CBC News, March 10, 2009

Georgia’s entry in the Eurovision song contest, a not-too-sly jab at Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, has been booted out of the competition because of its lyrics.

We Don’t Wanna’ Put In is a disco-funk song that seems to poke fun at the Russian leader.

The contest is being held in Moscow this May, less than a year after Russia and Georgia went to war over the region of South Ossetia.

Officials say it’s against the competition’s rules to have political content in the entries.

According to the rules of the event, no “lyrics, speeches, gestures of a political or similar nature shall be permitted during the Eurovision song contest.”

The song’s title is a play on the politician’s name and has the chorus: “We don’t wanna put in, the negative move, it’s killin’ the groove.”

The Geneva-based European Broadcasting Union, which runs the competition, said Georgia can either rewrite the lyrics of its entry or enter another song by March 16 or it would not be allowed to take part.

The song was chosen by a public vote and jury and was supposed to be performed by female trio 3G, along with male vocalist Stephane.

Georgia's Stephane & 3G Sing "We Don't Wanna Put In" - Eurovision 2009

In fact, Georgia had initially said it would not take part in Eurovision due to political objections, but the decision was reversed in December.

Russia won the right to host the annual event after winning last year’s competition.

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