LET'S ARGUE: "Dance Monkey" Is a Rancid Song

Let’s Argue Episode Highlights

Anthony Fantano takes on a grab bag of hot takes in this episode, opening with the claim that “Dance Monkey” should be banned from clubs and radio. He admits parts of the tune are cute, but can’t stand the vocals, which he jokes sound like a kid attempting a Sting impression.

Other highlights include:

• Alien Ant Farm vs. Michael Jackson: Fantano rejects the claim that Alien Ant Farm’s “Smooth Criminal” is better than the original. He jokes that the cover is basically the band’s one famous song—and that he still isn’t sure what an “Alien Ant Farm” is.
• The bass intro: He tells viewers they’re free to skip it, then jokes that if he could mind-control them, he’d make them watch all his bass intros.
• Tyler’s Grammy performance: He calls it unusually erratic, dark, aggressive, and weird, while stopping short of declaring it the greatest Grammy performance ever.
• Blade, Drain Gang, and Machine Girl: Fantano clarifies that criticizing an artist’s staying power or comparing a sound to Death Grips doesn’t mean listeners shouldn’t enjoy it. He also explains why Machine Girl’s Ugly Art felt too close to Death Grips for his taste.
• Concert etiquette: He agrees that paying for a ticket doesn’t entitle someone to disrupt a show. He recalls refunding a disruptive audience member at one of his speaking events and telling them they could leave.
• Music nerds and nostalgia: Asked who else is especially knowledgeable about music, he names Deep Cuts, Mike C-Town, Nardwuar, Cole from Dissect, Pat Chennington, and Finn McKenty. He also admits he doesn’t remember Yellowcard’s “Ocean Avenue” video, since he was avoiding music like theirs at the time.
• A serious turn: On why people deliberately hurt others, Fantano suggests cruelty can come from pain, instability, or sadism. He encourages people to step away from hurtful situations when they can.
• Concern for Earl Sweatshirt: Fantano corrects a viewer’s misunderstanding about Earl’s family, then discusses the substance use and grief Earl addresses in his music. Fantano says fans can care, but can’t force someone else to seek help; he hopes Earl has support around him.
• The national anthem: Fantano debates whether singers should show off vocally during the anthem. He’s not against impressive runs or high notes, but dislikes overdoing the melody—and says the worst performance is simply one by someone who can’t sing. He brings up Fergie’s much-mocked All-Star Game rendition as a cautionary example.

Personality

Anthony Fantano