Songwriter Pokes Fun at Helms’ Crusade With ‘Jesse Don’t Like It’

A parody about Sen. Jesse Helms’ efforts to restrict the National Endowment for the Arts is about to hit the radio airwaves.

The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that Helms (R-N.C.) is featured in the offbeat lyrics of songwriter Loudon Wainwright III, whose recording “Jesse Don’t Like It” is scheduled for release July 23.

The song rails against Helms for his conservatism, especially his opposition to the use of taxpayer-supported endowment funds for what the senator considers obscene works:

If Jesse says it’s dirty, it don’t get any funds.

They use that taxpayers’ money on tobacco and guns.

And your freedom of expression is being denied.

But if you’re not sure what you like, just let Jesse decide.

The record, featuring a jacket that shows Helms punching his fist through a Picasso painting, will be released by Hannibal-Carthage Records of New Jersey, but radio stations across North Carolina are likely to receive it as early as this week.

Wainwright, of Durham, N.C., hasn’t had a hit since 1973 when his song “Dead Skunk,” about a dead skunk in the middle of a road, made the Top 20 charts.

Helms could not be reached for comment and his campaign spokeswoman, Beth Burris, said she has not yet heard the record.

“I’m just thankful that the taxpayers didn’t have to pay for this via a National Endowment for the Arts grant,” she said.