The Winker's Song (Misprint)

"The Winker's Song (Misprint)", also known as "The Wanker's Song" and "I'm a Wanker",^[1][2][3] is a 1978 comedy song written and performed by British musician Doc Cox under the pseudonym of "Ivor Biggun and the Red Nosed Burglars".^[4] The song was released as a single by Beggars Banquet Records on 2 September 1978, reaching number 22 on the UK Singles Chart despite not being aired on the radio due to its references to masturbation.^[5]

"The Winker's Song (Misprint)"
Song by Ivor Biggun and the Red Nosed Burglars
from the album The Winker's Album (Misprint)
Published	1978
Released	2 September 1978 (1978-09-02)
Genre	Comedy novelty
Label	Beggars Banquet Records
Songwriter(s)	Doc Cox

History

Doc Cox signed with the British independent record label Beggars Banquet in 1978.^[6] "The Winker's Song" was released as a single later that year; the song's original title was "The Wanker's Song", but this was altered to "The Winker's Song (Misprint)" because of fears that shops would not stock it.^[4] The song did not receive airplay on national radio stations, and was banned by the BBC for its subject matter.^[7][8][9] However, it received popular attention after Johnny Rotten endorsed it as a "definite buy" in an issue of New Musical Express that he guest edited.^[10]

The song entered the UK Singles Chart at number 68, remaining in the charts for twelve weeks.^[5] It peaked at number 22 on 1 October 1978,^[11] becoming Beggars Banquet's first UK Top 40 hit.^[12] It was later released on the album The Winker's Album (Misprint).^[13]

Musically, "The Winker's Song" has been compared to the style of George Formby.^[14]

The song has continued to be played into modern times; it has been used to clear the dance floor at nightclubs in Ibiza and Brighton.^[15][16][17] In the summer of 2017, Mansfield 103.2 FM in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, was subjected to repeated broadcast signal intrusions playing the song.^[18]