Boris Johnson Is a Fucking Cunt
"Boris Johnson Is a Fucking Cunt" is a single by the Kunts, a band created by Kunt and the Gang. The song is directed at the then prime minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson and consists of the words "Boris Johnson is a fucking cunt" being repeated. Originally released on the 2020 album Kunts Punk in Your Face, the track was later released as a single, and Kunt campaigned to make the single the 2020 UK Christmas number one. The song reached number five, although the BBC refused to name either the song or the artist due to the very strong language in both. In November 2021, the band announced a sequel, "Boris Johnson Is Still a Fucking Cunt", once again campaigning to top the Christmas chart. It also reached number five.
History edit
"Boris Johnson Is a Fucking Cunt" was originally released as a track on the album Kunts Punk in Your Face in July 2020.[1][2] On 10 December 2020, Kunt announced that he was releasing the track as a single, with the aim of making the track the 2020 Christmas number one single. He asked fans to buy and stream the song between 18–24 December 2020.[3] In order to increase the chances of reaching the top spot, Kunt also released multiple versions of the track with the same title. 23 versions were made,[4] including a "Safe-For-Work Sausage Roll Remix", which changed the central lyric to: "Boris Johnson is a sausage roll", in reference to the YouTuber LadBaby, who had topped the Christmas singles chart for the past two years with charity singles that were songs reworded to mention sausage rolls, and who would ultimately top the 2020 chart with "Don't Stop Me Eatin'", a cover of "Don't Stop Believin" by Journey.[2][5]
The single's artwork is a parody of The Sun newspaper.
In the Christmas midweek chart, the song reached 19th. On BBC Radio 1 show The Official Chart: First Look on Radio 1, presenters Vick Hope and Katie Thistleton neither named the Kunts or the song, despite the safe-for-work version, instead saying: "Now at 19 we've got a track about Boris Johnson that has so many bad words in it we can't play it on daytime Radio 1."[2][6] The song gained support from celebrities such as Charlie Brooker.[2]
The song ultimately reached number five on the UK Singles Chart,[7] where it became the Top 10 single with the second shortest runtime ever at 56 seconds, only beaten by the anti-Thatcher campaign record "Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead" by The Wizard Of Oz film cast (51 seconds).[8] It also reached number two on the UK Singles Downloads Chart,[9] number three on the UK Independent Singles Chart,[10] and number 90 on the Official Audio Streaming Chart.[11] It also reached number 131 in the Billboard Global 200 Excl. US.[12] In an interview with British Comedy Guide in March 2021, Kunt said despite the success of the song his business with Johnson had not been concluded as he was still running the country.[13] All 23 versions of the song were later released as a single extended play.[4] JoyZine gave the song a positive review, arguing that the song summed up both the year 2020 and Johnson.[14]
"Boris Johnson Is Still a Fucking Cunt" edit
| "Boris Johnson Is Still a Fucking Cunt" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by the Kunts | ||||
| Released | 17 December 2021 | |||
| Length | 1:05 | |||
| Label | Direct Action | |||
| The Kunts singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Audio on YouTube | ||||
On 28 November 2021, Kunt announced that he would once again campaign for the Christmas number one, releasing a follow-up to "Boris Johnson Is a Fucking Cunt", entitled "Boris Johnson Is Still a Fucking Cunt".[15] Again, the lyrics consisted of the title of the song being repeated. The song is performed to various tunes, including "Doctorin' the Tardis" by The Timelords, which in turn samples "Rock and Roll Part II" by Gary Glitter, The Addams Family Theme, and "Personal Jesus" by Depeche Mode.[16][17][18] On the day of the announcement a music video was released of the song, which depicts the Kunts as the characters from the film Ghostbusters hunting down Johnson, in a manner similar to the original music video for "Doctorin' the Tardis". Moreover, the single's artwork is based on the film's logo. Kunt asked people to start buying and streaming the song from 17 December 2021, in order to secure a high chart position.[15][16] The track was released under a new label, Direct Action.[19] Ten different versions of the song were initially launched,[20] including versions by Cassetteboy, Petrol Bastard, Destruction, Rob Manuel and Armogortion, as well as several sausage roll-themed safe-for-work versions involving groups such as a local neighbourhood children's group and a three-year-old named "BabyLad", parodying LadBaby.[21][22]
After two days, the song reached No. 5 on the midweek charts, and was the second-most downloaded track during the same period.[23] Once again, The Official Chart: First Look on Radio 1 refused to name the Kunts or the song. They also did not mention that Johnson was the subject only saying: "At number five is a rude song we're not able to mention."[24] On 20 December, an 11th version of the song was released for download.[25] On 21 December, Kunt promoted the song by driving around Westminster in a lorry advertising the track.[26] A total of 13 different versions were released, the last being at midday on 23 December on Bandcamp entitled "The Last Night of the Kunts Mix".[27] The song reached number 5 in the Christmas chart.[28]
The song was praised by Mark Beaumont in NME, who wrote that while Ed Sheeran, Elton John and LadBaby's version of "Merry Christmas" should be praised for raising money for charity with their song, the Kunts were "tackling the root cause of the nation's poverty problem" by dealing with Johnson directly.[29] In an interview with Official Charts, LadBaby attacked people for supporting the Kunts, criticising the use of language while saying that their song was raising money for charity while "Boris Johnson Is Still a Fucking Cunt" was not.[30] Kunt responded by saying it is within peoples' rights to express dissatisfaction with the government and that his supporters had nothing to be ashamed of.[31] He also stated that the original "Boris Johnson Is a Fucking Cunt" did raise money for the charities Mind and Cardiac Risk in the Young, but they did not want to use charity to publicise their songs and wanted to avoid giving a percentage of fees to record companies and sales platforms.[20][32] Kunt told Clash that he thought LadBaby's song was "utter diarrhoea".[26]
The 2021 single charted at number 5 on the Official Singles Chart Top 100 of 24–30 December 2021,[28] after amassing a sales total of 52,915.[8] As a version of the 2021 Boris song was released with a runtime of 56 seconds (with other remixes stretching the track to 1 minute 41 seconds), it joins the band's previous effort in the list of shortest Top 10 singles.[8] It was the 11th best-selling song in the United Kingdom for the year 2021.[33] The song also reached number 175 in the Billboard Global chart.[34]
On 13 January 2022, Kunt announced a 24/7 stream-a-thon between 14–20 January to try and get the song back in the charts, following the Westminster lockdown parties controversy.[35] Cassetteboy again supported him, releasing a mash-up video of Johnson performing to "Killing in the Name" by Rage Against the Machine with a message to support the stream.[36]
Aftermath edit
In July 2022, Johnson announced his resignation as Conservative Party Leader, but said he would be staying on as a caretaker Prime Minister until a new leader was elected. Following the news, the Kunts released a third song, "Fuck off Boris You Cunt", marking what they described as the third of a trilogy of songs related to Johnson. The band made all three songs available for free on Bandcamp, with Kunt instead suggesting that people should donate money to Mind.[20][37]
On 5 September 2022, the day Johnson was replaced as leader of the Conservative Party by Liz Truss, the Kunts worked with website The Rock Fix to release a limited edition run of 300 7-inch vinyl singles, coloured white with a blue and red splatter pattern. It features "Boris Johnson Is a Fucking Cunt" and "Boris Johnson Is Still a Fucking Cunt" on Side A, and "Fuck off Boris You Cunt" on Side B. All money made from sales from the single will go to The Trussell Trust and Mind.[38]
On 17 November 2022, Kunt announced that he would be launching a third attempt at the Christmas No. 1 with a track entitled "Fuck the Tories".[39] It reached No. 7.[40]
In January 2023, The Kunts released "Rishi Sunak is a Rat-Faced Cunt", with updated lyrics targeting the current Prime Minister.
Personnel edit
The performers on the tracks are:[3]
- Kunt – vocals
- Carsehole – lead guitar
- Rubber Johnny – bass guitar
- Fucksticks – drums
Charts edit
| Chart (2020–2021) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Global 200 Excl. U.S. (Billboard)[41] | 131 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[42] | 5 |
| UK Indie (OCC)[43] | 3 |
| Chart (2021–2022) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Global 200 (Billboard)[44] | 175 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[42] | 5 |
| UK Indie (OCC)[45] | 2 |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Greig, James (23 December 2020). "A Song Called 'Boris Johnson Is a Fucking C*nt' Could Be Christmas Number 1". Vice. from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d Wolf, Ian (21 December 2020). "Kunt's Boris song in Christmas chart race despite Radio 1 censorship". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b "A Boris Johnson ditty..." Chortle. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Kunt Shop". Kunt and the Gang. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100: 25 December 2020 – 31 December 2020". Official Charts Company. 25 December 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ "The Official Chart: First Look on Radio 1 With Vick and Katie". BBC. 20 December 2020.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100: 25 December 2020 – 31 December 2020". Official Charts Company. 25 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b c Jones, Alan (24 December 2021). "Charts analysis: LadBaby secure unprecedented fourth Christmas No.1 in a row". Music Week. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
- ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100: 25 December 2020 – 31 December 2020". Official Charts Company. 25 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50: 25 December 2020 – 31 December 2020". Official Charts Company. 25 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "Official Audio Streaming Chart Top 100: 25 December 2020 – 31 December 2020". Official Charts Company. 25 December 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ "Billboard Global Excl. US – January 2, 2021". Billboard. 2 January 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ "Kunt And The Gang on musical comedy and tackling Boris Johnson interview". British Comedy Guide. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ Blupijess (22 December 2020). "Single Review: The K**ts – Boris Johnson is a F****ing C***". JoyZine. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ a b Wolf, Ian (28 November 2021). "Künt Launches Second Bid for Christmas No. 1". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ a b Jones, Danny (9 December 2021). "Campaign Launched to Get 'Boris Johnson Is Still A F*****g C**t' to Christmas Number One". JOE. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- ^ Shutler, Ali (9 December 2021). "The Kunts Launch Campaign to Get 'Boris Johnson Is Still a Fucking C**t' to Christmas Number One". NME. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
- ^ Trendell, Andrew (17 December 2021). "The Kunts Return with 'Boris Johnson Is Still a Fucking Cunt' and Tell Us About Their Tory-Toppling Bid for Christmas Number One". NME. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ Dessau, Bruce (13 December 2021). "Boris Johnson Song Tipped As Christmas Number One?". Beyond the Joke. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ^ a b c "Boris Johnson Is Still a Fucking Cunt for Christmas Number 1". borisjohnson.info. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "Big Push to Get Sweary Boris Johnson Song to Christmas NFo 1". Chortle. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ Mosh (17 December 2021). "Boris Johnson Is _Still_ a Sausage Roll… and There's a Thrash Version". The Moshville Times. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
- ^ Griffiths, George (19 December 2021). "Christmas Number 1 2021: LadBaby's Sausage Rolls for Everyone Featuring Ed Sheeran and Elton John Takes Early Lead in the Biggest Chart Race of the Year". Official Charts. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
- ^ "19 December 2021". The Official Chart: First Look on Radio 1. 19 December 2021. Event occurs at 52:13. BBC Radio 1. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ "Kunt at No5 in the Midweek Charts". Chortle. 20 December 2021. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
- ^ a b Murray, Robin (22 December 2021). "The Kunts on Boris Johnson, LadBaby, and the Christmas Chart Race". Clash Music. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ Dessau, Bruce (23 December 2021). "The K**ts Reply to Ladbaby Criticism of Their Xmas Boris Johnson Song". Beyond The Joke. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Boris Johnson Is Still a F**king C**t | Full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company". Official Charts. Retrieved 24 December 2021.
- ^ Beaumont, Mark (13 December 2021). "Here's Why I Want to See The Kunts' Boris-Bashing Anthem Vying for Christmas Number One". NME. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
- ^ Copsey, Rob (22 December 2021). "LadBaby on His Potentially Record-Breaking Christmas Number 1 Campaign: "I Still Pinch Myself"". Official Charts. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
- ^ Murray, Robin (22 December 2021). "LadBaby Hit Out at The Kunts". Clash Music. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ Lewis, Isobel (22 December 2021). "LadBaby's Mark Hoyle Criticises The Kunts for Attempting to Get Christmas No 1 with Boris Johnson Attack Song". The Independent. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
- ^ Griffiths, George (4 January 2022). "The Official Top 40 Biggest Songs of 2021". Official Charts. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Global Excl. US – January 1, 2022". Billboard. 1 January 2022. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
- ^ "Boris Johnson Is Still a Fucking Cunt: 24/7 Stream-A-Thon". borisjohnson.info. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ Dessau, Bruce (19 January 2022). "Watch Cassette Boy's Rage Against the Party Machine". Beyond the Joke. Retrieved 19 January 2022.
- ^ Sheldon, Liberty (10 July 2022). "Foul mouthed Basildon musician takes aim at Boris Johnson after resignation". Essex Chronicle. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
- ^ "The Kunts – Boris Johnson Is A Fucking Cunt – 7" Single". The Rock Fix. Retrieved 5 September 2022.
- ^ Wolf, Ian (17 September 2022). "Künt reveals third attempt for Christmas No. 1". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
- ^ "Official Singles Chart on 23/12/2022". Official Charts. 23 December 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2023.
- ^ "Billboard Global 200 Excl. U.S. Chart: January 2, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ a b "Kts: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
- ^ "Billboard Global 200 Chart: January 1, 2022". Billboard. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
- ^ "Official Independent Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 4 June 2022.
External links edit
- The official website for the song