Sparks’ new single ‘Dick Around’ has been banned by the BBC, much to the annoyance of the band.
The seminal group only found out the news when Ron and Russell Mael guested on Jono Coleman’s Breakfast Show London 94.9FM this morning.
After the interview, the Beeb refused to let Jono play the song – embarrassing both the host and band.
Ron Mael blasted: “The BBC has officially killed off our new single ‘Dick Around’, ostensibly through rather childish objections to the title; an innocent reference to the idle life.
“That a piece of music can be condemned purely by its title without the ‘decision makers’ even have the decency to open the CD is a travesty and an insult to both of us as creators of music and to the listeners of the BBC.”
Russell added: “The reaction from the public to this record has been nothing but positive so the BBC should stop trying to be morality police when it is so clearly misplaced.”
£131.50 per year I pay the BBC for a tv/radio licence, and for what? Bad soap/reality shows, nazi controlled playlists, and Laurence Llwellyn Bowen?Grrrrr!
Sorry for the rant but this makes my blood boil. Licence payers have been asking the beeb to stop dicking around for years, they must have misread our request.
It's time the suits that make these decisions started giving people some entertainment for their money, instead they take it away. The intentions of this song are harmless, c'mon guys reality check, please.
Here's Sparks performing this so called offensive song live on The BBC before they banned it.
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This is one disgusting case of censorship. As are all of them.
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TV people are spineless weasels? Since when?
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Oh, wait, this is radio, right? Same difference.
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This might be some to add to Wikipedia's write up on UK censorship or one of it's links.
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It's incredible you have to pay that much for TV -- and it still comes with commercials! Btw, has the BBC done anything like this before? When was the last time?
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Yuck.
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Wow, they let "London Bridge play.but not this? That's dumb.
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Censorship really sucks but I really love that song. Thanks for posting it, I'd never have heard of them otherwise.
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The last time was only about a month ago.
Jarvis Cocker - Cunts are still running the world.
A little more reason not to play during the day with that one.
For a list of banned songs over the years follow this link. http://www.rocklist.net/banned.html
BBC don't have commercials. The other terrestrial channels are funded by advertising but the tv licence is compulsory if you own a tv, regardless of whether you watch BBC or not.
My friend doesn't watch tv at all, but he has a set purely for watching DVD. Even de-tuning the channels isn't enough to convince them you don't need a licence. Ans believe me they know if you don't have a licence.
He's had letter after letter threatening to fine him for non-payment. This has been going on for almost six months now.
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Did Frankie goes to Hollywood no harm but at the same time the play Mylos - Drop the Pressure with the refrain; Motherfucker, Motherfucker, Motherfucker, Motherfucker, Motherfucker, Motherfucker, Motherfucker, Motherfucker, Motherfucker,