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Pants on the ground.
Now I thought this was hilarious! Thanks for delivering the message...
When you risked your life in the 1960s, marching for civil rights that young folks now take for granted, you typically don't give up trying to reach them. One strategy is to write an insanely catchy ditty about self-respect called 'Pants on the Ground.' And what better way to reach people -- millions of people -- than to perform it on 'American Idol'?
That's exactly what General Larry Platt did. The 62-year-old Atlanta resident was the last "performer" on Wednesday night's 'Idol.' And the producers certainly saved the best for last.
Looking very much his age, Platt stood before the 'Idol' judges, including Grammy winner Mary J. Blige, decked out in jeans and shades. He spat out the lyrics in a syncopated rhythm, the edge softened by his slightly hoarse Southern accent: "Pants on the ground / Pants on the ground / Lookin' like a fool with ya pants on the ground." Platt is obviously from the old school of black performance, so he made sure to throw in a few shuffling moves. Though a bit stiff, homeboy managed to drop down into the splits. James Brown would be proud.
As expected, Platt quickly garnered his 15 minutes of fame with clever remixes of 'Pants on the Ground' posted on YouTube within hours after his Idol appearance. Watch the Original:
Although his performance was quite funny (Blige was cracking up throughout), there was something kind of poignant, even sad about it. Here's a man, a former foot solider in the Civil Rights Movement who was beaten in the historic 1965 Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Ala., reduced to buffoonery on a hit talent show.
But elders in urban communities have been parroting Platt's message for years: Pull your damn pants up. Sagging pants, a look that comes from prison culture, has been a bone of contention for authoritative figures, parents included, for more than a decade. The look suggests slovenliness and a lack of self-respect. Even President Barack Obama urged young men to pull their pants up in a speech given in July at the centennial celebration of the NAACP.
But even before Obama had something to say about low-slung pants, several U.S. cities, including Miami, tried to push legislation to ban the look.
However, if backed by just the right beat, Platt's 'Pants on the Ground' could be the hit that gets the message out there. After all, it doesn't take much to generate a smash on the urban charts these days. All you need is a catchy hook, and Platt already has that. At the very least, he could score a hit ringtone with 'Pants on the Ground.'
But given his back story of dignified resistance in the face of personal and civil indignities many of us could only imagine, it's a shame Platt had to become a clown to get a message across. Still, it needs to be heard: "You look like a fool with ya pants on the ground."
When you risked your life in the 1960s, marching for civil rights that young folks now take for granted, you typically don't give up trying to reach them. One strategy is to write an insanely catchy ditty about self-respect called 'Pants on the Ground.' And what better way to reach people -- millions of people -- than to perform it on 'American Idol'?
That's exactly what General Larry Platt did. The 62-year-old Atlanta resident was the last "performer" on Wednesday night's 'Idol.' And the producers certainly saved the best for last.
Looking very much his age, Platt stood before the 'Idol' judges, including Grammy winner Mary J. Blige, decked out in jeans and shades. He spat out the lyrics in a syncopated rhythm, the edge softened by his slightly hoarse Southern accent: "Pants on the ground / Pants on the ground / Lookin' like a fool with ya pants on the ground." Platt is obviously from the old school of black performance, so he made sure to throw in a few shuffling moves. Though a bit stiff, homeboy managed to drop down into the splits. James Brown would be proud.
As expected, Platt quickly garnered his 15 minutes of fame with clever remixes of 'Pants on the Ground' posted on YouTube within hours after his Idol appearance. Watch the Original:
Although his performance was quite funny (Blige was cracking up throughout), there was something kind of poignant, even sad about it. Here's a man, a former foot solider in the Civil Rights Movement who was beaten in the historic 1965 Bloody Sunday march in Selma, Ala., reduced to buffoonery on a hit talent show.
But elders in urban communities have been parroting Platt's message for years: Pull your damn pants up. Sagging pants, a look that comes from prison culture, has been a bone of contention for authoritative figures, parents included, for more than a decade. The look suggests slovenliness and a lack of self-respect. Even President Barack Obama urged young men to pull their pants up in a speech given in July at the centennial celebration of the NAACP.
But even before Obama had something to say about low-slung pants, several U.S. cities, including Miami, tried to push legislation to ban the look.
However, if backed by just the right beat, Platt's 'Pants on the Ground' could be the hit that gets the message out there. After all, it doesn't take much to generate a smash on the urban charts these days. All you need is a catchy hook, and Platt already has that. At the very least, he could score a hit ringtone with 'Pants on the Ground.'
But given his back story of dignified resistance in the face of personal and civil indignities many of us could only imagine, it's a shame Platt had to become a clown to get a message across. Still, it needs to be heard: "You look like a fool with ya pants on the ground."
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Low Key on -
I remember watching this, and actually, I didn't even make it until the splits, because I turned it off. I really was insulted (maybe a lil sensitive?) by the performance...rather...the fact that the producers/network thought that this had entertainment value and broke the shows rules to allow this man to make a fool of himself. I thought...why not have a white man do it in black face....thats the only step overly-conservative Fox could have done to trump it. However, after reading your discussion on this...there are a couple learning points:
1. If making a fool of myself slaps the next generation back into line, then here I go is exactly the attitude our leaders should have.
2. Anything you believe in truthfully, deserves your ALL...no limits, and great passion. Larry displayed both.
Now that I saw the whole thing...I appreciate the positive "glass half full" viewpoint. I learned that in everything there is positive and negative. Its all in what you're looking for. Good write up.
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Permalink Reply by Money on -
Former "American Idol" contestant General Larry Platt, the singer who shot to fame with his "Pants on the Ground" anthem, is headed to the Grammy Awards on Sunday – at least for the pre-show festivities.
Access Hollywood has confirmed that General Larry will be singing his viral hit song before the show.
General Larry's rep said there are no plans for the singer to attend the actual ceremony.
Read more here...
http://www.nbcchicago.com/entertainment/music/_Pants_on_the_Ground_...
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Permalink Reply by Money on
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Everybody is getting into the "American Idol" "Pants on the Ground" act. Check out this Jimmy-Fallon-as-Neil-Young take.
Jimmy Fallon's Neil Young impression is so good, it fooled us for a bit. We thought Neil Young had actually covered "Pants on the Ground," which would be amazing.
We soon realized it was Jimmy Fallon doing Neil Young, but that doesn't make it any less awesome. Fallon does a dead-on impression of Young and his guitar and harmonica talent is also good.
In all the late-night hullabaloo happening right now, it's nice to see "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon" remember what's really important -- "Pants on the Ground" from "American Idol."
Pants on the ground, pants on the ground, lookin' like a FOOL with your pants on the ground...
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Permalink Reply by B - EZ on -
Honestly, I think people need to think a little deeper on this one. I mean it seems like a perfect strategy to me. And a man wouldn't deem himself general without logical reason. When I watch this clip, immediately I think this guy purposely embarrassed himself on national televison. As I continue to watch, the light bulb goes off. He's a genious!! Look at the details 1) The message is simple (catchy) - so it won't take long for him to reiterate multiple times nor for you to memorize it similar to todays music. 2) Do something silly - The most memorable scenes on tv/youtube are of someone making a total idiot out of themself i.e. the girl on the train in Atlanta. 3) What better way to get your message to the masses than to piggyback off the media? For free at that! I don't know everything but if you ask me I'd say it was pretty well executed. Bravo General!!!
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Permalink Reply by PIAGIRL on -
I think you hit it right on the head and at the sametime What better way to get across to our youth. Me personally thought it is was a work of art to reach our youth and lets not forget OPPS Grown Men running around with their pants down and dirty underwear. Know our men our running Wild with their pants on ground. Where can they run to? lol Top it Off its Frezzing here.
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Permalink Reply by KDUBYA on -
I thought it was funny! However, it wasn't him I was laughing at. It was all these dang, disrespectful kids running around with their pants down with their nasty underwear hanging out. Yeah, I busted my Son out hard, at 22, still running around with his pants pulled down. Now, I had my Daughter and her little friends ROFL, because I was singing it to my Son...The message, I got from the General was this, "It took a lot of intestinal fortitude to do what he did". He, like most of us, see how ridiculous these kids look. I do not think he lost or gave up any dignity at all. In fact, he gained my full respect. My hat of to General Larry Platt...He is a real Man, a Soldier that has not given up the fight to improve things for his people and Country
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Permalink Reply by Tiny on -
I Spend 8 hrs of my day in the element where this look originated. I wish I had 10 dollars for every time I tell one of these boys to pull their pants up. I would be able to retire. Straight from their mouths "This will never fade away Ms!"
The boys pull there pants up out of respect for me but later when am re assigned to another location buns are out again.
A young Caucasian male makes his way across the street, mp3 player in one hand and his free hand holding the buckle of his belt to keep his already "pants off" from falling completely to the ground. This young man like many others took it to a whole new level. He like most made sure that his under wear made a statement too. Clothing industries love this crap. You will find more theme boxers than plain white. Lets not forget the letters or messages on regular shorts. So the industries have fueled the fire as well. Show your azz is the message. We can use up our last breath or recruit bill gates to start a global campaign to get the message out. But only hope like jeri curls, and gold tooth caps this too shall pass.
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