Randy Newman salutes ‘Korean Parents’

Randy Newman’s getting his apologies out of the way early. His new album, “Harps & Angels,” isn’t out until Aug. 5, but he knows he’s going to take some hits for the song “Korean Parents,” a portrait of race relations as played out in public education.

Some Jewish kids still trying
Some white kids trying too
But millions of real American kids don’t have a clue
Right here on the lot
We got the answer
A product guaranteed to satisfy …

Korean parents for sale
You say you need a little discipline
Someone to whip you into shape
They’ll be strict but they’ll be fair

Look at the numbers
That’s all I ask
Who’s at the head of every class?
You really think they’re smarter than you are
They just work their asses off
Their parents make them do it …

Newman’s gotten heat in the past for his use of the N-word (“Rednecks”) and has engendered protests from the height-disadvantaged (“Short People”), but has rarely flinched for what he has sung.

This time, it may be different.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be in a position to defend this one, so I’ll apologize now,” the 64-year-old Oscar-winning film composer said over lunch in Santa Monica this week to talk about his first studio album in nearly a decade.

“There’s nothing actually offensive in it,” he said, “except maybe the music, which is stereotypically Asian. But I know some people will be upset.”

-- Randy Lewis

Newman reveals more details about his approach to songwriting in an in-depth interview, coming soon in Calendar.

Photo by Gary Friedman/Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Jenna]

It's funny as hell. Not offensive at all. I can say that since I'm Korean. Randy Newman...we love LA!

[Joe Stanley]

This is an idiotic song by a washed up has been who is trying to stoke controversy in order to get some attention. It's offensive and an insult to the Asian American community.

[dawningmist@earthlink.net, soypaloma@gmail.com, rdworkoski@viewpoint.org, ctew@viewpoint.org]

Not too politically correct.

[Thanks]

Hey Randy,

You contribute to negativity in the world by perpetuating these stereotypes. Your song is just another spur for someone to pick on a kid somewhere. You are just another person making this type of behavior mainstream and acceptable. Your mom should be proud.

[AK]

I was raised by Korean Parents and I do agree they whipped me into shape. I wouldn't be where I am right now withour my parents. However I don't agree with using any stereotype in anyway whether it's good or bad. I am sure and I do know that not all korean parents are fall into that song.

[Ed C.]

Let's see if Randy Newman can try to get a concert date in Seoul after this.

[JMcD]

Randy has no need to apologise.Sounds like the Korean parents are getting a pat on the back for giving their children direction.Of course most Asian parents as a rule seem to follow this path.

[Gary]

Politically correct speech is un-American. Free speech, however offensive to some, is what we must tolerate and celebrate if we're to remain a free country.

[Erik Story]

If what's shown in this story are the entire set of lyrics, then I am much more offended by the message in the first three lines of the song. It implies that some white kids (and Jewish kids, but the overwhelming majority of Jews are white) are the only ones trying hard except for Korean kids. Until very recently I was fortunate enough to be a teacher in an extremely diverse school near Los Angeles. Some of my highest achieving students were black or Latino or Filipino or Samoan, and some of my lowest achieving students were white. Now, mix up those ethnicities in my last sentence and it would still be true. The students who tried hard and the ones who didn't, and the ones who achieved and the ones who didn't, were all over the racial spectrum.

[Phyllis]

Thank god for freedom of speech in America. Randy can say what he wants and the politically correct can't do anything about it except whine.

[AKK]

Why are Koreans not "real Americans"? I'm ethnically Chinese but born and raised in the USA. Am I not a "real American"?

[YWN]

While there is nothing patently offensive about the lyrics, it perpetuates a stereotype, which in the end damages our perception of a culture due to crass assumptions. Let's listen to the song before we judge completely but the lyrics are a step in the wrong direction. "Stereotypically Asian" music? Okay, it's a lame song.

[YWN]

Jenna, please get our permission before you speak for all of us Koreans in L.A.

[jackie]

I wouldn't want to be raised Korean. I'd rather be raised Hungarian.

[Pam]

Randy is a brilliant songwriter and very perceptive. His old songs are still relevant today ("Let's Drop the Big One," etc.) This song is a compliment to Korean parents and it should be received as such. Of course, people do love to be offended...

[SK]

Randy - Great show at the Hollywood Bowl back on the 4th of July. I would need to hear the tune with the lyrics, but on its own, its a funny commentary on his own personal views. What's wrong with that? I'm a KA and I approve this message

[Peter Hong]

I can't see how any discussion generated by this song won't descend into stereotypes. So here I go.
The song is already out of date. Offspring of Korean parents (I'm one) haven't been at the top of every class for a while. We've kind of lost the fire as we've gotten more established.
At elite schools, connected rich kids of all colors and their families have figured out how to rig the system to their advantage and come out on top.
Now I'm a Korean parent and am pretty relaxed, I'd say. I'm fully expecting to get roped into supporting my child through adulthood, like my fellow American peers.
Randy, at 64 you need to write about what you know, man ! Erectile dysfunction, Medicare reimbursement hassles, how many times you have to get up at night to pee, pattern baldness, etc.
That would be great stuff for your fans (I'm one).
You're nowhere near the cutting edge of culture anymore (I'm not being mean, I'm 20 years younger and am in the same boat) accept it and move on ! Embrace your Old Fart-ness !
Don't worry, I'll buy the CD since I can't figure out how to download and file share anyway.

[Eric]

Randy Newman is a brilliant songsmith and a perceptive person. He's obviously appalled at the nosedive in achievement by most high-school kids, Asian-Americans aside. What's wrong with wanting to spur the younger generations on to excellence?
Likewise, those who take umbrage over this song fall into an alarming increase in the number of those who seem to enjoy finding excuses for being insulted.

[chris]

the only offensive line i see is "REAL American kids"....other than that, give people a reason to complain or whine (which is unnecessary or illogical 90% of the time), and they will jump at the chance to waste time

[Kaiser]

I like Randy Newman. I think he is a gifted composer and lyricist. I think steroetypes will always exist and because they always will we can use them to teach ourselves more about each other after all that's a basis of comedy and everybody learns when they laugh. Isn't that what the New Yorker cover is showing everybody? There is nothing prejudicial in his lyrics just ugly truths that people would like to deny and forget about and that is a real loss for Koreans and Non-Koreans

[Jesse Thorn]

Randy Newman is hilarious, this song is hilarious, and it's a joke. The "Real Americans" line is, like most of his songs (I Love LA included) intended ironically.

[j c apthorp]

Have you looked at the suicide rate among asian teens lately. yikes. Oh and by the way Joe, you should be so washed up.

[MDC]

We were once the defenders of an individual's right to speak. We are now all working for the Offense Police.

[a champion of free speech]

So Randy Newman, being the "perceptive person" that he is, observed that Korean parents crack the whip to keep their kids in line. Such brilliant social commentary.

I look forward to more of Mr. Newman's singular insight into the condition of American society. Maybe he will address topics such as why do Mexicans have so many babies. Or how come Polish people are so dumb.

Maybe one day I too can be as brilliant a "songsmith" as Mr. Newman. I already have a title in mind. Just need some lyrics and music. What's the title? Here it is:

"An Italian lady needs more than a Bic to shave above her lip"

I can already see the praise I'll receive as a champion of free speech after I release the song. I will welcome it with open arms. Oh, and several million dollars wouldn't be so bad either.

[A short child of stereotypical Korean Parents]

The nice thing about this country is that if you don't like it, you do not need to spend time or money for this. I, on the other hand, will chuckle.

My parents did not crack nor possess any whips that I am aware of, but they did teach me to work hard, regardless of obstacles. I didn't lead every class in GPA, but I'm smart enough not to take offense with lyrics from a person known to write sarcastic songs.

As for an issue with discipline, the way I've seen kids act and speak in public, I KNOW that would NOT have been tolerated by my Korean parents if I was that child.