I can remember a Randy Newman interview a few years ago.

the interviewer - typical BBC type - in a plum job and congratulating himself for his perspicacity and je ne sais quoi, says Mr Newman, in your songs - you seem to be commenting on the way that people from the southern states in the USA, with a deep south accent will be adjuged racist, and unintelligent.

Randy Newman says, well predjudice happens all over the world. It certainly happens here in England. Today I heard someone say ...oh he's from Yorkshire - as though that explains his personality....

BBC man says, that's not the same sort of thing at all!

Randy Newman smiled grimly.

And you could hear all northerners through the ether going - oh yes it is mate!