Screenshot from the anti-Theresa May video, ‘Liar Liar GE2017’
BBC Radio insists that it isn’t a ban. But despite hitting #1, ‘Liar Liar GE2017’ is being blocked from BBC’s airwaves.
*Updated, June 1, 10:30 am PT: We initially wrote that this was the first chart-topping track to be kept off of BBC and British airwaves. Since that point, readers have pointed us to at least two different examples of banned chart-toppers: ‘Give Ireland Back to the Irish’ by Paul McCartney and ‘God Save the Queen’ by the Sex Pistols (see comment below).
Guess the revolution won’t be broadcast, after all.
Despite soaring to the top of multiple digital charts, BBC Radio is refusing to play an anti-Theresa May protest song. Other British radio networks like Capital FM are also banning the track.
The song, ‘Liar Liar GE2017’ by Captain SKA, is a blatant slam of May’s policies. Among other criticisms, the track sharply blasts the politician as a ‘liar’ who ‘can’t be trusted’.
Here’s the oft-repeated chorus of the song:
“She’s a liar, liar.
She’s a liar, liar
You can’t trust her
No, no, no.”
And, here’s a sample of the lyrics:
“I want to have government that
doesn’t think that fascism is where it’s at
Because putting the Mother of All Bombs
Into tiny hands can go very wrong
I’m hoping for a future for my child
Where she can grow and feel inspired
Do everything in your power you can
People rising up is the only plan”
All of which is clearly resonating with the populace. Earlier this week, the track soared to number one on the UK iTunes download chart. Meanwhile, the track itself has more than 1.33 million views on YouTube.
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Sounds pretty popular, yet BBC Radio has decided to ban the track ahead of the general election.
Or, whatever BBC is calling this. “We do not ban songs or artists,” the BBC spun. “However our editorial guidelines require us to remain impartial and the UK is currently in an election period so we will not be playing the song.”
Over at Capital FM, the song is glaringly absent from the Big Top 40 Show on Capital FM. That is, despite ‘Liar Liar GE 2017’ hitting number 1.
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Back in the day, that type of ban meant something. Radio was powerful, and few would hear a song that wasn’t on the airwaves. Now, it’s probably fueling the track’s popularity. “The success of this song shows people are fed up with this government of the rich, for the rich,” Captain SKA stated. “We’re overwhelmed with the support and our message is that people do have the power to change society if we act together.”
Captain SKA is actually a group of London session musicians headed by Jake Painter. The People’s Assembly Against Austerity is backing the release.
And here’s the song itself.
As the BBC says, it’s not banning the song – it’s not allowed to play the song. Broadcast media is regulated by Ofcom in the UK and has to be as impartial as possible in the run up to a General Election. Not a ban – they have no choice.
‘God Save the Queen’ by Sex Pistols was banned by the BBC in the summer of ’77, depite making it to #1 on the official charts. Actually, it wasn’t even being recognized as being #1, as the #1-space was left blank in the chartlistings…
The UK is also in purdah — the quiet period ahead of the snap 8 June election. Purdah is aimed at civil servants, and the BBC is government owned. So there’s a bit more to this than what the story suggests. As usual.