Sometimes the truth is difficult to hear … or dangerous to tell. Sometimes, you have to serve it up with a helping of irony. And sometimes, you really DO have to use a spoonful of sugar to help the medicine go down. Such is the case with Count Basie’s classic 1940 record, “It’s The Same Old South.”
Debuted in the satirical labor revue “Meet the People,” Jay Gorney penned the music to this infectious, swingin’ tune that packed dance floors across the country. While at the same time, Ed Eliscu’s subversive lyrics told a story quite different from the history books. Life as a Black person in American society wasn’t as cheery as it appeared on the surface.
“It’s The Same Old South” brilliantly depicts our society as a study in contrast. Like the song, the story of the American way can sound sweet and melodic. But listen a little closer, and the lyrics of child labor, tar & feathering, and bloodhounds chasing union organizers declare that the beautiful landscape of the United States wasn’t so lovely after all.
This episode of “Soundtrack to the Struggle” was written and produced by Ron Adkins and hosted by Hollis Monroe.