Brad Paisley, LL Cool J Talk 'Accidental Racist' On 'Good Morning America'

Musicians Brad Paisley and LL Cool J appeared on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Wednesday to talk about their duet on Paisley's new single, "Accidental Racist." In the song, Paisley and LL Cool J play the parts of a white Southerner and a black barrista overcoming prejudice and having a back-and-forth about everything from fashion to slavery.

Here are their comments from the segment, which was billed as their "only interview together" to talk about the song.

Brad Paisley: "I'm not really sure that we were going told find any answers, but it's the idea that we would ask the question."

LL Cool J: "Martin Luther King had a very interesting quote. He said 'Darkness doesn't drive out darkness, only light can. Hate doesn't drive out hate, only love can.' What we're talking about on this song is forgiveness and compassion." I'm not advising anyone to truly forget slavery. But what I saying is to forget the slave mentality. Forget the bitterness. Don't get bitter, get better.

Brad Paisley: I got a call from this guy (LL Cool J) saying 'Have you seen anything?' I said, 'No, what are you talking about?' And I was like, 'No, I don't want to look at twitter.'"

LL Cool J: Some people take exception to the lyrics. I'm sensitive to that. I respect that.

Brad Paisley: But in the end, I felt what we had on tape was something that people needed to hear.

LL Cool J: In terms of symbols, sometimes I put a skull and crossbones on and my wife would get upset with me. But you know, I'm not a pirate. If my man (Paisley) has a Confederate flag on, that don't mean he's a Confederate soldier.

Brad Paisley: Let's not be victims of things that happened so long ago.
 
LL Cool J: Let's respect it. And at the same time, let's respect it but also open our hearts up so we can move forward.

Paisley will be back on "Good Morning America" on Friday for a live performance and he will appear on a duet on LL Cool J's upcoming album, which will be released next month.

ALSO: In Defense Of Brad Paisley's 'Accidental Racist' (with the video)