Conley was born in McIntosh County, Georgia and grew up in Atlanta. He first recorded in 1959 as the lead singer of Arthur & the Corvets. With this group he released three singles from 1963 through 1964 (Poor Girl, I Believe, and Flossie Mae) on the Atlanta-based label National Recording Company.
In 1964 he moved to a new label (Ru-Jac Records) and released I'm a Lonely Stranger. When Otis Redding heard it he asked Conley to record a new version, which became the second release on Redding's own fledgling label Jotis Records.
Conley met Otis Redding in 1967. After this meeting Redding took Conley under his care and taught him the fine points of the music business. Together they rewrote the Sam Cooke song Yeah Man into Sweet Soul Music, which at Redding's insistence was released on the Atco-distributed label Fame Records. It proved a massive hit and went to the number two position on the U.S. charts and the Top Ten across much of Europe. It is said that Conley never accepted Otis Redding's death of December 1967.
After several years of lackluster singles in the early 1970s he relocated to England in 1975 and then spent several years in Belgium before settling in the Dutch village of Ruurlo and the cultural centre of Ganzenhoef (an extension southeast of Amsterdam) in 1980. He legally changed his name to Lee Roberts (his middle name and his mother's maiden name). He occupied himself with promoting new music by means of his Art-Con Productions company and was also active as a designer of specialized tapestries and furniture.
A live performance on January 8, 1980 featuring Lee Roberts & the Sweaters was released as an album titled Soulin' in 1988.
He died after a long battle with intestinal cancer in Ruurlo, Netherlands at age 57.
Funky Street
Arthur Conley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Two used to be the bad boogaloo
Three used to be the swing shingaling
Four used to be the funky four fingers
Down on funky street, diggin' the funky beat
Down on funky street
That's where the grooviest people meet
From Atlanta Georgia, goin' on down to the border
Every boy is dancin' with somebody's daughter
Groovin' in the city, got to get down with it
Down on funky street we're diggin' that funky beat
Down on funky street
That's where the groovier people meet
Jump up and down and you're turnin' around
You bend your knees half way down to the ground
You move it to the west and you move it to the south
You turn it around and kiss your partner in the mouth
Down on funky street, diggin' that funky beat
Down on funky street
Where the grooviest people meet
Sweet soul music is in the air
People they're comin' from everywhere
Comin' from the east, comin' from the west
Dancin' with the one that they love the best
One, c'mon everybody, got to hit the floor
Three, c'mon, baby, and go with me
Two used be the bad boogaloo
One, got to have just a little fun
Down on funky street, diggin' the funky beat
Down on funky street, diggin' the funky beat
Down on funky street, diggin' the funky beat
Down on funky street, we're doing the swinging shingaling
The lyrics of Arthur Conley's song "Funky Street" are about the groovy and lively atmosphere of a particular street known for its funky beats, cool music, and rocking dance moves. The song mentions various dance moves and steps using numerical references, such as "one used to be the shotgun," "two used to be the bad boogaloo," "three used to be the swing shingaling," and "four used to be the funky four fingers." These dance steps were popular during the 1960s and 70s, which was a time when the world was changing rapidly, especially in terms of social and cultural changes. The song praises the energy, youthfulness, and vitality of the people who enjoy this funky street, where they can let loose, have fun and truly express themselves.
The singer highlights the universality of music and dance as he mentions people coming from different places to enjoy themselves at the funky street. The song portrays the city's vibrant and bustling culture and the spirit of unity and harmony between people of all ages, gender, and cultural backgrounds. The lyrics evoke a sense of excitement, joy, and liveliness, which was a significant part of popular music during that era. The song urges listeners to jump, shout, and groove to the beat, celebrating the power of music to unite and uplift people's spirits.
Overall, "Funky Street" is an uplifting and lively song that encourages people to let their hair down and have a good time. It conveys the sense of joy and freedom that comes with dancing to the music you love with people you like, celebrating the beauty of life and the fun of living it.
Line by Line Meaning
One used to be the shotgun
In the past, people used to do the Shotgun dance move on Funky Street.
Two used to be the bad boogaloo
In the past, people used to do the Bad Boogaloo dance move on Funky Street.
Three used to be the swing shingaling
In the past, people used to do the Swing Shingaling dance move on Funky Street.
Four used to be the funky four fingers
In the past, people used to do the Funky Four Fingers dance move on Funky Street.
Down on funky street, diggin' the funky beat
People are currently hanging out on Funky Street, enjoying the funky music and dancing along.
Down on funky street
Referring to the physical location of Funky Street, which is where everyone is at.
That's where the grooviest people meet
The most stylish and trendy people tend to congregate on Funky Street.
From Atlanta Georgia, goin' on down to the border
People from various places, including Atlanta, are coming to dance on Funky Street.
Every boy is dancin' with somebody's daughter
People are dancing with each other, regardless of whether they know each other beforehand.
Groovin' in the city, got to get down with it
People are having a good time dancing and enjoying the city life.
Jump up and down and you're turnin' around
Someone is doing a dance move where they jump and turn around.
You bend your knees halfway down to the ground
In this dance move, the person bends their knees and partially squats.
You move it to the west and you move it to the south
The person is moving their body and dancing in different directions.
You turn it around and kiss your partner in the mouth
In this dance move, the person turns around and kisses their dancing partner on the mouth.
Sweet soul music is in the air
The music being played on Funky Street is soulful and enjoyable.
People they're comin' from everywhere
People are showing up to dance on Funky Street from all over the place.
Comin' from the east, comin' from the west
People are coming to Funky Street from both the East and West directions.
Dancin' with the one that they love the best
People are dancing with their favorite dance partner or whoever they choose.
One, c'mon everybody, got to hit the floor
The number one dance move is introduced and everyone is encouraged to dance along.
Three, c'mon, baby, and go with me
The number three dance move is introduced and someone invites their dance partner to join them.
Two used be the bad boogaloo
The number two dance move used to be the Bad Boogaloo on Funky Street.
One, got to have just a little fun
The number one dance move is simple and easy to follow, and the focus is on having fun while dancing.
Down on funky street, we're doing the swinging shingaling
Currently, people are dancing the Swing Shingaling on Funky Street.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ARTHUR LEE CONLEY, EARL SIMMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tomjones7089
Hidden gem, remember him well. 👍
@melodysanger103
REMEMBERING ARTHUR CONLEY (JANUARY 4, 1946 - NOVEMBER 17, 2003) [01/04/2019]
@herthaschmitt7823
Big smile! The dancing!
@toniperez4747
tantas veces lo baile!!!! gracias arthur
@raysa53
yo también en mis primeras fiestas
@heinzpeterknecht2694
WOW. what a Killah !
2020. !!!!!!!!!! 🙏
@jesusmariallorente3725
La acabo de escuchar por la radio y creo que sigue viva....😃
@merkjanoosterhoff1590
Wow! And his moves...
@kurtmaxclassicrockvideosra2806
Wonderful song and video.
@angelaallen340
Love this dancing