Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Would The USC Marching Band Care So Much About 'Tusk' If They Knew It Was About A Penis?

USC kicks off its college football season with a matchup against the University of Alabama next weekend. Aside from what's sure to be a real clash of the titans on the field, there's already some #drama brewing between the marching bands over who has more of a "right" to play "Tusk," the brassy Fleetwood Mac hit from the 1979 album of the same name. The feud was investigated by the L.A. Times, which explained that the University of Alabama is located in Tuscaloosa—get it, TUSC-aloosa—and have an elephant as a mascot; therefore, they can claim some rights to "Tusk."
But the USC marching band played on the original recording of "Tusk," even appearing in the music video, which was filmed at Dodger Stadium. Pretty legit.
Plus, the song is such a signifier of Trojan excellence that many USC students reportedly "listen to 'Tusk' in headphones while they bike to exams, to get themselves pumped," according to the Times.
Either way, it's pretty interesting that these two bands are fighting over a song about Mick Fleetwood's erect penis!
That specific penis was a key player in the actual theme of the song, too, which is about the affair that went on between Fleetwood and Stevie Nicks, which didn't make Nicks' ex Lindsey Buckingham (the song's primary writer) very happy. From 'The Penguin Lyric Interpretations':
It has been well-documented that Mick believes the word "Tusk" is analogous to the male sexual organ. That imagery is indeed consistent with the overall theme of the song and makes an appropriate title (it especially goes along with the "Real savage-like" cry mid-song). But if "Tusk" was indeed symbolic of a penis, than why make it necessary to cry it, and, for that matter, keep repeating it? Tusk goes beyond a restatement of the male genitalia. Lindsey, unable to straightforwardly expose Stevie and Mick for what they are, accuses them ambiguously with one word instead, a word symbolic of the lust and desire and deceptiveness of their affair. He has found a way of saying, "I know what you two are doing, I know where Mick goes at night, I know who's on the phone, I know who's on his throne!!!!!!"
Related:
Let's Revisit Fleetwood Mac's Rumours
Vin Scully Met Fleetwood Mac Last Night, And I Am Dead
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
The new ordinance applies to certain grocers operating in the city and has led to some self-checkout lanes to shutter.
-
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500
-
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected.
-
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi.
-
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown.
-
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding.