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Singer Feliciano Protests 'Feliz Navidad' Parody

03:01 PM Saturday 12/26/09 |   |

Grammy-winner Jose Feliciano has gotten an apology after accusing a pair of radio producers of trashing the spirit of Christmas by using his popular holiday song, "Feliz Navidad," for a racist musical spoof about undocumented immigrants.

  • Jose Feliciano

    Bronx native Jose Feliciano plays a heartfelt set at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in New York.
    April 22, 2006

    (AP Photo)

    | 

Feliciano released a statement Wednesday saying that he was "revolted beyond words" and that the song was never meant to be "a vehicle for a political platform of racism and hate."

"When I wrote and composed 'Feliz Navidad,' I chose to sing in both English and Spanish in order to create a bridge between two wonderful cultures during the time of year in which we hope for goodwill toward all," the Puerto Rico-born singer said.

The parody, titled "The Illegal Alien Christmas Song," was created by radio producers and writers Matt Fox and A.J. Rice and was posted in mid-December on the Web site for Human Events, a Washington-based conservative weekly publication founded in 1944.

Web site editor Jed Babbin apologized Wednesday and said the song would be removed from the site. The link to the song's page was no longer available by Thursday.

"We regret any offense that Mr. Feliciano may have taken from this parody," Babbin said in an e-mail sent to The Associated Press.

One passage from the parody, sung in English, riffed on the stereotype of Latino immigrants as heavy drinkers, while another said "illegals" were going to "spread bubonic plague."

Born in Lares, Puerto Rico, in 1945, Feliciano was raised in New York City and wrote "Feliz Navidad" in 1970. It is one of the most popular Christmas songs in the world.


Comments

  1. Tar & Feathers wrote:

    06:04 PM, Dec 28, 2009

    I'm pretty sure that the Opie & Anthony - Cheech & Chong parody was broadcast several years after the release of the Bob Rivers song. Not to get all anal here, but I know more about novelty tunes than most would consider healthy.  

  2. CjConway wrote:

    09:55 AM, Dec 28, 2009

    its "Police got my  car" and that was done by Opie & Anthony, specifically, Anthony's brother, Joe Cumia.

  3. Meenchie wrote:

    07:59 AM, Dec 28, 2009

    The real crime here is that radio personalities think they have the right to trash anything they want, no matter who they hurt.  They should fire these two idiots and make sure that they can't work in the field again.  I have a great respect for Mr. Feliciano and love hearing "Feliz Navidad".

  4. Tar & Feathers wrote:

    03:46 PM, Dec 27, 2009

    The two real crimes here are A) the song is stupid and totally unfunny B) It's a rip off of Bob Rivers "Police Stop My Car," which was funny.  



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