Say it ain’t so, General! American Idol’s General Larry Platt may have launched the “Pants on the Ground” sensation, but a soul singing group from Detroit’s Highland Park neighborhood says the anti-saggy pants anthem was inspired by a song they penned and performed more than a decade ago.
The Green Brothers believe their 1996 recording “Back Pockets on the Floor” — which has the same message as the song General Platt popularized on the FOX talent show earlier this month — may have been the springboard for “Pants on the Ground.”
In a statement uploaded to YouTube last week, The Green Brothers wrote: “This is in regaurds [sic] to the General Larry Platt “Pants on The Ground”. His song is a take off of the Green Brothers song ” Back Pockets On The Floor’. Back Pockets On The Floor was written by G. Green and was copyrighted and recorded by the Green Brothers in 1996. The General’s song have the same intent, idea and in part the same message. YOU BE THE JUDGE AMERICA!!”
Stopping short of calling Platt a thief, Gerald Green says The Brothers wish The General well but want the world to hear and see their version of the song…which is a bit of a mess, if you ask me…General Larry Platt, a former civil rights activist, has not responded to the allegations. The Atlanta native is currently seeking a copyright for “Pants On The Ground.”