What Made you Smile/What Ticked you off Today?

[Luke]

What's wrong with liking it?

For one because it is a terrible, terrible song that sounds like a five year old wrote it. "I still got the chains but they're gold now". Are you fucking kidding me? Rebecca Black seems like a seasoned lyricist compared to this rancid tripe.

And the way people comment "It's time we talk about this" is equally hilarious. The song itself is so blatantly contradictory. The song is, I guess, about overcoming stereotypes, yet all the lyrics do is force said stereotypes. For fucks sake the hook is "I'm a white man".

How anyone could not laugh at every verse is puzzling. I rarely use the R word, but Accidental Racist is the most Retarded song I've ever listened to. Someone really should have stepped in and said "Stop".

[jinx]

I can't wait to listen to this when I get home now.

[dsheinem]

I've written and deleted like three separate replies to Retrodude about this song, but none of them really come across tactfully.

I'll just say this - if you don't understand the multiple levels at which this song is garbage (songwriting, music, message, LL in 2013, etc.), than you are probably its target audience. You also probably need to listen to more music and learn more about history and politics.

[johnny turbo]

Fuck that song. It sucks. LL cool J used to be one the greatest MC's in hip hop. I can't believe this shit.





LL Cool J is just as important as Run DMC when it comes to moving rap away from disco. 1985's Radio is definitely one of the most important rap albums ever made. I can't believe he would do a song like this. Shows what being middle aged does to an artist. I would become racist if it would prevent songs like this from being made again. It's fucking terrible. I doubt the same people who listen to brad paisley are going care about this song or its message. People who don't like my confederate flag hung up in my garage can suck it though

[Retrodude]

I'll just say this - if you don't understand the multiple levels at which this song is garbage (songwriting, music, message, LL in 2013, etc.), than you are probably its target audience. You also probably need to listen to more music and learn more about history and politics.

Sure, it might not be the greatest song ever, but the point is that this is an issue that nobody wants to discuss and all they're doing is trying to get people talking about it. For that reason, if no other, they should be applauded. This is something I often struggle with, actually. Because I've encountered so many racists in my area, I tend to just assume that everyone who has a confederate flag is one, even though I know it's wrong to make assumptions like that. Yes, it's an awkward song to listen to, but it seems to me that it comes from a genuine place and this is honestly how he feels. If it makes you uncomfortable, that was probably the intended reaction.

[Luke]

I've written and deleted like three separate replies to Retrodude about this song, but none of them really come across tactfully.

I super incredibly heavily edited my post before clicking "submit". Retrodude is okay in my book, so I tried to make my post as less insulting as possible.

LL Cool J is just as important as Run DMC....

And LL was always a bit sing-songy with his rhymes, but I would be shocked if he actually wrote the lyrics to this song. It's garbage nursery rhymes stuff.

And I was not exaggerating when I said that I laughed so hard it made my stomach hurt. This song is that bad. It's like the Ace Ventura Jr. of music.

[dsheinem]

I'll just say this - if you don't understand the multiple levels at which this song is garbage (songwriting, music, message, LL in 2013, etc.), than you are probably its target audience. You also probably need to listen to more music and learn more about history and politics.

Sure, it might not be the greatest song ever, but the point is that this is an issue that nobody wants to discuss and all they're doing is trying to get people talking about it. For that reason, if no other, they should be applauded. This is something I often struggle with, actually. Because I've encountered so many racists in my area, I tend to just assume that everyone who has a confederate flag is one, even though I know it's wrong to make assumptions like that. Yes, it's an awkward song to listen to, but it seems to me that it comes from a genuine place and this is honestly how he feels. If it makes you uncomfortable, that was probably the intended reaction.

There have been so many better ways that the same issue has been addressed by so many better writers and musicians that this song's version of "addressing the issue" is so juvenile/unsophisticated as to do more harm than good. I think it is fair to say that the song is "accidentally" racist, as it attempts to tie a neat and tidy bow on still raw problems related to "southern heritage".

Go listen to some Drive by Truckers.

[Luke]

Sure, it might not be the greatest song ever, but the point is that this is an issue that nobody wants to discuss and all they're doing is trying to get people talking about it.

See. Now that type of comment is something else that makes me facepalm. PEOPLE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING IT FOR GENERATIONS. THIS IS NOTHING NEW, NOR DO THEY BRING ANYTHING, ANYTHING TO THE TABLE.

Instead they make a mockery of stereotypes, and then reinforce them. Paisley mentions "I was just wearing a t-shirt of my favorite band lynyrd skynryd, and people thought I was racist"...well, maybe not wear a t-shirt of a band that is known for its racism? I saw skynard when I was in high school, and they opened up with asking "Where are all the Niggers at?". So, yeah. Nothing accidental about that.

Accidental racist has nothing accidental about it other than the fact it was recorded.

But it still makes me laugh my tail off.

[johnny turbo]

I'll just say this - if you don't understand the multiple levels at which this song is garbage (songwriting, music, message, LL in 2013, etc.), than you are probably its target audience. You also probably need to listen to more music and learn more about history and politics.

Sure, it might not be the greatest song ever, but the point is that this is an issue that nobody wants to discuss and all they're doing is trying to get people talking about it. For that reason, if no other, they should be applauded. This is something I often struggle with, actually. Because I've encountered so many racists in my area, I tend to just assume that everyone who has a confederate flag is one, even though I know it's wrong to make assumptions like that. Yes, it's an awkward song to listen to, but it seems to me that it comes from a genuine place and this is honestly how he feels. If it makes you uncomfortable, that was probably the intended reaction.

Listen I can't relate to this at all. When I started dating my girlfriend of 3 years who is black, My father refused to talk to me for the first year or so. He always told me even as a child" I can see whites and Asians marrying/dating but not whites and blacks." I was raised in a family where it was considered wrong. I lived in a town with exactly 1 black person in it out of the 250 in the town. She was old and crazy as hell. Needless to say I soon saw the error of my ways and shed those stupid views at a young age. Trust me if there is anyone who understands how racist the south is, it's me.

This song is still stupid. It no musical value and it certainly has no lyrical value. Racism is still pretty prevalent in the south and that is something that isn't likely to change fast. Bubba who drives his 4WD Chevrolet down the street still won't like "Darkies" regardless if some washed up rapper and some idiot country star make a song that just might as well have the chorus crooned" Racism is baddddd oh racism is baddd."

Also songs with a white and a black person discussing racism have always been shitty....I'm looking at you Ebony and Ivory.

[Retrodude]

Well at least Brad Paisley is trying to make a positive statement. Most country singers avoid the issue altogether and I suspect it's because, regardless of their own feelings on the matter, they know they would alienate a lot of southern listeners by speaking up. With the south (at least my corner of it) getting more and more right-wing every year, it takes guts to stand up and say "I'm not like them." Like it or not, Paisley probably will lose a few fans because of this, so regardless of the song's quality (or lack thereof), I admire him for being willing to take that risk.

Go listen to some Drive by Truckers.

Just now I was listening to "Three Great Alabama Icons" and I can see what you mean.