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)
Vanish In Our Sleep
Bootsy Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh how our love would turn out ok
And if you just listen to me, we could vanish in our sleep
And together just you can me
Well
If they could understand
The position they put us in
If we can only be real
Then we could fly away
To another time and space
We could love, we could love love
In our own rejected way
If I could just do to you
All of the good things to do
We could squeeze the very juice out of love
And if that ain't enough
I'll set a fire to your funky stuff
Woman, I'll put the fire out with more love
Well
Daddy's got a real need for you
I know you got a thing for me too
Wherever, whoever or whatever
We gotta do what we got to do
We gone keep on truckin
We ain't just standin on the verge
We gonna give love all we can muster
Everytime we get the urge
I'd like to tell the world where to go
If they don't like our show
I'd like to kiss this old world goodbye
And if you just listen to me, we could vanish in our sleep
And together just you and me
Hang around baby, I got more to say
Oh, oh, oh, oh, baby that's right
Yeah baby
Well, well, well, well,
Yeah baby
Wanna make you my wife baby
Feels so good
Oh baby, you just make me, feel so serious
And I used to be a pratical joker
oh yeah baby
If I could just do to you
All of the good things to do
We could squeeze the very juice out of love
And if that ain't enough
I'll set a fire to your funky stuff
Woman, I'll put the fire out with more love
If I could take you away, to a better day
Oh how our love would turn out ok
And if you just listen to me, we could vanish in our sleep
And together just you and me
We belong together baby
You're like music to my ears
You're like water on a desert baby
And I'm so thirsty for you
Give it here, it's mine, give it here
Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby, yeah baby
The song "Vanish In Our Sleep" by Bootsy Collins is a passionate love song that expresses the singer's wish to be with his lover in a better place and time, free from judgment and societal constraints. The lyrics begin by suggesting that if the two of them were in a different time and space, their love would turn out ok. The singer acknowledges the pressure society places on their relationship but desires to be real about the way they feel, so they can fly away together to a better life.
The song also contains romantic and playful language, such as "I'll set a fire to your funky stuff, woman I'll put the fire out with more love" and "you're like music to my ears, you're like water on a desert baby, and I'm so thirsty for you." Overall, the lyrics of "Vanish In Our Sleep" convey the powerful and all-consuming nature of love, and the desire to break free from societal constraints to be with a loved one.
Line by Line Meaning
If I could take you away, to a better day
If I could improve our circumstances, things would be better for us.
Oh how our love would turn out ok
Our relationship would thrive if things were better for us.
And if you just listen to me, we could vanish in our sleep
If we work together and communicate, we can leave our problems behind and focus on love.
And together just you can me
Together, you and I can overcome anything.
If they could understand
If others could see our situation from our perspective,
The position they put us in
the tough situation we are in because of them,
If we can only be real
If we can be honest,
About the way that we feel
about our true emotions,
Then we could fly away
Then we could escape our troubles,
To another time and space
and start anew in a different place.
We could love, we could love love
We could have a love so strong,
In our own rejected way
that even though others might not approve of it, it would still be real and genuine for us.
If I could just do to you
If I could treat you with all the love and care,
All of the good things to do
with all the good things that come along with it,
We could squeeze the very juice out of love
We could experience the fullest extent of love and all the joy it brings.
And if that ain't enough
And if that's not sufficient,
I'll set a fire to your funky stuff
I'll do whatever it takes to keep things interesting between us.
Woman, I'll put the fire out with more love
Through my love, I'll keep the passion between us burning bright.
Daddy's got a real need for you
I have a deep craving for you.
I know you got a thing for me too
I know you feel the same way about me.
Wherever, whoever or whatever
No matter what gets in our way,
We gotta do what we got to do
we have to do what we can to be together.
We gone keep on truckin
We will persevere through anything.
We ain't just standin on the verge
We are not just waiting for change to come,
We gonna give love all we can muster
We are going to put our all into this love.
Everytime we get the urge
Whenever we feel the spark of love, we will act on it.
I'd like to tell the world where to go
I wish I could defy everyone's opinion and choices for us.
If they don't like our show
If people don't appreciate our love,
I'd like to kiss this old world goodbye
I would rather leave this world behind than leave you.
We belong together baby
We are meant to be together.
You're like music to my ears
Your presence in my life is like sweet melodic harmonies.
You're like water on a desert baby
You are a refreshing presence in my parched life.
And I'm so thirsty for you
I crave you deeply and eagerly.
Give it here, it's mine, give it here
I want more of you, give me all your love.
Hang around baby, I got more to say
Stay with me, I have more to express.
Oh, oh, oh, oh, baby that's right
Yes, that's exactly how I feel.
Wanna make you my wife baby
I want to make you my partner in life.
Feels so good
Being with you brings me immense joy.
Oh baby, you just make me, feel so serious
You are the reason for my intense feelings of love and commitment.
And I used to be a practical joker
I used to take love lightly and play around.
oh yeah baby
But with you, I understand the importance of love and commitment.
Writer(s): William, George Clinton, William Earl Collins, GeorgeClinton Jr, W. Collins, G. Clinton Copyright: Rubber Band Music, Rubber Band Music Inc., A Side Music LLC O.B.O. Rubber Band Music Inc.
Contributed by Caden W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@cassandrasanchez4248
If i could take you away
To a better day
Oh how our love would turn out okay
And if you'll just listen to me
We could vanish in our sleep
And together just you and me
Well
If they could undestand
The position they put us in
If we can only be real
About the way that we feel
Then we could fly away
To another time and space
We could love, we could love love
In our own rejected way
If I could just do to you
All of good things to do
We could squeeze the very juice
Out of love
And if that ain't enough
I'll set a fire to your funky stuff
Woman, I'll put the fire out
With more love
Well
Daddy's got a real need for you
I know you got a thing for me, too
Wherever, whoever or whatever
We gotta do what we got do
We gonna keep on truckin'
We ain't just standin' on the verge
We gonna give love all we can muster
Everytime we get the urge
I'd like to tell the world to go
If they don't like our show
I'd like to kiss this old world goodbye
And if you'll just listen to me
We could vanish in our sleep
And together just you and me
Hang around, baby. I got more to say. Oh, oh, oh, oh, baby that's right. Yeah, baby
Well, well, well, well
Yeah, baby. Feels so good. Oh baby, you just make me feel soserious. And I used to be a pratical joker. Oh yeah, baby. Oh yeah, oh yeah, baby. Yeah
If I could just do to you
All of good things to do
We could squeeze the very juice
Out of love
And if that ain't enough
I'll set a fire to your funky stuff
Woman, I'll put the fire out
With more love
If I could take you away
To a better day
Oh how our love would turn out okay
And if you'll just listen to me
We could vanish in our sleep
And together just you and me
Yeah baby. Easy now, easy. That's right, baby. Hey, what's happenm', now. You and me can all together, baby, a the same time
We belong together, baby. You're like music to my ears. You're like water on a desert, baby, and I'm so thirsty for you. Give it here, it's mine, give it here. Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby. Yeah, baby
@bakercarl8518
My 1st born was conceived from this. His name is Casper.
@a.d.slater6280
NOW,......THAT'S SOME REAL RIGHTEOUSNESS !!!
@edwardparker3895
Me too. Baby making music
@anthonyhosea8780
I'm hollering!! 😂🤣
@West290Ike
Goals.
@oddieshelton6235
Casper that's one of my favorite movies I love him already from the great grandmother of Greenville Michigan Yvonne calloway Bailey
@moehammondmedia
Did anyone ever realize that this song doesn’t start and end? It just appears and vanishes. Listen to it.
@lennixking9612
"If they could just understand,the position they put us in"....one of the most profound Bootsy Collins statements for Life.......
@CmeDEW61
I’m still a Funkenteer 2021 here soon 60y of living 😎✌🏾
@jaiiskii2262
This is the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard in my life 🥲🎶🖤