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Original poster

The fairytale of New York, do you find the lyrics offensive?

146 replies

Sfuandtired · 27/10/2021 17:09

I’m Sat listening to the usual bleeped out version of the song on one of the music channels, and thinking as I usually do why do they not leave ‘those’ parts in? Surely it’s just a song? Does anyone actually find it that offensive?

OP posts:
ArchwizardTVampirebat · 27/10/2021 17:12

It's a strange one. It's offensive, but it's meant to be offensive - they're drunkenly hurling insults back and forth.

Danikm151 · 27/10/2021 17:12

I don’t find it offensive. The words are in the context of the characters.

GoodnightGrandma · 27/10/2021 17:12

I don’t. And I still sing the words.

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Kittyswhiskers · 27/10/2021 17:13

No I don’t; there are lots of things that could offend me but the lyrics to a song really don’t.

Aderyn21 · 27/10/2021 17:14

No, it's a story and that's how the characters in that story speak to each other.
I really hate it when music channels censor songs - either play it or don't, but stop mangling it!

CobraChicken · 27/10/2021 17:15

I don't, because the f**t insult was one I heard used a lot by Irish relatives, and it was nothing to do with sexuality, but I can see why others (who don't have that prior association) would assume it was meant as a gay slur.

LongjohnSylvia · 27/10/2021 17:15

Yes, I see what archwizard means; it's not meant to be aspirational is it? It's about two drunks having a fight.

I can definitely understand why it gets censored or changed now. F... is pretty offensive considering the origins of the word, as is calling a straight man gay as an insult. Slut clearly isn't great either, in that context, although I think originally it meant scruffy or snobby rather than securely promiscuous or whatever.

LongjohnSylvia · 27/10/2021 17:16

I'm Irish too and didn't know f.... had another meaning as an insult.

GoodnightGrandma · 27/10/2021 17:16

As far as I’m aware, a f…… was a meat product before it was used as an insult.

Viviennemary · 27/10/2021 17:17

I find the beeps offensive. They might as well not bother playing it at all. Pathetic.

devildeepbluesea · 27/10/2021 17:17

Of course not. I know it's cheesy but it's my favourite Christmas song. I agree, in Ireland it's not necessarily a homophobic insult anyway.

I live in South Wales, I keep wondered Ng when they're going to rename the popular meat product served with mushy peas and gravy...

LongjohnSylvia · 27/10/2021 17:18

@GoodnightGrandma

As far as I’m aware, a f…… was a meat product before it was used as an insult.
Yes, that's why I said "as an insult" Grin

Clearly it was a sausage first.

But I think the reason it gets used against gay men is meant to be for some quite horrific reason (disclaimer: I got this info from Always Sunny, so definitely could be wrong)!

AmDillDandin · 27/10/2021 17:20

But the lyrics aren't talking about meat products in gravy are they, it's used as an insult in the context of the story.

I don't find it offensive at all, but if anyone does, I can't say I get worked up about a couple of bleeps.

anon12345678901 · 27/10/2021 17:20

Not at all, it's one of my favourite Christmas songs and I still sing the censored words. Listened to it yesterday actually as it's now acceptable to listen to christmas music (according to me) Grin

TracyBeakerSoYeah · 27/10/2021 17:22

I don't find it offensive.
I've seen/heard a few drunk couples/people in real life use far worse words.

Muttly · 27/10/2021 17:24

I’m Irish

F was definitely always a gay slur and it was always a widely used insult at a time. When you use the word bollix you typically don’t think of testicles in Ireland unless the context is testicle related. F*** could be a bit like that but it does always carry the homophobic slur. It is not used as much these day if at all because of the homophobia associated with it. Back in the day we did not have the greatest track record with homophobia in Ireland.

In the context of this song I think it is 2 drunken idiots hurling thoughtless insults back and forth and the lyrics are telling that story.

DroopyClematis · 27/10/2021 17:25

I don't find it offensive as the lyrics are in context but the school I used to work in banned it. I understand why.

Mantlemoose · 27/10/2021 17:25

Not offensive at all.

Redcrayons · 27/10/2021 17:25

No I don’t. It’s a conversation and they’re hurling insults at each other.

I’m also not offended or even that interested if they cut the offending words. I’m sure I’ve seen a video of Kirsty McColl changing the words.

00100001 · 27/10/2021 17:26

I don't like it being played, it's a good awful miserable song.

Rainbow0821 · 27/10/2021 17:26

Nope.

Offmyfence · 27/10/2021 17:27

I don't

Maybe83 · 27/10/2021 17:28

No its one of my favourite songs.

TopBitchoftheWitches · 27/10/2021 17:28

Best Xmas song there is if you have been there. No the lyrics are fine.

maddy68 · 27/10/2021 17:29

It's supposed to be offensive that's the point. They're hurlimg insults at each other. I love it