# Explain to me why "Pants on the Ground" is funny. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 21, 2010, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822 "2010-01-21T11:03:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/21 "2010-01-21T16:53:16Z")
Not much of a “song” though is it? More like a jingle. It’s what, 2 lines repeated? “Muffin top, muffin top, pants too tight with your muffin top. Shirt too small, belly button showin all.” © What do I win? ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/22 "2010-01-21T18:29:00Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > I guarantee that he did not patent it. Songs are not inventions, and thus, not patentable. > > He probably didn’t copyright it either; however, according to the Berne convention, he doesn’t have to in order to legitimately claim a copyright. But to get on AI, he probably had to sign away all rights relating to his appearance. The lawyer is probably trying to dial that back a little bit. ---
**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/23 "2010-01-21T18:31:18Z")
> [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](#): > > I think the show airing on MLK day might have had something to do with it too His episode was on last week, not MLK day. I know this because I was talking to a coworker about the audition on Saturday afternoon (I’m utterly convinced that the coworker is somehow separated at birth from Platt). It’s funny for all the reasons people have stated: one, to see a 63 year old guy jump all over the place and ‘sing’ with a modicum of talent is amusing; two, for once the older generation yelling about the younger generation’s differences is actually RIGHT- they look like morons; three, he was clearly having fun with the whole thing, and seeing someone else having fun tends to be contagious; and four, it’s a non-threatening way to get a message across that otherwise falls on deaf ears. We tell the kids at work all the damn time to pull their pants up/wear a belt, and they either ignore us or get all offended that we would dare criticize their cultural expression. Now we can just sing at them, and they’ll be so horrified they won’t have a choice but cave to our whims. I think it’s hiliarious, personally, but a lot of it was the delivery. ---
**Author:** ![ministryman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f6c823/32.png) [@ministryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ministryman)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/24 "2010-01-21T20:32:35Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Not much of a “song” though is it? > More like a jingle. It’s what, 2 lines repeated? > “Muffin top, muffin top, > pants too tight with your muffin top. > Shirt too small, belly button showin all.” > (c) > > What do I win? If you are under 28, then bring that to Season 10 of American Idol. But it should be: big muffin top, big muffin top; lookin kinda preggers with that big muffin top. Pants too small, top too short; get a bigger size and hide that muffin top! (c) 2010, “ministryman” and [CrackedMusic.com](http://CrackedMusic.com). All rights reserved. None of this may be quoted, reproduced, or SUNG without my express written consent. Muahahahahahahah! ---
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/25 "2010-01-21T22:52:29Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > The reason I know this is because I was at [phonezoo.com](http://phonezoo.com) yesterday to get the Geico boss’s ringtone (ringedy ding ding ding dong) … Link? ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/26 "2010-01-21T22:56:29Z")
Not only is it a silly song, but it’s also commentary on modern black culture wrapped into a catchy tune. I think that’s why people like it. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2010, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/27 "2010-01-21T23:39:57Z")
> [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](#): > > Link? [Geico boss ringtone](http://www.phonezoo.com/ringtone/144135719/geico-boss-tone.htm) as requested. ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/28 "2010-01-22T02:16:32Z")
> [@Speak\_to\_me\_Maddie](#): > > It’s not like anybody is rotfl at the bit, it is just a silly thing that is mildy amusing. Add to that _American Idol_ is the most watched show in the states and you get a cute catch phrase that people can kinda chuckle over with each other at work, school, church, and even with strangers. _Saturday Night Live_ used to be the cultural output for these little national in-jokes, but they dropped the ball and for the time being _Idol_ has picked it up. > > Larry Platt isn’t delusional either. Cleraly he didn’t think he would make it. Apparently he was locally known enough to get that last spot on purpose. I think the show airing on MLK day might have had something to do with it too since Platt is a known [civil right activist](http://www.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2010/01/general-larry-platt-a-closer-look/1). I was going to bring this up as well. It’s too bad he’s known more for “Pants On the Ground” than his years of activism. ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/29 "2010-01-22T02:41:22Z")
[Jo Stafford (As Darlene Edwards)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8do_Vsc4Frw) and [Mrs Miller](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mrs_Miller) had some decent recording of songs they totally messed up on purpose ---
**Author:** ![Salem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@Salem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Salem)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/30 "2010-01-22T03:06:39Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > And what a fine way to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, jr. on his birthday, by putting an old black man on TV, dancing around and making a fool himself, while three millionaires laugh their asses off at him. I don’t think it had anything to do with MLK and I don’t think anyone is laughing _ **at** _ him. In the midst of all the drama and the angst of the young contestants and the ones who _were_ being laughed at (which I personally think gets cruel at times and that pisses me off), out comes this awesome guy, upright and proud and then breaks into his song and dance. And it’s not only so not what was expected (the key to most humor) but once you listened to the lyrics, at least as someone well past the age where the subject matter would be deemed cool (or hot or chill or whatever temperature is the right one these days), all I could envision was some punk kid with his pants riding under his ass and you knew exactly where this guy was coming from. Yes, guy, you’ve got it just right. You’ve hit it on the head. Lookin’ like a fool with your pants on the ground. Yes, they do, thank you. I was cheering the guy on, not laughing at him and from every comment I’ve heard or read, the same sentiment is echoed. No one’s laughing at HIM, they’re laughing at the fools with their pants on the ground, their gold in their mouth and their hats on sideways. And it is a catchy little jingle. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/31 "2010-01-22T03:49:14Z")
> [@In\_Winnipeg](#): > > I bet Bill Cosby likes it. Randy liked it. The pants thing is a generational divide. I’m a white guy but of the General’s generation and though we may not have a lot in common, that’s one thing we do. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/32 "2010-01-22T03:56:10Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > [Jo Stafford (As Darlene Edwards)](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8do_Vsc4Frw) But I LOVE Jo Stafford, though her prime was around when I was born. She was faking it and it showed. The woman you want is the incomparable [Florence Foster Jenkins,](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtf2Q4yyuJ0) who was the personification of “more money than talent.” But I suspect even she got the joke. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/33 "2010-01-22T03:57:50Z")
> [@mobo85](#): > > Not only is it a silly song, but it’s also commentary on modern black culture wrapped into a catchy tune. :dubious: Black urban adolescent thug fashion != “modern black culture”. I completely agree that POTG is a fun little ditty mocking a particularly silly contemporary sartorial fad in an enjoyable way, but let’s not broad-brush ourselves into vacuity here. Personally, I think the current fashion trend of wearing boned corsets as tank tops also looks dumb as hell, and I’d love to see someone do a diss rap on that stupid fad as well. But I wouldn’t consider it a “commentary on modern white culture”. ---
**Author:** ![mkecane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9e8a1a/32.png) [@mkecane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mkecane)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/34 "2010-01-22T04:16:55Z")
Reading explanations of the lyrics reminds me of Chris Rock’s “I’m tired of defending rap.” > [@](#): > > It’s hard to defend “I’ve got hos in different area codes”. It’s hard to defend “Move bitch, get out the way”! > > (explaining) Well, as you can see, there’s a bitch in his way, that he needs to move. Thus the term, “Move, bitch, get out the way”. You need to open your eyes so you can get the bitches out of your way! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/35 "2010-01-22T04:43:56Z")
> [@mkecane](#): > > Reading explanations of the lyrics reminds me of Chris Rock’s “I’m tired of defending rap.” There is a convergence of thinking as people approach middle-age. None of us, black, brown, yellow, or white, want the little bastards, ethnicity also irrelevant, walking on our lawns. I’m white, male, and middle aged. I regularly find more in common with black females my age than with my childrens’ friends. One connection is that our kids’ friends are looking like fools with their pants on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![Taber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ac91a4/32.png) [@Taber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taber)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/36 "2010-01-22T06:03:36Z")
> [@ministryman](#): > > If you are under 28, then bring that to Season 10 of American Idol. > (c) 2010, “ministryman” and [CrackedMusic.com](http://CrackedMusic.com). All rights reserved. None of this may be quoted, reproduced, or SUNG without my express written consent. Express written consent quoted. Sucker! ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/37 "2010-01-22T06:25:49Z")
Here is Jimmy Fallon’s [take](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/20/the-roots-and-randy-jacks_n_429515.html) on the song. ---
**Author:** ![johnspartan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a183cd/32.png) [@johnspartan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnspartan)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2010, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822/38 "2010-01-22T20:31:21Z")
Generally, the generational thing is just older people “not getting” what younger people are doing in fashion. Ya know the old “why do they do that with their hair” or “OMG an earring” or whatever. But the jailing (low-slung pants thing) is… well… like he said “You look like a FOOL with your pants on the ground” 🙂 “it’s funny because it’s true” 🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/explain-to-me-why-pants-on-the-ground-is-funny/525822.md?page=1)