Bohannon was drumming in a high school band while an elementary school student. After graduating from Clark College, Atlanta, and playing in local bands, he was hired by Stevie Wonder to be the drummer in his touring band. He moved to Detroit in 1965, and was employed by Motown as band leader and arranger for many of the label’s top acts. When Motown moved from Detroit in 1972, he stayed behind to form his own band.
He signed with Dakar/Brunswick Records, and in early 1973 released the album Stop And Go. This was followed by five more albums for the label over the next two years, on which he perfected his formula of heavy, thudding bass accents and aggressive rhythms. Although several of his tracks were club hits he had limited chart success – however, in 1975 "Disco Stomp" made the Top Ten in the UK, and "Foot Stompin’ Music" later that year scraped into the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B Top 40.
In 1976 Bohannon signed to Mercury Records, and two years later had his biggest success with "Let’s Start The Dance". It made the R&B Top Ten and featured the singer Carolyn Crawford, whose subsequent albums Bohannon went on to produce.
Although he continued to release records through the 1980s, using new vocalists Liz Lands and Altrinna Grayson, he met with diminishing success. Nevertheless, more recently his music has been widely sampled.
Take the Country to New York City
Bohannon Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
New York is red hot
New York is red hot!
Gon′ take the country
To New York City
New York
Gon' funk it down
Gon′ take the country
To New York City
New York
Gon' funk it down
Down in the country
We'd like to funk
Down in the country
We′d like to funk
Whoa, New York
Come and funk with me
Whoa, New York
Come and funk with me
Whoa, New York!
Come and funk with me
Oh, New York
Come and funk with me
New York is red hot
New York is red hot
New York is red hot
New York is red hot
New York is red hot!
Get up (get up)
Get up (get up)
Do the funk (do the funk)
Get up (get up)
Do the funk
Down in the country
Where I come from
Down in the country!
We′re having fun
Get up (get up)
Do the funk (do the funk)
Do the funk (do the funk)
Do the funk
New York (New York)
Come on (come on)
New York (New York)
Come on (come on)
New York (New York)
New York (New York)
Come on (come on)
Come on (come on)
Do the funk (do the funk)
Funk (funk)
Funk (funk)
Funk (funk)
Ha, yeah-yeah, oo!
"Take the Country to New York City" by Bohannon is a funk track that aims to bring together different cultures – country and city – and merge them through the power of music. The repetition of the line "New York is red hot" implies that the city is thriving, vibrant, and full of energy, which is what the singer of the song wants to take back to their country roots. The song talks about funk music being accessible to everyone, regardless of their location or social class, and how it can unite people from different backgrounds.
The chorus "Gon' take the country to New York City, Gon' funk it down" suggests that the singer wants to showcase their country roots by infusing them with the funk music that originated in the city. They believe that by doing so, they can create something unique and extraordinary. The line "Down in the country we'd like to funk" reveals that the singer is not content with the traditional country music and they want to add funk elements to make it more modern and appealing to a broader audience.
The song's repetitive chorus and fast-paced rhythm make it an excellent dance track, with the lyrics adding a deeper message of unity through music. The track's overall vibe is infectious, and the message is one that promotes inclusivity, bringing together cultures that are traditionally seen as vastly different.
Line by Line Meaning
New York is red hot
New York is an incredibly vibrant and exciting city.
Gon' take the country
I am going to bring the energy and spirit of the country to New York City.
To New York City
I am going to take the country to the heart of the biggest city in the world.
New York
New York City, the place where dreams come true and anything is possible.
Gon' funk it down
I am going to add my own unique energy and style to the city and really make it my own.
Down in the country
Back home in the countryside where life is a little slower and more relaxed.
We'd like to funk
We enjoy having fun and dancing to some funky music.
Come and funk with me
I invite everyone in New York to join me in having a good time and enjoying the music.
Get up (get up)
Let's get moving and start dancing!
Do the funk (do the funk)
Let's dance to the funky beat and have a good time.
Down in the country!
Back home in the countryside where life is a little slower and more relaxed.
Where I come from
My hometown back in the country where life is simpler.
We're having fun
We're enjoying ourselves and having a good time dancing and socializing.
New York (New York)
The most famous city in the world and the place where everything is happening.
Come on (come on)
Join me in this exciting adventure in the city.
Funk (funk)
The musical genre which combines soul, R&B, and jazz to create a unique, upbeat sound.
Ha, yeah-yeah, oo!
Just expressing joy and excitement through a sound effect.
Writer(s): Hamilton Frederick Bohannon
Contributed by Sarah K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@isiahbethel5956
Real Party Music!!!!
@michellespiritual7729
The horn is the BEST part of the song besides moving MY BODY!!!
@granvilleansell474
R.I.P. HB
@gregmason2760
I bet all of the Blockheads had this record in their collection.
@tilaunc
Go Maceo!!
@granvilleansell474
BAD !!