The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #126959 Message #2826432
Posted By: Steve Gardham
31-Jan-10 - 11:40 AM
Thread Name: Parody songs: can they insult and hurt?
Subject: RE: Parody songs: can they insult and hurt?
Parody's in many ways are like jokes. Some jokes are very offensive, racist ones for example, and a similar situation can apply to parodies.
Also you have to take into account one man's meat is another man's poison. Some people will take offence at virtually anything. It's all about sensitivities. In parodying folk song the authors are usually long gone or are unknown so you can't offend them. However, as already pointed out, if someone absolutely loves a serious song and you sing a comic parody then that can be seen as offensive. As the man says play it carefully and judge your audience carefully.
Also another factor to take into account is fashion. What people accepted and laughed at say only 10 years ago may now be seen as offensive.