The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]


UnFreedom Of Speech?
November 4, 2015, 6:15 am
Filed under: Brand Suicide, Corporate Evil, Culture, Queen, Religion

In 1978, Freddie Mercury wrote a song called Mustapha.

It appeared as the first track on their album, Jazz and was launched as a single in 1979.

Here’s the song …

When it was released, no one battered an eyelid.

No one.

Maybe it’s because it was a different time then … or maybe it’s because people knew Freddie’s heritage was not from England … but I was wondering what would happen if Queen released that single today.

Would the right-wing press claim they were supporting terrorism?

Would the Christian community say they were turning their back on their home nations [supposed] religion?

Would Muslim groups accuse them of trying to profit from their belief system?

I honestly don’t know, but judging what happened to the Dixie Chicks when then called out George W Bush, I bet it wouldn’t be something that went un-noticed like it did way back in 1978 … such is the love the media have for hyping-up paranoia regarding anything to do with religion, nationalism and multiculturalism.

And yes, I know what the music critics would say – and yes, I know it would be the same thing they said in 1978 – so you can keep your opinions to yourself, thank you very much.


22 Comments so far
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this could be a post about prejudice, censorship and artistic freedom. instead its a post about fucking queen and any prejudice, censorship or curbing of artistic freedom is more than fucking justified.

Comment by andy@cynic

So if I hate that song you’re going to call me prejudiced? Guess I’m prejudiced then. At least towards crap songs.

Comment by DH

You make me sound like I’m a presenter on Fox News.

Comment by Rob

Bill O’Reilly of advertising.

Comment by DH

Talking about Queen and the Dixie Chicks in the same post might make the universe implode.

Comment by DH

My head did.

Comment by Billy Whizz

I’d never heard that song before. Now I know why.

Comment by Bazza

You’ll never be able to unhear it.

Comment by John

Jokes aside, if queen were still around and relevant and released that song now, there would be uproar in the US. It would be fun to see the republican party use it at proof the end of civilization is approaching unless they are put in power and pass a law that mandates more gun ownership.

Comment by Bazza

Oh yes, I can see Trump using it in his propaganda. Except he’d say Mustapha was a Mexican.

Comment by Rob

I am certainly no fan of Queen but given a choice between this song and anything by my daughters hero’s, One Direction, Queen would win every time.
I am glad this song was not written in the modern age, because I fear the reaction I would see from media and people of a particular political persuasion would make me want to leave this country. To make matters worse, I would not know where to go because I doubt Britain would be any better.

Comment by George

you let your daughters listen to one erection? you fucking sadist.

Comment by andy@cynic

Even I wouldn’t let that happen.

Comment by Rob

I wouldn’t be so sure.

Comment by DH

Yep … it’s like when you see people you know on social media making comments that make you question if you ever really knew them in the first place.

Comment by Rob

Adam?

Comment by George

Ha … yes. Among others.

Comment by Rob

Do I know him?

Comment by DH

Great argument destroyed by use of queen

Comment by Northern

On a more serious note isn’t it true that queen were victims of prejudice in the US anyway? Didn’t sales plummet when the yanks cottoned on to the fact Freddie was gay?

Comment by Northern

You don’t know how happy I am that you know this.

They’re biggest album in the US – with their biggest singles success – was The Game. During that tour, Freddie grew his trademark tash. American fans threw razor blades on the stage when they were performing. They never achieved anywhere near the same level of success again. In fact, if my sandman Queen Wikipedia memory is still functioning, I’m pretty sure they never toured there again till Paul Rogers replaced Freddie.

Comment by Rob

Bloody Americans.
There’s was more than enough to justifiably dislike about Queen without having to expose a truly shameful mentality

Comment by northern




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