Why did George Ezra censor his own song?

Virgin Radio

10 Jun 2022, 15:56

It's all The Queen's fault, apparently.

Pop rock champ George Ezra has explained why he censored his own song lyric during his performance at The Queen’s platinum jubilee concert last weekend.

The singer performed his new single, 'Green Green Grass', taken from his new album Gold Rush Kid, at the big gig held outside Buckingham Palace to celebrate her majesties 70-year reign.

The Hertford born star singer omitted the lyric: “Green green grass, blue blue sky, you better throw a party on the day that I die.” Instead he sang: "Green green grass, blue blue sky" twice over.

It didn't go unnoticed by his watching fanbase.

“I don’t know if it came from the royals or the producers of the show, but it’s pretty obvious that if you’re playing for the royal family and the powers that be say, ‘We don’t want you to sing that lyric,’ then you’re not going to argue,” he told The Sun, nodding to the sensitivities about The Queen's 96 years of age, as well as her recent instances of poor health. That and singing about dying at a party is a bit glum.

“My gut instinct was that you don’t need to change it,” he continued. "I'm not demanding anybody does anything on the day that I've passed away. It's a song about celebrating life. And it feels good when you sing it."

Acknowledging the lampooning of the decision on social media, Ezra stated: “I think the reaction to it has kind of worked in our favour to say it was unnecessary.”

George, we promise that on the sad day you do leave this mortal coil, we will, with your blessing, throw a party. Jelly and ice-cream. Bunting. The lot.