Goat Head
Brittany Howard Lyrics

See, tomatoes are green
Just like how tomatoes are naturally green, it's clear that I, as a person of mixed race, have a unique perspective that goes beyond the black and white binary.

And cotton is white
Referring to the history of the cotton industry being predominantly associated with slavery and the oppression of Black people.

My heroes are black
The people I hold in high regard and admire are Black individuals who have made significant contributions to society.

So why God got blue eyes?
Questioning the depiction of a higher power, specifically God, as a white figure with blue eyes, which goes against the racial identities that I hold dear.

My daddy, he stayed
My father remained present and involved in my life despite the challenges and prejudices we face due to our mixed racial background.

My grandmama's a maid
Making reference to the history of Black women, like my grandmother, being employed as domestic workers, often in households of white families.

My mama was brave
Acknowledging the courage of my mother, who faced societal scrutiny and potentially backlash for being in an interracial relationship and having a mixed-race child.

To take me outside
Emphasizing the significance of my mother's decision to expose me to the world, even in situations where our racial identity may draw attention or discrimination.

'Cause mama is white
Highlighting the fact that my mother is white, contributing to my mixed-race heritage and experiences as a biracial individual.

And daddy is black
Contrasting my mother, my father is Black, further reinforcing my multiracial identity.

When I first got made
Reflecting on the moment of my conception, acknowledging the racial dynamics at play in my creation.

Guess I made these folks mad
Recognizing that my existence as a mixed-race individual may challenge the prejudices and preconceived notions that some people hold.

See, I know my colors, see
Asserting my awareness and understanding of the different racial identities that make up my heritage.

But what I wanna know is
Expressing a desire to seek answers and understanding regarding the complexities and injustices faced by people of mixed-race backgrounds.

Who slashed my dad's tires and put a goat head in the back?
Questioning the racist acts of violence and intimidation that my father experienced, symbolized by the vandalism of his car.

I guess I wasn't s'posed to know that, too bad
Recognizing that knowledge of the hate crime committed against my father may not have been intended for me to discover, but acknowledging it anyway.

I guess I'm not 'posed to mind
Acknowledging the societal expectation that I should not be bothered or affected by racial hatred, as if it should be normalized.

'Cause I'm brown, I'm not black
Addressing the often complicated identity and classification associated with being of mixed race, where people may perceive me as different shades but fail to understand the nuances of my racial background.

But who said that?
Challenging the arbitrary standards and labels placed upon individuals based on their racial identity.

See, I'm black, I'm not white
Affirming my identity as a Black individual, while also rejecting the notion that I am solely white.

But I'm that, nah
Rejecting the narrow categorization of my racial identity and asserting that I am more than a singular label.

Nah, I'm this, right?
Asserting my unique identity and rejecting attempts to confine me to a single racial category.

I'm one drop of three-fifths, right?
Referencing the historically racist concept of the 'one-drop rule' and the 'three-fifths compromise' used to classify and oppress mixed-race individuals.

Goat head in the back
Repeating and emphasizing the symbolic act of vandalism and racial hatred committed against my father by placing a goat head in his car.

Goat head in the back
Repeating the previous line to further emphasize the gravity and impact of the racist incident.

Goat head in the back
Continuing to emphasize the shocking and racist act perpetrated against my father.

Goat head in the back
Repeated once again to evoke the disturbing image and highlight the ongoing racial tensions and violence faced by Black individuals and their families.

Goat head in the back
Repeating the phrase for the fifth time to further underscore the disturbing nature of the event.

Goat head in the back
Repeating the line once more, signifying the lasting impact and trauma caused by the act of racial hatred against my father.

Goat head in the back
Repeating the line again to emphasize the continued resonance and significance of the hateful act.

Goat head in the back
The final repetition to leave a lasting impression of the racial violence and injustice experienced by myself and my family.