Their popular album Light Up the Night was released in March 1980 and got as high as number 5 on the Billboard 200. It was number 46 on the "Top 100 LP's of 1980" list in Rolling Stone Magazine. The subsequent album, Winners, was self-produced by the brothers and released in July 1981, but was less successful, going only as high as number 48 on the Billboard 200.
Among their most popular songs are "I'll Be Good to You" (Hot 100 #3 in 1976), "Strawberry Letter 23" (Hot 100 # 5 in 1977), "Ain't We Funkin' Now" (1978), and "Stomp!" (Hot 100 #7 and Hot Dance Music/Club Play #1 in 1980). Their styles include funk, disco, and R&B ballads. The duo split up in 1982.
Guitarist/vocalist George Johnson and bassist/vocalist Louis Johnson formed the band Johnson Three Plus One with older brother Tommy and their cousin Alex Weir while attending school in Los Angeles. When they became professionals, the band backed such touring R&B acts as Bobby Womack and the Supremes. George and Louis Johnson later joined Billy Preston's band, and wrote "Music in My Life" and "The Kids and Me" for him before leaving his group in 1973. In 1976, The Brothers covered the Beatles song, "Hey, Jude", for the ephemeral musical documentary All This and World War II.
Quincy Jones hired them to play on his LP Mellow Madness, and recorded four of their songs, including "Is It Love That We're Missing?" and "Just a Taste of Me." Jones took them on a Japanese tour, then produced their début LP, Look Out for Number 1, after they signed with A&M, which was also his label at the time (1976). They scored a number-one R&B and number-three pop hit with "I'll Be Good to You," and enjoyed R&B chart toppers in 1977 and 1980 respectively with "Strawberry Letter 23" and "Stomp!," while sustaining a consistent hit presence via such songs as "Get the Funk Out Ma Face" and "Runnin' for Your Lovin." Jones remade "I'll Be Good to You" in 1989 with Ray Charles and Chaka Khan on his Back on the Block release.
The Brothers earned platinum records for Look Out for Number 1 and Right on Time. Jones produced both of these, along with their third and fourth LPs, Blam and Light Up the Night. The group produced its single "The Real Thing" in 1981. It reached number 11 on the R&B charts, and the Brothers had another hit with "Welcome to the Club" in 1982. They started doing separate ventures; Louis Johnson played bass on Michael Jackson's Thriller LP and recorded a gospel album, while George Johnson worked with Steve Arrington. Leon Sylvers produced their mid-'80s return LP Out of Control; it didn't equal their past success, but got them another R&B hit with "You Keep Coming Back" in 1984. They recorded Kickin' in 1988, and co-wrote "Tomorrow" with Siedah Garrett for Jones' Back on the Block in 1989.
Get The Funk Out Ma Face
Brothers Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get the funk out ma face
Get the funk out ma face
Get the funk out ma face
You don't like my music
You don't have to use it
Funkin' is a thing that all of us release
All you do is let it
Then you'll know exactly how to groove
You don't like my music
You don't have to use it
Funkin' is a thing that all of us release
You don't have to play it
You don't have to say it
You don't even have to try to sing it
Get the funk out ma face
Get the funk out ma face
Get the funk out ma face
Get the funk out ma face
You don't like my music
You don't have to use it
Funkin' is a thing that all of us release
You don't have to get it
All you do is let it
Then tell us our funk did you some good
The song "Get The Funk Out Ma Face" by Brothers Johnson is a funky and upbeat tune that has an interesting message. The lyrics revolve around the idea of not forcing someone to like or appreciate one's music or funk. The repetition of the phrase "Get the funk out ma face" is a way of dismissing anyone who is not receptive to the groove and style of the music. The song conveys the idea that funk is a release that cannot be forced on anyone, and those who can appreciate it will let it happen naturally.
The lyrics also suggest that those who are not into funk music do not have to listen or participate in it. The songwriter emphasizes that funk is a part of everyone, and it is a thing that we release. The song encourages people to let go and enjoy the groove, and they will understand how to groove. The message of the song is a call for listeners to be open-minded and not judge something without experiencing it, especially if it is something that could bring a lot of joy and release.
In conclusion, the song Get The Funk Out Ma Face is about the essence of funk and how it should not be forced on anyone. It is a message of freedom, expression, and appreciation for music that is characterized by groove and rhythm.
Line by Line Meaning
Get the funk out ma face
Please leave me alone and stop criticizing my music
Get the funk out ma face
I am serious, stop bothering me about my music
Get the funk out ma face
I cannot stress enough how much I want you to leave me alone about my music
Get the funk out ma face
I really mean it, please go away and let me enjoy my music
You don't like my music
I sense that you do not appreciate the music that I am playing
You don't have to use it
I am not forcing you to listen to my music
Funkin' is a thing that all of us release
Playing funk music is a way for us to express our emotions and feelings
You don't have to get it
You do not have to understand or appreciate the music that I am playing
All you do is let it
Just relax and let the music take over you
Then you'll know exactly how to groove
Once you let go and get into the music, you will start to move and dance naturally
You don't have to play it
I am not making you play any music, so stop complaining
You don't have to say it
It is not necessary for you to comment on my music or to criticize it
You don't even have to try to sing it
I am not asking you to sing along, so please stop trying
Then tell us our funk did you some good
If you do end up enjoying the music, let us know how it made you feel
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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