"The Winker's Song (Misprint)", also known as "The Wanker's Song" and "I'm a Wanker",[1][2][3] is a 1978 British comedy single. It was written and performed by Doc Cox, under the pseudonym of "Ivor Biggun and the Red Nosed Burglars"[4] and produced by Beggars Banquet Records.[5] The song was released on 2 September 1978.[6] It reached number 22 on the UK Singles Chart despite not being aired on the radio owing to obscenities pertaining to masturbation within the song.[7]
| "The Wanker's Song (Misprint)" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Song by Ivor Biggun and the Red Nosed Burglars | |
| from the album The Wanker's Album (Misprint) | |
| Published | 1978 |
| Released | 2 September 1978 |
| Genre | Comedy, novelty |
| Label | Beggars Banquet Records |
| Songwriter(s) | Doc Cox |
History edit
Founded in 1974, Beggars Banquet Records was known for the left field acts signed to it, with Doc Cox being signed to them in 1978.[8] "The Winker's Song" was released in 1978; the original title was "The Wanker's Song", but it was edited to "The Winker's Song" because of fears that shops would not stock it.[4] The song did not receive airplay on national radio stations owing to the content referring to masturbation and was banned from being broadcast by the BBC for being sexually explicit.[9][10][11] However, "The Winker's Song" received attention after Johnny Rotten as a guest editor of New Musical Express endorsed it as a "definite buy".[12]
The song started in the UK Singles Chart at number 68 and remained in the charts for 12 weeks.[6] It reached its highest position of 22 on 1 October 1978,[13] bringing Beggars Banquet Records their first UK Top 40 hit.[5] It was later released on Cox's first album, which was named after the song, The Winker's Album (Misprint).[14]
The song has continued to be played into modern times; it has been used to clear the dance floor in Ibiza and Brighton.[15][16][17]
Analysis edit
"The Winker's Song" has been compared to the style of George Formby,[18] owing to its use of ukuleles.[11]
References edit
- ^ Long, Tony (2016). Lethal Force. Random House. p. 52. ISBN 978-1785034749.
- ^ Raven, Daniel (2010). Made In Brighton: From the grand to the gutter: Modern Britain as seen from beside the sea. Random House. p. 20. ISBN 978-0753535851.
- ^ "The 15 Best Songs That Are Totally About Masturbation". Cracked.com. 2007-05-07. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
- ^ a b Edge Music (2015-05-07). "Alphabetical Archive – Ivor Biggun: 'The Winker's Song' (1978)". Edge.ca. Retrieved 2017-02-03.[permanent dead link]
- ^ a b Hoffman, Frank (2004). Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound. Routledge. p. 177. ISBN 1135949506.
- ^ a b "The Winker's Song (misprint)- full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
- ^ "National Orgasm Day 2016: Male masturbation metaphors ranked". Metro. 2016-07-31. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (2002). The Music Lover's Guide to Record Collecting. Backbeat Books. ISBN 1617132020.
- ^ The encyclopedia of popular music: Indexes, Volume 10. Colin Larkin. Oxford University Press, 2006
- ^ ".Banned Recordings". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. 1997-09-13. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
- ^ a b "The Winker's Song (Misprint) by Ivor Biggun". Songfacts.com. 1978-09-02. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
- ^ "Press Archives". New Musical Express. 1978-07-22. Retrieved 2017-02-03 – via Fodderstompf.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75". Official Charts Company. 1978-10-01. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
- ^ "Vinyl Album – Ivor Biggun – The Winker's Album (Misprint) – Beggars Banquet – UK". 45worlds.com. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
- ^ "Fruity Lyrics". Stiff Weapon, Purveyors of the Finest Phonographic Filth from Ivor Biggun. Stiff Weapon. 2011-06-03. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
- ^ "Blackpool Rebellion 5-8 August 2010". TV Smith. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
- ^ Raven, Daniel (2010). Made In Brighton: From the grand to the gutter: Modern Britain as seen from beside the sea. Random House. p. 20. ISBN 978-0753535851.
- ^ Johnson, Howard (2002). X-Rated: The 200 Rudest Records Ever!. Carlton Books Ltd. p. 28. ISBN 1842227491.