06-22-2014, 01:38 AM
Don't Drink The Orange Juice (by Rod McKuen) said it all:
The song was written about Anita Bryant, who at the time was sponsored by Florida orange juice.
An extract from his own writing:
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More recently: (there's a film being made about Anita Bryant, I believe)
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ANITA BRYANT (!)
The song was written about Anita Bryant, who at the time was sponsored by Florida orange juice.
An extract from his own writing:
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DON’T DRINK THE ORANGE JUICE
I just wanted to mention something you may enjoy. I was actually in the audience at your Miami Dade auditorium concert in 1977. I took my boyfriend at the time to see the show; this was during the Anita Bryant fiasco. When we went to the concert, I had no idea we would find ourselves in the middle of one of the best protests against Anita and her bigots. You started talking about how you support the gay people, then you started pitching oranges into the audience (mainly at the people getting up to leave) It was the unsuspecting family types who came to see a nice, sweet show, only to be ambushed by you. IT WAS GREAT. During those days, I went to many protests around Miami, but accidentally found myself at the best one; it was covered by the Miami Herald. So here I am many years later, still enjoying that evening. You moved on with the show, and it was a great performance.
Many thanks,
James
Dear James, Ambushed? Who me? I'm told my song "Don't Drink The Orange Juice" (which I premiered at that concert) was the reason Ms. Bryant was let go as the spokesperson for Florida Orange Juice. I wasn't after anyone's job but I believe in confronting and attacking hate speech and action whenever and wherever it's practiced. In this case I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Lots of 'fans' sent back their collections of my books and records after that episode. Fine with me because how could anyone be a real fan of mine and not know what I stand for?
Life isn't all that long and if you don't stand up for your principles and beliefs whenever they are challenged that particular chance never comes again. If you are given a voice or any kind of public platform, use it. And remember, the protest on my part that night was only a small part of the evening. I’m pretty sure no one who came to see the concert was short-changed from the performance they expected to hear. What the audience got was just a little a-la-mode. Since I’ve always believed that humor is more effective than a hammer I wrote Don’t Drink The Orange Juice as a jaunty Calypso. In case you don’t remember it here’s a sampling of the lyric:
DON’T DRINK THE ORANGE JUICE (Excerpt)
Many thanks,
James
Dear James, Ambushed? Who me? I'm told my song "Don't Drink The Orange Juice" (which I premiered at that concert) was the reason Ms. Bryant was let go as the spokesperson for Florida Orange Juice. I wasn't after anyone's job but I believe in confronting and attacking hate speech and action whenever and wherever it's practiced. In this case I just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Lots of 'fans' sent back their collections of my books and records after that episode. Fine with me because how could anyone be a real fan of mine and not know what I stand for?
Life isn't all that long and if you don't stand up for your principles and beliefs whenever they are challenged that particular chance never comes again. If you are given a voice or any kind of public platform, use it. And remember, the protest on my part that night was only a small part of the evening. I’m pretty sure no one who came to see the concert was short-changed from the performance they expected to hear. What the audience got was just a little a-la-mode. Since I’ve always believed that humor is more effective than a hammer I wrote Don’t Drink The Orange Juice as a jaunty Calypso. In case you don’t remember it here’s a sampling of the lyric:
DON’T DRINK THE ORANGE JUICE (Excerpt)
I go to Florida a lot because the weather’s nice and hot.
There’s lots of girls and lots of boys,
Lots of Jews and lots of Goy’s,
Lots of Straights and lots of Gays
Yes they get off in many ways.
But Don’t Drink The Orange Juice, I beg you please
Don’t Drink The Orange Juice, I beg you please.
Don’t Drink The Orange Juice, I beg you please
It might lead to all kinds of insanities.
There’s lots of girls and lots of boys,
Lots of Jews and lots of Goy’s,
Lots of Straights and lots of Gays
Yes they get off in many ways.
But Don’t Drink The Orange Juice, I beg you please
Don’t Drink The Orange Juice, I beg you please.
Don’t Drink The Orange Juice, I beg you please
It might lead to all kinds of insanities.
Words & Music by Rod McKuen. 1977 by Rod McKuen
The irony is that the song was released as the B-side of my European single “Amour,” a song that went to #1 on the charts in 7 countries. I have no idea of what they made of it in Argentina, Germany or Belgium but I didn’t even have to release the track in the USA since the mere thought of people going insane from drinking Florida Orange Juice was enough to give that states PR fathers apoplexy. So when I sang the song at a press conference and later in a Dade County concert, it was Bye, Bye Anita. All My Best, Rod "
...
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AND FINALLY
Kind of fun recalling Vietnam trips and The Anita Bryant episode of the 1970’s. Does anyone out there have a photo of me getting a pie in the face during a Woman’s Lib parade I led in Johannesburg way back when? If so send it along and I’ll publish it."...
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AND FINALLY
More recently: (there's a film being made about Anita Bryant, I believe)
"
ANITA BRYANT (!)
Hello Mr. McKuen. My name is Shed. I am a social worker and hospital administrator in Miami. In my spare time I am working on a film about the Anita Bryant era. We have a lot done. I love the song you wrote. One of our interviewees told a story about a concert and others regarding fund raisers that you did. Would you be willing to talk to me about this?
I am so interested in hearing your perspective. I would be honored to include you in our project. This is not a commercial venture although we do have The Miami Herald and PBS behind us. It is a labor of love to tell an important story. I hope to hear from you soon. Shed
Dear Shed, Not only would I be willing to speak with you but I'd be glad to let you use the song "Don't Drink the Orange Juice" in your film. A little busy now for an interview but I'd certainly like to help sometime in the near future. All My Best, Rod"
I am so interested in hearing your perspective. I would be honored to include you in our project. This is not a commercial venture although we do have The Miami Herald and PBS behind us. It is a labor of love to tell an important story. I hope to hear from you soon. Shed
Dear Shed, Not only would I be willing to speak with you but I'd be glad to let you use the song "Don't Drink the Orange Juice" in your film. A little busy now for an interview but I'd certainly like to help sometime in the near future. All My Best, Rod"