Its only controversial if you don't get what he is doing. This is just about as "woke" a song as has ever been written. Its about how stupid it is to hate people based on how they look. Its an anti-racism song hidden behind a ridiculous concept.
You couldn't be more wrong about describing this as 'woke'. Newman would be appalled. This song is in a tradition of anti-racist and humanist satire that's entirely at odds with the authoritarian censoriousness of Woke ideology. It's commonplace for Woke edicts to lead to the cancellation and censorship and banning of any artistic creation that even includes or alludes to a racist, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted character. It's inconceivable that this song would be approved of today by the Woke bourgeoisie today and their cowardly yes-people. It wouldn't stance a chance, on the grounds of 'protecting people of small stature from potential harm', etc. I agree with the rest of your post.
Randy Newman is a superb songwriter, and you're right - he often writes from the perspective of other (not very nice) people. In a sense this is a song that takes the piss out of racists and bigots, but people don't get irony much these days. A lot of his songs are satirical - Political Science is a great one to check out - but he also does soundtracks and songs for kids films like Toy Story.
The lack of understanding satire goes both ways. He wrote a song about how terrible Los Angeles is named “I love LA” and dense sports fans in LA play it after the Lakers or Dodgers win.
Sensible people caught on real quick as to what Randy was saying. As an 11yr old I was astounded that this so got so popular. Randy's humor was lost on some people.
Great song. Randy Newman's first big hit. Heard him sing it at a concert in Annapolis, Maryland, a few years back. By the way, it's from his album called "Little Criminals." I like every song on the record. My favorite is "Baltimore." And not just because that's where I live. Actually, it's not very flattering. "In Germany Before the War" is a song about a serial killer. All-in-all, a great album.
He was mocking bigotry, back when everyone wasn't terrified that a JOKE would get them cancelled. "short people are just the same as you and I. All men are brothers until the day they die"
He is kidding-he has written allot of themes for movies-he has several albums. He has 2 Oscars for best song on Toy story and Monsters Inc- Hi gp . Prepare to get emotional.
Randy Newman is the Jonathan Swift of pop music. The popularity of this song was a sign that most Americans immediately got the joke and the message. If you listen to some of the horrible things he says about short people, it sounds very much like the rantings of a political figure several decades earlier who convinced a nation that a subset of its population had to go.
Randy loved to use satire to comment on what he sees as social injustice. This song, I love LA and Political Science are great examples. This song is actually about the stupidity of bigotry
It's satire. How in an age of woke intelligent people can no one understand satire? I know it's a minute number but really. 1 person saying I don't get It ruins it all
Have to be honest, I'm not intelligent or woke lol. And sometimes I get satire, sometimes it goes right over my head, but I loved the song regardless. x
Its only controversial if you don't get what he is doing. This is just about as "woke" a song as has ever been written. Its about how stupid it is to hate people based on how they look. Its an anti-racism song hidden behind a ridiculous concept.
You couldn't be more wrong about describing this as 'woke'. Newman would be appalled. This song is in a tradition of anti-racist and humanist satire that's entirely at odds with the authoritarian censoriousness of Woke ideology. It's commonplace for Woke edicts to lead to the cancellation and censorship and banning of any artistic creation that even includes or alludes to a racist, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted character.
It's inconceivable that this song would be approved of today by the Woke bourgeoisie today and their cowardly yes-people. It wouldn't stance a chance, on the grounds of 'protecting people of small stature from potential harm', etc.
I agree with the rest of your post.
💯🎯💥
Man this song was huge over here in the states. No controversy. Course that's back when people still had sense of humor. Another great reaction.
Brilliant song that should be taken for what it is. Just sarcastically great like a lot of his work. He is a genius. Really enjoy your channel.
Thank you x
For a simple if controversial song this was apparently a very successful song. People would probably shy away from playing it these days.
Today you'd get cancelled if someone found out that you had once tapped your toe to the song when it played on the radio back in the day.
He’s a genius doing this
As a short person I can say this song is funny. I am 37 years old. And I am 5'0 feet tall. / I am 152.4 centimeters tall.
Randy Newman is a superb songwriter, and you're right - he often writes from the perspective of other (not very nice) people. In a sense this is a song that takes the piss out of racists and bigots, but people don't get irony much these days. A lot of his songs are satirical - Political Science is a great one to check out - but he also does soundtracks and songs for kids films like Toy Story.
Thank you. I'll add that track to my play list. x
The lack of understanding satire goes both ways. He wrote a song about how terrible Los Angeles is named “I love LA” and dense sports fans in LA play it after the Lakers or Dodgers win.
@@politicaltroll8920 haha, I'll have to check that one out. I think the more I listen to him, the more I'll understand his songs x
Sensible people caught on real quick as to what Randy was saying. As an 11yr old I was astounded that this so got so popular. Randy's humor was lost on some people.
He made everyone think he’s being mean to little people
Definitely couldn’t get away with this today. It would have to be titled “Vertically Challenged People”.
Haha, yes. x
Great song. Randy Newman's first big hit. Heard him sing it at a concert in Annapolis, Maryland, a few years back. By the way, it's from his album called "Little Criminals." I like every song on the record. My favorite is "Baltimore." And not just because that's where I live. Actually, it's not very flattering. "In Germany Before the War" is a song about a serial killer. All-in-all, a great album.
He was mocking bigotry, back when everyone wasn't terrified that a JOKE would get them cancelled. "short people are just the same as you and I. All men are brothers until the day they die"
Ask any short person if they want Randy Newman to speak for them, they will say yes. They aren’t idiots.
no kidding. It's satire. IRONY!
I love the song.... And I'm 5' 7"!!!!😆😆😆😎👍
I love L.A....short people thrive in Hollywood.
He is kidding-he has written allot of themes for movies-he has several albums. He has 2 Oscars for best song on Toy story and Monsters Inc- Hi gp . Prepare to get emotional.
Snarky. Satire😊😊😊perfect
Randy Newman is the Jonathan Swift of pop music. The popularity of this song was a sign that most Americans immediately got the joke and the message. If you listen to some of the horrible things he says about short people, it sounds very much like the rantings of a political figure several decades earlier who convinced a nation that a subset of its population had to go.
They do tell great big lies..>.
Don't wants no SHORTEOPLE. AROUND..😊
Since I was a kid I assumed he had the down downs lol these lyrics don’t help his case.
Jus playing around, he’s awesome haha
Randy was actually only 5’9 though he was listed at 6 feet. I believe symbolically he was making a reference to a male midsection.
Randy loved to use satire to comment on what he sees as social injustice. This song, I love LA and Political Science are great examples. This song is actually about the stupidity of bigotry
Little Rascals
It's satire. How in an age of woke intelligent people can no one understand satire? I know it's a minute number but really. 1 person saying I don't get It ruins it all
Have to be honest, I'm not intelligent or woke lol. And sometimes I get satire, sometimes it goes right over my head, but I loved the song regardless. x
It’s a parody he’s taking about kids
Oh wow, didn't know that. Gonna have a re listen to it on the way to work me thinks x
Rednecks by randy newman. You can get away with it.
Sounds good. I've got Political Science on my playlist to get to first x
rednecks by randy newman is in itself a political science Masterpiece.