# "Blame Canada": the song. It's not even funny in the least. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 28, 2014, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812 "2014-09-28T23:32:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dasmoocher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dbc845/32.png) [@dasmoocher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dasmoocher)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/21 "2014-09-29T03:14:14Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > By the way, just to poke fun at the way people take things seriously, Trey Parker and Matt Stone showed up at the awards ceremonies in drag. I think I read they were tripping on acid, also. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/22 "2014-09-29T03:20:17Z")
> [@Santos\_L\_Halper](#): > > The song got nominated because it’s the only song from the film that could’ve remotely been performed on the Oscars. The rest were far too vulgar. I don’t know, a bleeped version of “Uncle Fucker” replete with the farting-as-tapdancing routine would have gone over well with the Oscar judges in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/23 "2014-09-29T03:32:45Z")
The song cannot be understood outside of the context of the movie - which is of course an important part of a song written for a movie. If you haven’t watched the movie, it isn’t funny because you lack the context. I don’t mean that this is a matter of taste or subjective preference, I mean you literally cannot understand the point of the song. Your complaint is similar to someone who walks into the middle of a conversation, hears only the punchline of a joke, and declares the joke isn’t funny. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/24 "2014-09-29T03:39:12Z")
It works very well as an illustration of multiple concepts in group dynamics theory. It’s one of my go-to videos. Not Uncle Fuckah, though a number of students always beg me to show it as well. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/25 "2014-09-29T03:39:53Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The song cannot be understood outside of the context of the movie - which is of course an important part of a song written for a movie. > > If you haven’t watched the movie, it isn’t funny because you lack the context. I don’t mean that this is a matter of taste or subjective preference, I mean you literally cannot understand the point of the song. Your complaint is similar to someone who walks into the middle of a conversation, hears only the punchline of a joke, and declares the joke isn’t funny. Sure. I get it now and I think Johnny L.A. cleared that up in post #2. However, having no previous knowledge of any of this, and then watching the award-winning 90 second song I was somewhat confounded as to how that was Oscar worthy, That’s why we ask questions here… ---
**Author:** ![RivkahChaya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rivkahchaya/32/8919_2.png) [@RivkahChaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RivkahChaya)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/26 "2014-09-29T03:58:49Z")
IIRC, the last line in the song is “Blame Canada-- before someone thinks of blaming us!” or something like that. I haven’t seen it since it came out, but that pretty much both explains and justifies the song. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/27 "2014-09-29T04:06:27Z")
That Anne Murray is still a bitch, though. And don’t even get me started on Bryan Adams. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/28 "2014-09-29T04:11:02Z")
I’ve never seen a man eat so many chicken wings. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/29 "2014-09-29T04:55:03Z")
Oh, you mean America Jr.? > [@cochrane](#): > > That Anne Murray is still a bitch, though. And don’t even get me started on Bryan Adams. Don’t forget Justin Bieber. ---
**Author:** ![PSXer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/48db29/32.png) [@PSXer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PSXer)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/30 "2014-09-29T05:08:50Z")
Here’s my problem with the movie Kyle’s mom was right. The Terrence and Phillip movie really did corrupt the kids and teach them to use foul language ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/31 "2014-09-29T05:15:34Z")
It’s an absurd song, and it’s freaking hilarious. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/32 "2014-09-29T05:18:10Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Here’s my problem with the movie > > Kyle’s mom was right. The Terrence and Phillip movie really did corrupt the kids and teach them to use foul language But it was super-sweet! ---
**Author:** ![Subterraneanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Subterraneanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subterraneanus)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/33 "2014-09-29T05:22:20Z")
> [@PSXer](#): > > Here’s my problem with the movie > > Kyle’s mom was right. The Terrence and Phillip movie really did corrupt the kids and teach them to use foul language So? That bitch needs to shut the fuck up. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/34 "2014-09-29T05:26:44Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The song cannot be understood outside of the context of the movie - which is of course an important part of a song written for a movie. > > If you haven’t watched the movie, it isn’t funny because you lack the context. I don’t mean that this is a matter of taste or subjective preference, I mean you literally cannot understand the point of the song. Your complaint is similar to someone who walks into the middle of a conversation, hears only the punchline of a joke, and declares the joke isn’t funny. To be fair, most songs in movies, especially those nominated for Oscars, are designed to run over the credits, and are irrelevant to the plot of the film. OTOH, it’s relatively hard to not know that this particular movie in question is a musical, which automatically makes its song plot relevant. If you don’t, listening to it should’ve been a big clue. ---
**Author:** ![Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/budget_player_cadet/32/205_2.png) [@Budget\_Player\_Cadet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Budget_Player_Cadet)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/35 "2014-09-29T05:32:29Z")
> [@RivkahChaya](#): > > IIRC, the last line in the song is “Blame Canada-- before someone thinks of blaming us!” or something like that. I haven’t seen it since it came out, but that pretty much both explains and justifies the song. Bingo. Listen to the last stanza: > [@](#): > > EVERYONE: Blame Canada! Shame on Canada for… > The smut we must cut > The trash we must bash > The laughter and fun must all be undone > We must blame them and cause a fuss > Before somebody thinks of blaming us! I think that it’s in theory possible to get the general gist of the song without the context surrounding it. The lyrics are pretty explicit - “our kids are ruined and it’s because of this cartoon”. “Quick, let’s deflect and blame this on a convenient scapegoat so that we don’t have to blame ourselves”. “Racism!” Sure, it’s funnier and a lot clearer in context, but as such I disagree with **RickJay**. > [@PSXer](#): > > Here’s my problem with the movie > > Kyle’s mom was right. The Terrence and Phillip movie really did corrupt the kids and teach them to use foul language Yes, but this form of “corruption” is utterly innocuous, and could be circumvented by, you know, _being parents_. Remember the scene where Sheila is playing polemecist over the pile of burning Canadian stuff, and Kyle and Stan are trying to get her attention and they just completely ignore them? That’s highly indicative of it. I mean, for god’s sake, the parents took a problem (“My child is swearing because they watched a movie they weren’t allowed to watch in the first place!”) and turned it into an all-out war. ---
**Author:** ![DarkFire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/34f0e0/32.png) [@DarkFire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DarkFire)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 8:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/36 "2014-09-29T08:53:58Z")
One of the main reasons that it got nominated, in my opinion at least, is that regardless of where it comes from, what the lyrics are and what they’re about, it’s a very nice musical-style song. Nice build up and everything. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hartwick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7feea3/32.png) [@Dave\_Hartwick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dave_Hartwick)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 9:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/37 "2014-09-29T09:47:14Z")
Is it unfunny like the [40-Year-Old Virgin](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=706847)? Is it also boring like [2001](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734775)? Or maybe it’s just confusing you that some people enjoy something you don’t, like [ventriloquism](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/archive/index.php/t-620566.html). ---
**Author:** ![TheChileanBlob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thechileanblob/32/435_2.png) [@TheChileanBlob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheChileanBlob)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 10:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/38 "2014-09-29T10:01:12Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > That Anne Murray is still a bitch, though. And don’t even get me started on Bryan Adams. Come on now. The Canadian government has apologized for Bryan Adams on numerous occasions… ---
**Author:** ![leahcim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b4bc9f/32.png) [@leahcim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leahcim)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/39 "2014-09-29T10:55:34Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Don’t forget Justin Bieber. When Canada is dead and gone there’ll be no more Celine Dion! ---
**Author:** ![RikWriter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/49beb7/32.png) [@RikWriter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RikWriter)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2014, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812/40 "2014-09-29T11:13:42Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > OK, so I don’t watch South Park because it’s just not funny Stopped reading right there. Too egregious a misstatement to go further. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/blame-canada-the-song-its-not-even-funny-in-the-least/699812.md?page=3)