Context: I first saw the new movie adaption of Hairspray with my little sister last August. As I recall, I couldn’t stop smiling through the entire movie. It made me laugh constantly! When I asked for the DVD for Christmas, my aunt gave me the collector’s edition CD instead…I think she got confused, but I really like it! Listening to the music from the movie/musical has helped me catch irony that I wouldn’t have caught if I hadn’t listened carefully to the words themselves. One of my favorites is the theme song of the all-important “Corny Collins Show,” which is entitled, “The Nicest Kids in Town.” Watch out! You could easily get it stuck in your head!Lyrics:
The Nicest Kids in Town
CORNY:
Hey there, Teenage Baltimore!
Don't change that channel!
'Cause it's time for the Corny Collins Show!
Brought to you by Ultra Clutch Hairspray!
CORNY (& COUNCIL MEMBERS):
Ev'ry afternoonWhen the clock strikes four
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)
A crazy bunch of kids Crash through that door
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)
They throw off their coats
And leave the squares behind
And then they shake it, shake it, shake it
Like they're losing their mind
You'll never see them frown
'Cause they're the nicest kids in town
Every afternoon
You turn your T.V. on
(na, na, na, na, na, na-na-na-na)
And we know you turn the sound up
When your parents are gone, yeah
(na, na, na, na, na, na-na-na-na)
And then you twist and shout
For your favorite star
And once you've practiced every step
That's in your repertoire
You better come on down
And meet the nicest kids in town
Nice white kids
Who like to lead the way
And once a month
We have our "negro day!"
And I'm the man who keeps it spinnin' round
Mr. Corny Collins
With the latest, greatest
Baltimore sound!!
So every afternoon
Drop everything
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)
Who needs to read and write
When you can dance and sing?
(bop-bee-ba, ba-ba-ba-ba, bee-ba)
Forget about your algebra
And calculus
You can always do your homework
On the morning bus
Can't tell a verb from a noun
They're the nicest kids in town
R-R-R-Roll Call!!
COUNCIL MEMBERS:
I'm Amber!Brad!
Tammy!Fender!Brenda!Sketch!
Shelley!I.Q!Lou Ann!
Joey!Mikey, Vicki, Becky, Bix,
Jessie, Darla, Paulie!
Noreen!Doreen!
And I'm...LINK!
(All of the girls scream.)
CORNY (& COUNCIL MEMBERS):
So, if every night you're shaking
As you lie in bed
(pony-pony, ooh, pony-pony)
And the bass and drums
Are pounding in your head
(mony-mony, ooh, mony-mony)
Who cares about sleep
When you can snooze inSchool?
You'll never get to college
But you sure look cool
Don't need a cap and a gown
'Cause they're the nicest Kids in town
They're the nicest. Nicest
They're the nicest, nicest
They're the sugar 'n' spicest,
The nicest kids in... Kids in town!
Analysis: This song is basically lampooning the stereotypical teenage “celebrity” obsession. The music is upbeat and happy, but the words, sung with such smiley enthusiasm, are pure parody. Statements such as, “who needs to read and write when you can dance and sing?” and “you’ll never get to college but you’ll sure look cool” are direct commentary on stereotypical teenage thought. Do all teenagers think that music, dancing, and TV shows are more important than education? I sure hope not! For the ones who do feel that way, this song is for you! Also embedded in the song is the racist message of the pre-1960’s era, “Nice white kids who like to lead the way, and once a month we have our Negro day!” The song does a great job of making
this statement sound suitably ridiculous. In short, these are extremely clever lyrics sung in an over-the-top, ridiculous style that makes the fake messages show their true transparency. But be careful! If you listen to this song too much, you’ll find “[it’s] base and drums [won’t stop] pounding in your head!”
Analysis: This song is basically lampooning the stereotypical teenage “celebrity” obsession. The music is upbeat and happy, but the words, sung with such smiley enthusiasm, are pure parody. Statements such as, “who needs to read and write when you can dance and sing?” and “you’ll never get to college but you’ll sure look cool” are direct commentary on stereotypical teenage thought. Do all teenagers think that music, dancing, and TV shows are more important than education? I sure hope not! For the ones who do feel that way, this song is for you! Also embedded in the song is the racist message of the pre-1960’s era, “Nice white kids who like to lead the way, and once a month we have our Negro day!” The song does a great job of making
this statement sound suitably ridiculous. In short, these are extremely clever lyrics sung in an over-the-top, ridiculous style that makes the fake messages show their true transparency. But be careful! If you listen to this song too much, you’ll find “[it’s] base and drums [won’t stop] pounding in your head!”Educational Value: This song can be used to open class discussions about the value of education. Why is education important? If we all “looked cool” and were the “nicest kids in town” as Corny suggests we should aspire to be, what would our world be like? Also, these lyrics can be used as a perfect example when an English class learns the concept of irony or satire. The racist statement in the song can also open a discussion about equity in America.
1 comment:
you might also consider using something from the film or the CD to discuss how race is represented in contemporary America as opposed to actual footage from the time depicted in the film. what does our ability to parody the situation currently say about the passage of time and our ability to deal with issues. I am also intererested in the investigation of the original film as compared to this one.
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