Ticked Off?

Brad Paisley's new song contains some adult humor

Apr 11, 2007 Chris Sanders

Country music's good guy Brad Paisley gets a little dirty with the lyrics to his new single.

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.

Related Suite 101 articles:

http://countrymusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/upclose_look_at_the_current_hits

http://countrymusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/acm_awards_nominees_announced

http://countrymusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/male_vocalist_of_the_year

The copyright of the article Ticked Off? in Country Music is owned by Chris Sanders. Permission to republish Ticked Off? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.