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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Teenage Kicks lyrics mural removed from Belfast flyover | Teenage Kicks lyrics mural removed from Belfast flyover |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A mural of lyrics from a song by Northern Ireland band The Undertones has been removed from a flyover in Belfast by the Department of Social Development (DSD). | A mural of lyrics from a song by Northern Ireland band The Undertones has been removed from a flyover in Belfast by the Department of Social Development (DSD). |
| The lyrics "Teenage dreams, so hard to beat" were from the band's debut single Teenage Kicks. | The lyrics "Teenage dreams, so hard to beat" were from the band's debut single Teenage Kicks. |
| The song rose to prominence in 1978 when BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel played the song twice in a row on his show. | The song rose to prominence in 1978 when BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel played the song twice in a row on his show. |
| DSD have said they will look at funding the cost of a new mural. | |
| Mr Peel went on to describe the song as his favourite and requested the quotes be put on his headstone. | Mr Peel went on to describe the song as his favourite and requested the quotes be put on his headstone. |
| He passed away in 2004 and the mural appeared on the flyover the day after he died. In 2008 a headstone engraved with the lyrics was placed on his grave. | He passed away in 2004 and the mural appeared on the flyover the day after he died. In 2008 a headstone engraved with the lyrics was placed on his grave. |
| It was put up by the T.D.S Graffiti Crew in east Belfast and one of their members said he was pleased it had lasted for nine years. | It was put up by the T.D.S Graffiti Crew in east Belfast and one of their members said he was pleased it had lasted for nine years. |
| "It grew far bigger than it was ever intended, but that is down to the lyrics and what they stand for. | "It grew far bigger than it was ever intended, but that is down to the lyrics and what they stand for. |
| "With anything that can disappear, it can reappear." | "With anything that can disappear, it can reappear." |
| Undertones bass player Michael Bradley tweeted: "So the John Peel graffiti removed in Belfast. Undertones now going to paint over the DRD building. Call the Outcasts!" | Undertones bass player Michael Bradley tweeted: "So the John Peel graffiti removed in Belfast. Undertones now going to paint over the DRD building. Call the Outcasts!" |
| Backlash | Backlash |
| In a statement, DSD said they were currently undertaking a £300,000 improvement scheme in the area. | In a statement, DSD said they were currently undertaking a £300,000 improvement scheme in the area. |
| "We do not remove graffiti as standalone issue. However, we will always remove graffiti, after consultation, as part of any scheme if it falls within a scheme area. | "We do not remove graffiti as standalone issue. However, we will always remove graffiti, after consultation, as part of any scheme if it falls within a scheme area. |
| "Community representatives from the area have made initial contact with the department to develop a proposal to bring together teenagers from the Short Strand and Newtownards Road area to design alternative community art work in this location." | "Community representatives from the area have made initial contact with the department to develop a proposal to bring together teenagers from the Short Strand and Newtownards Road area to design alternative community art work in this location." |
| Sinn Fein councillor and former Lord Mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile said he could understand the backlash to the move on social media. | Sinn Fein councillor and former Lord Mayor Niall Ó Donnghaile said he could understand the backlash to the move on social media. |
| "People are gutted, I'm a bit gutted myself - we have all felt a bit of an affinity with the graffiti and it is in the spirit of the song. | "People are gutted, I'm a bit gutted myself - we have all felt a bit of an affinity with the graffiti and it is in the spirit of the song. |
| "I have a responsibility as a public representative to respond and people have come to me and said they are unhappy," he said. | "I have a responsibility as a public representative to respond and people have come to me and said they are unhappy," he said. |
| "I have spoken to the council and the department and we are going to trying to get young people from the Short Strand to replace it with something else." | "I have spoken to the council and the department and we are going to trying to get young people from the Short Strand to replace it with something else." |
| Terri Hooley, the founder of Good Vibrations record shop and the man behind the recording of Teenage Kicks, said he was surprised. | Terri Hooley, the founder of Good Vibrations record shop and the man behind the recording of Teenage Kicks, said he was surprised. |
| "I'm actually stunned - I can't believe it - they keep all the sectarian graffiti in this city. | "I'm actually stunned - I can't believe it - they keep all the sectarian graffiti in this city. |
| "This does not reflect the city I adore and love. We want to represent the positive, celebrate the rich musical history we have." | "This does not reflect the city I adore and love. We want to represent the positive, celebrate the rich musical history we have." |
| Hairdresser Paul Stafford has also called for the graffiti to go back up. | Hairdresser Paul Stafford has also called for the graffiti to go back up. |
| "It's an iconic piece of Belfast arts and culture and it seems like such a strange move in a year when a film like Good Vibrations is positively representing the scene here." | "It's an iconic piece of Belfast arts and culture and it seems like such a strange move in a year when a film like Good Vibrations is positively representing the scene here." |
| On Twitter, Belfast-born songwriter and performer Duke Special said he was disappointed by the move. | On Twitter, Belfast-born songwriter and performer Duke Special said he was disappointed by the move. |
| "The one slogan that makes you smile as you are entering east Belfast and they paint over it." | "The one slogan that makes you smile as you are entering east Belfast and they paint over it." |