Can a song take the Lord's name in vain on air? I know you can say damn but I don't know about God D@mn?!!?
Sorry if the language offends but I have to ask.
Sorry if the language offends but I have to ask.
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Can you say God D@mn on air?
- Thread starter indywannabe
- Start date
Not all at once! This is a real question.
There is a song with those words in it. Song is great but I have reservations. It is from an indie artist who didn't think they would make it and I would love to give them a chance. I would rather them change the song but they say it would cost too much. I don't like beeping a song either.
FCC seems it is ok to say pretty much everything but the main 4 or 5 words but this is offensive to many people. ???
There is a song with those words in it. Song is great but I have reservations. It is from an indie artist who didn't think they would make it and I would love to give them a chance. I would rather them change the song but they say it would cost too much. I don't like beeping a song either.
FCC seems it is ok to say pretty much everything but the main 4 or 5 words but this is offensive to many people. ???
Sadly, Eagles - Life In The Fast Lane sang We've Been Up And Down This Highway Haven't Seen a G... D... Thing in 1977. Very sad that language is permissible in my book.
From http://www.fcc.gov/eb/oip/FAQ.html
There is no magic list of words that are prohibited, that would be censorship and unconstitutional. However I wouldn't recommend it, especially between 6 am and 10 pm. There is an old Creed song with it as well which I have heard many times.
Last year during the election I even heard it outside the safe harbor, but it was news and it was quoting a qoute. With the FCC it really depends upon context.
There is no magic list of words that are prohibited, that would be censorship and unconstitutional. However I wouldn't recommend it, especially between 6 am and 10 pm. There is an old Creed song with it as well which I have heard many times.
Last year during the election I even heard it outside the safe harbor, but it was news and it was quoting a qoute. With the FCC it really depends upon context.
You need to ask this. Do you want to alienate two thirds of your listeners?
Any artist who desires airplay should refrain from using it.
Most people will understand why a person cusses when something hits the fan.
But, in common speech profanity brands one as low class. That does not belong
on the air as it is disrespectful to your fans.
It may be legal. But I do not permit it. I use editing software and take it
out. Or, I ban the song.
The FCC now upholds profanity to community standards. So, in some towns
you may be fined locally and Federally.
Also, using that phrase has been found to raise your blood pressure to high
levels. And, God doesn't like it either.
Any artist who desires airplay should refrain from using it.
Most people will understand why a person cusses when something hits the fan.
But, in common speech profanity brands one as low class. That does not belong
on the air as it is disrespectful to your fans.
It may be legal. But I do not permit it. I use editing software and take it
out. Or, I ban the song.
The FCC now upholds profanity to community standards. So, in some towns
you may be fined locally and Federally.
Also, using that phrase has been found to raise your blood pressure to high
levels. And, God doesn't like it either.
Flying-Dutchman said:
Once there was a time when unsigned/indie artists would do anything to get on the air...I can understand someone with big pockets and delusions of artistic freedom demanding such a thing...whatever. Too expensive? Yeah right...if the master is on 2 inch tape. When I was in a high school garage band I would have fired our drummer, if a DJ asked me to, for 30 seconds of air time.
indywannabe said:
Why would you want to?
At the old Hot 96 we would play the cleanest of all edits, usually a resing of the lyrics no fouls. After Radio one bought the place they used the dirtiest or unedited lyrics. I know their language is horrible, especially at night. Is this a draw?
indywannabe said:
Yes you can. There was never (and still isn't) any FCC mandate against it. And if there ever was, they'd be opening a can of something that would make the Nipplegate controversy look like a Bruce Williams talk show.
However, station PDs/GMs/owners (namely those looking for a "family friendly" image) can toss you off the air if you say anything like that.
I think that all comes down to the stations themselves to decide what's acceptable on their stations and what is not. And that's how we should leave it.
Bob and Tom changed how they operate. This is simply people growing up. Indeceny fines still exist, links provided.If you want your kids talking like sailors fine, I am still a majority of 1. Four letter words don't play here.
If an independent artist comes to me and this song is on his CD or somewhere I find on the internet he won't EVER be on the air. And I'll make it a point to mention to other broadcasters that one of his songs says something that could get them fined. No one wants to take the chance he's going to impromptu sing his GD song. Shows immaturity, lack of sense, need to create problems, and when he turns 20 he might rethink this.
If this is in his song how can it be great at any level? I understand Eminem and his past causing him to sing as he does. He spent years being his own promoter because no one else would take him.
I have to go to confession for reading these posts...
Talent required to pay indeceny fines:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/10/AR2006071001245.html
Most FCC agents can't understand Spanish, thought that would keep this from happening:
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/495/CFI/cfreport/index.htm
Howard Stern $495,000:
http://projects.publicintegrity.org/telecom/report.aspx?aid=239
What to do about offensive radio stations from AFA:
http://action.afa.net/FAQ.aspx?id=2147483795
If an independent artist comes to me and this song is on his CD or somewhere I find on the internet he won't EVER be on the air. And I'll make it a point to mention to other broadcasters that one of his songs says something that could get them fined. No one wants to take the chance he's going to impromptu sing his GD song. Shows immaturity, lack of sense, need to create problems, and when he turns 20 he might rethink this.
If this is in his song how can it be great at any level? I understand Eminem and his past causing him to sing as he does. He spent years being his own promoter because no one else would take him.
I have to go to confession for reading these posts...
Talent required to pay indeceny fines:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/10/AR2006071001245.html
Most FCC agents can't understand Spanish, thought that would keep this from happening:
http://www.cwfa.org/articles/495/CFI/cfreport/index.htm
Howard Stern $495,000:
http://projects.publicintegrity.org/telecom/report.aspx?aid=239
What to do about offensive radio stations from AFA:
http://action.afa.net/FAQ.aspx?id=2147483795
I suppose you COULD say it, but I join Chief Engineer in asking "why"? Of all things you could say, it seems to have absolutely NO place on the air. Besides, those with any form of spiritual life find that one more offensive than any other.
Don't you find it fascinating that when the movie censors sanitize a movie soundtrack for re-play on a "public" station, they bleep "God" and not "damn"?
What's wrong with that picture?
Don't you find it fascinating that when the movie censors sanitize a movie soundtrack for re-play on a "public" station, they bleep "God" and not "damn"?
What's wrong with that picture?
M
Mid West Clubber
Guest
Yes you can,, sad to say really, but most stations have high enough standards to edit it.. Im not offended by much, but please dont take the lords name in vain... Ya Know....
It is interesting to note who bleeps it. Even on "The Daily Show" (which I consider far from family friendly) GD doesn't make the cut. It gets bleeped. (Or at least it HAS been bleeped. Standards change.)
For humor: I remember reading some profanity complaints on the FCC website where organized people complained about stations airing "BLEEP damn". The complaint was that the bleeped word was "obvious" and the act of airing BLEEP damn was the same as if the actual words were used. The FCC denied the complaint.
For humor: I remember reading some profanity complaints on the FCC website where organized people complained about stations airing "BLEEP damn". The complaint was that the bleeped word was "obvious" and the act of airing BLEEP damn was the same as if the actual words were used. The FCC denied the complaint.
I know an announcer who said the F word on the air. He was giving a tornado
warning when the twister appeared on the scene and took the top out of the tree outside the studio window. He was telling people to get out of mobile homes.
We were in a trailer. As the tornado lifted the studio off the ground, he screamed, "Bruce we have to get the F out of here" He was excused that time.
warning when the twister appeared on the scene and took the top out of the tree outside the studio window. He was telling people to get out of mobile homes.
We were in a trailer. As the tornado lifted the studio off the ground, he screamed, "Bruce we have to get the F out of here" He was excused that time.
M
Mid West Clubber
Guest
Well once is too much if a christian mom and her kids are in the car. Im a christian, but not conservative and I wouldnt want to hear gd on air.
wish i knew about this when i was a dj, my air shifts would have been more lively.
Don't pay attention to all the easily offended Christians in the room here, man. Pay attention to your audience.
If your format is C&W or Oldies or Classic-ish rock, I would be wary of it. Especially if you have a heavy quotient of "family friendly" types listening at any given time, or have maintained a "family friendly" format for more than the past 2 weeks.
However, if you are running a hard rock, indie rock, rap/r&b or similar 12-30 demographic-oriented format, I'd say go for it. It preserves the integrity of the music.
But if you end up in a situation where you have to edit it, don't bleep it. That's poor production quality. Either reverse it, or extract the center channel (both easily done in Adobe Audition). Depending on where it lands in the song and how prominent it is, your audience may not even notice it's gone.
However, it's about time we radio folks quit being so god damned risk-averse. If you produce a top-quality sound, and stay consistent within your values, your audience will maintain. You just have to know who your audience is. And know what your values are.
If your format is C&W or Oldies or Classic-ish rock, I would be wary of it. Especially if you have a heavy quotient of "family friendly" types listening at any given time, or have maintained a "family friendly" format for more than the past 2 weeks.
However, if you are running a hard rock, indie rock, rap/r&b or similar 12-30 demographic-oriented format, I'd say go for it. It preserves the integrity of the music.
But if you end up in a situation where you have to edit it, don't bleep it. That's poor production quality. Either reverse it, or extract the center channel (both easily done in Adobe Audition). Depending on where it lands in the song and how prominent it is, your audience may not even notice it's gone.
However, it's about time we radio folks quit being so god damned risk-averse. If you produce a top-quality sound, and stay consistent within your values, your audience will maintain. You just have to know who your audience is. And know what your values are.
S
Sam The Record Man
Guest
DIEVERBRENNUNG said:
Heartily seconded. Every radio has an off button and people should be expected to know how to use it.
For a soft AC station or a country outlet, well I reckon that off button would get used enough to affect the ratings, which is why I wouldn't want to hear profanity on those types of formats. But active rock, or hip-hop or college radio? I don't think there should really be any banned words, much less G-D. Market matters too though. I would be a lot more cautious in what gets played in Winamac than Madison, WI, for instance.
I've listened to classic rock for nearly 20 years in nearly every part of the US and I can say hearing the Eagles say G-D in Life in the Fast Lane has not turned me into a heathen or corrupted my morals in the least. Nor did hearing Washington DC's Don Geronimo say it constantly on their man talk station. If anything it makes me realize that adults can and do take responsibility for what THEY want to hear and should be allowed to make those decisions themselves. I wouldn't let kids listen to the old "Don and Mike Show" or Hoohoo Stern or "Loveline" — but why should I not get to hear these shows just because some folks want to impose their morals on everyone? It's madness.
Being my own boss now, no one's gonna complain that I'm saying this, but even as a guy whose life is radio, I pretty much listen only to XM now because, for all their myriad faults, they don't censor their hosts or their music on many channels. I'd rather hear Opie and Anthony's show any day of the week than any safe dreck Bob and Tom or John Boy and Bill produce. There should be (and at one point, was) room on radio for all facets of entertainment from highbrow NPR to lowbrow shock jockery, but it seems like a certain subset of this country has complained so loudly that radio companies are loathe to try anything edgy for fear the Content Monster (FCC) will fine them. And it should be known, those complainers ARE a minority, everyone else just changes the dial.
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