Uncle Remus (1972)

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Uncle Remus is a song written by American musicians Frank Zappa and George Duke, and first released on Zappa's 1974 album Apostrophe (').[1] The name of the song is derived from Uncle Remus, a fictional character found in works by writer Joel Chandler Harris. The song has been said to reflect Zappa's feelings about racism and the civil rights movement, themes which had previously been explored in his earlier song "Trouble Every Day".

Key Lyrics

I can't wait till my Fro is full-grown

I'll just throw 'way my Doo-Rag at home

I'll take a drive to Beverly Hills

Just before dawn


An' knock the little jockeys

Off the rich people's lawn

An' before they get up

I'll be gone, I'll be gone

Interpretation

The lyrics of "Uncle Remus" have been said to reflect Zappa's thoughts regarding racial tensions in the United States, including the civil rights movement and civil rights work that has not been done.[2] It has also been described as an extension of Zappa's feelings on racism featured on his earlier song "Trouble Every Day".[3]

The song's lyrics also refer to lawn jockeys, statuettes that often depicted black figures with exaggerated features. Zappa sings about targeting jockeys on the lawns of "rich people" in Beverly Hills, suggesting a connection between class and race.[4]

Reference

  1. "George Duke". 3 September 2013. The Telegraph. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
  2. John Corcelli. Frank Zappa FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Father of Invention. 2016. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-1617136030. Retrieved from Wikipedia, February 5, 2021.
  3. Steve Huey. All Music Guide: The Definitive Guide To Popular Music, 4th Edition. 2001. Backbeat Books. p. 459. ISBN 978-0879306274. Retrieved from Wikipedia, February 5, 2021.
  4. Alex DiBlasi and Victoria Willis. Geek Rock: An Exploration of Music and Subculture. Rowman & Littlefield p. 11. ISBN 978-1442229754. Retrieved from Wikipedia, February 5, 2021.