What's the best way for a straight white guy to get around truly offensive words (such as derogatory terms for specific races or gender orientations) in a song? Are those words ever appropriate for someone like me to sing? -- I'm Speechless
Hoooooo, boy. This could get really uncomfortable.
Knowing which songs contain those words -- and how often those words are repeated -- is important for me as a karaoke host. When someone submits a request for such a song, I pay close attention to the singer before it's their turn: Are they drunk? Are they with a diverse group of friends? Do they seem like they'd go more for shock value or for the true spirit of their chosen song? I also take in the whole bar scene: How many older patrons are there? Is it a party atmosphere or a mellow one? Are any kids around? It's all definitely subjective, but I evaluate all of this and then decide if I'm just going to turn down the mic during the controversial words or if I'm going to ask the singer to find another song altogether.
From your own description, you don't appear to fit into the racial or gender groups typically represented by those words, plus you seem a bit hesitant to sing what might pop up on the screen. In that case, I'd recommend doing your song but skipping over the offensive words without drawing attention to what you're doing. Confession: At one point, I thought I might be able to disengage from my conscience and perform those words in "American Idiot" and "Oliver's Army," but I just haven't been able to do it. I'm OK with that.
As a scrawny white girl from rural Ohio, however, I'm not an expert in this matter. As such, I've asked a few friends -- some black, some gay -- for their opinions. The consensus seems to be that personally, they don't mind when they hear those words at karaoke because they're within the song's context and not directed at anyone in particular. However, my friends also said that they know of others within their groups who certainly would take offense. They'd suggest simply skipping the offensive language.
Really, it all comes down to my life's rule: Don't be a douche.
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