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 © 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
@AnnaHa
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...
@ultramet
Song was written by a 17 yo kid about 22 love letters his girlfriend sent to him. Shuggie Otis is a musical genius. Brothers Johnson cover is fire. RIP Thunderthumbs.
@Feanor026
Not 23 ? :D I'm here thx to Six Feet Under (TV show)
@user-bu2rx6qi9t
When music was fun and positive ! Still lovin' it in 2024 !
@Ta81184
The young generation don't know nothing about this song a classic hit 👍🏽 🔥 🔥🔥🔥
@leethomas5830
Shugga Otis originally composed it his version awsome
@davidrichter9164
@Ta81184,,, actually, my young niece and nephews, who are in their late teens, love this song and many others like it from the 70s and 80s.
Sooo...
@ShAySlIm130
Yes we do! I'm 34...Been listening to this since I was 8
@leethomas5830
@@davidrichter9164 go leafs
@roserichardson9832
My all time fave song for the last 20 years, I’m now 30 😃🔥🔥🔥
@rickybobby6579
their afros are glorious works of art