| "Liar Liar GE2017" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Captain SKA | ||||
| Released | 26 May 2017 | |||
| Recorded | 2017 | |||
| Genre | Ska | |||
| Length | 3:16 | |||
| Label | Captain's Records | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Jake Painter | |||
| Producer(s) | Captain SKA | |||
| Captain SKA singles chronology | ||||
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"Liar Liar GE2017" is a protest song performed by the British ska/reggae band Captain SKA. Released on 26 May 2017 by Captain's Records in association with the People's Assembly Against Austerity, and in anticipation of the 2017 general election,[1] the song is critical of Prime Minister Theresa May, remarking upon her cuts to various government agencies and programmes, as well as her political positions. The song is a remake of a previous version of the song, "Liar Liar", which was released in 2010, and similarly critical of the previous coalition government led by David Cameron.
By 31 May 2017, "Liar Liar GE17" had become the most-purchased song in the United Kingdom on Amazon Music and iTunes Store, and on 2 June 2017 it charted at #4 on the UK Singles Chart. Proceeds from sales of the single until 8 June 2017 (the day of the election) were to be donated to support food banks and the People's Assembly.
Despite the strong media attention and sales that the song achieved, it had done so without radio airplay; due to concerns that it could run afoul of broadcasting regulations requiring impartiality in coverage of elections during the campaign period, British radio stations refused to play "Liar Liar GE17". The band was particularly critical of BBC Radio's attempts to suppress the song on both radio and their associated digital platforms, as they felt that the broadcaster was attempting to inhibit "critical thinking or debate" rather than act in the public interest.
- ^ Sykes, Ed (26 May 2017). "This song annihilates Theresa May. And the BBC may soon be forced to play it to the whole country [VIDEO]". The Canary. Archived from the original on 29 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.