Sign of the Times: One of my favorite 80s rock classics is RUINED

[emilynghiem]

Oh [Expletive]!

I was listening to an all 80s rock channel, discussing with my boyfriend WHICH 80s ballad or rock classic best typifies the 80s genre.

We were listening to Dire Straits "Money for Nothing" which I pointed out not only had the 80s rock mixed with a cameo solo by Sting of the Police, but the content captured the whole 80s MTV video culture.

I was deeply enjoying this kickback to the good ol' 80s when people could listen to all kinds of genres of music on the same channel and not diss each other's preferences,
when my bf burst my bubble:

He pointed out that some of the funniest jabs in the lyrics:

See the little faggot with the earring and the make up
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he's a millionaire.

had to be BLEEPED out because of Political Correctness and
offending the gay community.

OMG

Sadly, I listened and sure enough, the lyrics were blanked out.
The song was officially ruined.

I don't know WHEN this decision was made, but I missed it.

The song as I remember had always been played in full without censorship.

So not only does this song represent the 80s
but also the difference with the later onset of censorship for fear of offending minority
groups outside the conservative culture that has been under attack, especially
since the prochoice-prolife politics became more publicly divided in the 90s with Clinton taking office,
and has continually escalated with attackers and supporters of Bush vs. Obama,
both with no tolerance of the other's political agenda and beliefs.

I can't even listen to the canned radio channels without being reminded
of what politics has done to American culture, media and music.

Damn!

Makes me really miss the 80s even more, when it was okay to be a Madonna fan
and share MTV with rappers and heavy metal and anyone else with diverse tastes in music.

What happened?

 

[S.J.]

I agree, we only have the right to artistic expression if that expression doesn't offend liberals.

 

[Pogo]

Oh [Expletive]!

I was listening to an all 80s rock channel, discussing with my boyfriend WHICH 80s ballad or rock classic best typifies the 80s genre.

We were listening to Dire Straits "Money for Nothing" which I pointed out not only had the 80s rock mixed with a cameo solo by Sting of the Police, but the content captured the whole 80s MTV video culture.

I was deeply enjoying this kickback to the good ol' 80s when people could listen to all kinds of genres of music on the same channel and not diss each other's preferences,
when my bf burst my bubble:

He pointed out that some of the funniest jabs in the lyrics:

See the little faggot with the earring and the make up
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he's a millionaire.

had to be BLEEPED out because of Political Correctness and
offending the gay community.

OMG

Sadly, I listened and sure enough, the lyrics were blanked out.
The song was officially ruined.

I don't know WHEN this decision was made, but I missed it.

The song as I remember had always been played in full without censorship.

So not only does this song represent the 80s
but also the difference with the later onset of censorship for fear of offending minority
groups outside the conservative culture that has been under attack, especially
since the prochoice-prolife politics became more publicly divided in the 90s with Clinton taking office,
and has continually escalated with attackers and supporters of Bush vs. Obama,
both with no tolerance of the other's political agenda and beliefs.

I can't even listen to the canned radio channels without being reminded
of what politics has done to American culture, media and music.

Damn!

Makes me really miss the 80s even more, when it was okay to be a Madonna fan
and share MTV with rappers and heavy metal and anyone else with diverse tastes in music.

What happened?

That's been going on a long time in this country Emily.

You know the Grateful Dead song "Uncle John's Band"? On the radio they used to edit out the words "god damn".

(1:18 here)

​

It's part of the fake pretend artificial contrived phony bullshit "moral character" we feign in public that gives us fake pretend artificial contrived phony bullshit outrage we feign at a Super Bowl halftime wardrobe malfunction or the fake pretend artificial contrived phony bullshit outrage we feign over a POTUS getting a hummer in the Oval Office.

 

[defcon4]

Oh [Expletive]!

I was listening to an all 80s rock channel, discussing with my boyfriend WHICH 80s ballad or rock classic best typifies the 80s genre.

We were listening to Dire Straits "Money for Nothing" which I pointed out not only had the 80s rock mixed with a cameo solo by Sting of the Police, but the content captured the whole 80s MTV video culture.

I was deeply enjoying this kickback to the good ol' 80s when people could listen to all kinds of genres of music on the same channel and not diss each other's preferences,
when my bf burst my bubble:

He pointed out that some of the funniest jabs in the lyrics:

See the little faggot with the earring and the make up
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he's a millionaire.

had to be BLEEPED out because of Political Correctness and
offending the gay community.

OMG

Sadly, I listened and sure enough, the lyrics were blanked out.
The song was officially ruined.

I don't know WHEN this decision was made, but I missed it.

The song as I remember had always been played in full without censorship.

So not only does this song represent the 80s
but also the difference with the later onset of censorship for fear of offending minority
groups outside the conservative culture that has been under attack, especially
since the prochoice-prolife politics became more publicly divided in the 90s with Clinton taking office,
and has continually escalated with attackers and supporters of Bush vs. Obama,
both with no tolerance of the other's political agenda and beliefs.

I can't even listen to the canned radio channels without being reminded
of what politics has done to American culture, media and music.

Damn!

Makes me really miss the 80s even more, when it was okay to be a Madonna fan
and share MTV with rappers and heavy metal and anyone else with diverse tastes in music.

What happened?

Welcome to free speech Cultural Marxist style....

 

[Pogo]

Oh [Expletive]!

I was listening to an all 80s rock channel, discussing with my boyfriend WHICH 80s ballad or rock classic best typifies the 80s genre.

We were listening to Dire Straits "Money for Nothing" which I pointed out not only had the 80s rock mixed with a cameo solo by Sting of the Police, but the content captured the whole 80s MTV video culture.

I was deeply enjoying this kickback to the good ol' 80s when people could listen to all kinds of genres of music on the same channel and not diss each other's preferences,
when my bf burst my bubble:

He pointed out that some of the funniest jabs in the lyrics:

See the little faggot with the earring and the make up
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he's a millionaire.

had to be BLEEPED out because of Political Correctness and
offending the gay community.

OMG

Sadly, I listened and sure enough, the lyrics were blanked out.
The song was officially ruined.

I don't know WHEN this decision was made, but I missed it.

The song as I remember had always been played in full without censorship.

So not only does this song represent the 80s
but also the difference with the later onset of censorship for fear of offending minority
groups outside the conservative culture that has been under attack, especially
since the prochoice-prolife politics became more publicly divided in the 90s with Clinton taking office,
and has continually escalated with attackers and supporters of Bush vs. Obama,
both with no tolerance of the other's political agenda and beliefs.

I can't even listen to the canned radio channels without being reminded
of what politics has done to American culture, media and music.

Damn!

Makes me really miss the 80s even more, when it was okay to be a Madonna fan
and share MTV with rappers and heavy metal and anyone else with diverse tastes in music.

What happened?

And no, they don't bleep or edit for fear of offending the gay community or any other community. They bleep or edit for fear of losing revenue. Commercial music outlets are supposed to be sonic wallpaper --- nothing should stand out or be noticed. In this case you had to lean in close and have it pointed out. If something gets let through that might perk somebody's ears and be noticed, like the word "faggot", that would risk them losing audience.

Remember, commercial entertainment outlets are about mass appeal to make money -- not about art. If it were about art, well god damn they'd run whatever was worthy. But it's not --- it's about mass media manipulation.

 

[emilynghiem]

I understood not broadcasting the FU word in NIN "Closer" on mainstream radio.

If the faggot word was part of an inciteful statement with mean spirited intent to promote discrimination, of course I would watch it with the hate speech.

But in this context it is done as GOOD NATURED HUMOR about the music scene in general,
and more of a statement about the singer's dismay looking at this whole culture and making remarks like WTF???
I read no ill intent or hate or discrimination.

I just read it as funny and not offensive at all.

 

[Pogo]

I understood not broadcasting the FU word in NIN "Closer" on mainstream radio.

If the faggot word was part of an inciteful statement with mean spirited intent to promote discrimination, of course I would watch it with the hate speech.

But in this context it is done as GOOD NATURED HUMOR about the music scene in general,
and more of a statement about the singer's dismay looking at this whole culture and making remarks like WTF???
I read no ill intent or hate or discrimination.

I just read it as funny and not offensive at all.

Of course, and that's probably all it is (I'm not familiar with the song). But because of the pseudo-religious puritan undercurrent in this culture we're all supposed to go "woooooo" even if we know perfectly well what this word means or what that body part does.

That puritanism is institutionalized, and mass commercial media will be the absolute last entity to give it up, because it lives in fear that allowing anything "edgy" will result in losing some part of the audience --- and losing audience means not milking as much money from the public as you could have.

Lowest common denominator Bowdlerism. The hallmark of the commercial mentality.

 

[MarathonMike]

I'm very familiar with the song and the funny blocky animated video. Great song, Mark Knopfler did not get enough credit for his writing IMO. The faggot reference in the song is a blue collar guy venting his frustration at the easy life of a pampered rock star. Therefore no reason to bleep out faggot except to appease the ever vigilant PC police.

 

[eagle1462010]

I'll be damned.....................the faggots of the PC Police really took it out...............

Bunch of damned Faggots...........................Yeah.............they suck..........listened twice to be sure......

 

[Pogo]

I'll be damned.....................the faggots of the PC Police really took it out...............

Bunch of damned Faggots...........................Yeah.............they suck..........listened twice to be sure......

Except there aren't any "PC Police" in a position to make that edit.
That would be ....... commercial media.
See above.

 

[eagle1462010]

I'll be damned.....................the faggots of the PC Police really took it out...............

Bunch of damned Faggots...........................Yeah.............they suck..........listened twice to be sure......

Except there aren't any "PC Police" in a position to make that edit.
That would be ....... commercial media.
See above.

They edited the original content because OMG they said faggot..............bunch of dang faggots................we allow people to protest and yell they are glad soldiers died, say Islam will dominate and death to America.........but have to SENSOR a song because someone might get offended.......

Well I'm offended they are offended.......If it offends you change the dang channel.........................You are either for the 1st or not....................say faggot and I'll sue...............pfft.............

 

[Pogo]

I'll be damned.....................the faggots of the PC Police really took it out...............

Bunch of damned Faggots...........................Yeah.............they suck..........listened twice to be sure......

Except there aren't any "PC Police" in a position to make that edit.
That would be ....... commercial media.
See above.

They edited the original content because OMG they said faggot..............bunch of dang faggots................we allow people to protest and yell they are glad soldiers died, say Islam will dominate and death to America.........but have to SENSOR a song because someone might get offended.......

Well I'm offended they are offended.......If it offends you change the dang channel.........................You are either for the 1st or not....................say faggot and I'll sue...............pfft.............

Nope. "Offense" has nothing to do with it. They're afraid of losing audience. Losing audience means losing ratings, and ratings is how you sell advertising, so losing audience means losing money. And that's the one thing they do care about.

That's why everything they play is gonna be safe, sanitized, comfortably-numb unchallenging lobotomized pap. And editing out "faggot" is part of that. Always has been.

"Faggot" is a sharp edge. Can't have edges. Edges make people think, and that's what art is supposed to do. Well, commercial media isn't about art --- it's about creating zombies to milk with ads. And you can't create zombies if you have edges.

 

[eagle1462010]

I'll be damned.....................the faggots of the PC Police really took it out...............

Bunch of damned Faggots...........................Yeah.............they suck..........listened twice to be sure......

Except there aren't any "PC Police" in a position to make that edit.
That would be ....... commercial media.
See above.

They edited the original content because OMG they said faggot..............bunch of dang faggots................we allow people to protest and yell they are glad soldiers died, say Islam will dominate and death to America.........but have to SENSOR a song because someone might get offended.......

Well I'm offended they are offended.......If it offends you change the dang channel.........................You are either for the 1st or not....................say faggot and I'll sue...............pfft.............

Nope. "Offense" has nothing to do with it. They're afraid of losing audience. Losing audience means losing ratings, and ratings is how you sell advertising, so losing audience means losing money.

That's why everything they play is gonna be safe, sanitized, unchallenging lobotomized pap. And editing out "faggot" is part of that. Always has been.

Yeah right..................and if frogs had wings they wouldn't bump their butts when they jumped.

 

[MarathonMike]

I did say to "appease the ever vigilant PC police". I did not say the PC police did the edit.

 

[eagle1462010]

I don't care who did it FUCK THEM..............That's my crystal clear answer to this subject. BTW my 21 days are up.

 

[bodecea]

Oh [Expletive]!

I was listening to an all 80s rock channel, discussing with my boyfriend WHICH 80s ballad or rock classic best typifies the 80s genre.

We were listening to Dire Straits "Money for Nothing" which I pointed out not only had the 80s rock mixed with a cameo solo by Sting of the Police, but the content captured the whole 80s MTV video culture.

I was deeply enjoying this kickback to the good ol' 80s when people could listen to all kinds of genres of music on the same channel and not diss each other's preferences,
when my bf burst my bubble:

He pointed out that some of the funniest jabs in the lyrics:

See the little faggot with the earring and the make up
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he's a millionaire.

had to be BLEEPED out because of Political Correctness and
offending the gay community.

OMG

Sadly, I listened and sure enough, the lyrics were blanked out.
The song was officially ruined.

I don't know WHEN this decision was made, but I missed it.

The song as I remember had always been played in full without censorship.

So not only does this song represent the 80s
but also the difference with the later onset of censorship for fear of offending minority
groups outside the conservative culture that has been under attack, especially
since the prochoice-prolife politics became more publicly divided in the 90s with Clinton taking office,
and has continually escalated with attackers and supporters of Bush vs. Obama,
both with no tolerance of the other's political agenda and beliefs.

I can't even listen to the canned radio channels without being reminded
of what politics has done to American culture, media and music.

Damn!

Makes me really miss the 80s even more, when it was okay to be a Madonna fan
and share MTV with rappers and heavy metal and anyone else with diverse tastes in music.

What happened?

What a shame.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Oh [Expletive]!

I was listening to an all 80s rock channel, discussing with my boyfriend WHICH 80s ballad or rock classic best typifies the 80s genre.

We were listening to Dire Straits "Money for Nothing" which I pointed out not only had the 80s rock mixed with a cameo solo by Sting of the Police, but the content captured the whole 80s MTV video culture.

I was deeply enjoying this kickback to the good ol' 80s when people could listen to all kinds of genres of music on the same channel and not diss each other's preferences,
when my bf burst my bubble:

He pointed out that some of the funniest jabs in the lyrics:

See the little faggot with the earring and the make up
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he's a millionaire.

had to be BLEEPED out because of Political Correctness and
offending the gay community.

OMG

Sadly, I listened and sure enough, the lyrics were blanked out.
The song was officially ruined.

I don't know WHEN this decision was made, but I missed it.

The song as I remember had always been played in full without censorship.

So not only does this song represent the 80s
but also the difference with the later onset of censorship for fear of offending minority
groups outside the conservative culture that has been under attack, especially
since the prochoice-prolife politics became more publicly divided in the 90s with Clinton taking office,
and has continually escalated with attackers and supporters of Bush vs. Obama,
both with no tolerance of the other's political agenda and beliefs.

I can't even listen to the canned radio channels without being reminded
of what politics has done to American culture, media and music.

Damn!

Makes me really miss the 80s even more, when it was okay to be a Madonna fan
and share MTV with rappers and heavy metal and anyone else with diverse tastes in music.

What happened?

This isn't new...I have heard a version with that entire verse removed for years.

They don't edit the whole song...just remove the vocal track on that verse, so it sounds REALLY stupid.

 

[Jarlaxle]

Oh [Expletive]!

I was listening to an all 80s rock channel, discussing with my boyfriend WHICH 80s ballad or rock classic best typifies the 80s genre.

We were listening to Dire Straits "Money for Nothing" which I pointed out not only had the 80s rock mixed with a cameo solo by Sting of the Police, but the content captured the whole 80s MTV video culture.

I was deeply enjoying this kickback to the good ol' 80s when people could listen to all kinds of genres of music on the same channel and not diss each other's preferences,
when my bf burst my bubble:

He pointed out that some of the funniest jabs in the lyrics:

See the little faggot with the earring and the make up
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he's a millionaire.

had to be BLEEPED out because of Political Correctness and
offending the gay community.

OMG

Sadly, I listened and sure enough, the lyrics were blanked out.
The song was officially ruined.

I don't know WHEN this decision was made, but I missed it.

The song as I remember had always been played in full without censorship.

So not only does this song represent the 80s
but also the difference with the later onset of censorship for fear of offending minority
groups outside the conservative culture that has been under attack, especially
since the prochoice-prolife politics became more publicly divided in the 90s with Clinton taking office,
and has continually escalated with attackers and supporters of Bush vs. Obama,
both with no tolerance of the other's political agenda and beliefs.

I can't even listen to the canned radio channels without being reminded
of what politics has done to American culture, media and music.

Damn!

Makes me really miss the 80s even more, when it was okay to be a Madonna fan
and share MTV with rappers and heavy metal and anyone else with diverse tastes in music.

What happened?

And no, they don't bleep or edit for fear of offending the gay community or any other community. They bleep or edit for fear of losing revenue. Commercial music outlets are supposed to be sonic wallpaper --- nothing should stand out or be noticed. In this case you had to lean in close and have it pointed out. If something gets let through that might perk somebody's ears and be noticed, like the word "faggot", that would risk them losing audience.

Remember, commercial entertainment outlets are about mass appeal to make money -- not about art. If it were about art, well god damn they'd run whatever was worthy. But it's not --- it's about mass media manipulation.

Yet...locally, at least one station that plays the edited version of Money For Nothing also plays the UNCUT version of Dylan's The Story Of Hurricane. The same station also plays songs about serial killers with no hesitation.

And no, you don't have to "lean in close"...the gap is obvious to anyone familiar with any kind of music, and the missing verse is very plain to anyone familiar with the song.

 

[Pogo]

Oh [Expletive]!

I was listening to an all 80s rock channel, discussing with my boyfriend WHICH 80s ballad or rock classic best typifies the 80s genre.

We were listening to Dire Straits "Money for Nothing" which I pointed out not only had the 80s rock mixed with a cameo solo by Sting of the Police, but the content captured the whole 80s MTV video culture.

I was deeply enjoying this kickback to the good ol' 80s when people could listen to all kinds of genres of music on the same channel and not diss each other's preferences,
when my bf burst my bubble:

He pointed out that some of the funniest jabs in the lyrics:

See the little faggot with the earring and the make up
Yeah buddy that's his own hair
That little faggot got his own jet airplane
That little faggot he's a millionaire.

had to be BLEEPED out because of Political Correctness and
offending the gay community.

OMG

Sadly, I listened and sure enough, the lyrics were blanked out.
The song was officially ruined.

I don't know WHEN this decision was made, but I missed it.

The song as I remember had always been played in full without censorship.

So not only does this song represent the 80s
but also the difference with the later onset of censorship for fear of offending minority
groups outside the conservative culture that has been under attack, especially
since the prochoice-prolife politics became more publicly divided in the 90s with Clinton taking office,
and has continually escalated with attackers and supporters of Bush vs. Obama,
both with no tolerance of the other's political agenda and beliefs.

I can't even listen to the canned radio channels without being reminded
of what politics has done to American culture, media and music.

Damn!

Makes me really miss the 80s even more, when it was okay to be a Madonna fan
and share MTV with rappers and heavy metal and anyone else with diverse tastes in music.

What happened?

And no, they don't bleep or edit for fear of offending the gay community or any other community. They bleep or edit for fear of losing revenue. Commercial music outlets are supposed to be sonic wallpaper --- nothing should stand out or be noticed. In this case you had to lean in close and have it pointed out. If something gets let through that might perk somebody's ears and be noticed, like the word "faggot", that would risk them losing audience.

Remember, commercial entertainment outlets are about mass appeal to make money -- not about art. If it were about art, well god damn they'd run whatever was worthy. But it's not --- it's about mass media manipulation.

Yet...locally, at least one station that plays the edited version of Money For Nothing also plays the UNCUT version of Dylan's The Story Of Hurricane. The same station also plays songs about serial killers with no hesitation.

And no, you don't have to "lean in close"...the gap is obvious to anyone familiar with any kind of music, and the missing verse is very plain to anyone familiar with the song.

"You" in that sentence was not the generic --- it meant literally second person, i.e. Emily (the OP) had to lean in close. I'm going by her own description in the OP. She hadn't noticed until somebody called her attention TO it. That's the whole point about leaving an edge in the song that might attract attention, and thereby wake people up, and thereby lose ad money. They don't want people waking up or paying attention --- they want zombies.

As already noted I'm not familiar with the song. I don't even know where the line in question is.

What's the deal with the Dylan song? Or are we all supposed to just ... know?

 

[Jarlaxle]

I thought you might be able to take the thirty seconds to Google the lyrics. The board censor won't allow posting them here. The Story Of Hurricane