In March 1970, after most of the members of James Brown's band quit over a pay dispute, The Pacesetters were hired as Brown's backing band and they became known as The J.B.'s. (They are often referred to as the "original" J.B.'s to distinguish them from later line-ups that went by the same name.) Although they worked for Brown for only 11 months, the original J.B.'s played on some of Brown's most intense funk recordings, including "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine", "Super Bad", "Soul Power", and "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing".
It is known that the young Bootsy clashed several times with the rigid system Brown used to discipline the young band whenever he felt they stepped out of line. After leaving the band Collins then moved to Detroit, following the advice of singer and future Parliament member Mallia Franklin
After parting ways with James Brown, Bootsy returned to Cincinnati and formed House Guests with his brother Phelps Collins, Rufus Allen, Clayton "Chicken" Gunnels, Frank Waddy, Ronnie Greenaway and Robert McCullough. The House Guests released two singles on the House Guests label as well as a third as The Sound of Vision on the House Guess label.
Franklin introduced both Collins brothers to George Clinton, and 1972 saw both of the Collins brothers, along with Waddy, join Funkadelic. Bootsy played on the subsequent Funkadelic album 'America Eats Its Young', but it would be a another couple of years before he really began to make his mark on the P-Funk mob. Appearing on Funkadelic's 'Let's Take It To The Stage' and Parliament's 'Up For The Down Stroke' Bootsy soon became a defining member, both in sound and song-writing and is credited on all of the late 70s classics.
In 1976 Bootsy, Catfish, Waddy, Joel Johnson, Gary "Mudbone" Cooper, Robert Johnson and The Horny Horns formed Bootsy's Rubber Band, a separate touring unit of Clinton's P-Funk collective. The group recorded four albums together, the first three of which are often considered to be among the quintessential P-Funk recordings. The group's 1978 album "Bootsy? Player of the Year" reached the top of the R&B album chart and spawned the #1 R&B single "Bootzilla".
Like Clinton, Bootsy took on several alter egos, from "Casper the Funky Ghost" to Bootzilla, "the world's only rhinestone rockstar monster of a doll", as part of an evolving character, an alien rock star who grew gradually more bizarre as time went on (see P-Funk mythology). He also adopted his trademark space bass around this time.
Bootsy also released a 1980 album, Sweat Band, on George Clinton's Uncle Jam label with a group billed as Bootsy's Sweat Band.
[edit] 1980s and later
In 1984, Bootsy collaborated with Jerry Harrison of Talking Heads to produce "Five Minutes", a dance record sampled and edited from Ronald Reagan's infamous "Five Minutes" speech. The record was credited to "Bonzo goes to Washington" (also referenced in the 1985 Ramones song "Bonzo goes to Bitburg", derived from Reagan's starring role as Professor Peter Boyd in the 1951 comedy film Bedtime for Bonzo).
In 1990 Bootsy collaborated with Deee-Lite on their massive hit "Groove Is In The Heart" where he contributed additional vocals. Although he also appeared in the music video playing the bass, the bassline in the song is actually a sample of a Herbie Hancock song called "Bring Down the Birds". Bootsy's Rubber Band became the defacto backing musicians for Deee-Lite during a world tour.
Bootsy collaborated with bluegrass legends Del McCoury, Doc Watson and Mac Wiseman to form the GrooveGrass Boyz. They produced a fusion of bluegrass and funk that listeners either loved as a fresh take on tradition or hated as defiling that same tradition.
In 1995, Bootsy played in the remake of Jimi Hendrix's "If 6 was 9" for Axiom Funk, a funkadelic like one off super group produced by Bill Laswell and featuring the (funkadelic members) George Clinton, Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins, (the guitar of the late) Eddie Hazel, Gary Shider and Bill Laswell . The group released only one album and the song also appeared in the soundtrack of the movie Stealing Beauty.
Bootsy has collaborated extensively with Bill Laswell and made appearances on two Fatboy Slim records, as well as reading a poem at the end of FatBoy Slims's release in the LateNightTales dj mix series. Bootsy provided "vocal spice" on the TobyMac album Welcome to Diverse City. He also appears on Nicole C. Mullens' latest album, "Everyday People". He has also worked with the Lo-Fidelity Allstars on the album 'Don't be Afraid of Love', with Praxis, and with Buckethead on several occasions, for example on Buckethead's first album, "Bucketheadland". Bootsy was featured in the 2002 film Standing in the Shadows of Motown. In 2004 he appeared on Snoop Dogg's Rhythm & Gangsta album and on the cover of "The Joker" on the Fatboy Slim album Palookaville.[2]
In 2005, Bootsy Collins added vocals to fellow bassist Victor Wooten's album Soul Circus. He also served as "Heineken's Amsterjam 2005" curator and master of ceremonies on Randall's Island, New York and appeared with Madonna, Iggy Pop, Little Richard, and The Roots' Questlove, in an American TV commercial for the Motorola ROKR phone.
Collins' signature instrument is a custom-built star-shaped bass guitar he calls the "Space Bass". Currently built for him by Manuel "Manny" Salvador of GuitarCraft in 1998. More recently, Collins has made an agreement with Traben to make a signature Bootsy Collins model bass called the "Bootzilla".
In October, 2005, Collins co-wrote a song celebrating the resurgence of his hometown team, the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League called "Fear Da Tiger" which features "raps" written and performed by several Bengals players, including defensive end Duane Clemons, offensive tackle Stacy Andrews, and center Ben Wilkerson. An edited version of the song was made into a music video which features cameos by many other Bengals players. It has garnered tremendous local airplay and is viewable on Bengals.com Additionally, Cincinnati Bell is offering "Fear Da Tiger" as a free ringtone for its wireless customers in both polyphonic and MP3 formats. Collins appeared with Little Richard, Bernie Worrell, and other notable musicians as the band playing with Hank Williams, Jr. for the Monday Night Football opening during for the 2006 season. Collins was the only all star to return with Williams for the 2007 season.
He also sings "Marshal Law", the theme song of the Cincinnati Marshals indoor football team. He debuted the song on April 29, at halftime of a Marshals home game against the West Palm Beach Phantoms.
In 2006, ABC Entertainment / A Charly Films Release released a DVD/CD from Bootsy Collins and the New Rubber Band's concert at the 1998 North Sea Jazz Festival. In the same year, Collins split from long-time friend and guitarist Odhran "The Bodhran" Rameriz, citing creative differences as the reason.
Also in 2006, Collins recorded music for the animated television series Loonatics Unleashed. Collins also voiced the character Bootes Belinda in the episode The Music Villain. [3]
In April, 2007, Bootsy announced plans to begin a restaurant/club with Cincinnati area restaurateur Jeff Ruby. The restaurant is to be called "Bootsy's." It will feature live musical acts, a museum dedicated to Bootsy's musical career and Spanish, Central and South American cuisine. It is to open in December 2008.
In June 2007, Bootsy Collins, along with Phelps Collins, Clyde Stubblefield, John "Jabo" Starks, and Bernie Worrell, participated in the recording of the soundtrack for the movie Superbad.
In July 2007, Bootsy also told Billboard magazine that he's working on a project by the name of Science Faxtion and an album called Living On Another Frequency in which he serves as bassist and co-producer along with his lead vocalist Greg Hampton. The band also features guitarist Buckethead and drummer Brain.[4] The album was released in November 2008.[5]
Collins promoted Rock the Vote for its 2008 compaign together with Buckethead.[6]
Bootsy produced Junkyard Waltz by funk band Freekbass from Ohio came out October 27.
Bootsy has been mentioned in the song "Genius of Love" by Tom Tom Club in the line "Clinton's musicians such as Bootsy Collins raise expectation to a new intention", while "Got more bass than Bootsy Collins" is a line in the song "Rumble in the Jungle" by the Fugees. His influence in popular culture is seen in that he has been referenced by a number of television series. In The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air episode "Sooooooul Train", Geoffrey sneaks into the Soul Train tapings posing as Bootsy Collins, while in the The Mighty Boosh episode "The Legend of Old Gregg" an alien creature named 'The Funk' lands on Bootsy's house, giving him his ability to play the bass guitar "like some kinda delirious funky priest", as well as the ability to see around corners. His song I'd Rather Be With You was featured in the movie Baby Boy and on January 26, 2007, Bootsy, a native of Cincinnati, gave the commencement address at the graduation ceremony at The Art Institute of Ohio - Cincinnati.. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, who has cited Collins as one of his primary influences, appeared in unmistakably Bootsy-esque clothing in the video for RHCP's "Dani California", and Bootsy's "What's a Telephone Bill?" was sampled for 2Pac's "Str8 Ballin'" track off the THUG LIFE album..
In 2009 Collins collaborated with Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek on the track "Internet Connection".[7]
[edit] Bass technique
Collins' bass playing is driving, rhythmic and groovy, and has been very influential in the development of funk. His characteristic juicy sound, produced by envelope filters (for example the Mutron), is one of his distinguishing traits as a bass player. He also uses highly syncopated 16th note patterns combined with a very strong slap technique, highly influenced by Larry Graham.
Bootsy's bass patterns are often up-front in the mix and more often than not, drive the song (rather than the guitars or horns)
Physical Love
Bootsy Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Feeling real I want what you′ve got
I have no guilt you have no shame
Any means to avoid the pain
You're so freaky I'm so horny
Your good love you laid it on me
Physical love could not be real
(We almost believe them)
Physical love will never grow
All we miss would one day show
(We really don′t know love)
Sexually we could relate
Knowing then you were the perfect mate
(We could feel it)
They treat us like getting smooth
You might just be the biggest fool
(But I do Love you)
You're so sexy I′m so hot
Feeling real I want what you've got
I have no guilt you have no shame
Any means to avoid the pain
Physical Love is not from above
When the Novelty′s gone then so is love
(We could not hear that)
Physical love will never grow
Our weakness would one day show
(We just didn't know that)
Sexually we could relate
Knowing then you were the perfect mate
(We could feel it)
You′re so sexy I'm so hot
Feeling real I want what you've got
You′re so freaky I′m so horny
Your love you laid it on me
Keep walking side by side
Stepping two by two
Keep walking side by side
Baby just me and you
Keep walking side by side
Keep walking side by side (Keep on walking)
Stepping two by two
Keep walking side by side baby just me and you (Keep on walking)
The lyrics to Bootsy Collins’s song Physical Love are full of sexual references, mixed feelings and self-awareness of one’s own shortcomings. The song is about two people who are deeply attracted to each other and who engage in physical love. There’s no shame or guilt involved as both parties are aware of the consequences of their actions. However, they also know that this type of love won’t last, that it’s not from above and that it won’t grow.
The lyrics imply that both parties understand that their actions do not represent true love. They might be physically compatible, but that alone isn’t enough to build a long-term relationship. Their love is driven by lust and desire, and it’s a wrong type of relationship in the eyes of society. The song suggests that both parties are aware of this fact, but they are still unable to break free from their attraction to each other. This is emphasized in the line “You might just be the biggest fool (But I do Love you)” which implies the singer is aware of their own foolishness, but they’re still unable to resist the other person.
Overall, Physical Love is a song that explores the complexities of sexual attraction and its consequences. It highlights that physical love is not enough to sustain a lasting relationship and that the novelty of the situation will eventually wear off. It’s an honest and self-aware portrayal of two people who know that their relationship won’t last, but they’re still going to enjoy it while they can.
Line by Line Meaning
You're so sexy I'm so hot
I am attracted to you and feeling physically aroused
Feeling real I want what you've got
I am in the moment and desire what you have to offer
I have no guilt you have no shame
Neither of us feel guilty for our physical desires or actions
Any means to avoid the pain
We are willing to do anything to avoid emotional pain
You're so freaky I'm so horny
I am very sexually aroused by you
Your love you laid it on me
You have given me your physical love and attention
Physical love could not be real
We believe our physical love for each other is not genuine or true
It's a sin the way we feel
We feel guilty about our physical desires and actions
(We almost believe them)
We almost believe what others say about our physical relationship, but we don't fully agree
Physical love will never grow
Our physical love for each other will not develop or deepen over time
All we miss would one day show
We will eventually realize what we've been missing in our relationship
(We really don't know love)
We are unsure if what we feel is true love or just physical attraction
Sexually we could relate
We are able to connect and understand each other on a sexual level
Knowing then you were the perfect mate
At the time, we believed we were meant to be together
(We could feel it)
We felt a strong physical connection and chemistry
They treat us like getting smooth
Others may see our relationship as just a physical fling or casual hookup
You might just be the biggest fool
Others may criticize or judge us, but I still love you
(But I do Love you)
Despite any criticism or doubts, I still love you
Physical Love is not from above
We believe that true love is not just physical attraction or desire
When the Novelty's gone then so is love
Once the excitement of our physical relationship wears off, our love will disappear as well
(We could not hear that)
We were not able to understand or accept the idea that our love may not last
Our weakness would one day show
Eventually, our physical desire for each other would reveal our emotional weaknesses and vulnerabilities
(We just didn't know that)
We were not aware of the consequences of our physical relationship
Keep walking side by side
We will stick together and continue with our relationship
Stepping two by two
We will move forward in this relationship as a team
Baby just me and you
It's just the two of us in this relationship, and we will continue to support each other
Writer(s): Gary Lee Cooper, William Earl Collins, George Clinton, Garry Marshall Shider
Contributed by Oliver C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ston
This was one of the few solos Gary Shider ever played. Eddie Hazel says on his album (Games,Dames and Guitar Thangs) that it's Gary. I'm not gonna argue with Eddie Hazel.
Thomas Minarchick Jr.
2:48 to 3:02 is Garry. The main guitar throw out is Eddie. His tone is clear as day
Ernest Butler
I don't quite understand what you're saying:But the Legendary GARY SHIDERr.i.p.Played Guitar Solos and held down Vocals Lead/Background throughout All Live 2 1/2 to 4 hour sets.Take my word for it I've seen Him do it too many times to Mention.Besides it's THE FUNK MOB..On Vinyl or in The Studio One Never Really Knows Who's Playing What.Love&Peace
chris edwards
@Mackck eddies album said gary and eddie on guitars on eddies version eddie overdubbed his part turning gary down on certain parts of the song
Leslie Bridges
Bernie Worell really perfected the full effect of this song. He so easily on this song and so many others defined what funk misic REALLY is.
Music, no matter what genre doesnt get any better than this.
CaptainRaab
@chris edwards I literally read a Bootsy interview in the last month where he talks about it being Garry...
Ston
I remember taking Stretching Out and The Ohio Player's Contradiction to my first guitar lesson. I told my teacher "I want to learn how to do THIS." He liked it, he smiled and said," O.K. We're going to start you off with the blues." I said," BET... I'm down."
Kyle Christian
Can' t go wrong with the blues play on Playa
Shahrahn Freeman
That's Eddie Hazel on the guitar dude....it's also on his solo album , as an instrumental track.
Thomas Minarchick Jr.
Bootsy confirmed it’s Eddie on both