Barbara Zanon, Getty Images LONDON (AP) - Guitarist Mark Knopfler canceled…
Dire Straits Keyboardist Calls Canada's 'Money for Nothing' Ban 'Hilarious'
- Posted on Jan 14th 2011 11:00AM by Jason MacNeil
Ian Gavan, Getty Images
"Of course, it's hilarious," Fletcher – using the moniker "Dr Fletch" -- said of the decision, later describing the official ruling as "unbelievable" and "WHAT a waste of paper." Another fan on his message board described it as "political correctness gone mad," which Fletcher replied with "Faggots for brains."
In the CBSC ruling, the song -- played on rock radio and classic rock stations since 1985 -- was deemed to violate the code of ethics due to the word "faggot" heard three separate times. A listener filed a complaint after hearing the unedited, unabridged version on Newfoundland radio station CHOZ-FM last February. The complainant described the song as "extremely offensive" and added that "there is absolutely no valid reason for such discriminatory marks to be played on-air."
The station responded on March 4, arguing that because the song's original version was "regarded by many as an historically successful and essential rock hit in that form with these particular lyrics, management chose in this specific instance to retain the authenticity of the selection."
The complainant responded to the station's letter, stating their dissatisfaction with the response and feeling the unabridged version "is certainly not strong enough to justify playing such words on the radio."
In another reply to a fan's post Fletcher revealed that "[frontman] Mark [Knopfler] tells me that due to the ban, he has now substituted the word faggot for 'fudger'... for Canada." He also described one paragraph in a Toronto newspaper article as being a "complete fabrication." The paragraph in question described how Knopfler continued performing the song in concerts over the years but substituted different words for the word in question.
However, Knopfler has indeed changed the song's lyrics at times in concert. A performance of 'Money for Nothing' from Knebworth in 1990 has him substituting the word in question with "queenie," "mama" and "trucker." Knopfler has made no official comment regarding the Canadian ruling.
According to a report by the Edmonton Sun, one classic rock radio station in Edmonton -- K-97 FM -- has decided to play the unedited version of the song Friday evening repeatedly for one hour to support freedom of speech.
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Sue
I am a white atheist, who lives in the country. I find the words REDNECK, HONKY, BITCH, HO, JESUS, GOD offensive. let's ban all songs with those words in them, because they offend other rural-living atheists. While we're at it, songs that mention woman, child abuse are also offensive. So let's ban, Martina McBride's songs about these issues, Hank Williams songs about Honky Tonkin',most rap songs any and all Christian songs..Do I need to go on? Where does the censorship end? When we all need to carry papers of permission to walk out our front doors?
January 18 2011 at 5:30 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
John
Wudda think would happen when Butt Pirates run the country. Remember, this is the country who teach their children tolerance through television shows like "The Doodlebops."
January 18 2011 at 6:53 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
lawrence fishberg
I think it is "hilarious" anyone still cares.
January 18 2011 at 6:28 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
guest
I love the song.It's sad that the issue had to be launched on the "F" word where a real pile on can take place-where bigotry can't be seen as easily and pride in prejudice can blossom in all its glory and be ok in a freedom of speech context. The two second sliver in time of hateful slur in one particular version is what everyone is screaming for and defending. The principle is freedom of speech so each poster on this site is defending the right for each of their moms to personally be called a prostitute because words, all words must be defended. I wonder what's behind all of this.
January 18 2011 at 5:55 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
J. Correia
Kudos to K-97 FM...as for you crying babies that are so extremely offended by the song-here's an idea your tiny little p.c. brains probably couldn't assimulate...turn the radio station off when the song comes on. It's not freaking rocket science, ya bunch of whiners.
January 18 2011 at 5:46 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
mike
1 reply to mike's comment
wow....25,26 years after the tune gets released and becomes a worldwide hit,making the band millions,the intelligent canadians decide to ban it.it just reinforces what i have thought of canadians: that they are a bunch of mindless idiots
January 18 2011 at 5:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Sue
What about some American states banning Harry Potter because it would lead to children practicing witch craft??? People in glass houses......
January 18 2011 at 5:39 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Nick
free speech, includes hate speech (which i do not at all consider from this particular song)... like it or not. those of you that want to encourage censorship, invite the warring troops into your home to seek refuge and let them have full run over your lives.
When you lose free speech, you lose freedom entirely. free speech is the last bastion of hope for mankind. if you can't freely express your thoughts or say words that someone else does not like, then you are being controlled and used for the tool that you are.
Greg
Does this song hurt some of your guys feelers??..... To friggin bad! Don't Listen to it then..
January 18 2011 at 1:56 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
coreygene
I love the song and I`m gay it did`nt offend me but then I also am a Motley Crue fan too
January 18 2011 at 12:16 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
greg
Play the song the way it was written! It makes me so sad that some people are just so...arrggg...please grow up. No one and I mean no one will ever take away my right to free speech. Look at what is happening here in the good old USA. Reverse racism. I can't even say I am proud to be me "white" without some angry ignorant soapboxer saying I'm a racist. It is very hard being part of the ONLY race in the world you can't publicly be proud of.
January 17 2011 at 11:20 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
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