Brad Paisley’s new single Ticks has been raising the eyebrows of country music listeners. It’s typical Brad Paisley humor, but some think this time he’s gone a bit too far.
In case you haven’t heard the song, here are the lyrics:
Everytime you take a sip
in this smoky atmosphere
you press that bottle to your lips
and i wish i was your beer
and in the small there of your back
your jeans are playing peek a boo
I'd like to see the other half
of your butterfly tattoo
Hey that gives me an idea
lets get out of this bar
and drive out into the country
and find a place to park
Cause id like to see you out in the moonlight
I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks
I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers
and I'd like to check you for ticks
I know the perfect little path
out in these woods i used to hunt
dont worry babe ive got your back
and ive also got your front
I'd hate to waste a night like this
I'll keep you safe you wait and see
the only thing allowed to crawl all over you
when we get there is me
You know every guy in here tonight
would like to take you home
but ive got way more class than them
and that aint what i want
Cause id like to see you out in the moonlight
I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks
I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers
and I'd like to check you for ticks
Oooh you never know where one might be
and oooh theres lots of places that are hard to reach
I'd like to see you out in the moonlight
I'd like to kiss you way back in the sticks
I'd like to walk you through a field of wildflowers
and I'd like to check you for ticks
Oh I'd sure like to check you for ticks
Lyrics © Brad Paisley, Kelley Lovelace, and Tim Owens
Judging from country radio airplay, the song is climbing the charts at the pace you would expect from a Brad Paisley lead single. It will be interesting to keep an eye on the song’s success to see if it tapers off any.
Radio programmers seem determined to play it until there’s enough negative feedback to warrant other actions. And they may not get much. Paisley's reputation as the nice guy, family man, and good Christian might help protect him from criticism. Radio programmers seem to be saying, "How harmful can this song be? It’s a Brad Paisley song."
Ticks is far from the best song Brad Paisley has recorded, but it goes to show you that a “hot” artist can take a mediocre song and make it a success on his name alone.
Now, the question is what will you tell your little son or daughter when they hear that line on the radio and ask, "Why would he want to check somebody for ticks?"
Country music has always been considered the one genre that contained a low amount of offensive material in the songs. Let's make sure that doesn't change.
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