After stepping clumsily into the often-heated national discourse about race, Brad Paisley isn’t backing down.
Yesterday, social media buzzed with mockery of Paisley’s new collaboration with LL Cool J, “Accidental Racist,” which, admittedly is a horrendously awkward attempt to reconcile “Southern pride” with our enduring national shame of slavery. But while the song is, as SPIN’s Brandon Soderberg notes, a goopy serving of “country-fried, hip-hop-tinged, status quo-affirming condescension,” Paisley has defended himself in a series of tweets. He concludes: “I wouldn’t change a thing. This is a record meant to be FAR from easy listening. But fun. Like life. Have a ball, ya’ll.” He fails to explain why LL Cool J starts his verse with “Dear Mr. White Man” and ends his appearance by saying, “RIP Robert E. Lee / But I’ve gotta thank Abraham Lincoln for freeing me, know what I mean.” Ugh.
Anyway, as writer and editor Maura Johnston points out, “Accidental Racist” haters are going to really love another song from Paisley’s Wheelhouse album: “Those Crazy Christians.”
‘Cause I wouldn’t change a thing. This is a record meant to be FAR from easy listening. But fun. Like life. Have a ball, ya’ll. love- brad
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— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) April 9, 2013
…I hope the album rocks you,soothes you,raises questions,answers,evokes feelings, all the way through until Officially Alive
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) April 9, 2013
So,as you buy this album,I hope it triggers emotions. I hope you feel joy,heartache,triumph,surprise; you laugh,cry,nudge someone beside you
— Brad Paisley (@BradPaisley) April 9, 2013