BRUCE Springsteen’s classic Born in the USA is being censored for radio — with a lyric about “the yellow man” removed.
The Boss, now 76, is widely considered to be calling out racism in his 1984 hit, covering the struggles of war vets returning from Vietnam.
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Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA album is being censored for radio over a lyric deemed to be offensiveCredit: Getty
He belts out: “So they put a rifle in my hands, sent me off to a foreign land, to go and kill the yellow man, Born in the USA.”
However Absolute Radio will mute the song as he utters “yellow man”, considered an offensive slur for an Asian person.
The track, hailed for its scathing commentary on the treatment of Vietnam vets and working-class Americans, is ranked 275th in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
The Born in the USA album sold over 30 million copies worldwide and was the world’s best-selling record in 1985.
It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012 and includes other hits like Dancing in the Dark, Glory Days and I’m on Fire.
Bruce’s censorship comes after the Spice Girls’ 1997 track Spice Up Your Life — which includes the lyric “Yellow man in Timbuktu. Colour for both me and you” — was similarly altered last year on BBCRadio 2.
DJ Scott Mills played a version on his breakfast show which removed the word “yellow”.
Bauer Media, which owns Absolute Radio, declined to comment.
JO Whiley has revealed the “horrifying” secret ingredient she uses to make the perfect Christmas dinner.
The radio host says that her husband was left disgusted when he realised how she was pulling together the family’s feast.
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Jo Whiley has revealed her ‘horrifying’ Christmas dinner hackCredit: Instagram / digitpodShe told co-host and pal Zoe Ball that she puts ketchup in her homemade gravyCredit: Instagram / digitpod
Talking on her Dig It podcast with co-host Zoe Ball, Jo said: “My secret ingredient has always been a really good dash of ketchup.
“It gives that slightly vinegary and everyone loves it.”
After nearly two decades at Radio 2, Zoe said she will be stepping down in the new year but will return to host specials for the station.
She took on the show after quitting as the voice of the Radio 2 Breakfast show in 2024, which she helmed for six years.
The 55-year-old’s departure followed the news the BBC bosses have lined up a “Golden Ten” shortlist of presenters to step into the shoes of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
Jo said her husband Steve, whom she married in 1991, was “horrified” by her ketchup admissionCredit: AlamyJo asked fans what strange food combos they do at Christmas timeCredit: Instagram / digitpodJo and Zoe began their podcast earlier this yearCredit: Refer to source
ZOE Ball has bid her final farewells to her BBC Radio 2 show today.
The radio presenter, 55, announced she would be leaving her beloved Saturday show earlier this month, with today being her final time on air.
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Zoe Ball is leaving her BBC Radio 2 Saturday showCredit: BBCRadio presenter Zoe outside BBC Broadcasting House ahead of her final showCredit: PAZoe was greeted by fans outside the studio before going on airCredit: PA
She was greeted by fans outside Broadcasting house before taking to the airwaves.
It comes just a year after Zoe stepped down from her breakfast programme on the same station, after hosting it for six year.
Though Zoe won’t be completely absent from the airwaves – continuing to host specials on the station less frequently.
Presenter Romesh Ranganathan today handed over to Zoe before her show kicked off at 1pm.
Romesh compared Zoe leaving to a “death in the family” and shared heartfelt messages from fans, before adding: “It’s your last show! I’m gonna miss seeing you every Saturday.
“How are you feeling?”
Zoe replied: “It’s my last Saturday show … I’m feeling like everybody else is feeling at this time of year …
He said: “Is it true you’re leaving your Saturday show because of …”
He then quipped: “Sally on traffic, it’s that, let’s put that down now.”
Zoe played along and said: “Sally and I have been in love with each other for a long time and we’ve decided we can’t possibly work in the same building anymore because the magnetism is too much.”
Zoe’s announcement comes after she was included in the BBC’s “Golden Ten” shortlist of presenters tested for the perfect on-screen partnership to replace Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
The news has sparked excitement that Ball could be in the running to replace Tess and Claudia as Strictly Come Dancing host.
The 55-year-old is a frontrunner to host Strictly after previously presenting It Takes TwoCredit: GettyClaudia and Tess revealed in October the bombshell news they were leavingCredit: PAZoe happily stopped for snaps with fans outside Broadcasting HouseCredit: PAZoe has quit her Saturday afternoons slotCredit: Instagram/@bbcradio2
SIR Humphrey Burton, an award winning classical music broadcaster and BBC Radio 3 presenter, has died at age 94.
The prolific broadcaster, author and director died peacefully at home today with his family by his side.
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Humphrey Burton has passed away after an incredible career in broadcastingCredit: AlamyHumphrey Burton in 1975Credit: Alamy
Sir Humphrey had a celebrated career in the arts including as head of the BBC’S music and arts in the 1970s and 80s where he hosted the BBC‘s Omnibus and In Performance arts programmes.
He went onto found the BBC‘s Young Musician of the Year award in 1978 which helped to spotlight young talent, including famed violinist Nicola Benedetti.
In a statement, his family said: “He was deeply loved by his children and grandchildren, and his commitment to spreading the joy of classical music was so inspiring.”
It continued: “He will be missed beyond words. We take comfort in knowing he is now at peace.”
Sir Humphrey was knighted in 2020 for services to classical music and the arts.
His daughter, Clare Dibble, announced the news on X: “It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my father, Sir Humphrey Burton 25.3.31-17.12.25, at 05.15 this morning at home with family by his side. A huge influence on several generations of arts programme makers, he will be missed beyond word.”
BBC Radio 3 then said in a tribute on social media: “He was a much-loved classical music broadcaster and had a huge influence on generations or arts programme-makers.
“Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Classic FM, where he worked as a presenter on multiple programmes, said he “helped shape a golden age of classical music on television and radio“.
Sir Humphrey helped with programmes on Leonard Bernstein and Yehudi Menuheim, both influential figures he had personal and professional relationships with.
These programmes “introduced multiple generations to classical music with the trademark enthusiasm that made his name synonymous with arts broadcasting,” said Classic FM in a tribute.
His programme, Burnstein on Beethoven: A Celebration in Vienna won an Emmy Award in 1972 and he went onto win again in 1988 for the Great Performances episode Celebrating Gershwain.
This was part of a 20 year friendship with the composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein which saw the broadcaster direct 170 documentaries and filmed concerts.
Sir Humphrey was born in Towbridge Wiltshire in 1931 and became one the broadcasting industry’s most influential presenters.
He studied music and history at Fitzwilliam House, Cambridge before joining BBC Radio as a trainee studio manager in 1955.
Sam Jackson, the controller of BBC Radio 3 and BBC Proms said he was fortunate to work with Sir Humphrey and described him as a “a man so full of grace, warmth, and brilliant anecdotes.”
Suzy Klein, Head of Arts and Classical Music TV at the BBC, told The Sun: “In the history of arts and classical music broadcasting, there are few figures as influential as Sir Humphrey Burton.
“His vision, ambition and ability to forge partnerships across borders brought world-class opera, classical music and arts programming into the homes of many millions. Humphrey leaves an enormous legacy at the BBC and beyond, and our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
BBC Radio 3 made the announcement in an Instagram postCredit: BBC Radio 3Humphrey Burton was renowned for introducing classical music to all agesCredit: Alamy
The Royal Philharmonic Society said Sir Humphrey’s renowned work set a “gold-standard” which engaged millions with music.
“Few have done so much to proclaim classical music’s wonders” it added.
Alongside radio, Burton helped the launch of BBC Two in April 1964 before he became the BBC’s first Head of Music and Arts a year later. He later founded London Weekend Television.
He won a BAFTA (then SFTA) for creativity in music programming in 1965.
Until 1988 Sir Humphrey was editor of performance programmes and director of Proms. He also directed opera relays from the Royal Opera House, English National Opera, Glyndebourne and Scottish Opera.
Sir Humphrey married Gretel Davis in 1957 but the couple later divorced and he married Swedish radio and television presenter Christina Hansegård in 1970.
He is survived by his six children: Chris Hockey, Clare Dibble, Matthew Burton, Helena Burton, Lukas Burton and Clemency Burton-Hill.
Sir Humphrey Burton is made a Knight Bachelor of the British Empire by the Prince of Wales in 2020Credit: AlamyHumphrey Burton at the Oldie Literary LunchCredit: Alamy
WOKE BBC bosses could thwart a fresh bid to finally get Fairytale of New York to the Christmas number one spot – 38 years after it was released.
The corporation’s radio stations refusing to play a newly released ‘live’ version of The Pogues’ Fairytale of New York because it contains the “cheap, lousy f****t” lyric.
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The BBC is refusing to play a newly released ‘live’ version of The Pogues’ Fairytale of New YorkCredit: UnknownThe popular Christmas tune features Kirsty MacColl and Shane MacGowanCredit: Redferns
The track by the Irish rockers, originally released in 1987, is one of several vintage festive tracks that only reached number two in the charts, despite becoming classic anthems
Another example is White Christmas by Wham! which was kept off the number one spot by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas in 1984.
But fans finally got that to the top spot in 2023.
Fairytale has long been surrounded by controversy because it contains a perceived homophobic slur which has either been removed in some versions or not played at all.
A music industry insider said: “It feels unfair that this live version which shouldn’t be edited has now been barred from the Beeb’s playlist.
“It’s an authentic performance of a much loved track by a much loved band and this move might be the measure that prevents it from getting to number one at Christmas, which is where it has always deserved to be.”
The original single was only kept from the top spot by Pet shop Boys classic Always On My Mind, which was a high-energy cover version of the Elvis Presley ballad.
Despite always making it into the top ten every Christmas, and featuring in the 2019 festive special of Gavin & Stacey, it’s never made it to number one.
