Straight White Male

Straight White Male

Bo Burnham

One of the first-known songs from Make Happy, “Straight White Male” is an ironic take on the problems one faces when “cursed” with being Caucasian, heterosexual, and male—the advantageous end of each respective spectrum. As such, he is free of the relentless persecution seen by ethnic minorities, women, and homosexuals, as well as every other identifying gender and sexuality, since straight white men have historically been behind most of the oppression.

The song’s verses essentially list first-world problems while the chorus comforts the SWM, as the persona struggles to live in a modern age where equality is demanded.

Bo immediately follows the song with:

If you were offended by that, it was ironic. Isn’t that fun? I meant the whole opposite of it!