The group came up with the Heavies name after signing their first record contract, borrowing from a liner note on a James Brown single declaring the artist "Minister of New Super Heavy Funk". As The Brand New Heavies they gained a cult following in the London club scene and soon signed to Cooltempo as acid jazz replaced rare groove in clubs. The band issued a debut recording for Eddie Piller's Acid Jazz label in 1990 with Jay Ella Ruth as lead singer.
A single, "Got to Give", came out on Cooltempo before the Brand New Heavies signed to Acid Jazz Records and released Brand New Heavies to critical acclaim. The band signed to a division of Chrysalis Records in the UK, and American distribution was picked up by influential label Delicious Vinyl, and N'Dea Davenport (who had signed an artist development deal with Delicious Vinyl) joined the group. A revamped version of the first album with vocals by N'Dea Davenport was then released, and the singles "Dream Come True", "Never Stop" and "Stay This Way", all with Davenport on lead vocals, became hits on both sides of the Atlantic, with the latter becoming a music video directed by Douglas Gayeton that saw heavy rotation on MTV.
The group's appearance with MC Serch (formerly of 3rd Bass) and Q-Tip (of A Tribe Called Quest) at a performance in New York City, inspired the group to incorporate elements of hip hop music. Their next album was the critically acclaimed Heavy Rhyme Experience, Vol. 1, which included collaborations with Guru of Gang Starr and The Pharcyde, among others, but lacked any female vocals.
While under management by Colin Lester's and Ian McAndrew's Wildlife Entertainment, The Brand New Heavies released Brother Sister (1994) which was the last album for a while with N'Dea Davenport, who had left to complete her solo album (which she had put on hold to join the Heavies). The album spawned more singles, though one of them, a cover of Maria Muldaur's "Midnight at the Oasis", was popular only in the UK because it was not included in the US version of the album.
Siedah Garrett joined the group for their next album, Shelter (1997). It contained the minor hit, the Carole King-penned song "You've Got a Friend" that was originally made famous by James Taylor. Again, though, this song did not appear on the US version of the album. The album also contained the hit "Sometimes". The remix of "Sometimes" included the rap vocals of Q-Tip from Tribe.
The Brand New Heavies then released their greatest hits album, Trunk Funk - The Best of The Brand New Heavies (2000) with Carleen Anderson on vocals for some newly recorded songs, followed by the Japan only album We Won't Stop (2003) featuring a variety of vocalists and Allaboutthefunk (2004) featuring British singer Nicole Russo on vocals.
In April 2006, the Brand New Heavies reunited with N'Dea Davenport and former label Delicious Vinyl. A new album, Get Used to It was released on June 27 2006 via Starbucks and more traditional music retail outlets. The album was recorded in New York and London; and the lead single "I Don't Know Why (I Love You)" was issued in early May. The single was notable for being one of very few late releases to feature the trademarked "A Tom Moulton Mix", as the legendary disco pioneer had been asked to contribute mixes. Later that year, their song "Jump 'N' Move" was featured on the soundtrack for the 2006 computer animated feature film, Happy Feet, and the in-game soundtrack for 2004's NBA Live 2005. The band toured at the end of 2006.
After the release of a live CD Live at the Indigo2 in late 2008, the Brand New Heavies announced they would be releasing a new album in 2009 with N'Dea Davenport on vocals.
I Like It
The Brand New Heavies Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Welcome to the People's Summernight Lounge in downtown Las Vegas.
Our houseband... the Heavy Tones. Playing for you this evening a
fabulous selection of Calypso, Brasilian music. Just sit back.
Enjoy your Blue Plate special and listen to the music...)
I'm shoutin' out to anyone
Who is affected by a funky groove
I'll tell you now, you're gonna feel it
No matter what you do, oh
So let me hear you say yeah, I like it
Say yeah, I like it
Wanna hear you say yeah, I like it
Yeah, I like it
You know we'll do it, 'til you're satisfied
And groove you 'til you've had enough, oh
Me and the boys be jammin'
We hope you don't mind, if we funk you up, oh
So let me hear you say yeah, I like it
Yeah, I like it
Everybody say yeah, I like it
Yeah-yeah, I like it
I wanna hear you say yeah, I like it
Say yeah, I like it
Yeah, I like it
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I like it
The first stanza of the lyrics sets the scene for a night of fun and music at the People's Summernight Lounge in downtown Las Vegas. The Heavy Tones, the houseband for the night, are playing a selection of Calypso and Brazilian music. The singer is shouting out to anyone who is affected by a funky groove, telling them that they are going to feel it no matter what they do. This sets the tone for the rest of the song, which is all about the power of a good groove.
The chorus of the song is simple and catchy, with the singer urging the audience to join in and say "yeah, I like it." The repetition of this phrase reinforces the message that the groove is irresistible and will make everyone feel good. The verses build on this theme, with the singer promising to keep playing until the audience is satisfied and to "funk you up" with the help of the band.
Overall, "I Like It" is a fun, upbeat song that celebrates the power of music to bring people together and create a sense of joy and energy.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm shoutin' out to anyone
I am addressing everyone
Who is affected by a funky groove
Whoever is influenced by the rhythm of music
I'll tell you now, you're gonna feel it
I assure you, you will experience it
No matter what you do, oh
Irrespective of what you're doing
So let me hear you say yeah, I like it
Therefore, please affirm by saying that you appreciate it
You know we'll do it, 'til you're satisfied
You know we will continue doing it until you're content
And groove you 'til you've had enough, oh
And make you dance until you don't want to anymore
Me and the boys be jammin'
My band and I will be playing music
We hope you don't mind, if we funk you up, oh
We are hoping you won't object if we play music that is funky and upbeat
Everybody say yeah, I like it
Everyone should affirm that they enjoy it
Yeah-yeah, I like it
Yes, I enjoy it
I wanna hear you say yeah, I like it
I would love for you to proclaim that you appreciate it
Yeah, I like it
Yes, I enjoy it
Yeah, yeah, yeah, I like it
Yes, yes, yes, I love it
Lyrics © DistroKid, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: FRANK DIESING, GUENTER ECKERT, TORSTEN HARTMANN, BARRINGTON LEVY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind