Pretty Fly For a
White Guy – A Psychoanalysis
By: David McGhee
First off I would
like to set the tone of character for our subject, Bryan “Dexter”
Holland, of the acclaimed punk rock combo “The Offspring.” The
name itself rife with meaning and does suggest a sense of superiority
towards his elders. But we are here today to discuss the band's most
popular song. Which if you take a closer look, you see a cascade of
racism and pity for the lesser endowed man.
Dexter grew up in
Garden Grove, Orange County, California, which was at the time and
still is, a high rent area. So we know that Dexter had means during
his young and adolescent years. During puberty he attained what only
3.9 percent of American men will be at full height. Standing at 6'2”
he automatically exudes authority and could have possibly been self
entitled. Though it is rare to have a tall person without an equally
endowed temperment
it can probably be
said that all in all, he is probably a nice guy. We have witnesses
Seth Green, who worked with the band in the movie “Idle Hands.”
He said that they were really cool guys. Guys as in two or more or as
in all? The world may never know. But for the sake of this argument
say he is of the average male variety with an average height / temper
ratio.
He has admitted in
the press that not attaining success until he was nearly thirty has
made him appreciate his wealth and social standing. But as said, he
grew up with means and was in a family that actively encouraged
academia and he has a degree in molecular biology. So he's an intelligent
man. Which, you guessed it. Is common in men of higher altitude
And before you start
judging this man, remember that taller men also get more poon tang.
*Look up citation
for taller men more sex*
“Gunter glieben
glauchen globan”
This sample (from
Def Leppard's “Rock of Ages,” a song presumably about the history
of rock and roll, from it's blues inspired roots up to the eighties
“cock rock,” or “Hair Metal”) has no actual meaning in the
words themselves. But the vein in which it proceeds is very German in
sound. More Austrian maybe? Perhaps this is a shout out to the great
Austrian physician, a one “Dr. Sigmund Freud,” most famous for
being the father of analytical psychoanalysis. Perhaps this song has
great historical context and has, in facto, opened itself to
evaluation by even the most amateurish of thinkers.
“Give it to me
baby
Ah ha, ah ha
Give it to me baby
Ah ha, ah ha”
The female voice is
not that of his sexual partner. It was a session artist. And one of
that nature can be told what to say and how to say it. The fact that
Dexter had her say sexually suggestive lyrics in a Hispanic accent is
perhaps a euphemism on the subject's choice of quality in girls. The
“Ah ha's” can very well be coming from a deep lingering for
attractive Hispanic females. Or if one was to play Devil's advocate
you could say that he is, in that way that rich people seem to be,
just a little bit racist.
He has already said
“Niggers” twice in the deceptively catchy little diddy titled
LAPD. Although you could put it in context as an allegory for the
oppressive LAPD and their arresting methods. He also calls out his
own race when he says “Beat all the white trash” during the same
song. But it does not seem to have the impact that the other word
did.
So with that in
mind and from reading the lyrics ahead of time (pardon me for that)
it is probably more in the vein of one mocking Latino's and their
dialect. Dexter uses a lot of Spanish influence his music. Their
fourth album was titled “Ixnay on the Hombre” and had matching
Spanish inspired album art with references to Day of the Dead. So
there is a chance he does not see just how racist he is being and is
just portraying them as he accurately sees and hears them, you know,
like in cartoons, specifically Speedy Gonzales.
“And all the
girlies say I'm pretty fly, for a white guy”
Is this a
declaration or a presumption? It has to be assured that a female has
said this to the song's subject at least once during his life time. A
man of his height, attractiveness, intelligence, and money can easily
get any girl to say positive things about your esteem. Which may be
the case here. After all, women be hookers and stuff.
“Uno, dos, tres,
cuatro, cinco cinco, seis”
The use of Spanish
in this song signifies the racial boundaries Brian Holland will
cross. For he knows no limit to his mockery. Undoubtedly suffering
from self esteem of the positive variety. Brian is confident enough
in his standing to pronounce his personal ideals on those within ear
shot of this song's lyrics. Pushing an agenda maybe? Let's look
further.
“You know it's
kind of hard
Just to get along
today
Our subject isn't
cool
But he fakes it
anyway”
Dexter incites
observations here that he would not know unless the subject was he
himself. Dexter's Latino fetish can be observed on two other tracks
“Original Prankster” and “OC Guns” which makes one to think
that he possibly has lower self esteem than he puts out? Perhaps this
song was written in order for him to come to terms with his longing
to be a wigger. Oh Dexter, if only you had the money and means to
seek therapy, it could help you with your identity crisis (another
example of this aforementioned identity crisis: “Days Go By”)
“He may not have a
clue
He may not have
style”
Dexter sings this,
yet is continually seen wearing T-Shirts of a more humorous, and
juvenile, nature. Making one wonder what his standards for the
appropriate dress just might be. Perhaps he is a shirt and jeans man,
like so many others. He lacks the sense of pride that would prevent
him from wearing such ill advised attire.
“But every he
lacks
Well he makes up in
denial”
But Dexter, aren't
you aware that you yourself may be in denial. Perhaps about you may
believe that the high notes you normally hit are in fact that,
normal. But typical for most males over the age of thirteen, such
pitches are well out of range. Although I would go as far as saying
that singing in that high of a key is effeminate, but, come on,
Sting!
*It is also to my
knowledge that The Offspring have in fact covered The Police record
“Next to You.” which sits perfectly well in Dexter's range. So...
Like, come on, Sting!
“So don't debate
A player straight
You know he doesn't
get it anyway”
Perhaps Dexter's
assessment of this man's place in society has been askewed. For
everyone has their own uniqueness to them. Who is to say that he in
fact does have style, perhaps one that will be fashionable in the
coming years. This is a narrow remark that would be common amongst
men of his height, temperament, and upbringing. To him he sees what
many people have been dubbed “Wiggers.” A combination of both
“White” and the highly negative word “Nigger,” this term can
given to anyone of limited means who may enjoy that recordings from
rap artists and DJ masters and acts in mannerisms and speaks in
dialect as such as the widely accepted and popularized persona of the
ignorant male or female of African descent. It is considered a racist
term for having both the root word being racist and the word itself
being a blatant bigotry against white Americans. Wigger's British
counterpart is the word, slang “Chav.” Leave it to the British to
make racism sound refined.
“He's gonna play
the field
And keep it real
For you no way, for
you no way”
This seems to be
confusing on some aspects. Seeing as Dexter clearly states that the
subject in question will, in fact, play the field and keep it real.
But for you no way? It appears that the man in question will revert
from his lifestyle and music of choice back into his original
personality if another human being is present. Confusing matters is
that when does the subject display his ebonic vernacular or his jeans
that fall to the bottom of his glutes, he is immediately dismissed as
a “poser.” Which I believe constitutes posing of some kind. I
don't know, kids today say a lot of mean things about each other.
“So if you don't
rate, just overcompensate
At least you'll know
you can always go on Ricki Lake”
Assuming the
subject of the song is still “posing” at this point, it is
suggested that if he does not meet up to the strict codes of the
commercialized African American conduct and appearance, then one is
to take it up another notch, which would in fact make Dexter's
fictionl “wigger” that much more racist.
And to say that him
and people of his ilk are entertaining enough in their private
affairs as to give it audience on the Ricki Lake show. Forever
burning 1997 into the song, making it dated once, and since, the
Ricki Lake show went off the air. But once it was the epoch of
eastern southern culture. A many a baby daddy gonna man up and do the
right thing thanks to the assistance of Misses Ricki Lake.
Exploitation never became so much of a theater and to mind you that
this predates the most offensive of Jerry Springer shows. Ricki Lake
was once the woman with the magic touch. One straight talk from Miss
Lake would in effect cause a troubled young man or woman to change
their promiscuous ways in ebonics too slurred in southern drawl to
decipher properly.
“The world needs
wannabe's
So hey! Hey! Do that
brand new thing!”
Dexter for once
applauds the ones undetermined to make their place rightly in
society. For if one is rich, then another must be poor. We are not a
nation of equals, which this song presents with an astounding amount
of shouting. We are all different and unique snowflakes who must make
our mark anyway you can. If you can't, then strive to be around those
who are of a greater fortune than oneself.
Basically we need
all kinds of people to make a proverbial rainbow. Everyone fills some
niche that society needs filling. Some are just taller, more
handsome, richer, have a bigger dick, is a stupid awful human being
who is shitty and takes my girlfriend and fuc... I mean, everyone is
important. That works right?
Also, Dexter
declaring that his subject must do this “brand new thing,” after
multiple listenings and deep analysis, I have determined this to be
sarcastic.
*Cow bell*
The cowbell can
only represent the ideology that our civilization was founded on
agriculture and the breeding and slaughter of animals. The fact that
the cow wears a bell is not lost on Brian Holland, who in reference
to our great industrialized nation, sampled the cow bell from Rock of
Ages.
“He needs some
cool tunes
Not just any will
suffice
They didn't have Ice
Cube
So he bought Vanilla
Ice”
To make the
assumption that even the most limited of thinkers would not be able
to discern the difference between Ice Cube (who has, in the past,
been associated with various bitches and hos) and Vanilla Ice (who
has been associated with various defunct reality programming). But if
such a person of low IQ exists, it is perhaps due to a genetic
abnormality that prevents one from recognizing that Ice Cube, to
quote my Djing and rapping counterparts, da man gots skillz.
“Now cruising in
his Pinto, he sees homies as he pass
But if he looks
twice
They're gonna kick
his lily ass!”
This is of course
assuming the size and quantity of said “homies” with the physical
dimensions, health, size, and fitness of the accosted party. To say
one is “lily” is to compare a rose with a dying fetus, in
aggressiveness that is. If one is to go by the young male in the
video, we would assume that some of the more aggressive fifth graders
could take this guy on in a bout of fisticuffs.
Although this might
be the idea, putting one of small stature and of dubious mental
functionality into the adver-tainment (advertising meet
entertainment) that is the musical video, therefore cementing one's
idea of the song's subject. To further this idea of the young male
being sung about in the video is sporting a backwards cap and a
basketball jersey. Also he is seen throwing gang related signatures
to passing “homies.” Thus connecting in that social way that is a
beat down.
One last point
about these lyrics is that they are killing two very racist birds
with one stone. Insinuating that these “homies” are ill tempered
and that the white protagonist cannot be an effective member of the
hip hop culture are both, how do I say this gently? This is one
racist song.
“Now he's getting
a tattoo
He's getting ink
done
He asked for a 13,
but they drew a 31”
If one was not to
receive the tattoo they had inquired about previously prior to sale,
then that would definitely be a great disadvantage to the tattooer
and the business establishment in which he works. It would open up
all sorts of legal action. Which men of limited means and inadequate
education are known to do with the prospects at receiving a large
cash settlement are in the forefront of their minds. Perhaps this set
up is another one of Brian's dexterous word play? Open to
psychoanalysis this song is indeed! For Brian has made the connection
between “white trash” and malpractice at law. Truly clever.
Friends would say
he's trying too hard
And he's not quite
hip
But in his own mind
He's the dopest
trip”
What constitutes a
good friend? Somebody who tells this poor man he's an important
addition to the getto culture of our suburbs, or somebody (male or
female) who does not encourage his attempts at being street and helps
him find his own unique identity. This is assuming, but it is clear
to see, that perhaps this song is in effect a deep personalization at
Brian's own identity crisis, seeing as he prefers to be called
“Dexter” in parody of his intelligence. Thus assuming an identity
of the lead singer / lead guitarist of the Offspring. Can one
separate themselves from their career? Or does the labor induce such
gratifying heights that one cannot separate himself.
The man being sung
about is also of the mind to believe that he is “the dopest trip.”
This signifies a multitude of possible personality disorders ranging
from narcissistic personality disorder to delusions of grandeur. The
subject would be advised to attend empathy help groups provided by
his mental health provider, should he seek one.
“Give it to me
baby
Ah ha, ah ha
Give it to me baby
Ah ha, ah ha”
It is to be assumed
that these words take on a darker context with the prior analysis in
mind. They offer to give it, and Brian agrees, but what has been
given in the first place? Has one achieved greatness through working
through one's racism and hate through song? Has a higher level of
empathy been acquired? Perhaps not, but for one to conspire against
one another via a tuneful romp in B minor? That shows a level of
malevolence not seen outside your local high school. It is a sad
state of affairs when a rich kid jock goes about making fun of those
less endowed than he. But is is known that those with narcissistic
personality disorder revel in the aftermath of ruining another's
social standing in the surrounding territories of concerned persons.
