[1][2] The name of the song is derived from Uncle Remus, a fictional character found in works by writer Joel Chandler Harris.
Author Ben Watson called the song "a gentle reprimand, noting how protest was being abandoned for fashion", citing Zappa's mention of growing a "'fro", along with water from fire hoses used in protests having the potential to harm "sharp" clothes.
[5] The song's lyrics also refer to lawn jockeys,[5][6] statuettes that often depicted black figures with exaggerated features.
Zappa sings about targeting jockeys on the lawns of "rich people" as a form of protest in Beverly Hills, suggesting a connection between class and race.
[8][9] Duke released an alternate version of the song with a more gospel-like arrangement on his 1975 album The Aura Will Prevail.