Project 005 Mixtapes: Linguistic Appropriation

To kick off our presentation of your mixtapes we’re going with Nick Emlen’s mix “Linguistic Appropriation: The Language of Another.”

Despite sharing a conspicuous word with Eric Steuer’s example, this mix knocked our socks off. Nick picked songs in which the speaker wrestles with a foreign language in one way or another, often to humorous effect.

The theme is original, and Nick’s digging would make DJ Shadow proud.

Here are some excerpts from his letter:

“…the first four…are all country songs about white men who have fallen in love with Mexican women in spite of, or because of, the language barrier between them. There are a shocking number of country songs on the subject.”

“Also, some of these songs were recorded before the age of political correctness, and I think it’s interesting to hear earnest examples of what we would now consider unashamed racism.”

Linguistic Appropriation: The Language of Another

by Nick Emlen

I Don’t Know What She Said – Blaine Larsen
Don’t Speak In English – Carrie Rodriguez
I Can’t Speak No English – Little Charlie And The Nightcats
Language Of Love – Aaron Watson
Danke Shoen – Wayne Newton
Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off – Fred Astaire
Love Me In Your Language – Kudu
Aba Daba Honeymoon – Debbie Reynolds
Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby And The Andrews Sisters
The Lake Song (Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg) – Ethel Merman
Michelle – The Beatles
Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano
Lady Marmalade – LaBelle
Negro Amor – Gal Costa
The Ketchup Song – Las Ketchup
The Auctioneer – Leroy Van Dyke
Mambo Italiano – Rosemary Clooney
Ahab The Arab – Ray Stevens
Que Sera, Sera – Doris Day
Si Tu Dois Partir – Fairport Convention
He Taught Me To Yodel – Joanna Allen
Ling Ching Chong – Joe Bataan