The band was unique in that all of the members had sung lead vocals on at least one recording and the songwriting responsibilities were distributed throughout, though Mike Park was generally regarded as the front man.
Skankin' Pickle's lyrics range from silly, in songs such as "Fakin' Jamaican" and "Asian Man", to sociopolitical, in songs like "Racist World" and "Ice Cube, Korea Wants a Word With You". As a band, Skankin' Pickle promoted racial equality in the tradition of two-tone ska bands, such as The Specials, in late 1970s England.
Following their breakup in 1996, Knackstedt and Nylander started another skacore band called 78 RPMs. Mike Park released an album and toured with The Bruce Lee Band, a side project consisting of Park and members of Less Than Jake. Later, Park started a short-lived, all-Asian ska band called The Chinkees. Lundquist went on to play trombone for Mu330.
Hate
Skankin' Pickle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hate-that guy is acting funny
Hate-that guy ain't B or W!
Hate-and I'll get back at them somehow.
What does it mean to hate
now everybody hates something true? TRUE!
But to alleviate the hate is what I'm trying to achieve
take time to react in a different way is what I'm trying to say
Hate is the ignorance that I don't understand
Hate is the enemy and I'm Jackie Chan
I keep on thinking that I'm not wrong
but I keep talking bout hate
Hate what does it do to me
make me go insane like Mr. Jack LeLane
What you do?
What you do? and that's not for me
I don't understand now things that I see!
Skankin' Pickle's song Hate is a satirical and ironic take on hate and prejudice in society. The lyrics touch on the idea that everyone hates something or someone but that hate is ultimately destructive and ignorant. The song challenges the listener to question their own feelings of hatred and to find ways to alleviate it. The lyrics seem to criticize those who "hate that guy" just because he looks different or acts differently, and question the value of such animosity.
The song is notable for its use of humor and sarcasm to confront a serious issue like hate. It showcases Skankin' Pickle's unique style of ska punk and their ability to infuse meaningful lyrics into an upbeat and catchy melody. The repeated refrain of "hate that guy" is both chilling and relatable at the same time.
Line by Line Meaning
Hate-that guy he looked at me
I am filled with anger towards a person who gave me a certain look.
Hate-that guy is acting funny
I am filled with anger towards a person who is behaving in a peculiar way.
Hate-that guy ain't B or W!
I am filled with anger towards a person who does not conform to my expectations of race.
Hate-and I'll get back at them somehow.
I will seek revenge for the anger that I feel towards this person.
What does it mean to hate
now everybody hates something true? TRUE!
I ponder on what it truly means to hate, especially when it seems like everyone hates something or someone.
But to alleviate the hate is what I'm trying to achieve
take time to react in a different way is what I'm trying to say
I am trying to find ways to eliminate the anger that I feel by suggesting that we should take a step back and respond in a more positive way.
What does it mean to hate Mr. Chinese, Japanese, Blackanese, Bonganese?
I question what it truly means to hate someone based on their ethnicity or nationality.
Hate is the ignorance that I don't understand
Hate is the enemy and I'm Jackie Chan
I realize that hate is born out of ignorance and lack of understanding, and I want to be like Jackie Chan who fights against such an enemy.
I keep on thinking that I'm not wrong
but I keep talking bout hate
Even though I believe that I am in the right, I find myself continually speaking about my hatred towards others.
Hate what does it do to me
make me go insane like Mr. Jack LeLane
I recognize the negative effects that hate has on me, making me feel crazy like Mr. Jack LeLane.
What you do?
What you do? and that's not for me
I don't understand now things that I see!
I ask what others are doing and conclude that I do not want to participate in the same behavior, as I do not understand the things that I am witnessing.
Contributed by Lily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.