Where on earth are we headed: Tom Jones classic Delilah banned by Welsh rugby

[El Presidente]

https://www.perthnow.com.au/entertainment/music/tom-jones-classic-delilah-banned-by-welsh-rugby--c-9631262

Tom Jones classic Delilah banned by Welsh rugby

Richard MarsdenDaily Mail

February 2, 2023 2:02PM

Comments

 

It’s the iconic terrace anthem beloved by legions of Welsh rugby supporters.

But now fans are crying “Bye bye bye, Delilah!” after rugby bosses banned choirs from belting out the Tom Jones hit before games.

Sir Tom has said the 1968 song – about a lover stabbing his unfaithful partner – should not be taken literally and its popularity makes him “proud to be Welsh”.

But the Welsh Rugby Union – currently in the midst of a crisis due to claims of a “toxic” culture of sexist, racist and homophobic bullying – has announced Delilah will now not be played by bands at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, nor sung by choirs during the upcoming Six Nations.

The song includes the lyric: “She stood there laughing. I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more”.

Bosses are said to have been spooked by a video this week of the Guernsey Welsh male-voice choir rehearsing it ahead of the clash with England on February 25.

The campaign to ban the song has been led by Rhondda’s Labour MP Sir Chris Bryant, who said: “When there are big international rugby matches on, and sometimes football matches as well, the number of domestic violence incidents rises dramatically.

“I know that some people will say, ‘Oh, here we go, he’s a terrible spoilsport’, but the truth is that that song is about the murder of a prostitute.”

But the ban was ridiculed online. And Sylvan Whittingham, who co-wrote the lyrics, said: “The reason there is more domestic violence after rugby matches is because men have been drinking, wives complain about it, and then they get bashed.

“Don’t blame Delilah for all this – blame beer. There is no evidence anywhere that she (Delilah) is a prostitute.”

Sir Tom did not respond to requests for comment last night.

[El Presidente]

 

 

[Ken Gargett]

no. that can't be true. insane. 

[chris12381]

Now that it's banned, I'm sure the fans will never think about singing it at a game ever again.  None of us will ever hear it sung at a game again.  The fans will police each other and ensure proper behavior.  They'll ask anyone that even whistles the opening few bars to consider the feelings that might be hurt by the melody and lyrics of Mr. Jones' hateful and misogynistic tune.  They'll all probably forget the words in a week or two. 

I mean...That's what happens when you ban something, right? 😁

[ha_banos]

So that's what the song is about! I had no idea. I never paid attention to the few lyrics and thought it was a happy ditty with a raucous chorus!

I'm sure this is just like telling a kid not to do something.....

[El Presidente]

1 hour ago, chris12381 said:

Now that it's banned, I'm sure the fans will never think about singing it at a game ever again.  None of us will ever hear it sung at a game again.  The fans will police each other and ensure proper behavior.  They'll ask anyone that even whistles the opening few bars to consider the feelings that might be hurt by the melody and lyrics of Mr. Jones' hateful and misogynistic tune.  They'll all probably forget the words in a week or two. 

I mean...That's what happens when you ban something, right? 😁

What it makes me want to do is to go to the Rugby World Cup in France September 23  .........to the Wales Games........ so I can sing it. 

[99call]

Mixed feelings on this one.  I think rugby is suffering for footballs problems. Domestic violence in the UK around big football events is a huge problem, and the sad truth is, it often does not matter whether the offenders teams wins or looses, the victim still gets battered.    Does singing a song make people think it's ok to go home and batter their wife? No I don't think it does.........but that doesn't mean its not problematic.       Again, i'm not sure rugby fans are the problem

The song is a part of the rich history of Welsh rugby, and I would sad to see it go.  but If I had a choice I would much rather Welsh hymns came back to the Millenium stadium.  There was a huge attack on the language during the 1980's and 90s, which is gladly being reversed.   I would much rather hear Sosban Fach, Calon Lân, Myfanwy in the stands etc etc. 

Again I think it's a difficult one. I'm not sure banning this song is the answer, but what is?    recently in the WRU they've found the dickheads in blazers, the cartel of committee men, who never played, but somehow managed to appoint themselves and all of their mates, into the top decision making positions in the game, were also massively racist, sexist etc etc. gladly they all seem to be getting binned, after this recent scandal.       I'm happy as they sound like unpleasant relics......but also they know nothing about rugby.

I think we can all learn a great deal from the Rugby League community in the UK,  Although the hardest game, and with much less money in it, they've always been at the fore of supporting stuff like depression in retired players, and opening up the game to disabled players, welcoming of black players etc etc.   They've always been able to address these things head on with the minimum of fuss. 

I think we all know that getting dangerously drunk is the real issue, or the leading contributing factor.   I think people should be refused drink in the stadiums if they're obviously wasted.  Also "eating is NOT cheating".   The amount of terrible decisions or behaviour you see in people pissed whilst out, would largely be avoided if they would just eat something 

18 pints of larger + no food = angry madman

18 pints of larger + food = sleepy 

Also I'd be much rather inclined that if someones violent domestic behaviour is attached to them supporting a certain club/ national team, there should be some linkup from the police to ban them from attending those events.  consequence them.....simple

[chris12381]

12 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

What it makes me want to do is to go to the Rugby Worlld Cup in France September 23  .........to the Wales Games........ so I can sing it.

But...it's been banned! 😁

[El Presidente]

29 minutes ago, 99call said:

Mixed feelings on this one.  I think rugby is suffering for footballs problems. Domestic violence in the UK around big football events is a huge problem, and the sad truth is, it often does not matter whether the offenders teams wins or looses, the victim still gets battered.    Does singing a song make people think it's ok to go home and batter their wife? No I don't think it does.........but that doesn't mean its not problematic.       Again, i'm not sure rugby fans are the problem

 

• Rugby is suffering because of it's rule book
• Most rugby supporters, most sports supporters don't go home and biff their wife. This is regardless of what tripe gets put forward by agitants. 
• I am going out on a limb and state that no man has ever listened to Delilah on the radio and then turned the car around to go home and beat their better half. 
• Serve midstrength beer at stadiums like the rest of the world does. 
• The crowd will be singing delilah from kickoff to fulltime at the next game.
• The world has had a gutfull of minority rule. 

[bassistheplace]

It's sad when a bunch of lightweight whiners take over the pastimes (sports) and the traditions that the rest of us love and enjoy

If we say nothing they'll keep doing it

[99call]

21 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

• Rugby is suffering because of it's rule book
• Most rugby supporters, most sports supporters don't go home and biff their wife. This is regardless of what tripe gets put forward by agitants. 
• I am going out on a limb and state that no man has ever listened to Delilah on the radio and then turned the car around to go home and beat their better half. 
• Serve midstrength beer at stadiums like the rest of the world does. 
• The crowd will be singing delilah from kickoff to fulltime at the next game.
• The world has had a gutfull of minority rule. 

Ha Rob, I think you've reference the bit that lays out the problem, and not the possible solutions I offered.   I do agree with you that the song is not the problem, but anyone getting animated about it's possible banning needs to come up with another solution to domestic violence connected to sporting events. 

As I mentioned, I think this is UK footballs problem, and rugby is just getting lumped in.     There is a huge cult glamorisation around hooliganism in the UK, movies celebrating sad twats, that want to fight other sad twats in back alleys in 2nd division football teams around the country.    This is where the problems is, and the tabloid media, the likes of the Daily Mail, who whip up the misery and madness of football tragedy and triumph. 

There would have been a huge wave of domestic violence after the England v Italy penalty shoot out last year.  and that would have been if they won or lost

[99call]

My solution would be :

- Yes, midstrength or limited beer (Ha! I think getting people in the UK tow drink larger under 5.0 is a whole other problem)

- Food

- In game advert campaign from leading players to ridicule men that hit women. 

- Supporters  being banned from attending, if they are guilty of domestic abuse

- Also charitable money from football clubs, to offer paths out for victims of domestic abuse

- Late kick off times. There is a correlation with a rise of domestic abuse and early kick off times.   People on the sauce all day long, is a recipe for disaster. 

[SirVantes]

IRFU: "We have not seen any increase in corn thievery after rugby matches, so we are totally fine with Fields of Athenry."

And Wallabies spokesman: "No sheep rustling or drowning blips either.  So Matilda waltzes on."

Meanwhile, Tubthumping continues to blare from the stadium PA. 

[99call]

43 minutes ago, bassistheplace said:

If we say nothing they'll keep doing it

Almost sounds like something that could be part of an anti domestic abuse campaign 

[Nevrknow]

2 hours ago, chris12381 said:

But...it's been banned! 😁

Same thing in the US. Ban the national anthem,?  we ALL sing it Acapella! 🖕 😁🤣

[99call]

56 minutes ago, Nevrknow said:

Same thing in the US. Ban the national anthem,?  we ALL sing it Acapella! 🖕 😁🤣

don't you guys do this anyway?. I'd love to know what the longest, most odd vocal acrobatics laden rendition was

[El Presidente]

3 hours ago, 99call said:

.   I do agree with you that the song is not the problem, but anyone getting animated about it's possible banning needs to come up with another solution to domestic violence connected to sporting events. 

 

Due respect. No we don't. The song is not the problem. The song is just a song being sung by 50,000, 60000, 70,000 people who love it.  The tradition is being taken away (attempted) by cancel culture minions. To true sporting lovers, it is obvious. 

 

3 hours ago, 99call said:

As I mentioned, I think this is UK footballs problem, and rugby is just getting lumped in.     There is a huge cult glamorisation around hooliganism in the UK, movies celebrating sad twats, that want to fight other sad twats in back alleys in 2nd division football teams around the country.    This is where the problems is, and the tabloid media, the likes of the Daily Mail, who whip up the misery and madness of football tragedy and triumph. 

Maybe but it is not Rugby's problem. Not the songs problem. Rugby crowds are by and large very well behaved. 

3 hours ago, 99call said:

There would have been a huge wave of domestic violence after the England v Italy penalty shoot out last year.  and that would have been if they won or lost

Not the songs problem. 

There is some great work being done in the realm of domestic violence with sportsmen and sportswomen campaigns. 

Tackle the issue at schools, tackle the issue through digital/media campaigns. 

This banning of songs/tradition puts far more people offside. This decision infuriates the masses of rugby followers because it is a classic case of virtue signalling without addressing one iota of the core problem. 

They have made a rod for their back. Bring on the next Welsh Rugby test match. Watch the Welsh Rugby board roll. They are in a shambles as it is. 

[Nevrknow]

42 minutes ago, 99call said:

don't you guys do this anyway?. I'd love to know what the longest, most odd vocal acrobatics laden rendition was

Roseanne Barr. Look it up. Would curl anyone's toes. 🤣

[99call]

8 hours ago, El Presidente said:

Due respect. No we don't. The song is not the problem. The song is just a song being sung by 50,000, 60000, 70,000 people who love it.  The tradition is being taken away (attempted) by cancel culture minions. To true sporting lovers, it is obvious. 

 

Maybe but it is not Rugby's problem. Not the songs problem. Rugby crowds are by and large very well behaved. 

Not the songs problem. 

There is some great work being done in the realm of domestic violence with sportsmen and sportswomen campaigns. 

Tackle the issue at schools, tackle the issue through digital/media campaigns. 

This banning of songs/tradition puts far more people offside. This decision is infuriates the masses of rugby followers because it is a classic case of virtue signalling without addressing one iota of the core problem. 

They have made a rod for their back. Bring on the next Welsh Rugby test match. Watch the Welsh Rugby board roll. They are in a shamles as it is. 

Rob,   I don't understand  we are in agreement, but you seem to be adding me to the list of people thats calling for this change.     I'm not

Whats happened, is there has been a scandal at the WRU, of the board being racist, sexist old boys club, of grandfathered in committee men, without a qualification to their name.  They are having a clean out.   The newly appointed head Nigel Walker, and Ieuan Evans,   Have likely had a poorly thought out oversteer,  and been involved in this useless measure. 

The Welsh board have already rolled, this is the point

If you think about the measure as well i.e. the banning of the song;

1, Tom jones has been too big, to sing this live a the millenium for a long time.......not likely to be sung 

2, This song only usually get sung when Wales has hammering a team, and in their poor current form............not likely to be sung

I think they had done this, depressingly as an easy action, that will not work, and more importantly does nothing to actually solve the problem of domestic violence.  it's not a step forward, it's a useless gesture. 

That does not change however, which is my wider point, something can be done to call out disgusting cowards that like to hit women, and it's correllation to big sporting occasions.  What is that action?  I do not profess to know......I have my ideas.  and I think people should come together to work something out. 

trying to ban this song is not the solution.  it's a sad, lazy, knee jerk

 

 

8 hours ago, Nevrknow said:

Roseanne Barr. Look it up. Would curl anyone's toes. 🤣

Whitney Houstons rendition was the sweet spot for me......anything more than that it all gets a bit clunky and weird

[El Presidente]

6 minutes ago, 99call said:

That does not change however, which is my wider point, something can be done to call out disgusting cowards that like to hit women, and it's correllation to big sporting occasions.  What is that action?  I do not profess to know......I have my ideas.  and I think people should come together to work something out. 

trying to ban this song is not the solution.  it's a sad, lazy, knee jerk

 

Anger management. Respect. Life balance. 

Education is the only solution that I can see. By that I mean todays kids. But it is certainly happening here at all levels (education). 

The biggest area of DV here is within indigenous communties. However it can't be mentioned. It is not politically correct.  

[99call]

22 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Anger management. Respect. Life balance. 

Education is the only solution that I can see. By that I mean todays kids. It is certainly happening here at all levels (education). 

Agreed, 

And in terms of eduction, I think (in the UK) anyway we have been led to believe we are a divided nation (by people with vested interests in making money out of it),  and the dearth people actually coming together, talking to one another, realising where the common ground is,  is a massive problem.    Also, not only the break down of policing, but also the structure of societal policing that seems to have vanished,   by that I mean when I was growing up, my neighbour, the lady in the corner shop, my teachers etc etc  there used to a fabric of respect whereby life lessons were not being soley communicated to you by your parents,   it was everywhere.       These days people are seemingly too afraid of getting stabbed for calling out poor behaviour.....and I can't blame them. 

Hopefully with the advent of robots, with can have thousands of CP30's walking around, asking people not to put their feet on bus seats, or admonishing people for littering

 

[PigFish]

Maybe the banned song can be played pregame while players warm up thrashing shackled wife beaters!

wife beating is presumably already against the law… yes? Enforce the fucking laws on the books and stop the leftist scapegoating.

 I am so friggen tired of hearing about problems that government thinks it can solve by less freedoms and more government.

[Jack]

This post has been sponsored by The Committee to Suck the Joy Out of Everything.

[chris12381]

I looked into this a bit more. They've been pushing for this for 8+ years.  It was actually already banned in 2015 as half-time entertainment and music play lists during international matches in 2015.  

Fun fact:  When Tom Jones performed "Delilah" on "The Ed Sullivan Show", CBS network censors forced Jones to change "At break of day when the man drove away"  to "At break of day I was still 'cross the way," as the original version implied the man had spent the night with Delilah. 

"We need you to do something about these lyrics.  It's too graphic for TV."

"OK.  I can remove the violence."

"Oh no no no.  We're fine with the murder.  We just need you to not imply she slept with someone BEFORE you decided killed her."

[cigaraholic]

Banning a Tom Jones song....what, is Wales bucking to become the 51st state?