Banned Songs: Short People

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Here it is, high noon (well, noon here, JJ’s the one who’s high ), and I’m just warming up for a song for y’all? I have a long day ahead of me, a hot date with the prep. That’s okay, there are a couple of LONG movies on YouTube (The Longest Day and Tora! Tora! Tora!) that’ll keep me entertained while I’m parked in the bathroom tonight. Meanwhile, here’s a song that raised a stink to the point where some stations wouldn’t play it. Short People - Randy Newman Here’s Randy Newman. In the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Winner of two Oscars for his work on movie soundtracks. And what happens? His biggest hit is a controversy!! Newman is a master of sarcasm. One of his great songs is “Political Science,” where he laments how “they all hate” the United States, so his answer is “let’s drop the big one now.” (Of course, “we’ll save Australian, don’t wanna hurt no kangaroo.”) If you believe he meant that then you’ll believe me when I tell you he’ll be the next pope. He’s not serious here, either. He wasn’t talking about people short in physical stature, but people short on brains and/or empathy. (In other words, politicians. ) Of course, like Alice Cooper’s song “Only Women,” some people just couldn’t get past the title. As a result, some stations said they received so many complaints about the song they pulled it from rotation. Newman (who, as one article about the song was quick to point out, is six feet tall) said he got a lot of flack, backlash, and even a few death threats. A Maryland representative even wanted to make saying the song’s title illegal. Newman said he couldn’t believe anyone would take it seriously. But they did. Glad those people never heard his song “Rednecks.” Short People Written by Randy Newman Recorded by Randy Newman From Little Criminals, 1977 Reason banned: considered offensive to short people You gotta pick ‘em up just to say hello: