Seasons of the Ukulele

A weekly song challenge for ukulele players - all welcome. Find out more here

Season 699 - Banned by the BBC

AlanDP

"I wanted to be a BBC programme planner, but unfortunately I have a degree."

Anyway I can kinda see why they might want to ban a song about how cool a hired killer is. Originally part of the Threepenny Opera--in German--published in 1928. I don't think it really became part of the greater public's consciousness until Bobby Darren recorded an English version in 1955 (I think that's the right year). It's written all in one key, but I thought it would be "fun" to change keys on every section so I start in C, then go up to D flat, then up to D. I thought about trying this for the key change season a few weeks ago, but couldn't manage it. I barely managed it this time. The first time I heard this song was when Potsie (Anson Williams) sang it on an episode of Happy Days.

Nearsighted-Lemon-McKay

I couldn't resist writing this for all that the BBC does for us.

The BBC Protects Us

UkeFoote

"Happiness is a Warm Gun" by the Beatles, for concert ukulele with singing, overdubs of Ashbory Ubass and secondary vocal.

Thanks for hosting, Paulie!

LimousinLil

Hello again, Paul! Not another song yet, but I just found this interesting article which explores the strange inconsistencies of the Beeb's "banning policy" https://peterowensteward.weebly.com/banned.html As an example, The Kinks' "Lola" was banned not because it was about a transvestite, but because it mentioned Coca Cola. (Absolutely NO product advertising at the BBC!) To get past the censors, the reference had to be changed to "cherry cola"! How very odd! Yet, at the same time, "Auntie" was obviously deeply concerned about our moral welfare! I have a feeling that it's all but given up on that admirable pursuit now … we're all past redemption!

dr_mitch

LimousinLil very interesting indeed - and several very different elements wh8ch could lead to a banning - including some, such as the Vera Lynn material, that's purely a matter of taste.

I think most of those types of ban are over now, but there's some really peculiar stuff that's relatively recent, such as the songs banned during the first Gulf War.

Joko

George Formby was a name I knew. He was that bloke from the 1930's, a regular British guy with bad teeth and a mean ukulele. He was a pioneer. I knew about George, but I hadn't listened to much of his stuff until his Banned piece got chosen for me to cover at random.. Now I know George a little better and how to do the split stroke percussive strumming. I learned how, but you won't hear it here in my first Formby cover! Give me a few years and replacement fingertips!
Kudos to Andy's (DesertPavement) version back in a previous Banned By BBC week 378 who made it look effortless. TCK did his Cloverdale Kid take on it for week 334. It's always a mixed joy and sadness to come across an old Randy tune, who covered this for week 153.

TCK

22? I got this!

TCK

I blame Melissa for my lack of supervision and pr activity today 😂

TCK

Phew! Hit the halfway marker!

dr_mitch

So we now have an original praising the BBC, knives and guns, a little ukulele in one's hand, and the Cloverdale Kid reaching for the limit with a mixture of drugs and songs where the banning decision is utterly inexplicable.

TCK

Kinda made a mess of this one…no idea why it was banned. I could see stuffy BBC types not embracing the lifestyle Jimmy Buffet was selling, but this is just silly.

Banned?

Nearsighted-Lemon-McKay

TCK Hush Puppies…. product name, enough to get it banned

CanadaJim

Take A Whiff On Me - There are many versions of this song. This is one of 'em.

bobjking

Hey, Dr. Mitch!

OMG! Here's some OMD! Banned from being played on children's programmes on the Beeb.

"Why?" You ask, "is it because the song deals with the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima?" No! it was because they were scared that exposure to the word 'Gay' in the title would turn young impressionable viewers homosexual. Well done, the BBC. You idiots.

Paul came round!

TCK

Nearsighted-Lemon-McKay

YES! Dug deeper and it turns out that in addition to vulgarity and drugs, and people really not liking religious interpretations, products our out too! This list should be thousands of songs, but I did find this Which is unfortunately full of adds but explains many of the bans (and includes more song than the Wiki.

It does not say anything about the Judge Dread bans. Do not listen to Judge Dread.

Also, I can find no mention of Penny Reel, a Ska side by Eric Monty Morris anywhere. I know it was banned (its ban launched the career of the man who gave me my name), I know why…but it is not on any of the lists

LimousinLil

TCK When I was looking through the list, I DID notice that Judge Dread figured largely … which immediately made me want to find out what he was all about; I haven't yet!

Nearsighted-Lemon-McKay

TCK This list still doesn't explain the banning of Conway Twitty's "Danny Boy". All I can figure is that they just didn't like the way it was performed.

dr_mitch

If someone wants to bring a banned song not on the Wikipidia list - of course, that's within the scope of the Season.

OneManAndHisPGUke

LimousinLil

When I was at school back in the 70s I remember one of the kids in class had some Judge Dread records, I can remember that they were reggae songs and they were quite rude but other than that, no idea. I wonder if we’d find them a bit tame nowadays? ……

Just had a listen on Apple Music, the one I do remember is Big Seven. That’s pretty rude I guess, great backing track though. @TCK would probably appreciate it musically, he does like his reggae, ska and rock steady 👍

oh, just read what Dave wrote above your post Val……maybe he wouldn’t appreciate it after all 😂

dr_mitch

Well, we've had glitter rock and roll, dropping the first atomic bomb, and free whiffs. Which means time for another quick one take wonder from me - banned for the "Marks and Sparks" line (slang for the shop Marks and Spencer's) rather than anything else.

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