"Accidental Racist"

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 10 Apr 2013 7:18 am

So is Brad Paisley and LL committing country music suicide or is he pulling a brilliant publicity move?

Is this a subject that needed to be brought up in a song?

Is this song brilliant or is it crap?

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/video ... s-20130408

And before b0b closes this, just be aware this is very relevant to a music section of a forum since one of the biggest stars of country music decided to release this song. This is nothing like the Dixie Chicks fall from grace.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 10 Apr 2013 7:26 am

Abysmal. Not a fan, but man, he needs a new lyricist.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 10 Apr 2013 7:27 am

The lyrics:

To the man who waited on me
At the Starbucks down on Main
I hope you understand
When I put on that t-shirt
The only thing I meant to say
Is I’m a Skynyrd fan

The red flag on my chest is somehow like the elephant
In the corner of the South
And I just walked him right in the room

Just a proud rebel son
With an old can of worms
Looking like I’ve got a lot to learn
But from my point of view

I’m just a white man
Coming to you from the Southland
Trying to understand what it’s like not to be
I’m proud of where I’m from
But not everything we’ve done
And it ain’t like you and me to rewrite history
Our generation didn’t start this nation
We’re still picking up the pieces
Walking over eggshells
Fighting over yesterday
And caught between southern pride
And southern blame

They called it Reconstruction
Fixed the buildings, dried some tears
We’re still sifting’ through the rubble
After 150 years
I’ll try to put myself in your shoes
And that’s a good place to begin
It ain’t like I can walk a mile
In someone else’s skin

‘Cause I’m just a white man
Living in the Southland
Just like you, I’m more than what you see
I’m proud of where I’m from
And not everything we’ve done
And it ain’t like you and me to rewrite history
Our generation didn’t start this nation
And we’re still paying for the mistakes
Than a bunch of folks made
Long before we came
Caught somewhere between southern pride
And southern blame

[LL Cool J]
Dear Mr. White Man, I wish you understood
What the world is really like when you’re living in the hood
Just because my pants are saggin’ doesn’t mean I’m up to no good
You should try to get to know me, I really wish you would
Now my chains are gold, but I’m still misunderstood
I wasn’t there when Sherman’s March turned the south into firewood
I want you to get paid, but be a slave I never could
Feel like a new-fangled Django dogging invisible white hoods
So when I see that white cowboy hat, I’m thinking it’s not all good
I guess we’re both guilty of judging the cover, not the book
I’d love to buy you a beer, conversate and clear the air
But I see that red flag and I think you wish I wasn’t here

I’m just a white man
(If you don’t judge my do-rag)
Coming to you from the southland
(I won’t judge your red flag)
Trying to understand what it’s like not to be
I’m proud of where I’m from
(If you forget my gold chains)
But not everything we’ve done
(I’ll forget the iron chains)
It ain’t like you and me can rewrite history
(Can’t rewrite history, baby)
Oh, Dixieland
(The relationship between the Mason-Dixon needs some fixing’)
I hope you understand what this is all about
(Quite frankly, I’m a black Yankee, but I’ve been thinking about this lately)
I’m a son of the New South
(The past is the past, you feel me)
And I just want to make things right
(Let bygones be bygones)
Where all that’s left is southern pride
(RIP Robert E. Lee, but I’ve gotta thank Abraham Lincoln for freeing me, know what I mean)

Mark van Allen · Post by **Mark van Allen** » 10 Apr 2013 7:49 am

Interesting tune. I am a Paisley fan, I don't think it's one of his best-constructed songs, but probably a very clearly considered move.

Country Music has traditionally dealt with real life issues, and racial division and misunderstanding is certainly a part of modern life. While I don't know him, my impressions of Brad are that he's a thoughtful, kind person, and I believe this is a sincere social commentary from him. As well as a clever commercial move.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 10 Apr 2013 7:51 am

Wow - I wonder if that qualifies for the most words ever in a country song?
I wouldn't have the attention span to get to the "hook".

What kind of bets this sweeps the awards shows?

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 10 Apr 2013 7:58 am

Seriously, how did this get past record execs, producers, or family?

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 10 Apr 2013 8:27 am

That's when you know you're a big star--nobody says anything!

LL Cool J deserves just as much criticism.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 10 Apr 2013 8:37 am

Chris Schlotzhauer wrote:Seriously, how did this get past record execs, producers, or family?

haha..silly rabbit..someone has figured out the only way to reach the "un-teachable southerners" is thru country music - they dont read intellectual news sites, dont listen to NPR, believe everything on Fox/Drudge...but by gawd, they listen to country music!
this is just the start of a new era of indoctrination into society.
we'll have "Accidental Homo" where Bubba and Jimmy get "acquainted" on a bass fishing trip - "Accidental NPR listener" when Billy tunes into a Diane Rehm show and likes it, "Accidental Democrat", "Accidental Environmental Activist", "Accidentally Shot Myself and blame the NRA", etc...

Stephen Silver · Post by **Stephen Silver** » 10 Apr 2013 9:05 am

I enjoy reading Peter Cooper in the Tennessean. I think Peter did a "different perspective" take on the song.

Read it here:

http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013 ... al-racist/

YMMV
SDS

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 10 Apr 2013 9:49 am

Here's another commentary and view on this tune. Click Here

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 10 Apr 2013 11:11 am

Bad lyrics = bad song!!

Brint Hannay · Post by **Brint Hannay** » 10 Apr 2013 11:40 am

I've taken virtually no interest in music videos from the beginning, so I must be ignorant of something that explains this, but:
In the OP's link the video can't be watched now--blocked by the suits due to "copyright issues." Ditto on YouTube. What's the point of having a video if you won't let anyone see it? I thought videos were to promote the sale of the music (in recorded form, concert tour, whatever). Does anyone buy music videos??

Mark Eaton · Post by **Mark Eaton** » 10 Apr 2013 12:58 pm

Andy Sandoval wrote:Here's another commentary and view on this tune. Click Here

That was pretty good Andy, thanks for the link. and I read Peter Cooper's column on the song the other day.

I'm not some big Brad Paisley fan but I do generally respect him as singer/songwriter/guitarist - i think he's come up with a few gems.

And one of the things I enjoy is that as a lyricist, he can sometimes deliver a song that is fairly witty and humorous.

This one though - I guess Brad and LL felt they needed to hit you over the head with the lyrics and be as obvious as possible? Any sense of subtlety, a characteristic of many of the greatest song lyrics, was pretty much tossed out the window here. I guess they were going for the lowest common denominator - even folks with the most meager of IQs would be able to "get it."

In this general neck of the woods in terms of subject matter, contrast Accidental Racist with the brilliance of Randy Newman's Rednecks, a song that was released in 1974 - 39 years ago!

Tucker Jackson · Post by **Tucker Jackson** » 10 Apr 2013 1:29 pm

Is this a subject that needed to be brought up in a song?

I teach college American History and one thing I've observed is that my students seem to hate to think or talk about slavery. It's such a negative thing that I think, as a nation, we've preferred to mostly sweep it under the rug. That's no real surprise, but when I started out I was taken aback by just how strong that impulse was. Folks really don't want to go there.

I haven't heard the song, but reading the lyrics it follows that it would make many people uncomfortable. We're all free decide if that's a good thing or not.

As songwriting craft its way too heavy-handed and cloying for my taste, and that's the aspect that made me uncomfortable. But I'm OK with being confronted with harsh historical truth (and yes, I come from an old Texas family who probably owned slaves) and I'm OK with it appearing in a song. It just wasn't handled very deftly here to the point it may end up being counterproductive; it may create more tension and less willingness to talk about historical issues in the future.

Jerome Hawkes · Post by **Jerome Hawkes** » 10 Apr 2013 1:41 pm

Great points Mark
For Peter Cooper to even put this song in the same sentence as Blowin In The Wind is embarrassing. No relation at all....not even the points he makes.

As Theresa points out, this is just a badly written song that isn't about to cause masses of white southerners to toss their rebel flag in the dumpster.

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 10 Apr 2013 3:02 pm

I didn't realize that video had been taken down.
Surely it can be viewed somewhere right? I mean the song is a full release. Have they already backpedaled on the video?

Keith Currie · Post by **Keith Currie** » 11 Apr 2013 8:01 am

Brad was on Jay Leno last night and said he as never seen the video, so dont think it is back pedaling, do you?

Ray Minich · Post by **Ray Minich** » 11 Apr 2013 8:43 am

The subject matter is very, very sensitive material.

Addressing the issue in any fashion or manner entails a great degree of risk.

As they say on Wall Street... No Risk, No Reward.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 11 Apr 2013 9:05 am

The video was not an official video.

Brad seemed really uncomfortable in the Leno segment. I know he said he wanted to get people talking, but I'm not sure he and LL fully grasp the response to the trite manner in which they broached the subject. I'm sure their hearts were in the right place.

It takes a heavy-duty songwriter to deal with a sensitive issue like this in a 3.5 minute song. You can't always go to the cliche bank. Sometimes the less said, the better.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 11 Apr 2013 9:16 am

Yeah & you have to admit it's pretty boring!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 11 Apr 2013 9:21 am

Theresa Galbraith wrote:Yeah & you have to admit it's pretty boring!

The music totally doesn't suit the lyrics, either.
I've heard so much about this guy, but I have to say he hasn't impressed me.

Theresa Galbraith · Post by **Theresa Galbraith** » 11 Apr 2013 9:44 am

I have to say I haven't heard the record, yet. I just read the lyric and it's boring to me. I just wish Brad would record other peoples songs and Randle got featured more especially on TV.
I saw Brad on "Dance with the Stars" and Brad hogs everything!!!!!

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 11 Apr 2013 10:46 am

Paisley gets on my nerves.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 11 Apr 2013 12:12 pm

[trolling political rant removed by admin]

Andy Jones · Post by **Andy Jones** » 11 Apr 2013 12:35 pm

I hear you Chris.I'm married,but otherwise in the same boat as you.

My question:Why would a respectable country star record with or make a video with a rapper?There ain't enough money on this planet for me to do that.

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