Morning:
8°c
David Cameron has said he thinks Lily Allen's music is “unsuitable” for his six-year-old daughter.
Instead of Allen, whose lyrics refer to orgasms, oral sex and drugs, he would prefer his daughter to listen to something traditional. Yes, Dave, but I think you are missing something. Not that many young people listen to Lily Allen: the truth is, she's not that cool.
She's middle-class (she attended Prince Charles's old prep school, Hill House, for gawd's sake) and she's a wigger. Young people much prefer to listen to boy bands. Those who listen to Lily tend to be twenty/thirtysomethings who think they are being hip and trendy. Like Tory politicians. Dave is at pains to stress he personally is a fan of hers but feels adult listening is a different issue.
A politician is always on dangerous ground when he starts moralising about song lyrics. Only last summer the Tory leader turned the airwaves blue by using the word “twat” on the Christian O'Connell Show. He compounded the slip-up by saying too many people were “pissed off” with MPs; he later apologised for any offence caused …
Cameron said yesterday he didn't want to get into a textual analysis of the lyrics — but arguably the best thing about Allen is her lyrics. They deserve analysis: they are simple, honest and heartfelt and make more sense than most Conservative Party policies, which don't stand up to such scrutiny.
The Fear is a satirical song about someone who craves instant reality TV fame (“I want to be rich and I want lots of money”) and Not Fair is a humorous track about a lazy/incompetent lover. So what if she uses the occasional expletive?
Even Philip Larkin used profanities in his poetry (“they fuck you up …”) and one of my favourite works in his entire oeuvre is called Love Again, which is all about masturbation (“wanking at ten past three, the bedroom hot as a bakery”). Is one of the 20th-century's finest poets also unsuitable for children?
Cameron says he would prefer his daughter to listen to lyrics from the Jungle Book — but is it right to instil children with that work's false hope? “The bare necessities of life will come to you, they'll come to you,” so runs the song from the animated 1967 Disney film. Yeah right. Not in the current economic climate they won't. Nobody can count on getting a job these days. That in its own way is just as irresponsible as the sexualisation of children.
Far better to prepare our children for the realities of life than peddle them illusions. Even if it means listening to Lily Allen. And anyone who can rhyme “Kate Moss” with “weight loss” is a genius in my view.
You're getting stick for all the wrong reasons, girlfriend
Some complain that Desert Island Discs has gone downmarket because the likes of Gok Wan have been invited onto the Radio 4 show. Nonsense. After all, the very next week Kirsty Young's studio guest was none other than Professor Jim Al-Khalili, who has spent his whole life studying sub-atomic particles.
There is an inherent contradiction in Gok Wan, however, which troubles me. While he has presented makeover shows which encourage participants NOT to undergo cosmetic surgery or lose weight, his whole success was predicated on him losing weight.
He was 21 stone in his teens and lately confessed: “I was really fat … when you sit down with someone who's 21 stone you have certain expectations of what they're like.”
Can you imagine a 21-stone Gok Wan presenting How to Look Good Naked? No, me neither.
News is stranger than fiction
The BBC has banned its news presenters from going on the Bubble, its very own comedy show, which launches tonight on BBC2.
Three celebrity guests are locked away in a house for a few days, then shown a selection of real and fake news bulletins. They have to guess what actually happened. The BBC is concerned that viewers might be confused if they see Nick Robinson and Huw Edwards fronting fake clips.
Given that so much that appears on our news bulletins is already beyond belief, this seems absurd. This week, for example, we have learned that 11 Mossad agents cloned the passports of up to six British-Israeli citizens and put on fancy dress to enter Dubai to assassinate a Hamas leader. It's still hard to believe, even if Huw Edwards did say it.
Short changed and short tempered
I have discovered a new facet of the black economy: short-changing. In the past week I have been short-changed twice: by a local corner shop and by a fish-and-chip shop.
Am I just the victim of human carelessness or is deliberate short-changing on the rise? On both occasions I made the discovery only after I had left the premises, so it was rather too late to return and demand the correct sum of money.
Besides, I was in a hurry, and loath to make any insinuations. Britain may be a nation of shopkeepers but I hope they are not exploiting traditional British reserve to rip us off.
Reader views (30)
Im 22 and i have listened to Lily for the past three years. Who cares what background she is from or whether she is 'cool'? I hate it when people judge others by their demographics and expect them to conform to these. Since when is it okay to judge someone by the colour of their skin, age, sex, background or religion? I'm with Adam B, god forbid white people like black peoples culture and vice versa...someone alert the church elders.
- Chaz, london, 10/03/2010 11:48
Report abuse
I am a eighteen year old female and i love Lily Allen. Using the term 'cool' is a stupid way of defining what is supposed to be 'in'. What people like is up to them and in my experience being very into music Lily Allen is loved by many the majority of my friends. And also i think you should check the language your using my friend. Im sure many people were offended by some of the language in your piece. Stop trying to connect with todays 'youth' Mr Shakespeare, as you have made yourself look a tad silly. If your going to put down a artist next time dont pick someone as popular and talented as Lily Allen, then maybe you will get the support your looking for?
- Chloe Rumsey, Norfolk, England, 22/02/2010 23:27
Report abuse
As a young woman I love Lily Allens lyrics. They are truly powerful for all young women and speak truths about our society and pop culture.
- Megan, New York City, USA, 22/02/2010 01:27
Report abuse
Your having a laugh! How can you be saying that kind of stuff. Lily allen is well and truely great. Sebastian Shakespeare you truely have no clue what so ever and dont tell me you call yourself professional because that would be a joke. How can you be calling Lily a 'Wigger' you obviously dont really know what it means & so what if she may like elements of the Black culture its a good thing to have mixture and knowledge about other origins, im black and im a big fan!
- Camilla, London, 21/02/2010 18:22
Report abuse
This opinion piece has the be the biggest load of bull I've ever read in a serious newspaper. Obviously Sebastian Shakespeare has never had children himself. OF COURSE Philip Larkin's more mature poetry isn't suitable for very young children - hence it's not usually studied until university or high school at the earliest.
Of all the things Shakespeare could try to criticise a politician for, surely Cameron and his wife's personal reluctance to allow their 6-year-old child to listen to songs full of swearing and excessively explicit themes is the least pressing.
What next? Shakespeare huffing about how outraged he is that the Cameron's haven't let their daughter watch the Saw movies yet either?
Rather than scraping the barrel to sound hip and edgy, maybe old man Shakespeare should listen to his own advice and realise that he too is on dangerous ground when he starts moralising about song lyrics. At 24 (same age as Lily), I personally like Lily Allen's music, but I don't think 6-year-old kids need to "learn hard truths" from her: as someone who was expelled from 4 schools before she turned 15, Lily probably isn't the best teacher anyway.
- Dave, London, UK, 20/02/2010 21:47
Report abuse
The use of the word wigger is wrong - it is pejorative and racist. It stereotypes what white and black 'should' be and the Evening Standard should know better than to use it.
- Rebecca Veazey, London, 20/02/2010 10:39
Report abuse
Ok, I am a 21 year old journalism student as well as a Lily Allen fan.
Firstly, shut up. Lily is an a very talented singer/songwriter/performer.
Secondly, as much as I do hold a soft spot for the odd boyband or two, what world have you been living in that gives you the deluded impression that teenage girls sit in their room twiddling their hair, doing homework and listening to boybands. Although very idealistic, it just is not the real world, sorry!
Sort it out mate, or I'll have your job.
Cheers =]
- Emma, UK, 20/02/2010 01:39
Report abuse
Lily Allen is a "wigger"!? Christ almighty.
Young people don't find her cool? Tell that to the group of 12 year old girls I teach who worship her.
- Mooney, London, 19/02/2010 23:44
Report abuse
Well I'm a 'Young Person' and love Lily, I went to see her last year and she is just a normal girl very down to earth and actually there was a wide range of ages there but there was mainly teenagers there.
Also you say 'Young people much prefer to listen to boy bands.' How would you know this if your not a young person?
Lily has sold millions of records and played sold out festivals/gigs all over the world so i don't think she'll ever need to change her music. EVER.
- Jack, United Kingdom, 19/02/2010 23:11
Report abuse
Lily Allen is absolutely amazing and no her lyrics are not meant for a 6 year old. Her songs have meaning and are also funny. I know many young people who listen to Lily so Sebastian Shakespeare clearly has no idea what he is talking about and obviously doesn't know good music when he comes across it. Shakespeare is obviously attempting to be "hip and trendy" by mocking a beautiful and amazingly talented person. Lily don't listen to him, you are amazing in every single way.
- Tina, USA, 19/02/2010 15:57
Report abuse
I think the crowd of 100,000 people at her Glastonbury set this year would have something to say about this. As would the hundreds of 15-20 year olds that listen to her music. You know what isn't "cool"? Making false statements about someone who don't even know in an article. very uncool....
- Bea, Boston,Ma, USa, 19/02/2010 15:35
Report abuse
Well OVBIOUSLY the words arn't suitable for a 6 year old, but there not WRITTEN for a 6 year old. How many kids do you know studying Philip Larkin, really. This is so poor on so many levels. The words arn't about teaching kids the truth to life, because life isn't all about what Lily Allen sings. It's music, not education.
- Kay, Birmingham, 19/02/2010 15:25
Report abuse
Thirtysomething? Yes,
Cool? Probably not and wouldn't pretend to be,
Fan of Lily Allen? Yes, great pop music, interesting lyrics and well it's a bloody good release hearing about wet patches after spending the day with a load of wet patches, anyway, total rubbish this article, I'm off to google wigger....
- Richard, Geneva, Switzerland, 19/02/2010 15:14
Report abuse
What?! I don't see your point. One minute you say that most young people don't listen to Lily Allen ,that she's 'not cool' and a 'wigger'. By the end of the article, your praising her somewhat. That's a bit contradictory isn't it?! I'm seventeen and I'm a big Lily Allen fan. In fact, most of her fans range from 16+. You like her because of her music, and her lyrics are so famous because they are different, edgy and risky. 'Wigger' seriously? come on, did your kid tell you that?
- Kayleigh, Birmingham ,England, 19/02/2010 15:13
Report abuse
Oh dear. By using 'wigger' Mr. Shakespeare has revealed himself to be even uncooler than the people he mocks. It's a word only used by middle-class people who think it absolutely absurd that white people might like some elements of black culture. The sort that asks 'why do you even listen to rap music? You're not even black!'
- Will Ash, London, 19/02/2010 15:11
Report abuse
Wow, seriously? For one, You're supposed to be a professional journalist yet you resort to, as Alex pointed out, an abbreviation of a racist word. Also you obviously don't know what a wigger is if you are using it to refer to Lily Allen.
Two, what difference does it make what background she came from, so what, now only artists who are from working class families can be popular?
Three, "Young people much prefer to listen to boy bands" you are clearly out of touch with todays youth to just generalise in that way.
Four, I'm 16 and have been listening to Lily Allen for a number of years now, I realise the lyrics aren't suitable for children but 95% of the time it just goes over their heads. If you have any objections then fine, don't let your children listen to her but ultimately it doesn't make any difference because they weren't written for your children anyway.
- Joe, North London, 19/02/2010 13:08
Report abuse
Wigger! This guy has no clue!
- David Smith, London, England, 19/02/2010 13:03
Report abuse
Once again another shabby attempt at connecting with the youth of today by Mr Shakespeare.
I find it rather ironic how archaic, primitive, and henceforth out-of-date your comments are.
Stay in your comfort zone, Sebastian.
- Gareth Hunter, Newcastle, UK, 19/02/2010 12:59
Report abuse
"Wigger" really?!
Mr Shakespeare clearly knows nothing about young people - and in the process of writing this article has offended almost everyone mentioned in the article.
Easily the most uninformed, poorly written article I've read in a long time
- Dave, Dartford, Kent, 19/02/2010 12:43
Report abuse
You obviously don't know anything about teenagers. I'm fourteen. I think Lily Allen is a good singer and I enjoy listening to her music. I'm sure other teenagers would agree with me. You must be some old man who just wants something to moan about.
and... wigger?! Man, saying that makes you so "hip".
- Unknown, England, 19/02/2010 12:37
Report abuse
As a longtime journalist it actually shocks me to see a publication would print a commentary that features the word "wigger." Clearly this is a play for attention by the writer (and clearly it worked), but the term isn't one he, nor anyone, should be using.
"Wigger," or "white" "N-word," is a racist term created by people who want white people to "act white" and black people to "act black." Those thoughts, of course, come from ideologies that people act, walk, talk and live certain ways based on their race. Now, what does that sound like to you? If you said the foundation of racism, you're right!
The ugly term, and the ugly line of thinking behind it, shouldn't be used at all, but it certainly shouldn't be used by a journalist in an article.
- Adam B, Fairfield, CT, USA, 19/02/2010 12:34
Report abuse
seriously? a wigger? you need to do some research before calling someone a wigger who isnt and then publishing it. Also so what if she is middle class? How does that have anythng to do with her music? Maybe you dont like that but it doesnt mean others do not.
And, why generalise young people and saying they prefer boy bands, when most i know dont.
- Jacqueline, london, 19/02/2010 12:20
Report abuse
You have no idea what teenagers listen to. Speaking as a teenager myself she is a brilliant singer and I'd stuggle to find any teenager who dislikes Lilly Allen!
- Eoin Sheehy, Blarney, Ireland, 19/02/2010 12:08
Report abuse
The comments made my this publisher are completely tasteless. How does this man personally know that everyone who listens to Lily's music is older? and do you really think when Lily writes her music she thinks about young people getting offended, and why should she. You would just pick another thing she has done to pick on her for. Her cloths, her attitude, her social behaviour, anything you can. He has no idea. This guy is pulling stupid news from this air and is obviously having a bad news week. Lily does not need you saying this stuff about her.
- Anthony, Sydney, Australia., 19/02/2010 11:59
Report abuse
After Reading this article it is clear you have no idea about young people and their culture. They do listen to lilly Allen and most prefer a mix of music not just boybands. And what does her class have to do with anything, well done lilly for making a sucessful career.
I suggest before you make claims about something you have little knowledge about you get some research from the young people themselves.
- Anna, Norwich, 19/02/2010 11:57
Report abuse
Wigger?!? People dont tend to use that phrase any more Mr.Shakespeare because its an abbreviation of two words, one of which you shouldn't be using.
- Alex, London, 19/02/2010 11:54
Report abuse
Well to start, whoever wrote this article clearly has NO idea at all what they're talking about. You're probably some middle-aged man who hasn't got a clue. I'm 15 and i LOVE Lily Allen, and so do all my friends. SO THERE.
- Sarah, London, 19/02/2010 11:51
Report abuse
That is complete rubbish. Lily Allen is listened to by hundreds and thousands of Teenagers worldwide and is considered a pop icon of today for british music.
- Chris, United Kingdom, 19/02/2010 11:49
Report abuse
Me and my friends are teenagers and we love Lily's music, if it was just 'twenty/thirtysomethings who think they are being hip and trendy' listening to Lily she wouldn't be as famous as she is.
- Aisha, Leeds, England, 19/02/2010 11:44
Report abuse
To quote;
"Not many young people listen to Lily Allen, the truth is she’s not that cool"
Define "cool" and it’s obvious attraction to children/young people?
Cool under fire, cool about debt, cool about flaunting sexuality, cool about bad language/antisocial behaviour/defiance of authority/parent(s)...?
Define to see if "cool" equates to "good attitude”, or "socialised and respectful to those who subsidise it all” if not the question must be, then;
Is it "good" to be too "cool"?
This goes to the heart of the matter, needs discussing even if it’s not deemed by "cool" people "un-cool" to do so.
Otherwise children will continue to learn the importance of all the wrong things as opposed to the significance of the right ones.
- Darius, London, 19/02/2010 10:43
Report abuse
