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Queer Artist Reclaims Hank Jr.'s Homophobic Hit
6 May
Summary
- Adam Mac covered Hank Williams Jr.'s 'Dinosaur' song.
- Mac altered homophobic lyrics to be inclusive of the LGBTQ+ community.
- His updated lyrics celebrate gay guitarists and Donna Summer.
Country artist Adam Mac is sparking conversation with his reimagined version of Hank Williams Jr.'s 1980 song "Dinosaur." Mac, who is openly gay, grew up a fan of the song but struggled with its retrograde lyrics, which contained homophobic remarks and dated gender expectations.
In an effort to reclaim the song for his community, Mac has altered key lines. His updated lyrics now express positive affirmations, such as "gay guitar pickers kinda turn me on" and a tribute to disco icon Donna Summer, replacing the original song's exclusionary messages. This creative adaptation aims to bring the song into a more inclusive present.
Mac shared his updated cover online and performs it live, consciously creating a "clapback moment" for his LGBTQ+ audience. He views this as a way to address criticism from those who insist on adhering strictly to original artistic intent, while also promoting acceptance within country music. His new single, "Hate to See Me Coming," is scheduled for release on Friday.
