Well, Chris's scenario of a client asking specifically for songs containing rude lyrics produced a significant amount of interest. Whilst many members stated that they would only play the clean, inoffensive versions for the sake of all those within earshot, some members said they would indulge the client under certain conditions, eg: giving other guests fair warning to leave the room (or possibly the whole function) prior to the offensive tunes being playing. Almost no-one suggested that that they'd simply play any old version, any time, without question.

But...what about that microphone?

Three mini-topics rolled into one here....

1) Would you swear over the microphone during an ad-lib (thought it up yourself) link between songs eg: "Ladies & Gents, the buffets ready...but you'd better get there before Philip the Best Man does, cause he'll eat the lot."

2) Would you include swear words which were parts of a song title, when announcing the track. Eg: "Now folks, little Sarah has requested this next song...heres Eamon singing "Merry Christmas you ing 's and a happy new year too, !!!"

3) Would you turn the mic off momentarily on someone who was swearing while borrowing the (cheap, spare) microphone to make their speech, call the raffle etc. EG: When they turn round to ask you why the mic went off, you would ask them not to swear again on-air.



Me? I'll tell you later.

At a wedding i would not even go there ,

but i have in a night club used the odd four letter anglo saxon word on stage but never directed at any one as an instult ,

Never have done, nor ever would... but thats just me....... scenario two... announcing the name of a tune with a swear word in the title...probably wouldnt play it anyway... and even if I did, wouldnt announce the title......
.....................

.....now put me behind the stearing wheel and that is a different matter entirely!

Another emotive subject. I reckon that this is a spur of the moment scenario. I may say I don't want to swear over the mic., but if it were an adult audience, well juiced up and fairly liberal in their appearance and attitudes. Then yes, perhaps I would allow an expletive to slip out if it ADDED to the commentary - in other words, swearing for the sake of swearing = NO. Swearing because it was a song lyric, it rhymed with something, etc. = PERHAPS.

But, as a rule and to maintain professionalism, I will always approach each and every gig knowing that I will refrain from swearing and playing music that might offend.

Going off at a tangent, if the audience is up for it, I sometimes play the Chubby version of Alice. However, when I get to the F*** word, I kill the sound. That way the audience can sing what the hell they like...

Final tangent point, we may refrain from swearing and playing lyrics containing obscenities, but some of the songs we play are offensive in other ways - Relax is an ideal example.

Have been known to use bad language to an adult audience while performing ,but only as part of a pre rehearsed act. Seldom during spontaneous ad libs

that!

For a club, as Marc says, the odd word works.

For a family do, no way.

If someone asks for the mic, the client has to approve it before they get to pollute my mic. I have however never considered the implications of someone swearing. It has so far never happened to me in 24 years.

Intersting to see what the consensus is....

Never have used any expleetives. If anyone wants a song known to contain bad language I always discuss with the client.

On birthdays below 16 I always play the clean or radio versions. Above this age, I have a clause in the booking letter that states I may play songs that have a advisory note.

Cheezy

I would never swear over the mike. I don't swear in my everyday talk as I've never found the need to, and find it distasteful when others do unless it is in the right context and circumstances.

Having said that, I roar with laughter at Billy Connelly.

I also wouldn't have the problem of introducing a record with swear words in the title as I won't play them. (This is now embeded into my contract).

With regard to a punter swearing over the mic, it would depend on who it was and how far it went. If it's the customer, then it's their function and I would allow a lot of leeway.

As for Alice. I only ever play the original and let the guests put the words in if they want to (which they usually do)

Dependings
No
Yes

Never at a gig would I swear on the mic. You definitely don't come across as professional.

I went into a club (an u18 night of course!). The dj did swear from time to time (usually beginning with the letter f). Although to me this didn't look good to others it did. I still think it's setting a bad example. Even though kids/teenagers have heard all these words the dj, someone who is in a responsible position and swearing so freely gives kids/teenagers the idea that these words are acceptable.

Never have never will,not very professional, if you need to swear then run outside and shout as much as you like ,but not in front off the punters

The difference between swearing yourself and playing records that have swearwords in them is that the records are describing a scene eg the frustration of living in the ghetto (rap), the frustration of living behind the Berlin Wall (Pink Floyd).

Either that or they are songs with a story line where the performer is portraying himself as a "gangster", who of course do talk like that, and it would probably not be very credible to portray him as speaking in any other way.

I can't reallllly think of a song with swear words outside the gangster/frustration scenario, or at least of a good one. I can think of a couple of rather dodgy dance songs that would have it, but they are just cheap gimmicks.

I cannot conceive of a situation where a DJ at a wedding would introduce a Best Man and would be trying to portray the type of frustration associated with living in a ghetto or under communism.


Even if he was trying a legitmate attempt at portraying frustration (perhaps the Best Man became very drunk) he would want to be very sure that the Bridge & Groom (his employers) were comfortable with his doing that. This is not an issue of the B&G requesting songs with fruity lyrics, obviously, they want to hear those words in that song (although maybe not out of the DJ's mouth, another dimension to the argument). They may feel comfortable with extreme frustration resulting in swearing in ghetto life, but not in its being directed at their Best Man, however bad he was.

I think that is the clear difference, to me at least.

As Joe will tell you, I swear and cuss and make many a dropped word in light hearted conversation - that's me.

In fact - I'm a er when it comes to swearing.....but not on the mic....., except that neighbours Wedding (funny enough Joe was there!!!!) recently when I said the word that rhymes with hit.

But I will not swear on a mic - and will not let anyone use my PA to swear unless it's in an environment that would be 'deemed' acceptable, whatever that means!!!

Under normal circumstances I won`t swear on a mic, but have done so at a couple of rough pubs where it was the norm.
If the "official" speech-maker wants to swear that`s between him, his conscience and the host - nowt to do with me, unless he got totally out of hand (personal insults etc).
The average Jo taking the mic for a "quick word" or to sing karaoke are an extension of my "act" and as such have to toe the line or lose the right to use the mic.