8 Innocent Songs With Incredibly Disturbing Histories

8. The Ice Cream Van Jingle Is Deeply Racist

I'm sure most people have hazy, fond memories of childhood summers, playing outside with friends and enjoying the fresh air, followed by the sheer excitement of hearing the catchy jingle of the ice cream van. You'd run back inside and beg your parents for some money so you could buy a cold, delicious treat. Not to ruin any childhoods or anything, but ice cream vans are racist. Okay, so maybe that's not true, but their popular jingle originates from a ridiculously racist American song. Seriously, it's bad €“ it's got a racist slur AND a racist stereotype in the title alone. N**ger Love A Watermelon Ha! Ha! Ha!, written by actor Harry C. Browne, was released in March 1916 by Columbia Records. It was likely picked up by delivery companies owning to the brief skit at the beginning about ice cream. Once the lyrics were dropped its origin was shrouded by time and ignorance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB5AMQslyC0