Honestly, come down everyone. I don’t understand why individual folk festivals are now banning the Malle hit “Layla”.

It’s a Ballermann song about an obviously attractive prostitute. Among other things, it says “She is prettier, younger, hornier, the beautiful Layla”. It’s not the first and it’s almost certainly not the last song that plays with these attributes.

And of course the lyrics were more subtle. However, it is also significantly clumsier and stupider. However, none of these songs was ever publicly banned or excluded from major festivals. There are also provocative and sometimes greasy lines in songs like “Skandal im Sperrgebiet” or Mickie Krause’s “Joana”. It doesn’t matter whether it’s “outside the big city, the hookers are standing on their feet” or “Joana (you horny pig), born to give love” – ​​that’s not the high lyric.

“Women are also cheering along – not because they support the message, but because it’s fun”

Nevertheless, such songs have been part of many happy festivals for decades. And of course women join in too. Not because they support their message, but simply because it’s fun. Is the image of women conveyed in such songs correct and appropriate for every fan of these songs? Definitely not.

But such songs obviously give people something. Distraction, a reason to sing along, a good time – whatever.

One thing is clear: It is important that we talk about sexism in everyday life and take measures against it. But we should take a closer look where there really are problems, where those affected cannot defend themselves. For example at work. But where “Layla” is played, nobody has to go who doesn’t want to. Even those who hear the song on the radio, where it has been running up and down for weeks and is number 1 in the charts, can switch off.

The song just doesn’t do for a scandal. I find the fuss about it much more scandalous because it distracts from the real challenges in this area.

“The beautiful Layla, the horny Layla. The bitch Layla, our Layla”. On the Ballermann many bawl the chorus of the summer hit “Layla”. I don’t expect sophisticated lyrics from Mallorca hits. But this song is just disgusting. The sad thing is, there are worse songs out there.

In principle, art can do (almost) everything. But songs like “Layla” stick in your head. And then the text too. That’s why I think it’s right if folk festival operators forbid it. They should do the same with other similar songs, such as the often just as sexist rap songs.

After all, they don’t want to hear any racist or anti-Semitic texts in their beer tents. That’s right, but then clearly sexist songs also belong on the index for me. If the city of Würzburg or other organizers now decide that they don’t want to give sexism a stage, that’s exactly the right signal.

“It is precisely because there are so many problems that we can start with the simple things”

Don’t get me wrong: there are much more pressing problems for women in our society. Many are still victims of sexual harassment or domestic violence. (Remember, men suffer too.) The pay gap between men and women is devastating. We must address poverty among women in old age or improve the compatibility of family and career.

But precisely because there are so many problems and no easy solutions for them, we can still change such simple things. Shut down on sexist songs and don’t yell along when they’re playing at a party.

And if you want to sing a hit in the marquee with a beer in your hand, here is my personal recommendation: “We say thank you (40 years)” – Die Flippers. There are enough cool songs, even without sexism.

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