Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)

"Give it to me baby" redirects here. For the song by Rick James, see Give It to Me Baby.

"Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)"
Standard artwork
Single by the Offspring
from the album Americana
B-side
ReleasedNovember 9, 1998 (1998-11-09)
Genre
Length3:07
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Dave Jerden
The Offspring singles chronology
"I Choose"
(1997) 		"Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)"
(1998) 		"Why Don't You Get a Job?"
(1999)
Music video
"Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" on YouTube

"Pretty Fly (For a White Guy)" is a song by American rock band the Offspring. It is the fourth track from the band's fifth studio album, Americana (1998), and was released as its first single in November 1998. The song peaked at number 53 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number five on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and number three on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. It was successful internationally, reaching number one in 10 countries, including Australia, where it stayed at number one for six weeks and was certified quadruple platinum.

The song appears as the seventh track on the Offspring's 2005 Greatest Hits album. It was parodied by "Weird Al" Yankovic in "Pretty Fly for a Rabbi".

Composition and lyrics

[edit]

Beginning with a sample of the pseudo-German nonsense phrase "Gunter glieben glauchen globen" from Def Leppard's 1983 song "Rock of Ages", chanted as a replacement for the traditional "1, 2, 3, 4" to start the recording, the song ridicules a "wannabe gangsta" who is immersed in hip-hop culture, not because he truly loves or understands it but because it is trendy, makes him feel tough ("Friends say he's tryin' too hard, and he's not quite hip/But in his own mind, he's the, he's the dopest trip") and because he believes it attracts women ("and all the girlies say I'm pretty fly, for a white guy"). The “Give it to me baby” verse was done by voice actress Nika Futterman.[5]

As summed up by Dexter Holland, the people described in the lyrics "are from, like, Omaha, Nebraska, regular white-bread boys, but who act like they're from Compton. It's so fake and obvious that they're trying to have an identity."[6] Holland detailed that he meets many teenagers like those in his native Orange County, "going to the mall, where they buy FUBU, Tommy Hilfiger, and Ice Cube's latest record."[7] Given rap culture is the starting point, Holland clarified that it was not an attack on African-Americans, but "poseurs of any kind",[8] but without wanting "to be preachy about it... We're getting amusement out of it more than anything else."[9] When asked about the musical similarities with the Offspring's previous hit "Come Out and Play", Holland said he expected comparisons but added that the band attempted to "take it further than ‘Come Out and Play’", with a particular focus on more percussion.[10]

Critical reception

[edit]

Daily Record commented that on "Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)", the band "has obviously been inspired by early-Beastie Boys and Run DMC songs."[11] In Australia, it was ranked at number one on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 1998.[12]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for the song, directed by McG, begins with the "white guy" and some girls singing the opening lines, and Offspring guitarist Noodles walking on the pavement with his guitar, playing the introductory riff. The "white guy" drives through town in his lowrider and tries to act cool in front of African-Americans, playing with his car's hydraulic system and interrupting a break dance session to dance himself. He is then carried by a group of girls to a pool party and thrown into the pool. He jumps out of the pool and finds some bikini clad dancers in front of him. These scenes are cut with the band playing. The video ends with the "white guy" returning home and scaring his little sister, who is wearing a fairy costume, because of his dishevelled appearance.[citation needed]

According to Dexter Holland, the band wanted Seth Green to play the "white guy" but he was unavailable. After seeing an audition tape with "five unknowns", they settled on Israeli actor Guy Cohen,[13] who went on to cameo in the "Why Don't You Get a Job?" video and occasionally appear at Offspring concerts.[8]

DVD appearances

[edit]

The music video also appears on the Complete Music Video Collection DVD. It was released in 2005. The DVD also contains a storyboard version of the video, in which the storyboard plays over top of the music video.

Track listings

[edit]

US 7-inch single and UK cassette single[14][15][16]

No.TitleLength
1."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)"3:08
2."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (The Geek mix)3:01

Australian CD single[17]

No.TitleLength
1."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" 
2."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (The Geek mix) 
3."No Brakes" 

European CD single[18]

No.TitleLength
1."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (album version)3:08
2."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (The Geek mix)3:07

UK CD1[19]

No.TitleLength
1."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)"3:08
2."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (The Baka Boyz remix)3:01
3."No Brakes"2:02

UK CD2[20]

No.TitleLength
1."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)"3:08
2."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (The Geek mix)3:01
3."All I Want" (live)2:02

Italian 12-inch single[21]

No.TitleLength
1."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)"3:08
2."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (The Geek mix)3:07
3."Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (The Baka Boys remix)3:01
4."All I Want" (live)2:02

Personnel

[edit]

The Offspring

[edit]

Additional musicians

[edit]

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[73] 4× Platinum 280,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[74] Gold 25,000*
Belgium (BEA)[75] Platinum 50,000*
France (SNEP)[76] Gold 250,000*
Germany (BVMI)[77] Gold 250,000^
Italy (FIMI)[78] Gold 25,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI)[79] Gold 50,000^
Norway (IFPI Norway)[80] 2× Platinum  
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[81] Gold 30,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[82] 3× Platinum 90,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[83] Platinum 600,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref.
United States October 6, 1998
Columbia [84]
Europe November 9, 1998 CD [33]
United States November 17, 1998 Contemporary hit radio [85]
United Kingdom January 18, 1999
  • CD
  • cassette
 [86]

Legacy

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Blabbermouth (September 23, 2019). "KISS, IRON MAIDEN And SYSTEM OF A DOWN To Headline 2020 Edition Of U.K.'s DOWNLOAD Festival". BLABBERMOUTH.NET. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  2. ^ Williams, Mike (January 25, 2019). "In defence of 'Pretty Fly (For A White Guy)'". Australian Broadcasting Company. Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  3. ^ "88 Best Alternative Rock Songs of 1998". SPIN. October 25, 2018. Retrieved June 17, 2021.
  4. ^ "a deep dive into the music video for pretty fly for a white guy". June 29, 2019.
  5. ^ "A Deep Dive into the Music Video for Pretty Fly (For a White Guy) by the Offspring". June 29, 2019.
  6. ^ Brunner, Rob (December 1, 1998). "You Gotta Keep 'Em Alienated". Spin. p. 64 – via Google Books.
  7. ^ Dexter Holland's Americana Tour
  8. ^ a b Norris, Chris (March 1, 1999). "White Punks on Dope". Spin. p. 88 – via Google Books.
  9. ^ Cromelin, Richard (January 31, 1999). "How to Survive in Suburbia". Los Angeles Times.
  10. ^ Boehm, Mike (November 17, 1998). "The 'Americana' Dream : Post-Hoopla, the Offspring Settles Into Normal Music-Making". Los Angeles Times.
  11. ^ "Chart Slot". Daily Record. February 12, 1999. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  12. ^ "Hottest 100 of 1998". ABC. January 23, 2019. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  13. ^ Bell, Carrie (March 20, 1999). "The Modern Age". Billboard. p. 75 – via Google Books.
  14. ^ Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). The Offspring. Columbia Records. 1998. 38-79081.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  15. ^ Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) (UK cassette single sleeve). The Offspring. Columbia Records. 1998. 666880 4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  16. ^ Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) (European CD single liner notes). The Offspring. Columbia Records. 1998. 666631.2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  17. ^ Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) (Australian CD single liner notes). The Offspring. Columbia Records. 1998. 666631.2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  18. ^ Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) (European CD single liner notes). The Offspring. Columbia Records. 1998. COL 666332 1.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  19. ^ Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) (UK CD1 liner notes). The Offspring. Columbia Records. 1998. 666880 5.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  20. ^ Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) (UK CD2 liner notes). The Offspring. Columbia Records. 1998. 666880 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  21. ^ Pretty Fly (for a White Guy) (Italian 12-inch single sleeve). The Offspring. Columbia Records. 1998. COL 667119 6.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  22. ^ "The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)". ARIA Top 50 Singles.
  23. ^
  24. ^ "The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  25. ^ "The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  26. ^ "The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (in French). Ultratop 50.
  27. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 6994." RPM. Library and Archives Canada.
  28. ^ Billboard - Google Books. Books.google.ca (February 27, 1999). Retrieved on April 1, 2014.
  29. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 12. March 20, 1999. p. 6. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  30. ^ "European Radio Top 50" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 12. February 13, 1999. p. 17. OCLC 29800226. Retrieved July 10, 2023 – via World Radio History.
  31. ^ "The Offspring: Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat.
  32. ^ "The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (in French). Les classement single.
  33. ^ a b "The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  34. ^ a b "Top National Sellers" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 16, no. 12. March 20, 1999. p. 10. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  35. ^ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 40 (NR. 302 Vikuna 11.12. – 18.12. 1998)". Dagblaðið Vísir (in Icelandic). December 11, 1998. p. 12. Retrieved July 11, 2018.
  36. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)". Irish Singles Chart.
  37. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 4, 1999" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  38. ^ "The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  39. ^ "The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)". VG-lista.
  40. ^ "Lista Przebojów Programu 3" (in Polish). LP3. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  41. ^ "Palmarès de la chanson anglophone et allophone au Québec" (PDF) (in French). BAnQ. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 29, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2019.
  42. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  43. ^ "The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)". Singles Top 100.
  44. ^ "The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)". Swiss Singles Chart.
  45. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  46. ^ "The Offspring Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  47. ^ "The Offspring Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
  48. ^ "The Offspring Chart History (Mainstream Rock)". Billboard.
  49. ^ "The Offspring Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard.
  50. ^ "The Offspring Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard.
  51. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1998". ARIA. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  52. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1998" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  53. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Rock Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 34.
  54. ^ "Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 1998". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 6, no. 52. December 25, 1998. p. 36.
  55. ^ "ARIA Top 100 Singles for 1999". ARIA. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  56. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1999" (in German). Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 1999" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  58. ^ "Rapports annuels 1999" (in French). Ultratop. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  59. ^ "Brazilian Top 100 Year-End 1999". Crowley Broadcast Analysis. April 3, 2018. Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  60. ^ "RPM 1999 Top 100 Hit Tracks". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 1, 2018.
  61. ^ "Year in Focus – Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1999" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 17, no. 1. January 1, 2000. p. 11. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  62. ^ "Tops de L'année | Top Singles 1999" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  63. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1999" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  64. ^ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1999". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  65. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1999" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  66. ^ "Romanian Top 100: Top of the Year 1999" (in Romanian). Romanian Top 100. Archived from the original on January 22, 2005.
  67. ^ "Årslista Singlar, 1999" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  68. ^ "Swiss Year-End Charts 1999" (in German). Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  69. ^ "Best Sellers of 1999: Singles Top 100". Music Week. London, England: United Business Media. January 22, 2000. p. 27.
  70. ^ "Yearly Best Selling Singles" (PDF). British Phonographic Industry. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 24, 2010. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  71. ^ a b "1999 – The Year in Music" (PDF). Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 52. December 25, 1999. p. 138. Retrieved April 2, 2020.
  72. ^ "Most Played Mainstream Top 40 Songs of 1999". Airplay Monitor. Vol. 7, no. 52. December 24, 1999. p. 54.
  73. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1999 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  74. ^ "Austrian single certifications – The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  75. ^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 1999". Ultratop. Hung Medien. Retrieved April 29, 2022.
  76. ^ "French single certifications – Offspring – Pretty Fly" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  77. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Offspring; 'Pretty Fly')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  78. ^ "Italian single certifications – The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved March 9, 2021. Select "2017" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  79. ^ "Dutch single certifications – The Offspring – Pretty Fly for a White Guy" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved March 9, 2021. Enter Pretty Fly for a White Guy in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 1999 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  80. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
  81. ^ "Spanish single certifications – The Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)". El portal de Música. Productores de Música de España. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  82. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 1999" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 17, 2011. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  83. ^ "British single certifications – Offspring – Pretty Fly (for a White Guy)". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  84. ^ Borzillo, Carrie (October 10, 1998). "Offspring Explores Theme of 'Americana' on Columbia Set". Billboard. Vol. 110, no. 41. p. 20. 'Pretty Fly (For A White Guy),' [...] will be serviced to other modern rock stations, as well as mainstream rock radio, Tuesday (6).
  85. ^ "New Releases". Radio & Records. No. 1274. November 13, 1998. p. 71.
  86. ^ "New Releases: Singles". Music Week. January 16, 1999. p. 27.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pretty_Fly_(For_a_White_Guy)&oldid=1263087773"