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Music Video

Colored Spade Lyrics

Soundtrack: Hair Lyrics

Colored Spade Text

[HUD]
I'm a colored spade, a nigra, a black nigga
A jungle bunny, jigaboo, coon, pickaninny, mau mau
Uncle Tom, Aunt Jemima, Little Black Sambo
Cotton pickin', swamp guinea, junk man, shoeshine boy
Elevator operator, table cleaners at Horn and Hardart
Slave, voodoo zombie, Ubangi-lipped
Flat-nosed tap dancer, resident of Harlem
And president of
The United States of Love
Said president of
The United States of Love

[HUD, spoken]
sh*t

[BERGER, spoken]
If you ask him to dinner, you're gonna feed him

[HUD]
Watermelon, hominy grits, and shortnin' bread
Alligator ribs, some pig tails

[TRIBE]
So you say
[HUD]
Some black eyed peas

[TRIBE]
So you say

[HUD]
Some chitlins

[TRIBE]
So you say

[HUD]
Some collard greens

[TRIBE]
So you say

[HUD]
And if you don't watch out
This boogie man will get you
Boo
Yeah, boo

[HUD, spoken]
So you say

Hair Album Cover

Hair

Soundtrack Lyrics for Musical, 1990

Track Listing

›Aquarius Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Donna Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Hashish Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Sodomy Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Colored Spade Lyrics

›Manchester England Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Ain't Got No Lyrics

Hair Cast

›I Believe in Love Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Ain't Got No (Reprise) Lyrics

Hair Cast

Hair Cast

›Initials Lyrics

Hair Cast

›I Got Life Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Going Down Lyrics

Hair Cast

Hair Cast

›My Conviction Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Easy to Be Hard Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Don't Put it Down Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Frank Mills Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Hare Krishna Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Where Do I Go Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Electric Blues Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Black Boys Lyrics

Hair Cast

›White Boys Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Walking in Space Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Abie Baby Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Three-Five-Zero-Zero Lyrics

Hair Cast

›What a Piece of Work is Man Lyrics

Hair Cast

›Good Morning Starshine Lyrics

Hair Cast

›The Bed Lyrics

Hair Cast

›The Flesh Failures / Let the Sun Shine in Lyrics

Hair Cast

November, 24th 2024

Song Details and Overview

musical Hair, Colored Spade lyrics — musical Hair singing the 'Colored Spade' in music video.

musical Hair performing Colored Spade — Performance of 'Colored Spade' by musical Hair in the music video.

Featuring Artist: Lamont Washington & Hair Ensemble
Producer: Andy Wiswell
Writers: Galt MacDermot, James Rado, and Gerome Ragni
Release Date: June 1, 1968
Album: Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Musical Genre: Rock, Musical Theater
Language: English
Mood: Defiant, Satirical, Bold

Exploring the Meaning of Colored Spade

Colored Spade is a satirical and provocative song from the musical Hair, performed by the character Hud. The song confronts racial slurs and stereotypes head-on, using them in a defiant and self-aware manner. Hud mocks these labels, stripping them of their power by claiming a position of dignity and authority as "The President of the United States of Love."

Central Themes

Reclaiming Identity: By listing racial slurs, Hud reclaims these terms and diminishes their ability to harm him, asserting his pride and humanity.
Social Critique: The song critiques systemic racism and the pervasive use of demeaning stereotypes in American culture.
Satirical Defiance: Hud’s confident and humorous delivery underscores the absurdity of these stereotypes while celebrating individuality and resistance.

Song Composition and Performance

Thumbnail from Colored Spade lyric video by musical Hair — Screenshot from the 'Colored Spade' music video, capturing the mood and meaning of the song.

Scene from Colored Spade track by musical Hair — Visual effects scene from 'Colored Spade' enhancing the experience of the song words and music.

The song is a blend of spoken-word and rhythm-driven music, featuring playful yet biting lyrics. Lamont Washington’s performance as Hud is brash and unapologetic, capturing the character’s confidence and wit. The energetic ensemble backing enhances the song’s satirical tone and adds a communal voice to its message.

Meaning and Annotations

[Verse 1]: Hud lists a barrage of offensive terms, delivering them with a mocking tone to expose their ridiculousness and strip them of their intended impact.
[Refrain]: The declaration of being "The President of the United States of Love" is a bold assertion of dignity and self-worth in the face of prejudice.
[Outro]: Hud humorously incorporates stereotypical food references, mocking the caricatures imposed upon Black culture.

Similar Songs

Colored Spade aligns with other songs that address racial identity, stereotypes, and resistance through satire and defiance. Comparable works include:

Mississippi Goddam by Nina Simone – A powerful protest against racism and injustice.
What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye – Reflects on social issues and the need for unity.
We Shall Overcome – A civil rights anthem embodying resilience and hope.
Black Man by Stevie Wonder – Celebrates contributions of Black individuals while challenging stereotypes.
Alright by Kendrick Lamar – A modern anthem of empowerment and resistance against systemic oppression.

Chart Performance and Cultural Impact

Though not a mainstream single, Colored Spade remains a powerful moment within Hair. It is remembered as a bold and unflinching critique of racial stereotypes, contributing to the musical’s broader commentary on the social and political turbulence of the 1960s. The song’s provocative approach continues to resonate in discussions about race and identity.

Quotes

"I'm a colored spade, a nigra, a black nigga... and president of the United States of Love."

Hud reclaims slurs with satire, ending on a declaration of pride and authority.

"Watermelon, hominy grits, and shortnin' bread... And if you don't watch out, this boogie man will get you!"

A satirical jab at the absurdity of cultural stereotypes imposed on Black individuals.

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Lyrics / song texts are property and copyright of their owners and provided for educational purposes only.