Spasticus (Autisticus)
Encyclopedia
"Spasticus Autisticus" is a song written by Ian Dury
and co-written by Chaz Jankel, released both as a single and on the album Lord Upminster
.
. It was a cross between a battle cry and an appeal for understanding. Quote: "Hello to you out there in normal land. You may not comprehend my tale or understand!"
The lyric was deliberately provocative, as the word Spastic
, a name for sufferers of cerebral palsy, was becoming taboo in Britain, due to its use as a derogatory term. Dury was himself disabled from polio, but the BBC
deemed it offensive to polite sensibilities and denied it airplay.
Ian Dury
Ian Robins Dury was an English rock and roll singer, lyricist, bandleader and actor who initially rose to fame during the late 1970s, during the punk and New Wave era of rock music...
and co-written by Chaz Jankel, released both as a single and on the album Lord Upminster
Lord Upminster
Lord Upminster is a 1981 solo album by Ian Dury. It was his first record for Polydor Records and was recorded in The Bahamas with his old writing partner Chas Jankel and the famous reggae duo Sly and Robbie....
.
Criticism and history
"Spasticus Autisticus" was written in 1981 for the International Year of Disabled PersonsInternational Year of Disabled Persons
The year 1981 was proclaimed the International Year of Disabled Persons by the United Nations. It called for a plan of action with an emphasis on equalization of opportunities, rehabilitation and prevention of disabilities...
. It was a cross between a battle cry and an appeal for understanding. Quote: "Hello to you out there in normal land. You may not comprehend my tale or understand!"
The lyric was deliberately provocative, as the word Spastic
Spastic
The word spastic is used differently depending on location which has led to some controversy and misunderstanding. Derived via Latin from the Greek spastikos , the word originally referred to a change in muscles affected by the medical condition spasticity, which is seen in spastic diplegia and...
, a name for sufferers of cerebral palsy, was becoming taboo in Britain, due to its use as a derogatory term. Dury was himself disabled from polio, but the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
deemed it offensive to polite sensibilities and denied it airplay.