The group later recorded it for their 1977 album Right On Time, under the legendary producer Quincy Jones, and the album went platinum. "Strawberry Letter 23", as recorded by The Brothers Johnson in a funkier, more dance-oriented vein than the original Otis version, hit the Hot 100 and peaked at number five and reached number one on the Soul Singles chart in 1977. [1]. The famous guitar solo in this song was originally recorded by Shuggie Otis. Studio guitar player Lee Ritenour later recreated Shuggie Otis' original solo for The Brothers Johnson 1977 album.
An instrumental version was done by Phil Upchurch around the same time as the Brothers Johnson version, which is a more upbeat funky version. The short-lived R&B duo Kiara included a cover version of the song on its 1988 album To Change And/Or Make a Difference, which peaked at #23 on the Billboard R&B Albums chart. The song was also covered by Tevin Campbell on his debut release, T.E.V.I.N. in 1992 and hit #40 on the Billboard R&B charts, it's a new jack swing version of the song, a sound very popular at that time. Digital underground also did a hiphop version in the early 90s. It was used in Quentin Tarantino's film Jackie Brown. It was featured in the second episode of the third season of Nip/Tuck. It was also included in the Collector's Edition of the Jackie Brown soundtrack. In 2002, it was also featured in a commercial for Special K Red Berries breakfast cereal and one for Diet Coke. More recently a 2010 version was done by Quincy Jones feat Akon, who does the vocals.A music video was made to accompany the song where Quincy and Akon are discussing letters, Akon received from a girl then Quincy starts playing the song on piano and the video then cuts between Akon singing and himself holding a girl, presumably the letter writer.
Strawberry Letter 23
Brothers Johnson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Red magic satin playing near, too
All through the morning rain I gaze, the sun doesn't shine
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
In the garden, I see
West purple shower bells and tea
Orange birds and river cousins
Pretty music, I hear
So happy and loud
Blue flowers echo
From a cherry cloud
Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
Playgrounds will laugh
If you try to ask
"Is it cool?" (is it cool)
If you arrive and don't see me
I'm going to be with my baby
I am free, flying in her arms
Over the sea
Stained window, yellow candy screen
See speakers of kite
With velvet roses diggin'
Freedom flight
A present from you
Strawberry letter twenty-two
The music plays
I sit in for a few
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
A present from you
Strawberry letter 22
The music plays
I sit in for a few
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
The Brothers Johnson's hit song Strawberry Letter 23 is a soulful and poetic love letter. The lyrics are surrealist in nature, depicting an otherworldly place; a magical garden where everything is colorful and joyful, and where the singer's beloved is flying with him over the sea. The song is an expression of the kind of love that transports you to a different place, where you escape the mundane and find bliss.
Throughout the song, the lyrics are steeped in symbolism. Waterfalls, rainbows, and gardens are all symbols of regeneration and renewal. The "red magic satin" is a symbol of passion and romance. The "orange birds and river cousins" are emblematic of wildlife and the natural world, contributing to the overall sense of nature and wonder in the song. Ultimately, the song is about the power of love to transform everything around us, and create a world of our own device.
Overall, Strawberry Letter 23 is a love song that is both poetic and dreamlike. Its lyrics tap into the emotions of feeling free, uninhibited, and transported to another place by the power of love.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello my love, I heard a kiss from you
I received a message of love from you and it made me happy.
Red magic satin playing near, too
There is something enchanting happening nearby.
All through the morning rain I gaze, the sun doesn't shine
I am searching for something beautiful even though the world seems dull and gloomy.
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
There are many colorful and joyful thoughts in my head.
In the garden, I see
I find myself in a beautiful and peaceful garden.
West purple shower bells and tea
I see purple flowers and tea in the garden, which enhances the beauty of the place.
Orange birds and river cousins
I see orange-colored birds and hear the sound of the flowing river.
Dressed in green
The plants and nature around are radiant and full of life, cloaked in shades of green.
Pretty music, I hear
I hear lovely, joyful music around me.
So happy and loud
The music is joyful and loud, which fills me with happiness.
Blue flowers echo
The beauty of the blue flowers echoes in the music.
From a cherry cloud
The source of the music comes from a beautiful, imaginary place in the sky.
Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
The beauty of the sunshine is reflected in a pink and blue light.
Playgrounds will laugh
Even the playgrounds seem to be happy and full of joy.
If you try to ask
If you were to ask, you would find the world around me to be full of joy and happiness.
"Is it cool?" (is it cool)
People may question the reality of this beautiful world, but it is truly amazing.
If you arrive and don't see me
If you come to look for me, but I am gone.
I'm going to be with my baby
I will be with my loved one and be filled with joy.
I am free, flying in her arms
Being with my loved one makes me feel free and happy.
Over the sea
I am flying over the beautiful and vast sea.
Stained window, yellow candy screen
I see a beautifully stained window and a yellow candy screen which adds to the beauty of my surroundings.
See speakers of kite
I see people flying kites which adds to the beauty of my surroundings.
With velvet roses diggin'
I imagine people digging up beautiful velvet roses.
Freedom flight
Everything around me feels free and full of life.
A present from you
The beautiful world around me feels like a gift sent from my loved one.
Strawberry letter twenty-two
This beautiful world is reminiscent of the joyous feeling associated with a romantic letter between lovers, specifically letter twenty-two.
The music plays
I am constantly surrounded by beautiful music.
I sit in for a few
I stay and enjoy this beautiful world for a little while longer.
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
The beauty of this world is overwhelming and indescribable.
Lyrics ยฉ Kanjian Music, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Tratore, Unison Rights S.L., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Shuggie Otis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Melanie Coleman
Hello my love, I heard a kiss from you
Red magic satin playing near, too
All through the morning rain I gaze, the sun doesn't shine
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
In the garden, I see
West purple shower bells and tea
Orange birds and river cousins
Dressed in green
Pretty music, I hear
So happy and loud
Blue flowers echo
From a cherry cloud
Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
Playgrounds will laugh
If you try to ask
"Is it cool?"
If you arrive and don't see me
I'm going to be with my baby
I am free, flying in her arms
Over the sea
Stained window, yellow candy screen
See speakers of kite
With velvet roses diggin'
Freedom flight
A present from you
Strawberry letter 22
The music plays
I sit in for a few
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
A present from you
Strawberry letter 22
The music plays
I sit in for a few
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
A Hallikainen
Hello, my love
I heard a kiss from you
Red magic satin playing near, too
All through the morning rain
I gaze - the sun doesn't shine
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
In the garden - I see west
Purple shower, bells and tea
Orange birds and river cousins dressed in green
Pretty music I hear
So happy and loud
Blue flowers echo from a cherry cloud
Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
Playgrounds will laugh
f you try to ask
Or is it cool? is it cool?
If you arrive and don't see me
I'm going to be with my baby
I am free - flying in her arms, over the sea
Stained window, yellow candy screen
See speakers of kites - with velvet roses diggin' freedom flight
A present from you - Strawberry letter 22
The music plays, I sit in for a few
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...
A present from you - Strawberry letter 22
The music plays, I sit in for a few
Ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...ooh...
Stacey
About 10 years ago I had the privilege to see them perform live at BB Kings blues club in time square. I was working there as a waitress while I was in college and was assigned to keep the dressing room stocked with beverages and what not. When George played that guitar solo in that song it sent me into a trance. I literally felt like I levitated off the floor. They were so amazing and gracious and Louis had the heart of an innocent Child. They were constantly bickering with each other (like blood brothers tend to do) It was so cute and weird to watch. I think the bickering and ego is what broke them up ultimately a long time ago. I got to hang with them the whole night I took them this late night joint on the upper West side for an early breakfast at 3 o'clock in the morning. The next day I got a call from their manager and they sent a car over to pick me up to bring me to their Brooklyn concert. They were total gentlemen. I was very very sad when I heard that Louis had passed. Such a sweet man
Freddie Radley
Wow! You are so lucky to have had that time with them. As you say, "total gentlemen".
Trish 1431
what a wonderful memories โกโก
Perin Vazquez
I used to work in that area, at the American Airlines Theater, two doors or so down from BB Kings. so, I know the lifestyle of working in that area well. i can't say i miss the smell of exhaust, burning meat and sugary nuts, but i can always visit if i have a craving. I was there 2002 / 2003. Great story & thanks for sharing.
Russell Lamberg
Cool story.
hope goldman
wow that is great story.
dean roa
I was only 10 when this came out. Still remember my father and his brothers crowding around the radio to listen to the awesome bass playing and guitar solo. Real talent with real musicians. RIP Louis Johnson.
Lee Tate
dean roa I love it too. I turned 14 that summer of 1978 when this hit. My only disappointment was when I found out that guitar riff solo towards the end was not George playing. It was jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour in the studio. But all bass work was played buy Louis
Christy Loomis
I ssssooo agree with you on this band. I slept with a transistor radio then. This group would wake me up and give me my soul back
karen
One of the smoothest songs I've ever heard, thanks Dad for sharing this era of music with me as a child!