01 December 2009: 1968!

[Big Fingers McGee]

White country man sings about killing a man just to watch him die = storytelling legend

Black hip-hopper rap about killing a man = thug

This post has been brought to you by United Jesusland of America.

don't get me started on why that's an oversimplification

It's an oversimplification, but it's also a double standard.  White musicians are considered to be intelligent enough to sing "in character," while black rappers get no such benefit of the doubt.

it's a double standard only up to a point.  Rock and country have the occasional violent lyric (probably less than 10% of all hit rock/pop/country songs are about people killing people). Gangsta Rap's raison d'etre is violence (either "documenting" it or advocating it, depending on your POV), hence its reputation.  

I think Mike is right in that gangsta-rap that continually glorifies the thug life is worse overall than the occasional violent lyric in country music, but it should be noted that after Johnny sings the line "I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die"  a whole buncha rednecks start a-whoopin' and a-hollerin'.  They're prob the same kind of dudes that get could be (of have been?) violent against minorities.  

OK, enough over thinking it.  The song rocks!

It would be interesting to do a test: Have Rob Zombie cover "Cop Killer", and have James Ingram cover "Folsom County Blues", and observe what happens.

[ggould]

12/01/09 - Tuesday!  A quick trip back to...1968!!
   1.  The Beach Boys - Do it Again
   2.  Spanky & Our Gang - Like to Get to Know You
   3.  John Fred & His Playboy Band - Judy in Disguise (With Glasses)
(Movie:  Bullitt)
   4.  Steppenwolf - Born to Be Wild
(News:  Dan Rather Altercation at the Dem. Nat'l Convention)
   5.  Doors - Five to One
   6.  Janis Joplin & Big Brother & the Holding Co. - Piece of My Heart
(News:  MLK the night before his assassination)
   7.  Simon & Garfunkel - America
   8.  Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues (live) (BEST OF SET!!)
(Ad:  Marlboro Country)
   9.  Rolling Stones - Parachute Woman
(TV:  Dark Shadows)
 10.  Jimi Hndrix Experience - Burning of the Midnight Lamp

BONUS TRACK:  Beatles - Revolution