“Give Ireland Back To The Irish” banned

BBC bans Paul’s song of protest

A PROTEST song written by former Beatle Paul McCartney, calling for British troops to get out of Northern Ireland, has been banned by the BBC.

The song, called “Give Ireland Back to the Irish,” was written by McCartney two days after 13 people were shot dead on Londonderry’s “Bloody Sunday.”

After hearing of the ban, the Apple Corporation, which releases all the Beatles’ records, tried to buy time on commercial television to promote the record, using film of Paul McCartney.

The Independent Television Authority said that it had banned advertisements for the song because it contained “political controversy” not allowed by the ITA Act.

Radio Luxemburg also banned the song. A spokesman said the disc was obviously “politically biased” and Radio Luxembourg would not get involved.

The song is recorded by McCartney’s new group “Wings” with him singing and his wife playing the organ. The record is due to be released by Apple on Friday next week.

McCartney claims that the song is “patriotic” to Britain, but says that Ireland should be made Irish immediately.

BBC has put a total ban on the protest song. A spokesman said: “We have decided not to play the record because we feel the lyrics adopt a definite standpoint on the Northern Ireland situation and are therefore clearly politically controversial.“

It is unusual for the BBC to put complete ban on a record. Usually, an offensive record is banished to off-peak listening.

The former Beatle said: “It is my personal opinion as British citizen. Much as I love Britain, I feel that a mistake is being made in Ulster. It seems to me that the majority of Irish and British feel Ireland should be given back to the Irish.“

The lyric is the copyright of Northern Songs. In one part, McCartney says: “Great Britain you are tremendous and nobody knows like me, but really what are we doing in that land across the sea?“

At the end of each verse, McCartney calls on the British to “Give Ireland back to the Irish.“

From Aberdeen Evening Express – Friday 11 February 1972

WINGS SINGLE DATE

THE New Wings single, “Give Ireland Back To Irish,” is due next Friday, February 18. Inspired by Ireland’s “Bloody Sunday,” Paul McCartney wrote the song last Tuesday (February 1), recording it the same day at London’s Abbey Road Studios, with his wife Linda on organ, Henry McCulloch (lead guitar), Denny Laine (rhythm) and Denny Seiwell (drums).

B-side is an instrumental version and the single is on Apple priced 50p and carrying a special shamrock label design.

The BBC told Disc that a ban on the song, which calls for British troops to leave Ireland, is unlikely, although they haven’t yet received copies of the single.

“We have banned seven records since 1964. We won’t ban this one unless we have to,” said a spokesman.

From Disc And Music Echo, February 12, 1972

Does the BBC ban of Wings’ ‘Irish’ raise the question of Freedom of Song?

WITH THE BBC still refusing to play ‘Give Ireland Back To The Irish’ by Wings, even though it has now made the Top Twenty, I think it is time that their motives behind this ban were queried.

They say they will not play the record as it is a political statement. However, is their attitude any the less of a political statement?

What the BBC are really saying is that this song is contrary to the view they think should be expressed and therefore they will not play it.

Whether or not you agree with the sentiments of this record, we are supposed to be living in a free, democratic country, and that means freedom to speak, sing and play any song we choose without any interference from self-appointed censors – IAN ABRAHAMS. 305 Halfway Street, Sidcup, Kent. DA15 8DP.

but not everyone agrees with Paul

What a shrewd fellow Paul McCartney is! After a dismal chart rating with his last single ‘Back Seat Of My Car’ he has now recorded a number which he knew would be banned. The gimmick value of ‘Give Ireland Back To The Irish’ should be sufficient to give Wings a top five hit, but doesn’t the music matter to Paul and his friends anymore? – STEVE KIRKHAM, 36 Orchard Meadow Walk, Castle Vale, Birmingham 35 7LU

So McCartney has been banned for his new record and a good thing too. I would have thought he’d made enough money without cashing in on other people’s mishaps. If he knows so much about Ireland, let him join the army for six months and see if he still holds he same beliefs. We’ve done two years out there and earnt every penny we got. I wonder if McCartney can say the same? 24089357 L/Cpl. BARKER, ACC Attchd 1st Royal Anglians, Salamanga Bks, BFPO 53. […]

From Record Mirror, April 1, 1972

Phlegmatic Paul…

AFTER a prolonged period of dormancy it looks as though Paul McCartney is climbing back into the controversy ring. This week his first single with his new group Wings, Give Ireland Back To The Irish, was banned by not only the BBC but also the ITA and Radio Luxembourg. So no matter how big a hit it becomes and those who know think it may well be a monster, you’re only going to hear it in this country if you go out and buy a copy. Apparently, all the broadcasting authorities thought the lyrics were provocative McCartney for his part is taking his new setback with an uncharacteristic phlegm. Says he: “I think the BBC should be highly praised for guarding our youth against the contaminating effect of my opinion.” Adding as an afterthought. “Up ’em!”

From The Guardian, February 12, 1972

Paul, somebody wants you

IT SEEMS it’s not true that “Give Ireland Back To The Irish” has been banned by all the television networks.

“Today,” Thames TV’s daily magazine programme, has been after McCartney for the past five weeks in the hope that he would appear to discuss points arising from the single. Dave Clark, a researcher for the programme, says they’re quite willing to play the single: “We know that McCartney wanted to put an ad on the channel and this was refused by our commercial department. But our legal department has heard it and they’re satisfied there’s no harmful content as regards playing it. Many people concerned with ‘Today’ were keen to have Paul, but we’ve had no joy in getting in touch with him. We’ve tried every means. We’d just like to point out that he’s not been banned by Thames. And we feel he should never have been banned by the BBC.”

EMI Records have substantial shareholdings in Thames. EMI, of course, are distributing McCartney’s single.

From Melody Maker, March 25, 1972