Pants on the Ground

'General' Larry Platt's single sleeve photo.

"Pants On The Ground" is a song sung during the Atlanta auditions of Season 9. It was co-written and performed by 62-year-old activist, 'General' Larry Platt. The song references people who wear pants that sag, and Larry's perspective on how foolish they look.

Inspiration

Larry has elaborated about his civil rights activism, and how it sociologically influenced his song. He elucidated that he and his fellow civil rights activism colleagues sacrificed far too much to now see today's youth walking around with sagging pants. "After all this work I did with Dr. King…walking around with your pants on the ground?" Larry remarked. "They're going to have to get them up. I'm sorry."

Audition/First Performance

Pants On The Ground - General Larry Platt -HD- - FULL 1080P

In this higher quality restoration of the video, Larry enters and introduces himself to the four-judge-panel: Randy Jackson; Kara DioGuardi; special guest judge, Mary J. Blige; and Simon Cowell. Upon singing, Mary erupts into hysterical laughter, followed by Kara and Randy. Even Simon is chuckling at the end, reluctantly opining, "I have a horrible feeling that song could be a hit." He does inform Larry that he cannot proceed due to his age (the maximum age limit being 28), but implies with certainty that he will be seen again—in other words, predicting that this will go viral once it airs on television. Simon proclaimed, "I don't think this is gonna be the last we hear about you. I have a feeling about you, Larry."

Viral Fame

Despite being ineligible on Idol, Larry nevertheless became an instant online sensation. Within days, Larry and his song attracted mass popularity and attention. Several celebrities performed the song in the days that followed the original airing of his audition. Jimmy Fallon parodied it, along with Canadian folk singer-songwriter Neil Young (from folk-rock supergroup/quartet Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young), on his late night variety show, while the ladies on The View invited Larry onto their midday talk show. Even Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre & his teammates celebrated a victory (clobbering the Dallas Cowboys, 34-3) by singing the song. It has managed to trickle into circles of non-Idol fans, with many concurring with Larry's lyrical message.

Subsequent Appearances

Pants On The Ground - Larry Platt & William Hung - American Idol Season 9 Finale

Larry returned onstage at the Season 9 Finale to perform his song, which had now been remixed with a hip-hop beat. He even had a troupe of backup dancers, and some choreographed footwork himself. Near the end of his performance, William Hung emerged as a special guest.

He returned once more, for what was considered to be the series finale on FOX (after the network cancelled it), to celebrate its 15-year/season-legacy by reprising his viral hit song again. He has yet to appear on any ABC reboot broadcasts.

Sample Lyrics

Pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground

Gold in your mouth
Hat turned sideways
Pants hit the ground
Call yourself a cool cat

Run the jail house, (?)
Boys said you're looking good, pants on the ground
Your boy said you're looking nice with your pants on the ground
Lookin' like a fool
Walkin' like a fool
Going downtown with your pants on the ground

Get it up, hey
Get your pants off the ground
Hoo, get your pants off the ground
Walkin', talkin' with your pants on the ground
Slipping, slumming, with your pants on the ground

Walking like a duck
Thinking like a duck
Talking like a duck
Quack, quack with your pants on the ground

Woo, get your pants off the ground
Pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Lookin' like a fool with your pants on the ground