Posted on 09/01/2011 8:19:12 AM PDT by ConservativeStatement
CANADA'S broadcast standards council has amended an earlier ruling that deemed Dire Straits' hit Money for Nothing unfit for radio, saying that while the homophobic slur in the song is inappropriate, it must be taken in context.
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission had asked for a review of the song after the standards council ruled in January that the British band's song was unfit for radio because its lyrics include a gay slur. The council had responded to a complaint from a radio listener.
(Excerpt) Read more at heraldsun.com.au ...
I always thought that was an odd line in that song
I could not figure out the context
The sole purpose of that line was to “pimp” Canada’s fascist masters.
what is the alleged slur?
The song is about a working stiff’s jealousy of the way rock and rollers get rich playing music “on the M.T.V.” And it is tongue in cheek. The context is quite clear.
What surprises me is the failure of feminists to object to the “chicks for free” line. And the racism pimps failure to decry the line “banging on bongos like a chimpanzee.”
Sounds like there is actually some intelligence in the court system in Canada.
“That little faggot, he’s a millionaire.”
That little faggot with the earring and the makeup... yeah buddy, thats his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane. That little faggot he’s a millionaire....
From the Brothers In Arms Album
I want my MTV
Now look at them yo-yo’s that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on the MTV
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free
Now that ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Lemme tell ya them guys ain’t dumb
Maybe get a blister on your little finger
Maybe get a blister on your thumb
We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV’s
(See 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)
Gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchen deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
Gotta move these colour TV’s
I shoulda learned to play the guitar
I shoulda learned to play them drums
Look at that mama, she got it stickin’ in the camera
Man we could have some
And he’s up there, what’s that? Hawaiian noises?
Bangin’ on the bongoes like a chimpanzee
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Get your money for nothin’ get your chicks for free
We gotta install microwave ovens
Custom kitchens deliveries
We gotta move these refrigerators
We gotta move these colour TV’s
Look a’ here
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
You play the guitar on your MTV
That ain’t workin’ that’s the way you do it
Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free
Money for nothin’ and chicks for free
Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free
Look at that, look at that
Money for nothin’ and your chicks for free
I want my, I want my, I want my MTV
Money for nothin’ and chicks for free
(Fade)
I want my, I want my, I want my MTV
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
Oh, such HORRID besmirching of the homosexual population! The HORROR! (/sarc tag hopefully not needed)
I heard that it referred to David Geffen.
While he was waiting for his paperwork for whatever gear he was buying, he had a conversation with one of the stores' receiving workers who was unloading products on the selling floor.
The guy, who had no clue Knopfler was a rock musician, struck up a conversation with Knopfler about the music video playing on all the screens and basically expressed the sentiment that while blue collar guys like himself had to bust their humps all day delivering microwaves and refrigerators, installing cabinets, etc. the rockers wearing silk pants and makeup in MTV videos were getting paid to do nothing but enjoy themselves.
Knopfler thought the guy was hilarious and wrote a song from his perspective.
So the narrator of the song is basically a blue collar cugine from Brooklyn.
Not really. The lyrics reflect the thoughts of an average blue-collar worker envious about the outrageous and seemingly 'easy' prosperity of rock stars. The 'faggot' reference sounds pretty close to what a jealous working joe would say to degrade a guy with make-up, styled hair and earrings. It was also written some 30 years ago.
And d*mn, what a great band Dire Straits was.
Not to mention Knopfler - guitarist and song writer par excellance!
I recently heard this song on our local Pittsburgh rock station (WDVE). They muted out the “offending” word.
The Thought Police probably wouldn't like this song either:Johnny Are You Queer by Josie Cotton
The song struck a nerve since so many in society can emphasize. And Dire Straits knew that they had a good thing going and wanted to express it and give thanks. They were paid back by the public. Not to mention the guitar track was classic.
I thought rock music outrageous behavior was exempt from all criticism, back to “The Who” smashing guitars on stage forward?
Similarly people misinterpret Randy Newman’s “Short People”,
in which he _portrays_ a bigot who feels that “short people got no reason to live”. The key is in the middle:
Backing singers: Short people are just the same as you and I
Randy: The fools such as I
So he’s portraying someone, it isn’t literal. Also I can think of two songs sung by women who are “portraying” men:
Joan Baez version of The Night They Drove Ol Dixie Down,
and Cher’s You Better Sit Down Kids
We know that Canada is a bit behind in trends, music, fashion and such but didn’t this song come out in like 85, eh?
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