The Winker's Song (Misprint)

"The Winker's Song (Misprint)", also known as "The Wanker's Song" and "I'm a Wanker",[1][2][3] is a 1978 comedy song written and performed by British musician Doc Cox under the pseudonym of "Ivor Biggun and the Red Nosed Burglars".[4] The song was released as a single by Beggars Banquet Records on 2 September 1978, reaching number 22 on the UK Singles Chart despite not being aired on the radio due to its references to masturbation.[5]

"The Winker's Song (Misprint)"
Song by Ivor Biggun and the Red Nosed Burglars
from the album The Winker's Album (Misprint)
Published1978
Released2 September 1978 (1978-09-02)
Genre
LabelBeggars Banquet Records
Songwriter(s)Doc Cox

History

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Doc Cox signed with the British independent record label Beggars Banquet in 1978.[6] "The Winker's Song" was released as a single later that year; the song's original title was "The Wanker's Song", but this was altered to "The Winker's Song (Misprint)" because of fears that shops would not stock it.[4] The song did not receive airplay on national radio stations, and was banned by the BBC for its subject matter.[7][8][9] However, it received popular attention after Johnny Rotten endorsed it as a "definite buy" in an issue of New Musical Express that he guest edited.[10]

The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 68, remaining in the charts for twelve weeks.[5] It peaked at number 22 on 1 October 1978,[11] becoming Beggars Banquet's first UK Top 40 hit.[12] It was later released on the album The Winker's Album (Misprint).[13]

Musically, "The Winker's Song" has been compared to the style of George Formby.[14]

The song has continued to be played into modern times; it has been used to clear the dance floor at nightclubs in Ibiza and Brighton.[15][16][17] In the summer of 2017, Mansfield 103.2 FM in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, was subjected to repeated broadcast signal intrusions playing the song.[18]

References

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  1. ^ Long, Tony (2016). Lethal Force. Random House. p. 52. ISBN 978-1785034749.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "The 15 Best Songs That Are Totally About Masturbation". Cracked.com. 2007-05-07. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  4. ^ 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]
  5. ^ a b "The Winker's Song (misprint)- full Official Chart History". Officialcharts.com. Archived from the original on 2017-02-04. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  6. ^ Thompson, Dave (2002). The Music Lover's Guide to Record Collecting. Backbeat Books. ISBN 1617132020.
  7. ^ The encyclopedia of popular music: Indexes, Volume 10. Colin Larkin. Oxford University Press, 2006
  8. ^ ".Banned Recordings". Rocklistmusic.co.uk. 1997-09-13. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  9. ^ "The Winker's Song (Misprint) by Ivor Biggun". Songfacts.com. 1978-09-02. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  10. ^ "Press Archives". New Musical Express. 1978-07-22. Retrieved 2017-02-03 – via Fodderstompf.
  11. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 75". Official Charts Company. 1978-10-01. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  12. ^ Hoffman, Frank (2004). Encyclopedia of Recorded Sound. Routledge. p. 177. ISBN 1135949506.
  13. ^ "Vinyl Album – Ivor Biggun – The Winker's Album (Misprint) – Beggars Banquet – UK". 45worlds.com. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  14. ^ Johnson, Howard (2002). X-Rated: The 200 Rudest Records Ever!. Carlton Books Ltd. p. 28. ISBN 1842227491.
  15. ^ "Fruity Lyrics". Stiff Weapon, Purveyors of the Finest Phonographic Filth from Ivor Biggun. Stiff Weapon. 2011-06-03. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
  16. ^ "Blackpool Rebellion 5-8 August 2010". TV Smith. Archived from the original on 2017-04-01. Retrieved 2017-04-01.
  17. ^ 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.
  18. ^ Weaver, Matthew (11 July 2017). "Local radio station keeps getting hijacked by song about masturbation". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-05-23.