[Glenn.]

Originally Posted by Parmy

Ironically, expecting him to ignore how the song is received today is the least artistic take possible





How is it received today?

It seems popular at the royal Albert hall. The BBC also airs it often.

By different people, in different ways. That is the obvious answer.
Yes, it gets cheers at the Royal Albert Hall. That crowd is not Britain. It is a very specific audience, tradition heavy, older, patriotic.

Outside that bubble, plenty of people hear empire, dominance, and exclusion. That is documented. Polls, commentary, repeated debates every Proms season.
Popularity in one room does not equal universal reception. If it did, we would never argue about anything ever.

[Glenn.]

Originally Posted by Cherry Christmas

Nope, especially with the words British Empire foremost, I guess its easy to pick and choose what you are going to get hissy about

An award title is not a song glorifying power. One recognises an individual. The other celebrates dominance. That difference is doing a lot of work and you keep ignoring it.

Calling it hissy is just a way to avoid engaging. Easier to sneer than think.

[Parmy]

Originally Posted by Good King Glennceslas

By different people, in different ways. That is the obvious answer.
Yes, it gets cheers at the Royal Albert Hall. That crowd is not Britain. It is a very specific audience, tradition heavy, older, patriotic.

Outside that bubble, plenty of people hear empire, dominance, and exclusion. That is documented. Polls, commentary, repeated debates every Proms season.
Popularity in one room does not equal universal reception. If it did, we would never argue about anything ever.

I get all that, but using a song and changing the meaning of the songs intent to carry favour in an argument is ridiculous and petty. Shouldn't he be frying bigger fish, like the monarchy by making a bigger statement by refusing his MBE.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Parmy

I get all that, but using a song and changing the meaning of the songs intent to carry favour in an argument is ridiculous and petty. Shouldn't he be frying bigger fish, like the monarchy by making a bigger statement by refusing his MBE.

Plenty of people do turn down honours. David Bowie, Michael Sheen (accepted then later returned), John Cleese, Stephen Hawking, Benjamin Zephaniah... Lots of famous and accomplished people refused. I guess you have to have the courage of your convictions.

[Glenn.]

Originally Posted by Parmy

I get all that, but using a song and changing the meaning of the songs intent to carry favour in an argument is ridiculous and petty. Shouldn't he be frying bigger fish, like the monarchy by making a bigger statement by refusing his MBE.

No. That is just performative purity politics.

He did not change the song. History did. He reacted to how it lands now, not how it was footnoted in 1740.

Refusing an MBE would be a pointless stunt that hurts no system and helps no one. It would not dismantle the monarchy. It would just give people a new thing to whine about.

Artists are allowed to make small personal choices without staging a revolution to satisfy internet spectators.

[Parmy]

If it landed now the way he's trying to say it does, then the bbc wouldn't play it. So like I said, he's making things up in his own head in some sort of attempt at being relevant.

[Glenn.]

Originally Posted by Parmy

If it landed now the way he's trying to say it does, then the bbc wouldn't play it. So like I said, he's making things up in his own head in some sort of attempt at being relevant.

That logic is off.

The BBC playing it does not mean everyone is comfortable with it. If it did, there would never be rows about anything.
This debate pops up every Proms season. Same arguments. Same outrage. Nothing new.

He did not invent the reaction. You are just annoyed he voiced it.

[Ninastar]

Originally Posted by arista

You are Most Wise Ninastar

Well thank you! I am blushing!

[Parmy]

Originally Posted by Good King Glennceslas

That logic is off.

The BBC playing it does not mean everyone is comfortable with it. If it did, there would never be rows about anything.
This debate pops up every Proms season. Same arguments. Same outrage. Nothing new.

He did not invent the reaction. You are just annoyed he voiced it.

The BBC playing it proves there is nothing to feel uncomfortable about.

[Glenn.]

So suddenly the BBC is trustworthy

[Maru]

Originally Posted by bots

who cares if some guy doesn't like the Rule Britannia? This is just another attempt to create division

We're so oppressed that this is the only culture that the most privileged of people can make themselves into a victim and not only will people believe it, but they'll be praised for it.