Stoneman
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10/27/2011 6:28:15 PM
---- Updated 10/27/2011 6:46:25 PM
The "F" ed Song List
Have you ever written a song that you knew would possibly piss other people off? As songwriters we often write about things that we hope will gain us popularity and respect. After all, it is the entertainment industry and in order to be entertaining we have to strike a common ground with those who listen. Right? Well, that’s what so many of the so called music industry experts say. The airwaves are literally riddled with songs that strike a familiar chord with so many people that they become “hits”. Quite often these songs have no moral benefits for anyone. They are just catchy tunes with catchy hooks. People find themselves walking around singing these songs and possibly ignoring the obviously negative messages associated with the song. You know? Songs with lyrics like “I’m not saying she a gold digga but she ain’t messing with no broke Ni##as. A lot of White people loved that song but singing it around Black people was a big no no. Or, Cee Lo’s song that has two versions. The original one says f##k you but the one we hear on the radio says “forget you”. Buy the CD and you get to hear the “F” word all day long. Not that I have anything against the “F” word. Every time I stub my toe it kind of slips out. But I would certainly be uncomfortable hearing a child sing or say that. All I am saying is that these are the kinds of songs that make the morality monitoring groups incensed and eager to boycott the artist. Meanwhile the artists are laughing their way to the bank because the more negative publicity they get, the more people that buy it just to hear what the fuss is all about. As most marketing gurus say, there is no such thing as bad press. Right?
But, I am not just talking about songs that have offensive language. I am also referring to songs that have offensive messages. A lot of rap stars write songs about murder, guns, selling drugs and getting wealthy by any means possible. You know? The old hustler philosophy. In the same sense a lot of Rock artists write songs about sex, drugs and well, sex and drugs. Music like this is very popular and generates great cash loads for the music industry. That’s why it is so hard for clean groups or Christian based groups to get record deals. They are deemed unmarketable because they don’t talk about being drugged out or a gun toting thug. Don’t get me wrong, I applaud the fact that the offensive groups have the right to express themselves and make lots of money. As I believe freedom of speech is crucial to maintaining our creative edge. If you can make money doing it, so be it. Capitalism has absolutely nothing to do with morality. Me? I tend to write about the things I have seen or experienced in life. Because of this, not all of my songs are inspirational and nurturing works of art. Some of them are just flat out real portraits of the negative things I have seen or continue to see.
Recently, I wrote a blues song (You Hate Me Blues) about racism. When I wrote the song I knew it would never reach #1 status on any chart. I also knew that I would catch some flak from a few of my gun toting tea drinking friends (wink). But I just didn’t care. The things I talk about in this song are real things that I face daily. It is hard to censor what you feel when it begins to come out in your music. One of my friends complained that these things are just not happening in this day and time. After all, (as he put it) we have a Black president and racism is over now. Bullying and homophobia are much more relevant issues these days according to him. So, I took him on a walk through our neighborhood so he could see the swastikas and “N” words drawn on the walls and even carved into trees. Then, we logged on to ESPN, Fox and even BET so he could see the overtly racist comments that so many make in the forums and comments section. Lastly, we went to the store and I told him to hang back and watch security follow me around the store. He was so blown away by that! But I couldn’t take everyone that had issues with the song on the You Hate Me Blues tour. I guess their opinions of the song will remain the same.
However, I am so glad I wrote that song because it became an opportunity to educate a very dear friend. The song will never be “popular” anywhere but it will certainly make some who listen uncomfortable enough to ask themselves if these kinds of things still exist. Then there was the “Double Bubble Booty” song that pissed off some of my Christian brethren. The song has no moral value but it’s a lot of fun to dance to. I took the flak and felt the shame but I still love the song the same. I love it because it was what I felt like writing. It’s MY music not theirs. Never mind if it is a “F” ed up song. I mean, don’t get mad at me if I find joy in seeing big round female butts gyrating on the dance floor. Of course, I would have issues with that if it was my daughter of grand daughter. Yes, the hypocrite in me is very much alive! At least I admit it. My nephew was riding in the car with me one day and my song “Baby Please” came on the CD player. I turned it off quickly because he is way too young to hear a song like that. But I still love the song. Plus, I didn’t want to explain it because that is his mom and dads job. Feel me?
What about you? Have you ever written a song that caused someone to be upset with you or uncomfortable with the message? Ever wrote something and found yourself constantly having to explain yourself or its meaning? Ever wrote a song that you had to turn off when kids were listening? You know, a song that rocks but is meant for mature listeners. I have written hundreds of songs that will never win awards or gain any notoriety. But writing many of those songs made me personally happy. Writing “You Hate Me Blues” was very therapeutic for me. It helped to buffer the pain I feel when I know that someone hates me just because of the color of my skin. Even though I have felt this pain all my life its not an easy pill to continue to swallow. Recently, I came out of the store and as I got in my car these young men sitting in a truck started chanting “We Hate Ni##ers“ when they saw me. That is what inspired me to write that song. I was so sad and Blue the rest of that day. Anyone that has ever said the old “sticks and stone may break my bones but words will never hurt me” crap, probably never experienced stuff like that. Writing about child abuse, violence, poverty and pain soothes me because I am a survivor. They are not fun songs to hear but people that have similar experiences are moved by them.
Anyway, I would love to hear some of your songs that may have pissed other people off, made them uncomfortable or caused the morality monitoring groups to be irritated. Or, songs that were inspired by negative experiences you have had or witnessed. Got any songs that you wrote knowing that they would never be popular but they sure did make you feel better? Even songs that may have made other people say “That’s “F” ed up” Would you post them here and give us the story behind the song? Here’s an idea, let’s call it the “F”ed up song list. Maybe someone could even create a station for them. By the way, if you actually took the time to read this long post, you probably have a song or two for it.
Respect,
Stoneman
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Chandra Moon
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10/28/2011 1:42:58 AM
What an interesting post! I haven't actually written a overtly "f*cked" song but believe it or not my song People Of This Earth was played widely in the Gambia despite the fact it refers to gay people as well as other equality matters. Over in Africa, gay people are crimiminalised, even killed, for their sexuality so I felt very pleased to think people were open minded enough at the radio station concerned to play the song. It's actually a very gentle and loving song but refers to the serious subject of equality.
Using music to get over a message to the street is perfectly valid though I don't like heavy rap and gratuitous bad language in songs personally but when used in the right way in a song it can really make an impact, or make people think. When I hear mindless songs about "bitches", slagging off gay people, or promoting gun culture I just have to turn the song off as it's not to my taste.
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