The BBC has confirmed that it did not remove the Irish-language introduction from CMAT’s latest single, Euro-Country, when the track premiered on Radio 1. The song’s opening 45 seconds feature lyrics in Irish, but this section was missing during its initial airing on July 22.
According to the broadcaster, the version played was the one supplied by the record label, AWAL. The Irish artist, whose full name is Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, addressed the issue on Instagram, stating that the edit was not her choice. She later shared that the BBC had reached out, promising to play the full version—including the Irish lyrics—in future broadcasts.
Euro-Country begins with the lines: “Cad is gá dom a dhéanamh mura bhfuil mé ag bualadh leat?” (“What am I to do if I’m not meeting you?”) and “Tá ceann folamh agam, yah, agus pearsantacht nua” (“I have an empty head, yah, and a new personality”). CMAT also noted that another line—”I was 12 when the dads started killing themselves all around me”—had been omitted, though she acknowledged that edit was more understandable.
The BBC has since aired the complete track on several shows, including Rickie, Melvin and Charlie and Going Home, with plans to feature it again on Radio 1’s New Music Show with Jack Saunders.
Euro-Country serves as the title track for CMAT’s upcoming third album, set for release on August 29. AWAL, the record label, has yet to comment on the matter.
