There is a slang word wigger in English, which was formed by the merger of the words white (“white”) and offensive to African Americans nier (“neitherer”). Wiggers are called whites who strive to be like blacks. They copy the behavior of African Americans, listen to their music, dress in their style, and so on. I do not want to offend anyone, but such attempts look false and extremely miserable. Californian punks from The Offspring dedicated the well-known track Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) to such eccentrics.
The story of the song Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)
Kevin “Noodles” Wasserman, guitarist for The Offspring, explained the meaning of Pretty Fly this way:
Pretty fly means “cool”. It’s a slang term that’s used in the black neighborhoods of big cities… It’s used by “neighborhood boys” and the is about a kid who tries to hang out with them. He wants to be one of the tough gangsters, but he just can’t do it. He looks like a real idiot, a complete jerk, although this is just a metaphor. So it’s about wannabes – guys who want to be so cool.
NYRock.com
As you can see, the explanation is exhaustive and does not require additional explanations.
Pretty Fly release and achievements
The song was released as the first single from the album “Americana” (1998), in which it is at number four. It was actively played on various music radio stations. The composition performed well in the charts of many countries, topping some of them, and became the most commercially successful track in the history of the group.
Pretty Fly was also featured on Greatest Hits (2005), a compilation of The Offspring’s best songs.
Video of Pretty Fly by The Offspring
Director Joseph Nichol, known by the nickname McG (McG), shot a funny video clip for Pretty Fly about the adventures of the main character of the song. It makes no sense to retell the plot of the video. If you haven’t watched the video yet, now is the time to do so.
Interesting Facts
- The German-language gibberish (Gunter glieben glauchen globen) that the song opens with was borrowed from Rock of Ages by rock band Def Leppard.
Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) Lyrics by The Offspring
Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh
Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh
Give it to me baby, uh huh, uh huh
And all the girls say
I’m pretty fly for a white guy!
Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, cinco, seis
You know it’s kind of hard
Just to get along today
Our subject isn’t cool
But he fakes it anyway
He may not have a clue
And he may not have style
But everything he lacks
Well he makes up in denial
chorus:
So don’t debate, a player straight
You know he really doesn’t get it anyway
He’s gonna play the field, and keep it real
For you no way, for you no way
So if you don’t rate, just overcompensate
At least you’ll know you can always go on Ricki Lake
The world needs wannabe’s
So do that brand new thing
He needs some cool tunes
Not just any will suffice
But they didn’t have Ice Cube
So he bought Vanilla Ice
Now cruising in his Pinto, he sees homies as he pass
But if he looks twice
They’re gonna kick his lily ass
Now he’s getting a tattoo
He’s gettin’ ink done
He asked for a ’13’, but they drew a ’31’
Friends say he’s trying too hard
And he’s not quite hip
But in his own mind
He’s the dopest trip
Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) Lyrics Alternative
Come on baby, yeah yeah
Come on baby, yeah yeah
Come on baby, yeah yeah
And all the girls say
That I’m cool – as for a white man!
One, two, three, four, five, five, six
You know, it’s quite difficult
Succeed today
Our topic is not cool,
But he fakes it anyway
He may not cut the chip,
He may not have style
But he refuses to admit
That he is missing something
Chorus:
So do not argue – the kid is clear
And he still won’t understand
He’s going to party – and for real
Nothing will work for you, nothing will work for you
And if you’re not respected, just give more
At least you can always go to the Ricki Lake show.
The world needs imitators
Like this new bzik
He needs cool tunes
Not everyone will fit
But there was no Ice Cube
So he bought Vanilla Ice
And here he is riding in his Pinto, looking at the guys along the way,
But if he takes one more look at them,
They will kick his ass
And here he makes himself a tattoo,
He gets inked
He asked for “13”, but they drew “31”
Friends tell him he’s over the top
That he’s not so stylish
But he himself thinks
What can’t be cooler
