Eurovision Song Contest organizers said yesterday they might ban this year's Israeli entry, Push the Button, because of its 'inappropriate' political message. The song, to be performed at the contest in Helsinki in May, overwhelmingly won Israel's competition Wednesday. It is sung in English, French and Hebrew by the group, Teapacks, and seemingly refers indirectly to Iran's nuclear ambitions and its hard-line leader, President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Said Kjell Ekholm, a contest organizer
"It's absolutely clear that this kind of message is not appropriate for the competition. We'll have all the delegation leaders here in Helsinki next week, and I'm sure we'll talk about this case within the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) group."
Band members describe the ban as absurd claiming it had nothing to do with Iran.
"The lyrics of the song refer to demonic and crazy rulers, and say that he's gonna blow us up to ... kingdom come,"
This is their MySpace page.
"Us Jews have always excelled at black humor to get through tough times. I'm glad to see the tradition continue, but I would rather the necessity of it disappear. "
So what's the sound?
"Nerdy Jewish Apocolyptic Cabaret Rap."
"Kurt Weill meets IDF Hip Hop Metal"
So why are Eurovision trying to ban the song?
i) It can't be because songs about the bomb are banned because
In 1982 a Finnish band entered with a song against the neutron bomb and was allowed to compete. The 1982 Eurovision Song Contest took place in Harrogate's Conference Center and was hosted by Jan Leeming. 18 countries participated, Finland came last with a protest song against neutron bombs
ii) It can't be the political lyrics because
The lyrics and premise behind the 2005 song by Green Jolly, of the Ukraine, speaking about the Orange Revolution, were overtly political.
Here are the lyrics - preprare to be outraged, scandalised, shocked horrified etc etc
iii) Is it cos they is Jewish?
Lyrics to "Push the Button"
Prepare to be outraged, scandalised, shocked horrified etc etc
The world is full of terror
If someone makes an error
He's gonna blow us up to biddy biddy kingdom come
There are some crazy rulers they hide and try to fool us
With demonic, technologic willingness to harm
They're gonna push the button
push the button push the bu push the bu push the button
Il ya plein de souffrance
Dans les rues il y a trop de violence
Et on a beaucoup de chance d'être vivant même pas blessés.
Avancement tactique de régime fanatique
Situation tragique qui me met les larmes aux yeux
And I don't want to die
I want to see the flowers bloom
Don't want a go capoot ka boom
And I don't want to cry
I wanna have a lot of fun
Just sitting in the sun
But nevertheless
He's gonna push the button
push the button push the bu push the bu push the button
The HEBREW PART
messages blow up on me
missiles are flying and fall on me too
cops and thieves run over me
jump on me, stick to me
god, god answer me god
this nightmare is too long
(In hebrew israeli style)
im hardly alive yet everyone is targeting me
it may be to early to sing that I gave you my life
wiw wiw, police
wiw wiw rescue team
here it is in the pre (pre eurovision), a song without (that is not about) peace.
red is not just a color, its more like blood
again I hold my breath in my heart
so my soul does not depart now
here is war, here is the soul
boom boom that's whats going on
between a rocket & matchet, between a witness & reporter
between scandal & abducted, between the rain and the drought
escalation getting up the stairs and catching a ride
nothing, nothing that's what everyone does
extremists push further and officers become serious
the naives are waiting, waiting for the data
and reply: everyone is helplessly hesitant
a demonic world sees us as a chess pieces
as champions with (casino) chips deciding what will be
conducted stagnantly, a boat full of water
everyone is drinking and toasting, drowning side by side
might this be too pungent, should sing a song of palms, a desert song without flags
Im still alive alive alive and if it keeps being terrifying
only then I will say
I'm gonna push the button
Via Kesher Talk and Andrew Landeryou
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