Pogues classic censored by BBC Radio 1
'Fairytale Of New York' lyrics banned by radio station
The Pogues' classic Christmas song ’Fairytale Of New York’ has been censored by BBC Radio 1.
The radio station banned the word “faggot” from the song, originally a hit in 1987, to avoid offence.
The word, sung by the late Kirsty MacColl, has been dubbed out.
MacColl’s mother Jean called the ban “too ridiculous” while The Pogues said they found it “amusing”.
The BBC said: “We are playing an edited version because some members of the audience might find it offensive.”
Another line, where MacGowan calls MacColl “an old slut on junk” has also been edited out.
Jean MacColl said: “These are a couple of characters - not in the first flush of youth, I would have thought. This is the way they spoke. Today we have a lot of gratuitous vulgarity and whatever from people all over which I think is quite unnecessary. They are what they are. These characters speak like that.”
The ban does not apply across the BBC - Radio 2 said it would be playing the full version of the track, reports BBC News.
The song is currently in the UK Top Ten, nestling at Number Eight.
The radio station banned the word “faggot” from the song, originally a hit in 1987, to avoid offence.
The word, sung by the late Kirsty MacColl, has been dubbed out.
MacColl’s mother Jean called the ban “too ridiculous” while The Pogues said they found it “amusing”.
The BBC said: “We are playing an edited version because some members of the audience might find it offensive.”
Another line, where MacGowan calls MacColl “an old slut on junk” has also been edited out.
Jean MacColl said: “These are a couple of characters - not in the first flush of youth, I would have thought. This is the way they spoke. Today we have a lot of gratuitous vulgarity and whatever from people all over which I think is quite unnecessary. They are what they are. These characters speak like that.”
The ban does not apply across the BBC - Radio 2 said it would be playing the full version of the track, reports BBC News.
The song is currently in the UK Top Ten, nestling at Number Eight.
The Pogues tickets:
- Jul 15, 2009 20:00 at Liverpool Echo Arena, Liverpool - Buy from Seetickets
- Jul 17, 2009 14:00 at Victoria Park, Tower Hamlets, London - Buy from Seetickets
- Jul 19, 2009 12:00 at Wollaton Park, Nottingham - Buy from Seetickets






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