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?

Yes the song was from a different time, but lots of things are from a different time and as a society we decide that it's not acceptable and we move on from them. Golliwogs were very popular in the 1970s, but they have fallen out of favour as people no longer think racist caricatures are acceptable toys. Similarly lots of people don't want to listen to homophobic slurs in Christmas songs today, even if it wasn't widely seen as an issue when the song was released.

As I understand it (and correct me if I am wrong) but the word came to be an offensive slur in North America, in the UK it means either a meatball type dish or a bundle of twigs tied together. Again I realize that words change meanings so get that it is deemed offensive by some.

South Park did a whole episode on the changing meaning of the word - I think origanilly it was small bits/dud ends - and I think they were implying it was picking up a more general - you're shit - meaning though don't know if thats' continued or if it's still very offensive slur.

I don't find the song offensive - depressing - I find it more odd I can't add the meat product to an Alexa shopping list - well I can if I spell it out letter by letter to add - but it's still odd.

Though if they could have played another version rather than bleep wonder why they didn't just do that.

Films have ratings. Even music has explicit content warnings on it.

Why do you think its ok to merrily have the F slur playing in the supermarket at Christmas time?

You can play it in your own home on Spotify or whatever with the word included, you just can't hear it on the radio or public spaces.

I cant believe people are arguing that gay people, children, or anyone in fact should have to hear that word in public when there are plenty of ways you can enjoy the homophobic language in your own home if you choose.

Its really pathetic tbh.

A very dear friend of ours finds f..... very upsetting as it reminds him of the time when it was regularly used as an insult against him back in the 70-'s.

I don't think people like him should have to hear that word bandied round at christmas or any other time.

I think the lyrics are very much within the context of the song BUT I would definitely expect certain words to be beeped out on the radio/TV, in the same way they beep out all swearwords etc.

No

No. Of course not. It's a song, sung in character.

And why is it - if we must be so literal - that slut flies under the radar in this song? It doesn't seem to hit the trip wire of offence and yet it is no less aggressive and demeaning than the rest of the insults used?

It doesn’t upset me. I can see how if I’d had that word shouted at me aggressively, used to verbally abuse me and accompany physical abuse then I might not want to hear that word.

yet it is no less aggressive and demeaning than the rest of the insults used?

I disagree that is is the same as the homophobic slur.

As others have said, the point with this song is that, even if it's sung in character, it is not appropriate for certain words so be played on mainstream radio/TV/shops.

It's the same as having different versions of rap songs.

@TopBitchoftheWitches

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

This

Why is a misogynistic slur less offensive that a homophobic slur?

@FourTeaFallOut

Why is a misogynistic slur less offensive that a homophobic slur?

The context with which they have been used historically. Same as racist slurs. I mean, none of them are great, obviously, but some have far more history attached to them.

I am curious as to what the overlap of people who think this is fine and that Baby it's Cold Outside" is "a bit rapey". That's the other Christmas song that comes up every year as being "inappropriate".

idle curiosity.

Far more history than a woman being vilified for being promiscuous? Does history go back that far? Do you think a day goes by when a woman isn't battered with the word slut ringing in her ears?

No of course not!

I'd rather not hear the song than have people upset by it. Surely people matter more than a song.

If a song had racist words hurled as insults, we wouldn't accept that surely?

It doesn't help that's it's the only lyric most people know.

@CornishGem1975

Nope, not offensive at all. Okay, so it wouldn't be appropriate if it was written today but it's of its time.

Yes it’s of its time. So were racist slurs but you wouldn’t use them still!

Yes, "old slut on junk" is offensive.

I presume that is the line you mean?

Song lyrics and bleeping are weird anyway though. "Forgot about Dre" was on the TV yesterday, and [whatever channel it was] bleeped "strangle" but not "choke". It's the same bloody word!! 🙄

@BeyondShrinks

Yes, "old slut on junk" is offensive.

I presume that is the line you mean?

👏🏻