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.
Ride-O-Rocket
Brothers Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ride-o-rocket
If we get to Tippy Town
Then we're on the right course
Pass the satellite
We're bound to meet the force
Shaka
Come ride
Where is?
There lies the mystery
Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya
Ride-o-rocket
Oh, yeah, do it, do it, do it, do it
Ride-o-rocket
Aw, come on
Neptune is a place
That I know nothing of
So take me to Venus
She's the godess of love
And we'll beam, we'll beam, we'll beam?
Shaka
Come ride
Must we go past the sun
Are we the only ones
Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya
Ride-o-rocket
Oh, take me to it, take me to it
Ride-o-rocket
Oh, right now now now now
Ride-o-rocket
Get me there?
Go ahead, go
Ride-o-rocket
I want to see a sunny day now now now
Ride-o-rocket
Won't you do it, do it, do it, do it
Ride, ride, ride
Won't you
Ride, ride, ride
Yeah
Ride, ride, ride
That's right
Must we go past the sun
Are we the only ones
Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya
Ride-o-rocket
Oooowww, I want to touch?
Ride-o-rocket
I want to get you there, get you there
Ride-o-rocket
Won't you ride the rocket
Ride-o-rocket
I'm gonna be your morning star
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride (come touch the sun)
Ride, ride, ride (baby, baby ride)
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
Ride, ride, ride
The lyrics to the Brothers Johnson's song Ride-O-Rocket paint a picture of interstellar travel and adventure. The repetition of "ride-o-rocket" serves as a chorus or a mantra, urging the listener to join in on the journey. The song begins with the singer suggesting that they are on the right path if they reach Tippy Town and pass the satellite, as they aim to meet a force that lies beyond. The chorus then invites the listener to join in on this adventure, repeatedly chanting "ride-o-rocket" in a call and response-style.
The second verse suggests a desire to visit Neptune and Venus, two planets within our solar system. The line "She's the goddess of love" alludes to the Roman goddess Venus, who was associated with love and beauty. The song then questions whether there is life beyond our sun, and whether their journey will take them there. The chorus repeats the invitation to join in on the ride and encourages the listener to touch the sun and reach for the stars.
Overall, the lyrics of Ride-O-Rocket take the listener on an imaginative journey through the depths of space, propelled by a desire for adventure and exploration.
Line by Line Meaning
Ride-o-rocket
Let's take a trip on a rocket and ride it to the end.
If we get to Tippy Town
When we reach the right place, we'll know we're heading in the right direction.
Pass the satellite
As we travel into space, we'll see a satellite passing by.
We're bound to meet the force
We'll experience the incredible power that exists outside of Earth.
And we'll beam, we'll beam, we'll beam, we'll beam
As we travel, we'll transmit energy in a powerful wave.
Shaka
A phrase used to express excitement and enthusiasm.
Come ride
Join us on this exciting journey through space.
Where is?
We don't know where we're going or what we'll find.
There lies the mystery
The unknown holds many exciting discoveries.
Do ya, do ya, do ya, do ya
Are you ready for this thrilling adventure?
Neptune is a place
Neptune is a distant planet that we know very little about.
That I know nothing of
We have yet to explore and learn more about Neptune.
So take me to Venus
Let's head to Venus, which is known as the goddess of love.
She's the goddess of love
Venus is a planet associated with love, beauty and abundance.
Must we go past the sun
Do we need to go further than our own sun to find new discoveries?
Are we the only ones
Are we the only ones exploring the vast expanses of space?
Oooowww, I want to touch?
I want to experience the thrill and awe of reaching the limits of space.
I want to get you there, get you there
I want to take you along with me on this amazing journey.
Won't you ride the rocket
Come with us and experience the power and excitement of space travel.
I'm gonna be your morning star
I'll be the one to lead you through the darkness into the light of a new day.
Ride, ride, ride
Join us and experience the incredible power of space travel.
Yeah
An exclamation of excitement and enthusiasm.
That's right
We're sure of our destination and excited to reach it.
Get me there?
Can you help me reach my destination?
Go ahead, go
Let's get started on this incredible journey.
Oh, take me to it, take me to it
I'm ready to experience everything this rocket has to offer.
Oh, right now now now now
I can't wait any longer. Let's go!
I want to see a sunny day now now now
I want to experience the beauty and wonder of space right now.
Won't you do it, do it, do it, do it
Come with us and experience the excitement and wonder of space.
Baby, baby ride
Join us on this incredible journey through space and beyond.
Come touch the sun
Let's reach the very limits of the universe and experience everything it has to offer.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: NICKOLAS ASHFORD, VALERIE SIMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
WAYNE WILLIAMS
Age 12 in 1978. Came for the laser sound effects (sends chills up 'n' down my spine to this day). Stayed for the FUNK! 😎😎😎😎😎
Hop
They had it. Special talent.
Locktwiste72
In 1978 I was 6 years old and my father bought the BLAM! LP for my 6th birthday, my introduction to his beloved world of music. I instantly loved the entire album and do began my love affair with from his era and mine, the eras before his and up to now. I still have the record album back home. I Bought it on CD when CDs were the thing, now I have it on my phone.
monjott
Primo song. Thank God I lived in the 80s, was a DJ at a major club in Houston.
palex starks
I love the intro....Sorta pretentious but I love prentention in music.....taking it to a high level of sophistication. It almost sounded very 2001 space odyssey -ish but I loved the intro
Farrah C
What a intro, I was expecting MJ to start singing. Good tune. 💜😍 (14.10.19)
Eamon Cullen
RIP Louis Johnson.
Lenard Shaw
Cali funk,taking u to it. Rip Mr Louis Johnson 🎶💖🔥
gui2001
OWWW .. this remind me my good times in a disco club called ODYSSEY 2001..every saturday we went there walking about 6 km to enjoy this DISCO TIME..... amazing track.
1980Triumph
Great video for this awesome song.