Catalogue Number
NMLH.2024.36
Object Name
Record
Title
'Spasticus Autisticus'
People
Ian Dury, Chas Jankel (song writer)
Events
International Year of Disabled Persons (1981), 2012 Paralympic Games
Description
A white record sleeve with a central black circle covered in abstract shapes making up a plate of fried breakfast (bacon, toast with a bite out of it, egg etc). The artist name and song title font shapes the letter u like a v, invoking Roman lettering.
Spasticus Autisticus was written by the English musician, Ian Dury, as a protest song during the International Year of Disabled Persons. Dury, a disabled person himself, wrote Spasticus Autisticus as an "anti-charity" song out of frustration after being repeatedly approached to participate in charity causes. He felt that charity offered towards disabled people, and the Year of Disabled Persons itself, was patronising. Dury explained that 'Spasticus Autisticus' is a play on Sparticus, from the 1960 film. Dury said, "Spasticus Autisticus - he's the freed slave of the disabled."
While today the word 'spastic' is considered an offensive term for people with cerebral palsy with no legitimate use, at the time Dury was writing, it was used as a legitimate term, including by charities like the Spastics Society (today known as Scope), though it was increasingly being used in derogatory ways. Dury was intentionally provocative with his lyrics, and the song was deemed offensive and banned by the BBC. The song was performed by the band Orbital, and the Deaf and disabled theatre company, Graeae, during the 2012 Summer Paralympics opening ceremony in London.
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