Zac Brown Band photo courtesy of Atlantic Records.
For the second week in a row the Zac Brown Band is sitting at the top of the Billboard Country chart with their third No. 1 hit, “Toes.”
Last night I tuned in to watch the Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien and the Zac Brown Band was the featured musical guest. And as would be expected, they performed their hit “Toes,” the original, un-edited version where they use the word “ass” in the chorus. Yes, that’s right – they sang the word “ass” on national TV.
Earlier in the day I was listening to a local radio station here in Nashville and heard the same song. But that version was the edited, PG-version that replaced “ass” with “toes.” This switcheroo makes the song sound really silly…”got my toes in the sand, toes in the water…” How can they be in two places at once?
So it got me to thinking, is “ass” really a bad word when used in a such an innocent way, describing some downtime on a beach somewhere? There’s a long list of naughty words that no doubt should be “bleeped” or totally omitted, but is “ass” really one of them?
What side of the fence are you sitting on? Leave a comment below and let me know.
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I’m sick of this song. I’m sick of redneck hick ‘country’ stars (and this song and Zac seem waaaay not country) singing about mexico like Chesney. These Jimmy Buffet wannabees think any real farming gun-toting country boy has the $ to travel to Mexico or the Carribean like fake country boys Chesney or Brown do? The song is plain stupid the lyrics the whole concept I’m sick of ‘country’ boys singing about Mexico already. Go back to your F’in ’sexy’ tractors.
iiitttsss nnnooottt bbbaaaaddddd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11
i love that song tht new song of drad's she every thang i ever wanted it rock's
hi whats up to day celevrities
You may as well go with the flow of real life situations, because Toes in the water and Ass in the sand, are perfectly fine and as far a roll a big Fat one thats life too. You can't sugar coat everything. If you are worried about your kids hearing these things just wait till they start listening to Hip Hop where the words are much more sugestive.
Controversy sells records and Zac Brown knows this and is cashing in. Personally I don't care what lyrics an artist uses; it's their creative licence. I have 2 children under 5 and I don't listen to our country radio station anymore because of this song; 'ass' is 'crass' and my children will be exposed to this low brow language soon enough. I'm not going to expediate the process by letting them listen to it on my radio. Our radio station advertises 'family friendly listening'…guess it depends on your family values. Yes, rap singers use far worse lyrics; we don't listen to that as a family either. Please don't get me wrong, artists should be able to do what they want in this area but we make the choice to support them. Other than that one word (that he feels the need to put a lot of emphasis on when he sings) I like the song.
Since when is the word ass a horrible big deal? The song is not offensive and ya know what? My kids and I sing it together. Yes you read that correctly. I have not raised my children to make much ado about nothing. Those are the lyrics. They fit the song perfectly. My children will grow up to be God-fearing, law-abiding, good citizens even though such profanity is spewing from their mouths. I will bet on it!
Listen to the lyrics of a lot of rap songs – they are far worse. I see nothing wrong with this song at all. I think people are making a big deal over nothing! Talk about self-righteous!
Oh, and these same stations ALL play the "we'll put a boot in your ass" version of Toby Keith's "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue".
I'm sorry, but the use of the word ass and that he talks about rolling a big fat one do bother me. In this song, I don't think using ass was necessary, and I definately don't think references to drug use are needed in a country where we are already struggling to keep our children away from drugs.
'Ass' isn't a bad word.. just a word that didn't have to be used ..not to mention it's a word I don't allow my youngsters to use.
Sometimes I think grown men have to act like little boys and use 'bad' words to show how big they are…. next thing you know, they'll have cigarettes hanging out of there mouths.
Me and my kids can tear up a song .. belt it out from the car, kitchen, back yard fun/play, morning getting ready for school/work. This is a song we can't all belt out together.
The word has ruined the song for me.
I love the song. I see nothing wrong with the lyrics. There can't be that many complaints if it's number 1. I've heard a lot worse than that in songs.
It is not the same song without the word "ass"…come on, even the Bible uses that word.
I think any profanity in songs are wrong and you want catch me voting for anybody that does!
There is always another way of singing lyrics that's not offense.
I personally don't object to any of the lyrics of the song. It's a fun, laid back kind of song, very well written with a nice touch of humor. I think Zac should have told country radio to play the original version as it was written or kiss his "toes" and not play it at all!
It's a shame that the word was used in the song. It's unnecessary, and it doesn't make the song better. A bad word? I would say more of an inappropriate word. It isn't said in our home, and I don't like my kids hearing it on country radio!
I live in Maine and they dont play the "ass" version on the radio. The song sounds stupid with the word changed. Ass is not a bad word and it fits this song just right.
Its number one for a reason. Maybe I will put my ass in the lawn chair and listen to the cd
I like the original version but here in my part of Virginia, it has been changed. Such a shame, and really makes a difference in the song.
We can watch and hear all kinds of things on Cable, murder, mayhem and all kinds of profanity all which is easily accessible to most children! Yet "censors" chose to delete a word that is used by many in common everyday language is rediculous. Changing the words, ruins the song! If someone chooses not to listen, let them turn the dial, but DONT take my 1st Admendment right of free speech.
Toes WAS a great song but with the changes..turned it into milk toast and made it mediocre!
I find it hard to believe he couldn't articulate in a different way than just using ass, but hey, that's what dumb rednecks do.
taylor swift says damn in her songs..ass shouldn't be a big deal. but like everyone says roll up a fat one is iffy
All I have to say is, you can turn the TV on at 8pm and see people having sex. I think there are far worse things than the word "Ass" we should be concerned with children hearing and/or seeing. Besides, like I am sure someone has said, he is referring to his anatomy, not calling someone an "ass". It's not used in derogatory terms, so I think its safe. I feel people should be more concerned with the fact that he says "roll me a fat one".. mmhmm.
I don't know where you were in KY, but in Eastern Kentucky they play the "ass" version. I've heard another version replace "ass" with "glass".
Don't remember Toby Keith's line "We'll put a boot up your ass – it's the American way" being censored. (Song: Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue).
Funny how it's the "American way" for some, but cited as a reason the country is "going down the drain" by others. I would have thought country songs where getting drunk is an acceptable pastime would be less appropriate for kids to hear.
Then again, "We'll put a boot up your toes" doesn't really work either.
Actually, they did edit Toby's song at first.. then after a popular vote to play the un-edited version they started playing the album cut.
I don't have a problem with it and I agree with Marie, I have more of a problem with "fat one" than ass.
I would agree with you on that one, Jodie (and Marie). I guess what disappoints me more is that mainstream country radio insists on changing "ass" to suit the more "middle aged" listener, yet refuse to play the artists the very same generation used to listen to; artists who are still producing good music.
"Then again, "We'll put a boot up your toes" doesn't really work either."
OMG THAT is WAY too funny!
Ass is not a bad word! I cannot believe that they switch the version of the song on the radio! It DOES sound dumb! "I got my toes in the water, toes in the sand" just does not sound right. The song is cute just the way it is.
I have more of a problem with them saying they're going to "roll up a fat one" than I do with the word "ass." Words are just words, and what offends one person may not offend another. I'm a very liberal person, but I don't think it's healthy for popular music to contain drug references.
what the video… it refers to a big fat burrito… where is your mind going?
In traveling around the country Kentucky and Tennessee were the only two states to use toes in the sand and water.
they use it in South Carolina too!!
They used toes in both here in california as well (on the great KFROG) and omitted the "big fat one" line completely despite referring to a burrito in the video
Here in Zac's hometown (Atlanta, GA) they started out playing the original version but now play the ridiculously censored version. Funny that it's ok to drink shots of jager and roll a big fat one though…gotta love country radio and the morons who call themselves programming directors.
I've heard this song three different ways on radio stations in North Carolina. One station plays the "toes in the sand" version multiple times a day, but if the song is part of a pre-recorded "countdown" show (I forget which one), they are fine with it being the "ass in the sand" version. "Roll a big fat one" is intact in both versions. Another station plays the "toes in the sand" version and drops "fat" from "Roll a big fat one", leaving silence there. So it's "roll a big ___ one". Very odd.
Come on American Country music fans….. we all know that the word *ass* is not offensive and that songwriters such as Zac Brown should be able to write the lyrics without a discussion on decency when there isn't anything offensive about his use of the word, *ass*.
Censorship is one of the things that our country stands against. Let's be wise and not reactive.
I do not like the word ass being used in this song. I think it is offensive and does prevent it from being a song I can enjoy with my children. There are many words that so-called adults use that we do not want our children using. Ass is one of those words. This country has allowed too much disrespectful behavior under the guise of freedom of speech.
But he is referring to his donkey that he took with him to the beach
Absolutely not! it's not used in a demeaning way.
Absolutely not. Listen to other songs and there are words that are much more offensive.
That is why our country is going down the drain, there is no respect anymore. All the people that are fortunate enough to be on television or in the "lime light" are setting a bad example for for the young people of today. We, the middle aged americans, were brought up differently and while we are trying so hard to teach our children and teenagers right from wrong, good and bad, and respect and disrespect these type of people are making everthing seem as if it is okay to say words like this, dress (or I should say, NOT DRESSED) like they are, and the way they are always "partying and drinking". There is more to life than this…I am a country music fan but it amazes me what all is being shown on videos and wording of some of the songs.
If you look back at the rules of indecency on broadcast and limitations that the Federal Communications Commission has put in place, you will see that the words must be deemed indecent or profane. Words that are under these categories include anything sexual or excretory; and 'ass' is neither.
You mean middle-aged people.. like the ones that attended Woodstock?
As for "all" the people that are setting a bad example.. since when do celebrities raise everyone's children? The parents should teach right from wrong and set a GOOD example for their children. Why blame someone the child has never met?
i think it is absolutely not! what about the show jack ass? and that is on tv think about our kids they have more shit on there video games and there buddys mouths can't stop that!! i can go on and on well i think you get it
I think the word "ass" works just fine in the toes song. I think it is silly to change the word "ass" to "toes in the song. It really takes away from the songs meaning.
Just because a word can sometimes be used in a profane way doesn't mean it can't have innocent uses as well. In this case, ass is used to describe a body part, nothing more. I work with dog breeders on a daily basis. Do you know how many times a day I say the word "bitch" when talking about their female dogs? A lot. Again, bitch is a word that can have profane and nonprofane usages. Editing the word ass in this song is just another example of the politcally correct to try and also become the moral police. For me, all it does is make me listen to radio stations that know better and play the song as written.
Agree with Lori ,ASS bad word ,not much ,freedom of speech on that !
Absolutely not! It's ridiculous to think that the word ass is bad enough to cover up when used the innocent way it is in the song "toes".