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.
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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 November 4, 2015 @ 6:27 amSo 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 November 4, 2015 @ 6:33 amYou make me sound like I’m a presenter on Fox News.
Comment by Rob November 4, 2015 @ 7:51 amBill O’Reilly of advertising.
Comment by DH November 4, 2015 @ 8:00 amTalking about Queen and the Dixie Chicks in the same post might make the universe implode.
Comment by DH November 4, 2015 @ 6:34 amMy head did.
Comment by Billy Whizz November 4, 2015 @ 6:39 amI’d never heard that song before. Now I know why.
Comment by Bazza November 4, 2015 @ 6:49 amYou’ll never be able to unhear it.
Comment by John November 4, 2015 @ 6:56 amJokes 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 November 4, 2015 @ 6:53 amOh yes, I can see Trump using it in his propaganda. Except he’d say Mustapha was a Mexican.
Comment by Rob November 4, 2015 @ 7:55 amI 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.
Comment by George November 4, 2015 @ 7:15 amI 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.
you let your daughters listen to one erection? you fucking sadist.
Comment by andy@cynic November 4, 2015 @ 7:42 amEven I wouldn’t let that happen.
Comment by Rob November 4, 2015 @ 7:56 amI wouldn’t be so sure.
Comment by DH November 4, 2015 @ 8:00 amYep … 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 November 4, 2015 @ 7:57 amAdam?
Comment by George November 4, 2015 @ 8:27 amHa … yes. Among others.
Comment by Rob November 4, 2015 @ 8:46 amDo I know him?
Comment by DH November 4, 2015 @ 9:37 amGreat argument destroyed by use of queen
Comment by Northern November 4, 2015 @ 4:28 pmOn 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 November 4, 2015 @ 4:31 pmYou 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 November 4, 2015 @ 7:15 pmBloody Americans.
Comment by northern November 4, 2015 @ 7:55 pmThere’s was more than enough to justifiably dislike about Queen without having to expose a truly shameful mentality