I'm Black and I walked down the aisle to a Beatles song (but not the song I wanted - I wanted "Across the Universe" and the guitarist played "Hear Comes the Sun").
My MIL just called and asked what we were doing. I told her that I was watching the Beatles special on CBS and she said that only white people care about the Beatles. She told me she couldn't name even one of their songs. I told her that I was sure she knew, or at least had heard, Yellow Submarine. She said no. I think she was lying.
I don't particularly even like them, but sometimes I think she is so racist. This should really be more a vent about her than the Beatles.
I didn't answer the poll yet because I was trying to figure out if I could come up with a song on my own. But now that you mentioned Yellow Submarine, if you gave me a multiple choice question I'd easily be able to pick it's a Beatles song. Other than that, I don't think I could come up with song names on my own.
I'm sure there's more to your back story about your MIL being racist, but lets be honest....there are certain things that white people like, there's a whole website about it!
I don't really expect many people other than black folk to care about Parliament Funkadelic or The Commodores.
My very white, 63 year old father would watch a special about Parliament Funkadelic or The Commodores before watching one about the Beatles. But, my father isn't a very average 63 year old white man.
I don't really "get" the Beatles love, but I can name a few songs, and I am white.
yeah, i'm 32 and white and i freaking love the commodores! and i know a few parliament funkadelic songs. and....my girlfriends and i did a dance for a high school project to a jackson 5 medley. it was not good, but we still did it.
this is totally anecdotal, but i feel like a lot of my white friends in my age group are pretty well versed in AA music groups from the 60s/70s and like the music.
Post by lasagnasshole on Feb 13, 2014 9:06:04 GMT -5
I guess I'd never thought about it, but I am surprised when people can't name ONE Beatles song. I wouldn't expect everyone to be giant fans or care enough to watch a TV special, and I'd expect such an audience to skew heavily white. But yes, it surprises me to hear that people can't name one song.
The Beatles are the best selling recording artist of all time. For that reason, I'd say Michael Jackson is a comparable artist, and I'd expect most people to be able to name one of his songs. But Parliament Funkadelic are not in the same universe, commercially speaking, so that's not an apt comparison.
I didn't answer the poll yet because I was trying to figure out if I could come up with a song on my own. But now that you mentioned Yellow Submarine, if you gave me a multiple choice question I'd easily be able to pick it's a Beatles song. Other than that, I don't think I could come up with song names on my own.
I'm sure there's more to your back story about your MIL being racist, but lets be honest....there are certain things that white people like, there's a whole website about it!
This is my first time ever reading anything about rikki's MIL--except maybe once, iirc, you were going to meet her before she was your MIL--so I'm not privy to the back story, but just this story would not make me think racism. I think many black people think certain things are things "white people do" or "only white people care about" and yes, based on different things (the website, h "really white"....I've seen people say things like that here often enough), I don't think black people are the only ones who think that way? Acknowledging the differences isn't racist, is it? I think if your MIL is trying to make you feel uncomfortable, then yes, that's another ball of wax. I am not racist and I don't even like Aries Spears (the comedian niq posted), but sometimes I do feel compelled to point out to my child that I'm a black mother lol. For black people raised by black people especially in black communities, there tend to be some cultural differences...I just think pop culture is a big one.
FWIW, saying the Beatles are a white thing or that black people don't care about the Beatles doesn't strike me as racist on its own, but I remember thinking a prior example rikki gave on MMM about her MIL was insensitive and potentially racist. I can understand being annoyed by this conversation if viewed through that lense.
rikki, you need to just let your DH answer the phone when his mom calls. Makes it much easier when you don't have to talk to her.
She knows he has no patience for her, so she has taken to calling my cell phone. I DO LIKE HER and I know she likes me, but these jabs are just annoying. I am not sure if they are intentional or she is just out there in her own world.
She knows he has no patience for her, so she has taken to calling my cell phone. I DO LIKE HER and I know she likes me, but these jabs are just annoying. I am not sure if they are intentional or she is just out there in her own world.
Oh, hell no. I would die. A slow overstimulated death.
I'm just being nosy, so feel free to tell me to myob, but is this your husband's first interracial relationship or something? I was thinking you'd probably be better off leaving it alone, but since you do actually like her and she likes you, I probably would tell her how it makes you feel. I've had issues with my MIL and for the most part, I let it go, but now that we're getting along better, I did (well, actually, my husband did, but I chimed in lol) point out one thing she'd done that was problematic and it was well-received.
No, he has only dated white girls, so it isn't like this is something new to her. I do know that despite never dating a black woman, she still wishes that he would have married one.
We had a heart to heart when I was at her house in Minneapolis last month. I feel like we are in a good place, especially in regards to the baby (she went against me in a few major baby areas), and she always tells me what a blessing I am to her, how glad she is that I am in her family, and thanks me on the regular for giving her a grandson and being a good mother to him. I just don't know why she constantly feels the need to say things about "white people" or more specifically (in a previous case) "white women."
Post by sicilygirl on Feb 13, 2014 10:15:51 GMT -5
I think a lot people know songs by The Beatles without realizing it, like @songforyou mentioned earlier. I think it would be really difficult not to be exposed to their music over the years (on TV, in movies, covers by other artists, etc.). But people may not realize it's their music.
Oh, hell no. I would die. A slow overstimulated death.
I'm just being nosy, so feel free to tell me to myob, but is this your husband's first interracial relationship or something? I was thinking you'd probably be better off leaving it alone, but since you do actually like her and she likes you, I probably would tell her how it makes you feel. I've had issues with my MIL and for the most part, I let it go, but now that we're getting along better, I did (well, actually, my husband did, but I chimed in lol) point out one thing she'd done that was problematic and it was well-received.
No, he has only dated white girls, so it isn't like this is something new to her. I do know that despite never dating a black woman, she still wishes that he would have married one.
We had a heart to heart when I was at her house in Minneapolis last month. I feel like we are in a good place, especially in regards to the baby (she went against me in a few major baby areas), and she always tells me what a blessing I am to her, how glad she is that I am in her family, and thanks me on the regular for giving her a grandson and being a good mother to him. I just don't know why she constantly feels the need to say things about "white people" or more specifically (in a previous case) "white women."
It doesnt' sound like she's purposely taking jabs at you. It sounds more like she's just comfortable poking fun at racial differences but not meaning any harm at it. I mean I don't know the whole story so I can't say for sure. I bitch and complain about my MIL all the time about the dumb things she does that seems to be against me. Perfect example recently was when she brought ONE biscuit from McD's for H, came home and asked me if H ate it. We don't even eat McD's, she made sure I knew it was for H and she didn't get me one. But at the end of the day, I don't think she's not purposely doing anything against me and I have to tell myself she's just ignorant and isn't exactly the brightest star in the sky.
I was so Beatles crazy, I waited hours at the airport to get an autograph from George Harrison's sister, Louise. I was 14. (Now 62). They brilliantly mirrored the changing times and their music progressed with the generation. We also listened to R&B, Blues, etc., but that could be more a New Orleans thing.
Rikki, I think your MIL is baiting you deliberately.
Oh my gosh! Awesome. Poor Weezy.
Is "weezy" a common nickname for Louise? I am only asking because I know someone else named Louise who goes by Weezy.
It doesnt' sound like she's purposely taking jabs at you. It sounds more like she's just comfortable poking fun at racial differences but not meaning any harm at it. I mean I don't know the whole story so I can't say for sure. I bitch and complain about my MIL all the time about the dumb things she does that seems to be against me. Perfect example recently was when she brought ONE biscuit from McD's for H, came home and asked me if H ate it. We don't even eat McD's, she made sure I knew it was for H and she didn't get me one. But at the end of the day, I don't think she's not purposely doing anything against me and I have to tell myself she's just ignorant and isn't exactly the brightest star in the sky.
And see my experiences with my MIL may be clouding my opinion, but I completely think it is intentional. Especially since it is something that has been brought up in the past. But then my MIL is a nasty person who fakes sweetness. So I could be wrong.
I don't doubt there are people like that. I'm less stressed believing that my MIL is not smart enough to be a fake sweet bitch haha.
Post by lasagnasshole on Feb 13, 2014 11:25:19 GMT -5
I Want to Hold Your Hand Eight Days a Week All You Need is Love Hey Jude Let It Be Love Me Do With a Little Help From My Friends Back in the USSR Get Back Yellow Submarine From Me to You Yesterday In My Life Come Together Nowhere Man Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band Don't Let Me Down All My Loving Drive My Car I Feel Fine She Loves You You've Got to Hide Your Love Away Penny Lane Blackbird Please Please Me Help! A Hard Day's Night
There are people who don't know ANY of these songs? I admit I find that shocking.
White. Can name many. Don't mind their songs but also never went out of my way to listen to them growing up.
This. I actually think people who are saying they can't name one would recognize the name of one. Maybe not the song itself, but the title of a Beatles song.
This whole thread makes me sad. All Americas should be familiar with The Commodores, PFunk, Jackson 5 and the Beatles.
But being familiar doesn't mean you can name a song. That requires actually listening to the music. Or at least tuning in enough to recognize details of a song.
Not really. I can name "the" famous song of many artists, but not actually know the song. I can probably name several titles of Beatles songs where I don't actually know the melody.
I'm Black and I walked down the aisle to a Beatles song (but not the song I wanted - I wanted "Across the Universe" and the guitarist played "Hear Comes the Sun").
Dick. lol
I walked down the aisle to "In My Life." I'm not a Beatles fan in particular, I just thought it was a good song to use!
I Want to Hold Your Hand Eight Days a Week All You Need is Love Hey Jude Let It Be Love Me Do With a Little Help From My Friends Back in the USSR Get Back Yellow Submarine From Me to You Yesterday In My Life Come Together Nowhere Man Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band Don't Let Me Down All My Loving Drive My Car I Feel Fine She Loves You You've Got to Hide Your Love Away Penny Lane Blackbird Please Please Me Help! A Hard Day's Night
There are people who don't know ANY of these songs? I admit I find that shocking.
Twist and Shout is by the Beatles. If anyone has ever been to a white person's wedding, you know that one.
ETA -- more precisely, they covered it, and that's the version I've heard most often (it's the one in Ferris Bueller's day off)
Not to mention --
Ticket to Ride Can't Buy Me Love Lady Madonna Day Tripper Eleanor Rigby Hello, Goodbye When You're 64 Hippy Hippy Shake I Saw Her Standing There Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds Oh Bla Di Oh Bla Dah Life Goes On (not sure the exact title)
I think it's likely that people are familiar with a lot of these songs, but just never associated them with the Beatles or don't know the names of them. There's a lot of soul and R&B music that I heard all the time on the radio, but never really thought about who sang them until I started listening to internet radio, and the artist was made known to me. But really, I imagine nearly everyone who has lived in the US for the last few decades, regardless of race, is familiar with a number of songs on this list even if they don't realize it.
I Want to Hold Your Hand Eight Days a Week All You Need is Love Hey Jude Let It Be Love Me Do With a Little Help From My Friends Back in the USSR Get Back Yellow Submarine From Me to You Yesterday In My Life Come Together Nowhere Man Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band Don't Let Me Down All My Loving Drive My Car I Feel Fine She Loves You You've Got to Hide Your Love Away Penny Lane Blackbird Please Please Me Help! A Hard Day's Night
There are people who don't know ANY of these songs? I admit I find that shocking.
I'm AA and voted no that I couldn't name a song but since that you posted this list, I recognize some of the songs. I just didn't know they were by the Beetles.
I am white LOL. I was just waiting for someone to be like, "Wait, what? You are really really really white."
LOL, I'm glad @bluesky asked because I was wondering, too. I was like, "wait, Jenny's white, right? But our DDs look alike, so maybe there's some Asian something in there?"
The Beatles are the best selling recording artist of all time. For that reason, I'd say Michael Jackson is a comparable artist, and I'd expect most people to be able to name one of his songs. But Parliament Funkadelic are not in the same universe, commercially speaking, so that's not an apt comparison.
This is my thought process. Especially since as mrssandro mentioned, The Beatles 1 CD (and the Anthology CDs and book) came out over the past 10-20 years, so during our lifetimes. Plus Ringo and Paul just played at the Grammys! So it's not like they've been out of the spotlight.
Also, @barefootbarista, it looks like The Top Notes did "Twist and Shout" first. I knew it was an AA group, but I admit I needed to Google for the name. More Stuff White People Like, especially in the 60s: stealing music originally recorded by black people and getting famous for it