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

[Sfuandtired]

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?

I hate the word "slut", and it offends me, so I'm glad they've taken it out.

I think, on the whole, it's quite reasonable to have changed the F-word line to "You're cheap and you're haggard".

Playing a beeped version seems odd when there's a version available that doesn't need beeping.

@GoodnightGrandma

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

I grew up in Liverpool (capital of Ireland ) many years ago and older relatives would often say "You silly faggot" to children as an affectionate insult almost like I would say "You silly sausage" to mine. I never thought twice about the meaning at that time

I don't find it offensive at all, because it's subg 'in character'

I do like the alternative lyrics I heard last year though:

"you scumbag, you maggot, you taped over Taggart..."

Back on topic, no, the song does not offend me as the insults are in context

No, not at all.

I despair at the stupidity of some people. Fairytale features two characters, both of whom are drunken tramps. They hurl foul-mouthed insults at one another which is completely in character.

People should try a little harder to understand what they are listening to in order to avoid misunderstanding the context of the words and making themselves look like idiots when they call for censorship.

I love the original - leave it alone!!

The original is offensive to lots of LGBT people and I’d rather they didn’t have to unnecessarily hear that word when they’re doing their Christmas shopping or are on a night out. Sean MacGowen is a don and that’s his reasoning too. Surprised people even notice the change to “cheap and haggard” it works in the context.

No

It’s a work of poetry and totally unreasonable to edit or censor it. If you don’t like the lyrics just don’t play it?

Good God, could we at least get the “Halloween is begging” and “fireworks should be banned, my pet goldfish shat itself in fright” threads out of the way before fairytale of New York. It messes with my internal clock.

I'm not a gay man so my opinion on whether it's offensive is neither here nor there.

It’s absolutely pathetic that anyone would be offended by two fictional characters hurling abuse at each other.

By that cancel logic we’d wipe out movies, plays, books etc. Where do you draw the line?

Get over yourself I say. People are far too easily offended

I don't find it offensive but I guess it's not for me to fond it offensive.

I am irish though and it has only ever had homophones connotations, it was never used as an insult only, where people got that from, I've no idea.

It's being used as an insult and so is supposed to be offensive so I don't find it personally offensive. Maybe it's bleeped out because children might be listening and repeat it out of context in which case it could be extremely offensive

I can see how some people might but I don't take personal offence at it, no.

Not offensive to me, but I'm ancient so accept others will feel differently. "Young Girl" otoh, how the hell does that still get played occasionally?! Great tune, but seriously ...

@LadyCampanulaTottington

It’s absolutely pathetic that anyone would be offended by two fictional characters hurling abuse at each other.

By that cancel logic we’d wipe out movies, plays, books etc. Where do you draw the line?

Get over yourself I say. People are far too easily offended

There is so much that should be censored, but where do we draw the line...

If we censor Fairytale of New York, what do we do about The Dambusters? Change the dog's name to Digger or Tigger?

theguyliner.com/opinion/dont-f-with-me-at-christmas

This piece is quite interesting, I think. I have no problem with the word being edited out- it doesn’t offend me but I’m a straight woman. If gay people find it upsetting or offensive, it should be edited for radio play (just as other slurs are). You are free to listen the the unedited version if you prefer.

if we censor Fairytale of New York, what do we do about The Dambusters? Change the dog's name to Digger or Tigger?

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lincolnshire-13727908

For me it’s less the song itself, but the strange way some people seem to really relish and delight in singing it. Usually followed by diatribes about how it’s not offensive.

But to claim to be offended by it being censored is just utterly overdramatic and attention-seeking.

It’s an absolutely shite song.

The lyrics don’t offend me, but I’m not a gay man, so not really my place to say.

No I love it. And I'm queer. :)

And Kirsty MacColl sang different lyrics on Top of the Pops in 1992, so it’s hardly a modern phenomenon.

I've never met anyone who could actually be offended by it

Faux outrage to get attention innit