Would it be "wrong" to play Dueling Banjos at a kids party?

[bumbershoot]

I wouldn't have a problem with it.

Of course it's mainly b/c I've chosen to not see the movie, and my main thought when I hear the song is Steve Martin.


There are lots of things that are connected with bad things. Watching one of the Star Trek spinoffs freaked me out b/c one of the "alien" characters was played by the bad guy in Dirty Harry (I bet that guy rues the day he signed up for that bad guy role, or perhaps wishes he hadn't been SO good at it). Watching POTC sometimes makes me twitch in sadness b/c Norrington was played by the guy whose character broke my heart at the end of The Talented Mr Ripley. etc etc.

It's good to be aware that some people might think of the movie, but on the other hand, the party is for the kids, and if my guy is any indication, kids LOVE the sound of the banjo (as I did as a kid), and it's just a fun song. Maybe there's some way to link it to the Muppets before you play it?

 

[ORMom2Four]

I honestly had no idea the song (which I have heard) was tied to anything like that until I read this thread. Had to google the movie Deliverance. I was born in '72 and have never seen it

 

[Angelhalo]

That's what the KIDS said. "Hey, that sounds like Cotton Eye Joe!" .... so that made me wonder if I could extend that type of dancing by playing Dueling Banjos.

I wonder if most "30 something" parents even know of the movie.

I'm 30 exactly and have known the movie for years

 

[elgerber]

I think it would be fine, kids are going to have no clue about that movie to make the connections.

 

[NotUrsula]

I think that 30-something parents who are film buffs will know the connection, and also if they are from the Mountain South, because it has become part of the local folklore (an often irritating part.) Otherwise, maybe not so much.

Deliverance is one of those landmark movies that lots of people have heard of as being really tough to watch. However, for that same reason, it's also a movie that a lot of people have made it a point to avoid seeing, so while they might know that something bad happens in it, they also might not know exactly what that something is.

 

[Buckalew11]

Fueding Banjos was originally a popular bluegrass tune, long before it was used in the movie.

The producers of Deliverance used the song illegally, the authors sued and won.

It would be a shame to shun a great bluegrass song because it was illegally used in a dark movie.

Don Reno and Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith recorded "Feuding Banjos"
(written by Smith) in 1955. Smith later re-recorded the song, and it
appeared on his LP "Battling Banjos." In 1963, the tune was a hit on
country-western radio stations for The Dillards, under the name
"Duelin' Banjo" (available on The Dillards' "Back Porch Bluegrass"
album). The Dillards' version featured a banjo versus a mandolin. It
has been said that the melody resembles that of an 1889 bluegrass tune
called "Banjo Reel," but the resemblance is a distant one.

"In 1955, Reno again paired up with Arthur 'Guitar Boogie' Smith, his
former mentor. Together they did Feuding Banjos, a tune later used
without their permission in the movie Deliverance. Reno and Smith sued
the film company for rights infringement and won. Feuding Banjos, also
known from the movie as Dueling Banjos, is still one of the most
recognizable bluegrass tunes today."

But I've never seen the movie and don't plan on it. My grandfather played the banjo, the fiddle, the guitar and mandolin. I was raised on Bluegrass music and still love it as it connects me to the past. I don't want anything to ruin that for me.

It always makes me think of Roy Clark and Buck Owens.

"I'm a picking...and I'm a grinning!"

 

[bigbabyblues]

I wonder if most "30 something" parents even know of the movie.

I'm a 30-something mom of an 8-yo & a 6-yo, and I don't remember ever seeing the movie, or hearing the song, for that matter.

FWIW, I wouldn't have a problem with the song being played at a party my boys were at, based on what has been said about it.

 

[JerseyMamaBear]

I think it also has to do with the crowd you are playing for. Sometimes it may not be okay while younger crowds may find it funny. I would not be happy if at my wedding it was played and would have you change it

 

[Liberty Belle]

I'm a 30-something mom of an 8-yo & a 6-yo, and I don't remember ever seeing the movie, or hearing the song, for that matter.

FWIW, I wouldn't have a problem with the song being played at a party my boys were at, based on what has been said about it.

Here's one version of the song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GG4pKmHQaRA

You tube also has portions of the movie, if you're interested.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I think it also has to do with the crowd you are playing for. Sometimes it may not be okay while younger crowds may find it funny. I would not be happy if at my wedding it was played and would have you change it

Yeah, but why would I play it at a wedding unless I was asked? We're talking about a party for kids from ages 4 to about 9 at the top end.

 

[doxdogy]

I am old enough and this is the first time I have heard anything incorrect connected to the song. It is a great piece of music.

Yes, of course. It's a fun song.

They have no idea of the connotations and really wouldn't until they were old enough.

 

[phorsenuf]

So in all the years you've been Dj'ing you've never played it? If you've been in the business long enough I would think it would be easy to gauge what would be appropriate and what isn't.

 

[Nik's Mom]

I don't see a problem with playing the song at all. It's a catchy tune!

 

[Papa Deuce]

So in all the years you've been Dj'ing you've never played it? If you've been in the business long enough I would think it would be easy to gauge what would be appropriate and what isn't.

Never played it. No reason to. But I know that some parents go a little nuts... like I played the Burger Dance at a party and someone gave me a hard time, and that truly is just a fun kids song.

So, now, if something might be questionable, I ask the DISers....

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

I went to a wedding fair once, and not one but TWO of the DJ's exhibiting there featured, Theme from M*A*S*H* on their suggested wedding playlists. DH & I were cracking up at the thought of playing THAT at a wedding, but we seemed to be the only people who were. I guess not that many people still know that the real title of that song is Suicide is Painless.

I just recently heard this song with its lyrics...I had heard the instrumental many times (I love M*A*S*H*), but had never heard the lyrics. For anyone who's interested, here they are:

Through early morning fog I see
visions of the things to be
the pains that are withheld for me
I realize and I can see...

[chorus]:

That suicide is painless
It brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.

I try to find a way to make
all our little joys relate
without that ever-present hate
but now I know that it's too late, and...

[Chorus]

The game of life is hard to play
I'm gonna lose it anyway
The losing card I'll someday lay
so this is all I have to say.

[Chorus]

The only way to win is cheat
And lay it down before I'm beat
and to another give my seat
for that's the only painless feat.

[Chorus]

MASH
The sword of time will pierce our skins
It doesn't hurt when it begins
But as it works its way on in
The pain grows stronger...watch it grin, but...

[Chorus]

A brave man once requested me
to answer questions that are key
'is it to be or not to be'
and I replied 'oh why ask me?'

'Cause suicide is painless
it brings on many changes
and I can take or leave it if I please.
...and you can do the same thing if you choose.

 

[Jennasis]

We played the song (Dueling Banjos) at my wedding. Yes you read right...at my wedding. It was a big hit.