melissawebster Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Most recently, the band pulled the American Idiot video off their official Youtube channel and replaced it with a censored version. The original, unedited video that doesn't mute out the naughty politically-charged lyrics "mindfuck America" and "faggot America" -- specifically chosen words that are part and parcel of why what's become their signature song was such a bold step -- no longer exists on Youtube as an official release. The only way to find the uncensored version online now is in bootlegs. This I think is very different than the band posting an alternate, "clean" version of the video and making viewers of the original uncensored version click an "I'm over 18" link before showing it. They made the original uncensored version unviewable as if it never before existed. What's up next for the censor as the band repackages itself for "family-friendly" marketing, Longview? Brain Stew? Minority? If this isn't an example of the label starting to sell out the band to become more marketable to the kiddies, or worse yet to make it more marketable politically (and the band either willingly agreeing to it, or having no choice but to agree to it in order to get the label to back a risky 3-album-release venture), I don't know what is. This, combined with their agreeing to release "clean" versions of the album trilogy to retailers who in the past they've gleefully told to fuck off, makes me wonder what the hell direction Green Day has decided to take off in. This. OHHHHHHH...You mean the exact same thing that MTV has done to that video for 7 years now. I think this gets files in the "big fucking deal" category. Yeah, it is a big fucking deal when they delete the uncensored version of the American Idiot video, so the "clean" version is the only official one you can see now. It's a big fucking deal when some of those profane words that have been censored are said to specifically make a political point. It is a big fucking deal when they have refused to censor their work throughout their entire career up until now. MTV has to bleep out the words because of FCC guidelines, not to market to kids and sell their music in Walmart to make more money. If MTV could play all of it they would. Green Day has fully allowed Warner marketing to censor their music for the sole purpose of making more money. In essence, they have sold their souls. And that is a big fucking deal. BTW, it is possible to disagree with someone without being a dick about it. Just thought you should know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura! Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Maybe they had to allow clean versions in order to release three albums in a short time span? I'm sure there was some sort of negotiation, especially since these three albums are counting as one on their contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mar Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 As long as I can still get the unedited version, I really don't give a fuck. Seriously, let the poor people who can only buy music at Walmart buy it (seriously, it's sad how many places are so under-served that Walmart is the only viable option for them). The policy sucks, but, hey, what are you gonna do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WhiteTim Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 This. Yeah, it is a big fucking deal when they delete the uncensored version of the American Idiot video, so the "clean" version is the only official one you can see now. It's a big fucking deal when some of those profane words that have been censored are said to specifically make a political point. It is a big fucking deal when they have refused to censor their work throughout their entire career up until now. MTV has to bleep out the words because of FCC guidelines, not to market to kids and sell their music in Walmart to make more money. If MTV could play all of it they would. Green Day has fully allowed Warner marketing to censor their music for the sole purpose of making more money. In essence, they have sold their souls. And that is a big fucking deal. BTW, it is possible to disagree with someone without being a dick about it. Just thought you should know. But AI was edited when it was released This isnt a big of a deal you are making it to be Billie recorded a clean version of Kill The Dj and apperently the rest of the songs... buy the unedited version they arent forcing you at all to buy the edited copy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheJedi Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 This. Yeah, it is a big fucking deal when they delete the uncensored version of the American Idiot video, so the "clean" version is the only official one you can see now. It's a big fucking deal when some of those profane words that have been censored are said to specifically make a political point. It is a big fucking deal when they have refused to censor their work throughout their entire career up until now. MTV has to bleep out the words because of FCC guidelines, not to market to kids and sell their music in Walmart to make more money. If MTV could play all of it they would. Green Day has fully allowed Warner marketing to censor their music for the sole purpose of making more money. In essence, they have sold their souls. And that is a big fucking deal. BTW, it is possible to disagree with someone without being a dick about it. Just thought you should know. how the fuck can you even say that "Green Day have sold their souls"? don't you think there are bigger problems in the world than Green Day making a clean version of a record or uploading a clean version of American Idiot on youtube? The thing is; Green Day does whatever they want. Accept it or not. Just like everyone else, they'll change their opinions on things. Maybe they saw this as an opportunity for their music to reach out to more people and what is wrong with that anyway? Isn't it awesome if more people get to hear their music and if they get played more on the radio? maybe we wont have to hear so much Bieber then, which would be amazing xD You don't even have to buy the clean version of the album or watch the censored version of the American Idiot video. Green Day are still the same guys, and they still swear all the time. Green Day are still Green Day. don't get me wrong, i dont want a clean version of the album or the AI video, just dont have a problem with that it exists Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 This. Yeah, it is a big fucking deal when they delete the uncensored version of the American Idiot video, so the "clean" version is the only official one you can see now. It's a big fucking deal when some of those profane words that have been censored are said to specifically make a political point. It is a big fucking deal when they have refused to censor their work throughout their entire career up until now. MTV has to bleep out the words because of FCC guidelines, not to market to kids and sell their music in Walmart to make more money. If MTV could play all of it they would. Green Day has fully allowed Warner marketing to censor their music for the sole purpose of making more money. In essence, they have sold their souls. And that is a big fucking deal. BTW, it is possible to disagree with someone without being a dick about it. Just thought you should know. It's also possible to make your point without acting like the world is coming to an end. Maybe they have matured a lot since they were younger (and perhaps you can try to learn from that). There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting your music to get to as many people as possible. They feel like this is some of the best music they have ever made. From what I've heard, I have to agree with them. I would want that to get through as many ears as possible as well. You also neglected to address my other point...which I think is the most important one. THIS IS 99.9% A DECISION MADE BY WARNER. In the music industry, the label controls marketing, distribution, etc. Green Day likely had very little say in this. But even if they did, I'm happy they made this call. I've been a fan since 94-95, I understand where they came from and their attitude in the past. They have grown, they have families. All of that stuff has a say in who they are. It has nothing to do with selling out or other bullshit like that. People change. Their opinions change, their ideals change, their lives change. I'm not the same person this year that I was last year. I doubt they are either. There NOTHING wrong with it though. EDIT:: Keep me in mind for smartest or best debater for the GDC awards. LMAO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1039SweetChildren Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I'm glad they can reach a bigger audience by doing this. I'll buy the explicit version and my life will still go on. I swear people just like to bitch about things that don't affect them in any way. But carry on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Todd Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Here's whats going on. Green Day isnt selling out, or being hypocritical, It's all Warner Bros. Warner Bros probably said "listen. If you're gonna put out three albums, we need censored versions to gaurentee as many sales as possible. We're putting a lot of money into this, and we need to make big profits". Green Day doesnt have a say in this. Most record companies wouldnt just let a band put out 3 albums in five months. So it's completely fair that Green Day had to look the other way on their values in order to put out their new ideas. Obviosly, Mike doesnt go on youtube and pull down videos. Their youtube channel is also controlled by warner. Why they took away the bad words from AI, idk. But who cares? You can buy the uncensored version on itunes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissawebster Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 how the fuck can you even say that "Green Day have sold their souls"? don't you think there are bigger problems in the world than Green Day making a clean version of a record or uploading a clean version of American Idiot on youtube? The thing is; Green Day does whatever they want. Accept it or not. Just like everyone else, they'll change their opinions on things. Maybe they saw this as an opportunity for their music to reach out to more people and what is wrong with that anyway? Isn't it awesome if more people get to hear their music and if they get played more on the radio? maybe we wont have to hear so much Bieber then, which would be amazing xD You don't even have to buy the clean version of the album or watch the censored version of the American Idiot video. Green Day are still the same guys, and they still swear all the time. Green Day are still Green Day. don't get me wrong, i dont want a clean version of the album or the AI video, just dont have a problem with that it exists Yes, there are bigger problems in the world, but in this world, we're talking about Green Day. And Green Day used to do what they want, or maybe they've just faked it very well, who knows? But this time, it has Warner marketing all over it. Bwahaha! You are so right about maybe not hearing as much Beiber. Maybe that's the silver lining in all of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheJedi Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Yes, there are bigger problems in the world, but in this world, we're talking about Green Day. And Green Day used to do what they want, or maybe they've just faked it very well, who knows? But this time, it has Warner marketing all over it. Bwahaha! You are so right about maybe not hearing as much Beiber. Maybe that's the silver lining in all of this. Green Day haven't been faking anything. i honestly think that either Warner made them release a censored version because they NEED it to sell as much as possible, or Green Day just want more people to hear their music. not a very big deal in my opinion. and yeah, less Bieber would be awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissawebster Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 It's also possible to make your point without acting like the world is coming to an end. Maybe they have matured a lot since they were younger (and perhaps you can try to learn from that). There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting your music to get to as many people as possible. They feel like this is some of the best music they have ever made. From what I've heard, I have to agree with them. I would want that to get through as many ears as possible as well. You also neglected to address my other point...which I think is the most important one. THIS IS 99.9% A DECISION MADE BY WARNER. In the music industry, the label controls marketing, distribution, etc. Green Day likely had very little say in this. But even if they did, I'm happy they made this call. I've been a fan since 94-95, I understand where they came from and their attitude in the past. They have grown, they have families. All of that stuff has a say in who they are. It has nothing to do with selling out or other bullshit like that. People change. Their opinions change, their ideals change, their lives change. I'm not the same person this year that I was last year. I doubt they are either. There NOTHING wrong with it though. EDIT:: Keep me in mind for smartest or best debater for the GDC awards. LMAO! Let me see if I understand you. Because I disagree with you, and have very valid reasons for disagreeing with you, I'm not mature and need to grow up? Is that right? My disagreeing with you does not mean I believe or am acting like the world is coming to an end. Here's a little news flash for you, because you don't know anything about me, my world does not revolve around Green Day, and I have very serious reasons for completely hating the band. But I don't hate them or even dislike them because I am a rational person. I don't agree with the way they have handled the marketing for the album trilogy. I have given valid and well-thought out reasons for it. They are not your reasons. That doesn't make either of us right or wrong. We simply disagree. Disagreeing without being a dick about it is the definition of maturity, so maybe you should take your own advice. I didn't neglect to address your opinion about Warner. I've agreed with that opinion throughout this thread. Though I know for a fact Green Day has a say in the marketing if they decide to take a stand on something. Censorship is a topic they have taken a stand on in the past (and have won) and chose not to take a stand on for the album trilogy. I have a problem with that. It is simply how I feel about it. I personally don't believe in censoring any artist's work. Ever. I don't care what the reason is for it. Censorship is a very bad precedence to set in any circumstance. This is my opinion. Maybe you're the one who needs to be more objective, because so far your opinion has been nothing but defensive, bordering on abusive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bastard of 1967 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Green Day isnt selling out, or being hypocritical it's completely fair that Green Day had to look the other way on their values in order to put out their new ideas. Do you see the contradiction inherent in what you said there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malleus Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I don't really like censorship but I think I'm gonna take Green Day's side and not care, just listen to the uncensored versions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gloria123 Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 i see nothing wrong with a "clean" version. it can get out to more people this way and can get a new, younger generation listening to them (and i know that some of you don't want to hear that...!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissawebster Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I don't really like censorship but I think I'm gonna take Green Day's side and not care, just listen to the uncensored versions. Well yeah. That goes without saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Let me see if I understand you. Because I disagree with you, and have very valid reasons for disagreeing with you, I'm not mature and need to grow up? Is that right? My disagreeing with you does not mean I believe or am acting like the world is coming to an end. Here's a little news flash for you, because you don't know anything about me, my world does not revolve around Green Day, and I have very serious reasons for completely hating the band. But I don't hate them or even dislike them because I am a rational person. I don't agree with the way they have handled the marketing for the album trilogy. I have given valid and well-thought out reasons for it. They are not your reasons. That doesn't make either of us right or wrong. We simply disagree. Disagreeing without being a dick about it is the definition of maturity, so maybe you should take your own advice. I didn't neglect to address your opinion about Warner. I've agreed with that opinion throughout this thread. Though I know for a fact Green Day has a say in the marketing if they decide to take a stand on something. Censorship is a topic they have taken a stand on in the past (and have won) and chose not to take a stand on for the album trilogy. I have a problem with that. It is simply how I feel about it. I personally don't believe in censoring any artist's work. Ever. I don't care what the reason is for it. Censorship is a very bad precedence to set in any circumstance. This is my opinion. Maybe you're the one who needs to be more objective, because so far your opinion has been nothing but defensive, bordering on abusive. All I'm saying is maybe they feel differently than they did in the past. And, in my opinion, I don't see anything wrong with changing your opinion on something. Conversely, if they take a stand against Warner and Warner cuts off everything to do with the trilogy, then we wouldn't get this music. Not sure if you read it a few pages back or not, but I made the comment that nobody can be certain that the radio edit version of Kill the DJ wasn't the original version that Billie wrote. Perhaps he then decided to vulgar it up a bit. In that situation, the radio edit would be the true version that the band originally had in mind. I definitely understand where you're coming from, but I honestly cannot see any reason why this should personally affect you. Buy the explicit version...it's that easy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amydc Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I don't really like the idea, I mean I completely understand why they're doing this, they're putting out 3 albums at once, they're taking a great risky and they gotta make sure it's going to succeed. Sometimes grown ups have to do things they don't want to, so PLEASE stop trying to justify everything the band does, seriously. It's not like all of sudden they decided to put out a "Sex and Rock n Roll" album but with a clean version so kids could listen to it. They didn't do it for the kids, and I highly doubt they did it just because they wanted to, but because Warner wanted to, and they have to make it work. The only thing that bothers me is how they're gonna edit those songs (especially It's Fuck Time, Billie Joe said they wanted to get to the point with this song, and not leave the meaning implicit, so I'm kinda worried it's gonna loose it's energy). Anyway, yeah they contradict themselves again, it's like the items of Green Day's to-do-list always start with "We would never..." and "We hate..." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Femme Gauche Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 They let them put that message out in the first place - the message is still there, as is the case for all of this music. The heart and soul are still there. That's what's most important. A couple of changes of words tends, in my mind at least, to have more of a comic effect than an actual alteration of the meaning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I don't really like the idea, I mean I completely understand why they're doing this, they're putting out 3 albums at once, they're taking a great risky and they gotta make sure it's going to succeed. Sometimes grown ups have to do things they don't want to, so PLEASE stop trying to justify everything the band does, seriously. It's not like all of sudden they decided to put out a "Sex and Rock n Roll" album but with a clean version so kids could listen to it. They didn't do it for the kids, and I highly doubt they did it just because they wanted to, but because Warner wanted to, and they have to make it work. The only thing that bothers me is how they're gonna edit those songs (especially It's Fuck Time, Billie Joe said they wanted to get to the point with this song, and not leave the meaning implicit, so I'm kinda worried it's gonna loose it's energy). Anyway, yeah they contradict themselves again, it's like the items of Green Day's to-do-list always start with "We would never..." and "We hate..." But again, it's a LABEL decision and NOT a band decision. That's been my main point through all of this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Femme Gauche Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I don't really like the idea, I mean I completely understand why they're doing this, they're putting out 3 albums at once, they're taking a great risky and they gotta make sure it's going to succeed. Sometimes grown ups have to do things they don't want to, so PLEASE stop trying to justify everything the band does, seriously. It's not like all of sudden they decided to put out a "Sex and Rock n Roll" album but with a clean version so kids could listen to it. They didn't do it for the kids, and I highly doubt they did it just because they wanted to, but because Warner wanted to, and they have to make it work. The only thing that bothers me is how they're gonna edit those songs (especially It's Fuck Time, Billie Joe said they wanted to get to the point with this song, and not leave the meaning implicit, so I'm kinda worried it's gonna loose it's energy). Anyway, yeah they contradict themselves again, it's like the items of Green Day's to-do-list always start with "We would never..." and "We hate..." I think the "point" would still be made for Fuck Time, even if you take the word "fuck" out of it... Words don't have to be curses to be downright dirty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sanity Loan Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I can make an argument against every one of those reasons. I can make a counter argument against every one of yours. 1) Just because they've done it since the beginning of their career, it doesn't mean they can't ever do it. I understand the censoring part, I really do. But, as someone mentioned in this thread, maybe part of the deal to do three records was that Warner wanted clean versions and Green Day allowed it. 2) Why can't kids listen to their music? Green Day isn't writing music for a specific age group, they're writing it for themselves and don't really care what age group listens. And YES they have had to censor their music to play it on TV and radio. The FCC requires it. Hard to believe you haven't noticed it censored before... All the American Idiot singles (except September) were censored. So was Nimrod, Insomniac, and Dookie. 3) Why fuck the radio? What is your beef with them? Just because you may not like the music played on radio doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Radio is a fantastic medium. Many artists KILL to have their song played on radio to the masses. Besides the internet, it's the place where people go to discover new music. 4) Again, why fuck Walmart? Just like any company, corporation, etc, they have their product requirements and one of them happens to be non-explicit music. And if the manufacturer (in this case Warner) doesn't want to provide them with something clean, then it isn't being sold there. Simple as that. It's not like Walmart HAS to sell Green Day's music. Green Day might not give in to Walmart, but Walmart isn't giving in to Green Day. Gotta look at both sides of it here and not just back Green Day because they're your pride and joy. Have some respect for Walmart's stance on explicit music. The premise is basically the same as your stance against clean music. Boils down to the same idea. Don't be a hypocrite. 5) The "clean, safe approach" will certainly affect sales. You can mark my words. Who cares if the Walmart entertainment center sucks? What does that have to do with this? Also, I agree most people aren't going to rush to Walmart to buy the new albums - but what if that's the only place one can buy a physical album? Then they certainly will be rushing there. Also, I think Walmart music section is more of a "Oh, that's right, these guys came out with a new album. I like that song they have on the radio. I might as well pick this up" kind of a music department. And that's fine. A good majority of not just Green Day's, but a lot of artist's album sales come from those kinds of sales. 6) How do we all suffer from the clean version? If you don't like the idea of it, then don't listen to it/buy it. It's that simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amydc Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 But again, it's a LABEL decision and NOT a band decision. That's been my main point through all of this. Yeah, but the label can't just make the decisions without a permission of the band, that's why people are getting upset over this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Femme Gauche Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I can make a counter argument against every one of yours. 1) Just because they've done it since the beginning of their career, it doesn't mean they can't ever do it. I understand the censoring part, I really do. But, as someone mentioned in this thread, maybe part of the deal to do three records was that Warner wanted clean versions and Green Day allowed it. 2) Why can't kids listen to their music? Green Day isn't writing music for a specific age group, they're writing it for themselves and don't really care what age group listens. And YES they have had to censor their music to play it on TV and radio. The FCC requires it. Hard to believe you haven't noticed it censored before... All the American Idiot singles (except September) were censored. So was Nimrod, Insomniac, and Dookie. 3) Why fuck the radio? What is your beef with them? Just because you may not like the music played on radio doesn't mean it's a bad thing. Radio is a fantastic medium. Many artists KILL to have their song played on radio to the masses. Besides the internet, it's the place where people go to discover new music. 4) Again, why fuck Walmart? Just like any company, corporation, etc, they have their product requirements and one of them happens to be non-explicit music. And if the manufacturer (in this case Warner) doesn't want to provide them with something clean, then it isn't being sold there. Simple as that. It's not like Walmart HAS to sell Green Day's music. Green Day might not give in to Walmart, but Walmart isn't giving in to Green Day. Gotta look at both sides of it here and not just back Green Day because they're your pride and joy. Have some respect for Walmart too. 5) The "clean, safe approach" will certainly affect sales. You can mark my words. Who cares if the Walmart entertainment center sucks? What does that have to do with this? Also, I agree most people aren't going to rush to Walmart to buy the new albums - but what if that's the only place one can buy a physical album? Then they certainly will be rushing there. Also, I think Walmart music section is more of a "Oh, that's right, these guys came out with a new album. I like that song they have on the radio. I might as well pick this up" kind of a music department. And that's fine. A good majority of not just Green Day's, but a lot of artist's album sales come from those kinds of sales. 6) How do we all suffer from the clean version? If you don't like the idea of it, then don't listen to it/buy it. It's that simple. I agree with everything you're saying, except for the respect for Wal-Mart part. I get the reasons for conceding to have their record there, but I don't really have respect for Wal-Mart. But... that's an entirely different discussion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amydc Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 I think the "point" would still be made for Fuck Time, even if you take the word "fuck" out of it... Words don't have to be curses to be downright dirty. How could it be explicit then? It's copulation time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Femme Gauche Posted August 29, 2012 Share Posted August 29, 2012 Yeah, but the label can't just make the decisions without a permission of the band, that's why people are getting upset over this. That's true, but that's like saying that my boss can't make decisions for me without my permission. Technically they can't, but if I don't do what I'm asked, I'll lose my job, or at least some of my privileges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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