by Andrew Trendell | Photos by Press

Robin Thicke hit 'Blurred Lines' banned by Edinburgh University

Student Union hits out against US singer

 

Robin Thicke hit 'Blurred Lines' banned by Edinburgh University

Photo: Press

 

Robin Thicke's worldwide hit, the controversial 'Blurred Lines' has been banned by Edinburgh University students union, resulting the song not being allowed to be played anywhere on campus.

The track, featuring T.I. and Pharrell Williams, has divided opinion and caused a fair amount of uproar since its release, largely due to its raunchy NSFW video and the lyrics which many argue are sexist and objectify women. Some have even gone as far to claim that the song is about rape - an argument which Thicke has branded 'ridiculous'. 

Now, the BBC reports that Edinburgh University's SU has barred the track from being played in any of the union's buildings - falling in line with the uni's Students' Association (EUSA) policy, called 'End Rape Culture and Lad Banter on Campus', in a bid to tackle "myths and stereotypes around sexual violence".

An extract from the policy slams anything which can be viewed to "trivialize rape" and "cannot be allowed by our union".

Watch the video for 'Blurred Lines' below:

EUSA vice president Kirsty Haigh said: "The decision to ban 'Blurred Lines' from our venues has been taken as it promotes an unhealthy attitude towards sex and consent.

"There is a zero tolerance towards sexual harassment, a policy to end lad culture on campus and a safe space policy - all of which this song violates."

Thicke however, has always dismissed ideas that the track is sexist - telling The Today Show in the US that 'Blurred Lines' was part of a 'feminist movement'.

"When we made the song, we had nothing but the most respect for women and — my wife, I've been with the same woman since I was a teenager," said Thicke. "So for us, we were just trying to make a funny song and sometimes the lyrics get misconstrued when you're just trying to put people on the dance floor and have a good time, but we had no idea it would stir this much controversy. We only had the best intentions."

He continued: "It's supposed to stir conversation, it's supposed to make us talk about what's important and what the relationship between men and women is, but if you listen to the lyrics it says 'That man is not your maker' — it's actually a feminist movement within itself."

Below: Music videos that got banned

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