For many, the horrific murders of school teachers and their infant students in Connecticut last week marked one of this generation’s greatest tragedies.
Now, in a responsible bid to honor those who lost their lives, US radio outlets have made a controversial move by ‘pulling’ Ke$ha‘s upbeat dance single ‘Die Young‘ from their playlists.
Not sure why?
Their reasons below…
The first single to be pulled from her latest LP ‘Warrior‘, ‘Young’ has found itself dropped from stations across the country because of its title and hook, both of which place emphasis on ‘dying young‘.
This, though unfortunate because of what it will mean for her already lack luster sales for the album, understandable- because of its potentially insensitive nature considering the ages of many of last week’s victims. Some of them, as young as six years old.
Billboard Biz explains:
“Along with many other stations, WDAQ sees how Ke$ha’s “Die Young” could be construed as insensitive at the moment. “We’ve been playing it before Friday but not since and I think we’re now done with it. Even though it’s a fun pop/dance record about seizing the moment, all people are going to hear right now is those two words in the title,” he says.
Adhering to an old PD axiom, “You’re never hurt by what you don’t play, ” he says.
It’s a bit hard to gauge how the song is trending nationally due specifically to the events of Friday because it was already beginning its airplay descent. “Young” Is down from No. 1 to 2 on the Pop Songs chart this week (which measures airplay during the Dec. 10-16 Nielsen BDS tracking week), down 11% in plays. But, the drop seems in line with its natural chart arc. And it is still No. 2, after all, with approximately 13,000 plays at pop radio in that span.
In the Northeast, though, where airplay for ‘Young’ is now noticeably lower than in other regions (just one station in the Northeast is among the 25 that played it the most yesterday, according to BDS), it seems that stations are being careful about such lyrics.”
So, you tell us…
Wait what? Just because it says “die young”?…… I understand its a very sad and sensitive issue but I feel this song isn’t in relevance to this topic at hand. idk….
Tell that to those parents in the usa who lost their YOUNG child to senseless violence
WTF the u.s. can be to sensitive/stupid at times the song has nothing to do with the shooting if that’s the case they shoulda stop showing that batman movie after that theater shooting during the batman movie this year smh
i get why they pulled it. but if the song has reference to guns and OR actual death i would agree it should be pulled…but as it stands i think they are overreacting. the song is about seizing the moment and banning it makes it about a situation it is not.
America goes so overboard….i can see them banning water pistols next!
the song is not that good anyways. generic, lack of depth etc. she needs to move onto the next single anywyas.
Die young? She did not say “Die young like the kids in the shooting” why are people in america so sensitive? Its a horrible thing that happened R.I.P to those who lost their lives I just feel that it is wrong! She did not shoot those kids and she did nothing wrong this is also her career they messing with!!! Its not like their parents are listening to die young and die young is a Fun upbeat dance record she is talking bout “Magic in your pants” lol smh
Its just to sad and its not just about those 20 babies its about the 37k children who die young due to violence everyday ijs! its just a sensitive area period
No we’re not sensitive and I’m glad the song was pulled. She has an album out, 12 other tracks to choose from now…
Good, a horrible tragedy, I am sure she will not be bothered by this. It is for an very good reason. R.I.P.
Pulling Die young from the stations aren’t gonna bring them back or help the parents with their pain! I’m sure half those parents aren’t even bothered by it or know it they hurting
I can understand the situation. Americans do tend to get touchy in terms of musical selections during hard times. After 9/11 there were songs on a blacklist from radio too.
The thing I sorta find said/ironic about it, is that kids teenage and under are probably the ones who love the song THE MOST!
And yeah the lyrics are totally geared at living life to the fullest during whatever amount of time you have on this earth. <<Truly something WE ALL SHOULD DO TBH!
It is sorta sad there is absolutely no way it can hit #1 on the Hot 100 now, well time to move on and rush release 2nd single “C’mon” now and not in mid January.
i think it’s a bit much….i’ve been humming it all morning and didnt connect the two…but now that they point it out it …i can’t even sing the song right now…
so now we are sure she won’t get number one
I know 🙁
Oh well album has many more singles!
Stupid american people… it’s only a song!
I’m not a fan of censorship BUT I can understand why the song would upset someone. I mean, you don’t listen to Kesha if you want lyrical depth so on the face of it, it can come across as disrespectful. I also think the song sounds like utter garbage and is probably one of the worst things I’ve heard this year.
How is this relevant to what happened in Connecticut? It’s a song about seizing the moment! It was an absolutely horrific incident but I don’t see how, by dropping a song about making the most out of life, and let’s be real, a dance-pop record, is going to help or change anything. I hardly think the parents of the children that died are going to be concerned about a Ke$ha song, they’ve just lost their everything. Why is America so melodramatic and sensitive over things that really don’t matter at all?
I don’t agree with their decision. That’s all I will say. God bless the families.
I am in no way shape or form a fan of this chicks and I always ask the question….”.psss, why is she famous 0_o?” BUT this is complete and total bullsh*t! Ke$ha is not responsible for the actions of Adam Lanza and should not be held responsible for his actions! Adam Lanza MADE A LIFE CHOICE to 1st kill hismother, SURVIVALIST & GUN ENTHUSIAST kindergarten teacher Nancy Lanza (who taught him how to use guns) and 2nd murder scores of innocent children and adults at an elementary school! Again, this mess is getting to be a bit to gratuitous to me!
DIE YOUNG…is not relevant to the babies that died but DIE YOUNG PERIOD IS what to many kids are doing these days. so i agree with this decision.
Damn that sucks poor Kesha oh well ATLEAST the song hit #2 on the hot 100
I would have never thought about it… Until reading this.
Now, the lyrics just seems like a reminder of what happened, and a reminder is all it takes to ruin someone’s day, so I respect their decision.
People’s feelings >>>>>>> Music sales
I’m sure Ke$ha will understand.
we in the US are not too sensitive, we are usually completely desensitized. This song just sucks so no one wants to play it. Kesha is not popular here.
wtf?? this is ridiculous
I wanted to say “LOL” , but it will be just so heartless of me knowing what happened to this innocent kids , I’m so used to seeing People getting Killed and stuffs Like that , and it is not Cool at all , this Ke$ha song is Trash to begin with and i can’t find a better excuse to Put it aside and not playing it on radios Better than this one.
who the f*** want to die young Tho ?!!
who want to be shot while being in his/her class in the elementary school ?
No One is the answer.
Very stupid and unnecessary decision. It’s not like the masses complained. Her record label needs to sue! I never would’ve associated the two until I heard this tripe! I don’t even like Ke$ha and I’m defending her. Why don’t they sensor the news and the newspapers which keep going on about it. Plus the endless amont of tributes which just keep reminding people. And all the books, films and magazines which mention kids or young people dying should be destroyed! Though it’s funny how Sam added the video at the end, he’s being insensitive to all us TGJ commenters! I’m gonna criiiiiiiiiii!
Ridiculous. I don’t even like this chick but there are so many violent images on tv, video games, etc and they’re gonna pull this silly song? The children that were murdered were by far not tte first children to be murdered in the world.
Agree with TBOZFAN and others whom said pulling the song is silly, but may’ve been done for moral and legal protection purposes. Album cover is meh though.