Racism/Sexism/ect in Music

The Batlord · 07-09-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cledussnow

I don't get the "Brown Sugar" reference.
Why would someone think THAT song is racist?

I thought the same thing. I like asian girls. Why can't I write a song about that?

**Janszoon** · 07-09-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cledussnow

I don't get the "Brown Sugar" reference.
Why would someone think THAT song is racist?

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Batlord

I thought the same thing. I like asian girls. Why can't I write a song about that?

I was confused by that too, until I googled the lyrics. Take a look:

Quote:

Gold coast slave ship bound for cotton fields,
Sold in a market down in new orleans.
Scarred old slaver know he's doin alright.
Hear him whip the women just around midnight.
Ah brown sugar how come you taste so good
(a-ha) brown sugar, just like a young girl should
A-huh.

Drums beating, cold english blood runs hot,
Lady of the house wondrin where it's gonna stop.
House boy knows that he's doin alright.
You should a heard him just around midnight.
Ah brown sugar how come you taste so good
(a-ha) brown sugar, just like a black girl should
A-huh.

It's hardly the ode to a sexy black woman that I always assumed it was. I don't think Jagger was promoting racism but I do think he was trying to be edgy by writing about objectionable subject matter.

cledussnow · 07-09-2012, 10:41 AM

Oh! He mentions slavery...
So what.

I HATE when people act like if you make reference to the historical fact that was slavery, somehow you are condoning or promoting it.

Lets all pretend all the bad stuff in the history of the world never happened.

There are definite sexist/racist songs out there, but to include "Brown Sugar" among them is really pushing things a bit far imo.

**Janszoon** · 07-09-2012, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cledussnow

Oh! He mentions slavery...
So what.

I HATE when people act like if you make reference to the historical fact that was slavery, somehow you are condoning or promoting it.

Lets all pretend all the bad stuff in the history of the world never happened.

There are definite sexist/racist songs out there, but to include "Brown Sugar" among them is really pushing things a bit far imo.

Well, like I said, I don't think he's promoting racism in the song—in fact, I'm a fan of the song—I'm just answering your question about why someone would find it racist. And it's more than just "mentioning slavery", the whole subject of the song involves sexual torture of slaves. Even Jagger himself has said he has misgivings about the lyrics.

The Batlord · 07-09-2012, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I was confused by that too, until I googled the lyrics. Take a look:

It's hardly the ode to a sexy black woman that I always assumed it was. I don't think Jagger was promoting racism but I do think he was trying to be edgy by writing about objectionable subject matter.

Damn. I never knew those were the lyrics. Wasn't this song on the radio?! Sounds to me it's supposed to be about a slave owner raping his slave. I'm assuming that with the upbeat nature of the song and the lyrics that almost sound like they're glorifying the rape that it's all supposed to be ironic. That song is actually pretty disturbing now. Awesome.

Urban Hat€monger ? · 07-09-2012, 11:13 AM

If you want a Rolling Stones song with questionable lyrics just go for Stray Cat Blues.

hip hop bunny hop · 07-09-2012, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Duraddict

Well, that's a big reason I cannot stand Public Enemy. Why would I ever want to listen to a homophobic act? Even if they are considered "great" by the masses?

Because not listening to a homophobic band does.... what?

Sparky · 07-09-2012, 07:47 PM

golden oldie

Neapolitan · 07-09-2012, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

I was confused by that too, until I googled the lyrics. Take a look:

It's hardly the ode to a sexy black woman that I always assumed it was. I don't think Jagger was promoting racism but I do think he was trying to be edgy by writing about objectionable subject matter.

The song is about sex between slaves and owners. What is objectionable is slavery, but it isn't like he making any judgement on the wrongs of slavery but joint pointing out they had sex. Jagger could had made a moral statement and spoke against people in power coercing sex from others, but he didn't he was a horny man whore not a social moralist.

"Scarred old slaver" porbably means he has STD. When he sings "Hear him whip the women just around midnight." it's ambiguous it could mean he did whipped with a whip or maybe yada yada yada. It could he meant the same thing that the Dazz band meant by "whip" in Let It Whip.

Duraddict · 07-09-2012, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hip hop bunny hop

Because not listening to a homophobic band does.... what?

Well, not listening to them helps not to spike my blood pressure.

07-09-2012, 11:13 AM	#26 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	If you want a Rolling Stones song with questionable lyrics just go for Stray Cat Blues. __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

07-09-2012, 10:41 AM	#23 (permalink)
cledussnow Music Addict Join Date: May 2012 Location: North Alabama via New Orleans Posts: 149	Oh! He mentions slavery... So what. I HATE when people act like if you make reference to the historical fact that was slavery, somehow you are condoning or promoting it. Lets all pretend all the bad stuff in the history of the world never happened. There are definite sexist/racist songs out there, but to include "Brown Sugar" among them is really pushing things a bit far imo.

07-09-2012, 07:47 PM	#28 (permalink)
Sparky not really Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 5,223	golden oldie