now, if I had fathered any. I have not. But let me just let you know I mean nothing personal in discussing musical tastes, & would like to think Kyle did'nt either. It's just music, & we all take away different things from different songs/bands. That's why we like music. Plus, judging by your screen name, that might be a tip off about maybe being a Willie Nelson fan, but I might be wrong.
The only real comparison of Rush & Kiss that you can really make is fan loyalty. Both have an insanely fanbase that is hardcore, I noticed that when I saw both bands. Kyle is spot on about commercial radio, Rush has almost no place outside of AOR formats. I would also like to see Floyd sometime, I have not done so yet. But 1st & foremost for me is Maiden. Great musicianship, excelent mix of prog rock with metal, & as good a live act as you will ever see.
Whoa up my man! No disrespect intended! I never said I didn't like Rush, they had some kick ass music. And yes, I have read Neil's book and in light of things going on now I am thinking about climbing on my old scooter and taking a ride myself. No longer married, house paid for, children grown and doing their own thing, maybe it is time for me to do just for me.
And, you caught me. Yes, I am a Willie Nelson fan. I also like David Allen Coe, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride, Ray Charles, Lynard Skynard, Steppenwolf, Kris Kristofferson, Travis Tritt and John Denver. Janis Joplin, Janis Ian, Dolly Parton and Aretha Franklin have done some good stuff too. I do not like everything any of them have done but all of them have done at least one song that hits me in the heart. And there are many other singer/song writers, country, rock or soul that have done the same. My whole point when this conversation started was to listen to the words, not the venue. Music can really be the thing that explains all lifes difficulties to us and, as the old saying goes, calms the savage beast within all of us.
I dunno, I think Rush can be a little pretentious, at times Aerosmith is a group that just wants to rock... There is a kind of weird purity to that.
Just saw them on May 22, 2008 @ the Xcel Energy Center in St.Paul. They still kick ass, even after all these years. If you have seen the new documentry "Beyond The Lighted Stage", they said they really got a big break opening for Kiss. That would have been a interesting show.