The Black Klansman

Album: The Black Klansman (1966)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • No, this is not a novelty record but the title song of a somewhat off-beat film. The Black Klansman was released in June 1966; it was directed by a man whose forte was films about astro-zombies and the like. Shortly renamed Brutes, it was inspired by the civil rights movement.

    In this film, a light-skinned black man who is living the dream in California hears that his young daughter in Alabama has been murdered in a terrorist attack. Inflamed with passion, he decides to pass for white, return to his hometown and hunt down the murderer. This song conveys that much. It appears to have been released (or simply demoed) as a one-sided single written and performed by an ASCAP member named Tony Harris. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England
  • Decades later, Dave Chappelle took on a similar topic (albeit with far more levity) in his bit, The Black White Supremacist.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

George Clinton

George ClintonSongwriter Interviews

When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining Victims

Jay, Peaches, Spinderella and other Darrining VictimsSong Writing

Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.

Gentle Giant

Gentle GiantSongwriter Interviews

An interview with Ray and Derek Shulman of the progressive rock band Gentle Giant to discuss counterpoint, polyrhythms, and... Bon Jovi.

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."