Rednecks

Randy Newman

About Rednecks

"Rednecks" is a song by Randy Newman, the lead-off track on his 1974 album Good Old Boys.


Year:
2016
64 
#1

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Last night I saw Lester Maddox on a TV show
With some smart a** New York Jew
And the Jew laughed at Lester Maddox
And the audience laughed at Lester Maddox too
Well he may be a fool but he's our fool
If they think they're better than him they're wrong
So I went to the park and I took some paper along
And that's where I made this song

We talk real funny down here
We drink too much and we laugh too loud
We're too dumb to make it in no Northern town
And we're keepin' the n*****s down

We got no necked oilmen from Texas
And good ol' boys from Tennessee
And colleges men from LSU
Went in dumb, come out dumb too
Hustlin' 'round Atlanta in their alligator shoes
Gettin' drunk every weekend at the barbecues
And they're keepin' the n*****s down

We are rednecks, we're rednecks
We don't know our a** 
From a hole in the ground
We're rednecks, we're rednecks
And we're keeping the n*****s down

Now your northern n*****'s a negro
You see he's got his dignity
Down here we're too ignorant to realize
That the North has set the n***** free

Yes he's free to be put in a cage
In Harlem in New York City
And he's free to be put in a cage
On the South Side of Chicago
And the West Side
And he's free to be put in a cage
In Hough in Cleveland
And he's free to be put in a cage
In East St. Louis
And he's free to be put in a cage
In Fillmore in San Francisco
And he's free to be put in a cage
In Roxbury in Boston
They're gatherin' 'em up from miles around
Keepin' the n*****s down

We're rednecks, we're rednecks
We don't know our a** 
From a hole in the ground
We're rednecks, we're rednecks
We're keeping the n*****s down
We are keeping the n*****s down

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Randy Newman

Randall Stuart "Randy" Newman (born November 28, 1943) is an American singer-songwriter,arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for his mordant (and often satirical) pop songs and for film scores. more »

5 fans

Written by: RANDY NEWMAN

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Song Concept
"Rednecks" is a song written and performed by Randy Newman as a satirical commentary on racism and ignorance in the southern United States.
Album
The song is from Newman's album "Good Old Boys," released in 1974.
Controversial Lyrics
The lyrical content of "Rednecks" has sparked controversy due to its explicit language and strong racial themes.
Social Commentary
Despite the provocative lyrics, the song is a sociopolitical statement. It criticizes the racial prejudice in the South and the hypocrisy of the North thinking themselves superior while having their racial issues.
Reception
The song was largely misunderstood upon release, with many critics labeling it as racist. Over time, however, it has become one of Newman’s most respected works.
Live Performance
Randy Newman has stated that he often introduces the song in live shows with a disclaimer about its satirical nature.
Soundtrack Appearance
The song features in the opening credits of the film "White Man's Burden," which tackled societal racism.
Results
"Rednecks" didn’t chart but it has become one of the key songs in Randy Newman’s catalog; an example of his courage in addressing tough societal issues through song.
Notable Quotes
An infamous and heavily-discussed line from the song is: "We're rednecks, rednecks, and we don’t know our ass from a hole in the ground."
Inspiration
The song was inspired by segregationist Lester Maddox's appearance on a talk show, which Newman watched.

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