Here’s Brad Paisley’s Horrible New Song “Accidental Racist”

by Bobby Finger

Prepare your jaws, everyone. Brad Paisley released a song called “Accidental Racist” and it’s a terrible thing. The song begins with this strange story about wearing a Confederate flag in public:

“To the man that waited on me at the Starbucks down on Main, I hope you understand when I put on that t-shirt, the only thing I meant to say is I’m a Skynyrd fan.”

But it gets worse. A lot worse. Consider the chorus:

I’m just a white man comin’ to you from the south land tryin’ to understand what it’s like not to be.

I’m proud of where I’m from but not everything we’ve done. It ain’t like you and me can rewrite history.

Our generation didn’t start this nation. We’re still pickin’ up the pieces, walkin’ on eggshells, fightin’ over yesterday.

Caught between southern pride and southern blame.

Oh, and then LL Cool J raps!

I’m not certain what Paisley’s objective was here. Did the introductory story actually happen and is he trying to apologize? Is he merely trying to diversify his audience? Are he and LL friends who felt like collaborating? Whatever the reason, the song itself is a lyrical disgrace filled with awkward non-apologies and faux-pensiveness over the history of racism in the south. Enjoy!