TheTallOne Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Sorry if I sound kind of like a perfectionist, but I was reading the songfact for "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley and it says the name is a reference to Charles Barkley. That's not true. In a interview in New York Times Magazine, he says it is made up, as he has on many other occasions. The songfact should actually read "The name Gnarls Barkley is not a reference to the basketball player Charles Barkley, but rather a random name chosen from discussions with friends" or something along those lines, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 I remember one of the Doobie Brothers insisting that they made up the concept of there being a town named China Grove right outside of San Antonio....but there is a China Grove right outside of San Antonio...I've been there...took a picture next to the Welcome To China Grove sign (I collect photos of rock related places I've been)....I find it hard to believe they made up Gnarls Barkley without some reference to Charles. However, since the band insists...maybe the songfact shouls indicate the point is up for debate... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted August 23, 2006 Report Share Posted August 23, 2006 Any idea where we can find that interview? I agree with Ron that it's highly unlikely that they just made it up - Cee-Lo will dress up like Darth Vader for shows, so it's possible he's messing with the media. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 The Doobie interview? Nor sure.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTallOne Posted August 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 Wikipedia has a few different sources, New York Times Magazine and Observer Music Monthly. I'll keep looking for the interview because I saw it in a lot of different places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTallOne Posted August 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 Found it. http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/magazine/18barkley.html?ei=5090&en=d69638926b798ed5&ex=1308283200&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RonJonSurfer Posted August 24, 2006 Report Share Posted August 24, 2006 "China Grove," the Doobie Brothers Songwriter: Tom Johnston Year Charted: 1973 Highest Billboard Chart Position: No. 15 When the sun came up one morning in 1973, the people of San Antonio's China Grove were surprised to find their bedroom community celebrated by the Doobie Brothers. The lyrics are nonsense, but the music was an irresistible command to rock out, duuuude, with chunky chords and a steam-engine rhythm that helped establish the band's string of hits. A well-placed rumor has it that the song was inspired by a late-night hunt for drugs after the band's San Antonio debut. Still can't find the interview. But the Songfact about the song talks about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 This doesn't change the fact that Gnarls Barkley is obviously a take form Charles Barkely just like Bob Gnarley is a take from Bob Marley and Prince Gnarls to Prince Charles. Whether he says is was an influence at all is irrelevant. It's clearly infered. If I start a site call Dongfacts, you'ld naturally think I was "inspired" by Songfacts, even if I said it was simply a place to document the exploits of my "encounters". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Great article - thanks Connor. Chuck Klosterman might be my favorite writer (I read his Esquire column). He compares Cee-Lo to Diane Keaton and it works. We'll get that added info up in the next update. It's important to know they're not inspired by Sir Charles, they just like the name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheTallOne Posted August 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Thanks Carl. I won't deny that it was probably influenced, it's just I think that if they claim the name was not inspired, then the Songfact should say that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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