Running racism in America thread

Dude that one hits different

 

Just shining the light.

 

Debating posting it to FB, where I've had disagreements about that song. I'm just not sure it's worth the shitstorm.

Oughta just post both of those back to back and mute the replies, lol.

 

I took it from my feed

 

Aldean also sang a song in 2019 about how much his small town sucked. I wonder what happened between them and now that changed his mind?

 

Is this democracy or is it hmmmmmm Game of Thrones/ancient Egypt?

 

I was talking to one guy on Facebook who said since I haven’t heard the song that I’m wrong to say it’s pro-lynching.

Did I really miss the point of the song?

 

Yes you did. It’s pro lychee. You know that red fruit that looks like a strawberry except you have to peel it? Understandable mix up.

 

For information purposes: the lyrics of "Try That in a Small Town."

[Verse 1] Sucker punch somebody on a sidewalk Carjack an old lady at a red light Pull a gun on the owner of a liquor store Ya think it’s cool, well, act a fool if ya like Cuss out a cop, spit in his face Stomp on the flag and light it up Yeah, ya think you’re tough

[Chorus] Well, try that in a small town See how far ya make it down the road 'Round here, we take care of our own You cross that line, it won’t take long For you to find out, I recommend you don’t Try that in a small town

[Verse 2] Got a gun that my granddad gave me They say one day they’re gonna round up Well, that shit might fly in the city, good luck

[Chorus] Try that in a small town See how far ya make it down the road 'Round here, we take care of our own You cross that line, it won’t take long For you to find out, I recommend you don’t Try that in a small town

[Bridge] Full of good ol’ boys, raised up right If you’re looking for a fight

[Chorus] Try that in a small town (See how far ya make it down the road) 'Round here, we take care of our own You cross that line, it won’t take long For you to find out, I recommend you don’t Try that in a small town

The problems with the song came up more because of the video, when it came out after the song itself, than because of the lyrics, which don't include anything about lynchings but do express support for gun ownership and use, and use examples of bad/criminal behavior that, the song says, a small town would not be OK with.

But, add in the video -- featuring protests, riotous and mob-ish behavior, and violent scenes -- and set it in front of a Tennessee courthouse where an 18-year-old Black man, Henry Choate, was lynched in 1927 after being falsely accused of raping a 16-year-old white girl who never identified him as her attacker, and, well, this is what you get: people in an uproar about it, but the song nonetheless skyrocketing to the top of the music charts because of all the notoriety, and, essentially, out of curiosity.

And people really aren't sure what the message is supposed to be.

Whatever it is -- definitely and understandably divisive -- it is not positive, and I think that's something that country music usually strives to be.

 

Uvalde was a small town.

 

Country music is all about "Your cheatin' heart" or some other such catastrophe. Not exactly walking on sunshine.

Gloom, despair and agony on me
Deep, dark depression, excessive misery
If it weren't for bad luck I'd have no luck at all
Gloom, despair and agony on me

"Try that in a small town" is simply 2023's version of "Have you forgotten?" that insipid pandering Darryl Worley song from a few years after 9/11.

 

Exactly what consequences do you think are being implied by “see how far ya make it down the road?”