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)
Worth My While
Bootsy Collins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He had everything to do with it and you'd
Be surprised he had a lot to
Do with a whole lot of my friends
Falling in love and getting married
Why you say that?
Because we listened to his music
All the time whenever we
On a little Bootsy
You forget about all that oh
This is the school for fools in love
Did I mention? Pay attention
Another 40 days, 40 nights
I gotta get my love life right
I'd just like to say
Welcome to my Milkyway, baby
And you better believe there's
A heartbreakin' every day
Oh, ain't nothin' wrong with having fun
Unless you ain't give none, baby
And that brings us to this occasion
True lover's dedication
Now, talk to me, baby
Can you make it worth my while?
Go on and show me, babe
Can you make it worth my while?
Uh, I certainly can
Yeah, I think that change is about to come
Baby watch me, now
Come on, make it worth my while
It's been a long time
Go on and lead the way
But I think I'm ready, baby
Come on, make it worth my while
Just explain what you mean, baby
When I'm with him all I ever do
What you talkin' about?
Is reminisce over you
In funk we thrust, who else been on my bus?
I close my eyes, try to think it through
What you know, I'm stuck to you like glue
Oh, oh, oh
Now that's some unsportsmanlike conduct
Babe can you make it worth my while?
Go on and show me, babe
Can you make it worth my while?
Uh, I certainly can
Yeah, I think that change is about to come
Baby watch me, now
Come on, make it worth my while
It's been a long time
Go on and lead the way
But I think I'm ready, baby
Come on, make it worth my while
My dearly baby, I got something to say
What I'd like to say to you
Is, girl, you know that I love you too
And if you turn and walk away
Ah, I'm not even a dog, I'm just a stray
Babe but what I'd like to say would be
(And I didn't mean any harm)
I need your love and honesty
(And I didn't wanna do you no wrong)
I thought I made a little house a home
And now I'm so alone
Now, that's some unsportsmanlike conduct
Oh no, the trickle down effect, baby
Sometimes the pain hurts more
Than it hurts you, baby girl
Now check this out, baby
What I'd like to do with you
Oh, any man, would wanna do
And that's hold you in my arms
And let life live on
Let's hold you in my arms
And let life live on
Listen while I recite oral history, baby
Can you make it worth my while?
Go on and show me, babe
Can you make it worth my while?
What you mean it's a dream
Come on, make it worth my while
This is Brother Nature calling
Go on and lead the way yeah
Come on, make it worth my while
From the west side of the wing of Heaven
Baby i'm virtually nothing
Yeah and you're always a new
Adventure in my world, baby
He's the potter and I'm the clay
Wherever you look around, I'm on display
They call me Brother Nature
Like a book with no pages
I came from the west wing with nothing
The lyrics to Bootsy Collins's song "Worth My While" convey a message about the influence and impact of music, specifically Bootsy's music, on relationships and love. The singer reflects on how Bootsy Collins's music played a significant role in their life and the lives of their friends, particularly during times when they were about to argue. Bootsy's music acted as a catalyst for love and marriage, bringing people together and diffusing conflicts. The lyrics suggest that Bootsy's music had a magical ability to make people forget their problems and focus on the love they shared. The singer describes this experience as being in the "school for fools in love," highlighting the power of music to create connections and strengthen relationships.
The song also explores the theme of love and the desire for it to be reciprocated and valued. The singer questions if someone can make it worth their while, asking for proof that the other person is willing to invest fully in the relationship. The phrase "worth my while" implies that the singer wants their time and effort to be appreciated and returned in equal measure. They express a longing for a genuine and deep connection, emphasizing the importance of honesty and dedication in a true lover's relationship.
Overall, "Worth My While" celebrates the transformative power of music, particularly Bootsy Collins's music, in fostering love and relationships, while also expressing a desire for reciprocation and value in personal connections.
Line by Line Meaning
Bootsy had something to do with it?
Did Bootsy Collins play a significant role in it?
He had everything to do with it and you'd
He played a crucial role and you would be surprised
Be surprised he had a lot to
Be amazed by the extent of his contribution
Do with a whole lot of my friends
Influencing many of my friends
Falling in love and getting married
They fell in love and got married
Why you say that?
Why do you ask?
Because we listened to his music
Because we regularly listened to his music
All the time whenever we
Every time we
Thought we was finna argue throw
Thought we were about to argue, we would play
On a little Bootsy
Some Bootsy Collins songs
You forget about all that oh
All those arguments were forgotten
This is the school for fools in love
This is where lovers learn their lessons
Did I mention? Pay attention
Did I forget to mention? Listen carefully
Another 40 days, 40 nights
Another period of time, symbolically representing a trial
I gotta get my love life right
I need to improve my romantic life
I'd just like to say
I simply want to express
Welcome to my Milkyway, baby
Welcome to my world, my love
And you better believe there's
And you should definitely understand that there is
A heartbreakin' every day
Heartbreak happening daily
Oh, ain't nothin' wrong with having fun
Oh, there is nothing wrong with enjoying oneself
Unless you ain't give none, baby
Unless you're not reciprocating, my love
And that brings us to this occasion
Which leads us to this situation
True lover's dedication
Devotion of true lovers
Now, talk to me, baby
Now, communicate with me, my love
Can you make it worth my while?
Can you make it satisfying for me?
Go on and show me, babe
Go ahead and demonstrate, my darling
Can you make it worth my while?
Can you make it satisfying for me?
Uh, I certainly can
Yes, I definitely can
Yeah, I think that change is about to come
Yes, I believe that a transformation is imminent
Baby watch me, now
Darling, observe me now
Come on, make it worth my while
Let's make it satisfying for me
It's been a long time
It has been a considerable duration
Go on and lead the way
Take the lead, my love
But I think I'm ready, baby
But I believe I am prepared, my darling
Come on, make it worth my while
Let's make it satisfying for me
Just explain what you mean, baby
Simply clarify your intentions, my love
When I'm with him all I ever do
When I'm with him, all I do constantly
What you talkin' about?
What are you referring to?
Is reminisce over you
Is to nostalgically recall memories of you
In funk we thrust, who else been on my bus?
We embrace funk music, and who else has joined me in my journey?
I close my eyes, try to think it through
I shut my eyes, attempting to contemplate it
What you know, I'm stuck to you like glue
You know that I am strongly attached to you
Now that's some unsportsmanlike conduct
That behavior is unfair and unsporting
Babe can you make it worth my while?
Darling, can you make it satisfying for me?
Go on and show me, babe
Go ahead and demonstrate, my darling
Can you make it worth my while?
Can you make it satisfying for me?
Uh, I certainly can
Yes, I definitely can
Yeah, I think that change is about to come
Yes, I believe that a transformation is imminent
Baby watch me, now
Darling, observe me now
Come on, make it worth my while
Let's make it satisfying for me
It's been a long time
It has been a considerable duration
Go on and lead the way
Take the lead, my love
But I think I'm ready, baby
But I believe I am prepared, my darling
Come on, make it worth my while
Let's make it satisfying for me
My dearly baby, I got something to say
My beloved, I have something important to say
What I'd like to say to you
What I want to express to you
Is, girl, you know that I love you too
Is, my dear, you already know that I love you as well
And if you turn and walk away
And if you decide to leave
Ah, I'm not even a dog, I'm just a stray
I would feel abandoned and lost, not even worthy of being compared to a dog
Babe but what I'd like to say would be
Darling, but what I want to say is
(And I didn't mean any harm)
(And I didn't intend to cause any harm)
I need your love and honesty
I require your love and sincerity
(And I didn't wanna do you no wrong)
(And I didn't want to treat you badly)
I thought I made a little house a home
I believed I had turned a small dwelling into a comfortable home
And now I'm so alone
And now I feel incredibly lonely
Now, that's some unsportsmanlike conduct
Now, that behavior is unfair and unsporting
Oh no, the trickle down effect, baby
Oh no, the cascading consequences, my love
Sometimes the pain hurts more
At times, the pain is more intense
Than it hurts you, baby girl
Than it affects you, my dear
Now check this out, baby
Now listen to this, my love
What I'd like to do with you
What I want to experience with you
Oh, any man, would wanna do
Oh, any man would desire
And that's hold you in my arms
And that is to embrace you
And let life live on
And allow life to continue
Let's hold you in my arms
Let's embrace each other
And let life live on
And allow life to continue
Listen while I recite oral history, baby
Listen as I share my personal history verbally, my love
Can you make it worth my while?
Can you make it satisfying for me?
Go on and show me, babe
Go ahead and demonstrate, my darling
Can you make it worth my while?
Can you make it satisfying for me?
What you mean it's a dream
What do you mean it's unreal?
Come on, make it worth my while
Let's make it satisfying for me
This is Brother Nature calling
I, Brother Nature, am reaching out
Go on and lead the way yeah
Go ahead and guide the path, yeah
Come on, make it worth my while
Let's make it satisfying for me
From the west side of the wing of Heaven
From a heavenly place on the western side
Baby i'm virtually nothing
My love, I am practically insignificant
Yeah and you're always a new
Yes, and you are always a fresh
Adventure in my world, baby
Exciting experience in my life, my love
He's the potter and I'm the clay
He is the creator and I am the creation
Wherever you look around, I'm on display
Everywhere you look, I am present
They call me Brother Nature
They refer to me as Brother Nature
Like a book with no pages
Like a book without any pages written
I came from the west wing with nothing
I originated from the western area with no possessions
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOHN WILLIAMS, KALI UCHIS, WILLIAM COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ritchie Rosson
So so good Bootsy baby! Much love to you and all those keeping the funk alive.
TOMMY HAM
This is Great! i can't wait to hear the whole album Bootsy Baby
Actor_23
Bootsy back at it again with the funky tones
Destiny Bynum
This is what i miss the music that you feel as it plays like telephone bill, munchies for your love brings back the memories
calisk84lf
My fresh dose of dope
Shadow
Ain't nothin' changed but the era, the studio acoustics, and the 'Players',...but the Funk is STILL in the air and it's
P-Yoo-Ti-Ful'. In other words, it's 'Vibe-a-licious' bobba. Dig!!! Ahh, ...the space bass sounds just as liquid as it ever did.
Like a snowball in the summertime melting all over ya,...Bootsy and the children of production continues to multiply and do it 2 U from all sides. Can y'all get to THAT???
Play on players
𝓟𝓮𝓪𝓬𝓮
O Arce
Ohh Bootsy you did it again!!!!
Jamie H.
Happy 66th b-day Bootsy ( oct.26,1951 ).... so glad you were born... if we didn't have Bootsy, we would've had to invent one .... but that would've been faking the funk
Stopelli Banda
YES!!!! BOOTSY BABY!!!!!!
what's up yaul
Bootsy where you been man. I like this song. I'm glad to see you back.🤗