"Uncle Remus"
Song by Frank Zappa
from the album Apostrophe (')
ReleasedMarch 1974
RecordedMay 24, 1972
c. 1973
Length2:50
LabelDiscReet
Songwriter(s)Frank Zappa
George Duke
Producer(s)Frank Zappa

"Uncle Remus" is a song written by American musicians Frank Zappa and George Duke, and first released on Zappa's 1974 album Apostrophe (').[1][2] The name of the song is derived from Uncle Remus, a fictional character found in works by writer Joel Chandler Harris. The song has been said to reflect Zappa's feelings about racism and the civil rights movement, themes which had previously been explored in his earlier song "Trouble Every Day".

Composition

The lyrics of "Uncle Remus" have been said to reflect Zappa's thoughts regarding racial tensions in the United States, including the civil rights movement and civil rights work that has not been done.[2][3] It has also been described as an extension of Zappa's feelings on racism featured on his earlier song "Trouble Every Day".[4] The lyrics, "Just keep your nose, to the grindstone they say. Will that redeem us, Uncle Remus", questions whether despite their best efforts, if racial equality can ever be achieved. Author Ben Watson called the song "a gentle reprimand, noting how protest was being abandoned for fashion", citing Zappa's mention of growing a "'fro", along with water from fire hoses used in protests having the potential to harm "sharp" clothes.[5]

The song's lyrics also refer to lawn jockeys,[5][6] statuettes that often depicted black figures with exaggerated features. Zappa sings about targeting jockeys on the lawns of "rich people" as a form of protest in Beverly Hills, suggesting a connection between class and race.[7]

Release

"Uncle Remus" first appeared on Zappa's eighteenth album, Apostrophe ('), released in March 1974.[1][2] Duke released an alternate version of the song with a more gospel-like arrangement on his 1975 album The Aura Will Prevail.[8][9] Yet another alternate version of the song, "Uncle Remus (Mix Outtake)", was included on the 2016 Zappa compilation album The Crux of the Biscuit.[10][11] Another alternate version, this time instrumental, was released on Zappa's 2022 boxset Waka/Wazoo.

Personnel

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References

  1. ^ a b "George Duke". The Telegraph. September 3, 2013. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Lowe, Kelly Fisher (2007). The Words and Music of Frank Zappa. Bison Books. p. 112. ISBN 978-0803260054.
  3. ^ Corcelli, John (2016). Frank Zappa FAQ: All That's Left to Know About the Father of Invention. Backbeat Books. ISBN 978-1617136030.
  4. ^ Huey, Steve (2001). All Music Guide: The Definitive Guide To Popular Music, 4th Edition. Hal Leonard Corp./Backbeat Books. p. 459. ISBN 978-0879306274.
  5. ^ a b Watson, Ben (2006). Frank Zappa: The Complete Guide to His Music. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1844498659.
  6. ^ DiBlasi & Willis 2014, p. 10–11.
  7. ^ DiBlasi & Willis 2014, p. 11.
  8. ^ Kelman, John (June 18, 2008). "George Duke: George Duke: My Soul – The Complete MPS Fusion Recordings". All About Jazz. Retrieved September 13, 2020.
  9. ^ Slaven, Neil (2009). Electric Don Quixote: The Definitive Story Of Frank Zappa: The Story of Frank Zappa. Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-0-85712-043-4.
  10. ^ Giles, Jeff (June 10, 2016). "Frank Zappa Vault Opens for Two New Releases in July". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
  11. ^ Havens, Lyndsey (June 13, 2016). "Two unreleased Frank Zappa albums will emerge from the vaults this July". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved June 16, 2020.

Bibliography

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