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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 Pogues tickets:

Comments (10)

Add a comment

cobbyshambles 

Dec 18, 2007

she calls him a faggot which is worse,i spot some sexism here?

AnthonyThornton 

Dec 18, 2007

can't believe we've got to the stage where you can't have a 'character' in a song without it being completely censored.

sophiastardust 

Dec 18, 2007

anyone offended?!
its quite funny actually, the BBC are too suck up to realise a joke!!

gwrwho 

Dec 18, 2007

This is utterly ridiculous - Fairytale of New York is the greatest Christmas song of all time and one of the best songs ever. To censor it, 20 years after its been released, is just plain ridiculous - I Really hope the pogues get the Christmas Number one now!

fatbloke 

Dec 18, 2007

What a load of old bollox........a classic since 1987 and only now is it deemed offensive. PC brigade within the BBC going too far.
Does this mean that BBC sketch shows which openly mock / make fun / stereotype homosexuals will be banned too?

I'm quite offended at the price I have to pay for my licence fee in order for some twat with their head up their arse to decide what I can and/or cannot listen too. Get a grip you fools......Pog Moi Thoin!

Spoonful 

Dec 18, 2007

A festive publicity stunt? Surely not!

Tom Angel 

Dec 18, 2007

It is ridiculous they should be playing this version at all. Ronan ‘Cliff Richard’ Keating covered this to GREAT effect a few years ago, and WITH the foresight of taking out any contentious words from the song (like soul, meaning, spirit and sway) including the aforementioned fagot, etc, etc. Frankly it isn’t these words that are insulting, but Radio 1’s removal of them, while having played menopausal drivel like Westlife, et al.

THEXTREMIST 

Dec 18, 2007

Ah this is rediculous, that song is a classic and I'm sorry, but in the context of the song, I can't see the word 'faggot' offending any homosexuals, I'm one and I find it kinda charming how Kirsty MacColl uses it.

Who's gonna be listening to it on Radio 1 anyway? I have some of the Pogues albums on CD and tracks via download, so I don't need any baby edited version for my ears. It's a travesty to try and tame the meaning of such a beautiful song.

skabarry 

Dec 19, 2007

Philip Chevron from the Pogues is gay and hasn't a problem with playing the song. In fact he also thinks it is one of the best Xmas songs of all time.

AnthonyThornton 

Dec 19, 2007

Radio 1 have changed their mind and are playing the original uncensored version. I could be cynical, but as it's festive season I'd like to think it's a success for democracy...

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