Stephen Colbert Sticks on a Soul Patch to Criticize Keith Urban’s ‘Female’ [Watch]
Keith Urban made waves when he released his new single, "Female," this week, but not everyone felt washed by them.
"Female" was written by Nicolle Galyon, Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman and was partially inspired by the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal. During an episode of The Late Show on Thursday (Nov. 9) host Stephen Colbert took it to task, criticizing what he feels was a swing and a miss by Urban.
"Now these are disturbing allegations and it's just the latest in an avalanche of allegations against powerful, prominent men — Harvey Weinstein, Bill O'Reilly, Roger Ailes, Kevin Spacey," Colbert says. "And a lot of men look at this behavior and they feel like there's nothing they can do. Well, last night, one man stepped up to 'not do it,' country music star and soul patch safe space Keith Urban."
Colbert segued into a clip of Urban performing the song — which has been met by praise in country music — at the 2017 CMA Awards as words used to represent women flashed on a screen behind him. Colbert prefaced the clip by assuring that he's a fan of the superstar: "Before I play you the song, I just want to be clear, I am a fan of Mr. Urban's and his heart is in the right place. His lyrics? Not so much."
Turning it into a bit, Colbert told the audience he was premiering his own song called "Female," leaving the stage only to return with a microphone and new facial hair, imitating Urban.
Colbert's "Female" goes:
"Ladies of the world, you've got a raw deal. Too many times your voices have been silenced. Well I want to let you know I hear you. Now be quiet while I explain you to you. Lady, woman, vagina owner, lipstick, bangs, organ donor, piano teacher, appletini, burka, one-piece or bikini, weird blue liquid, pads with wings, Andy Cohen, Nuva rings, yonic, yogurt spoon, tender goddess of the moon."
Urban has not yet responded to Colbert's sharp criticism of "Female," but several country artists have publicly thanked the singer for putting his voice to change. "Female" is the first release from a TBA new album from Urban.
A "Female" Songwriter Shares More Details
See 12 Female Trailblazers In Country Music