Pants on the Ground

"Pants on the Ground"
Single by "General" Larry Platt
Released February 4, 2010
Format Digital download
Genre hip hop, outsider
Length 3:30
Label American King Music
Writer(s) Larry Platt, Carlos Thornton
Producer(s) Los Vegaz

“Pants on the Ground” is a novelty/protest song which, in 2010, became the first single that civil rights activist "General" Larry Platt, who co-wrote it, released. The song is meant to protest the practice of sagging. It was released on American King Music on February 4, 2010. The song became an internet meme after being performed during the Atlanta audition for American Idol that aired on January 13, 2010.

Production

The song was first performed in 2001 by "General" Larry Platt in the streets of Atlanta during many campaigns for elected municipal officials across the city of Atlanta, and he had professionally recorded it as early as 2002. The "General" is also known for performing the song publicly in events and functions around the city of Atlanta including a live performance at the Sweet Auburn Heritage Festival in October 2009 and Centennial Olympic Park in 2008. Platt was encouraged to perform the song during the ninth American Idol season auditions by civil rights activist Sally Harley. After he performed the song in response to her encouragement, it gained popularity as a viral hit.[1] Platt's former manager Jason Mills released the studio version of the song, without Platt's consent. The single version of the song was released on February 4, 2010 by American King Music for MP3 download where the song has reportedly sold more than 260,000 downloads.[2] Platt has been offered deals by several labels including Melee Entertainment, Jake Records and others have also entered negotiations with Larry Platt to produce a single of the hit song, but due to the unauthorized distribution of the song by American King Music it has been difficult to navigate.[3] It was reported that Platt's former manager Jason Mills intended to promote the song servicing radio stations to gain exposure, which is a common music industry practice. Platt has since secured new management under a firm based in Atlanta headed up by Earl Little.

Parodies

Several celebrities performed the song in the days that followed the original airing of Platt's audition. This included late night talk show host Jimmy Fallon, who performed a version of the song while also impersonating Neil Young on his show Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.[4] NFL quarterback Brett Favre was also caught leading the Minnesota Vikings in a performance of the song in their locker room following their game against the Dallas Cowboys in the 2009–10 NFL playoffs.[5] Today Show hosts Meredith Vieira, Matt Lauer, Al Roker and Ann Curry also organized a performance of the song. Canadian MLA T.J. Burke also performed a rendition of the song in criticizing Progressive Conservative opposition leader David Alward during a session of the New Brunswick provincial legislature. Platt himself made a subsequent appearance on ABC's The View on January 18, 2010, where he performed the song in its entirety. "Pants on the Ground" was also sung on WWE's Royal Rumble 2010 PPV event, in a backstage segment between Teddy Long, Cryme Tyme, Ranjin Singh, and The Great Khali. Tyler Perry, in character as Mabel "Madea" Simmons, performed the Madea remix to this song in the play Madea's Big Happy Family, which he had written for the stage.

Chart performances

Charts (2010)[6][7] Position
Canadian Hot 100 63
US Billboard Hot 100 46

Live performances

Platt performed the song outside the Grammys.[8]

The song was performed at the American Idol Finale by Platt, accompanied by William Hung and a crew of dancers who dropped their pants as part of the act.[9]

During some concerts, Florida-based Christian rock band Among the Thirsty performs a verse from "Pants on the Ground" during the song "One Sound."

The song returned to American Idol on April 7, 2016 for a short moment during the series finale as an interjection performance while "No" by Meghan Trainor was sung by other American Idol alumni.

Track listing

  1. "Pants on the Ground" (single version) – 3:29

References

  1. ↑ ""Idol's" Most Lovable Rejects". MSN. January 27, 2010. Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  2. ↑ "General Larry Platt "Pants On The Ground"". Retrieved February 16, 2010.
  3. ↑ Inside Trademarks <http://insidetrademarks.com/2010/01/23/pants-on-the-ground-trademark-dispute-possible>, February 27, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Jimmy Fallon Covers 'Pants on the Ground' As Neil Young". Billboard.com. 2009-09-14. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
  5. ↑ Snyder, Whitney (January 17, 2010). "Brett Favre 'Pants On The Ground' VIDEO: Singing QB Shocks Viewers". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2012-08-29.
  6. ↑ "Chart Pos. Billboard.com". Acharts.us. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
  7. ↑ Chart Pos. Billboard.com #song
  8. ↑ Connelly, Sherryl (January 29, 2010). "Grammys red carpet to get its 'Pants on the Ground' - General Larry Platt will perform [sic] 'Idol' hit". Daily News. New York.
  9. ↑ Young, John (2010-05-27). "'American Idol': On the scene for the finale | PopWatch | EW.com". Popwatch.ew.com. Retrieved 2011-07-20.
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