Throughout the 70s and 80s, the group remained up with the times and occasionally crept ahead of them, such that they became influences themselves upon younger generations of R&B and hip-hop acts. By the time the group's popularity started to fizzle in the late 80s, a series of hits were left in the band's wake, ranging from greasy, funky workouts to smooth ballads to swinging synthesized tracks and more. Further separating Cameo from their forebears was the fact that they didn't have a diaper-clad guitarist. Instead, they had a codpiece-wearing lead vocalist in Larry Blackmon.
Today, the group's iconic single "Word Up", released in 1986 from the album of the same time, remains a radio staple. The U.S. Hot Dance Singles and U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles chart topper has also been famously covered by artists such as the hard rock band Gun and the alternative metal group Korn. Other popular Cameo singles include "Attack Me With Your Love", "Candy", "Freaky Dancin'","I Just Want To Be", and "Sparkle".
Funk Funk
Cameo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alias, the phemaldehyde funkmen
You can't see us, but you can feel us
Get up on the funk funk, funk funk, funk funk
Feel it begin to rock rock, rock rock, rock rock
If you're tired of the same o' sound, get up on the Molly funk sound!
'Cause we are living funk funk, funk funk, funk funk
"It is our will to let you know that we exist, so don't resist,
Let it all hang out. Huh, don't be a dead boogie, baby!"
Ya dig my heavy drift, ya dig my heavy drift,
My drift's too hip to resist, my drift's too hip to resist
To get off on is a trip, to get off on is a trip, funk funk
If you can do with me I can do with you, just like 2 supposed to do. Hey, hey,
Shepdopopdobelieaaaaay!
This sure ain't gonna be funk, it's gettin' down on the sea thunk
'Cause we are living funk funk, funk funk, funk funk! Hey!
We can be funky as we want to be and can be funkier than that!
We were here before you felt the funk.
And we will be hear after the funky feelin's gone!
I'm stretchin' out on the floor! I'm stretchin' out on the floor
It feels too good to ignore It feels too good to ignore
Sweats all over my face, baby, sweats all over my face
It's a crazy place!
I'm breakin' out on the floor again, baby, da-nah nah na-nah na
It feels too good to ignore, da-nah nah na-nah na
Sweats all over my face, da-nah nah na-nah na
Funk funk, it's a crazy place!
The lyrics of Cameo's song Funk Funk describe the essence of funk music and how it makes people feel. The song starts off by announcing that they are "eternal funk" and that they may not be visible, but they can definitely be felt. This creates an atmosphere that is not just physical, but also spiritual, as if funk music is a force that will always exist.
The song then goes on to describe how funk music can make people move and how it is unlike any other type of music. The lyrics mention getting up on the "Molly funk sound," which could be interpreted as a reference to MDMA (Molly), a drug known for its euphoric and energy-boosting effects. However, it could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the high that comes from the music itself. The lyrics encourage people to "dig the funky horns" and to not be a "dead boogie," as if funk music should be experienced with euphoria and energy.
Toward the end of the song, the lyrics express how funk music is a place of release and freedom, with sweat pouring on faces and people breaking out on the floor. The overall message of the song is that funk music is more than just a genre – it's a feeling and a lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up, we are eternal funk.
We are the embodiment of funk and will continue to be forever. Get up and embrace the funk.
Alias, the phemaldehyde funkmen
We have many names and are preserved in time like formaldehyde. We are the funkmen.
You can't see us, but you can feel us
We may not be physically visible, but you can sense our presence and feel the funk we emanate.
Get up on the funk funk, funk funk, funk funk
Join us in the funk and let the rhythm move you. Get up and dance to the funky beat.
Feel it begin to rock rock, rock rock, rock rock
The energy of the funk is starting to sway and rock your body to the beat.
If you're tired of the same o' sound, get up on the Molly funk sound!
If you're tired of mundane music, switch to the unique Molly funk sound and experience something new.
'Cause we are living funk funk, funk funk, funk funk
We embody the essence of funk, and it's not just a type of music - it's a way of life.
"c'mon, dig the funky horns"
Listen to the funky horns in the music and appreciate their unique sound and contribution to the overall funk experience.
"It is our will to let you know that we exist, so don't resist,
Let it all hang out. Huh, don't be a dead boogie, baby!"
We want you to know that we exist and want you to embrace the funk with open arms. Don't hold back and dance like there's no tomorrow.
Ya dig my heavy drift, ya dig my heavy drift,
My drift's too hip to resist, my drift's too hip to resist
To get off on is a trip, to get off on is a trip, funk funk
Our unique style is something to behold and is irresistible. It's a trip to experience and appreciate, and it's all about the funk.
If you can do with me I can do with you, just like 2 supposed to do. Hey, hey,
Shepdopopdobelieaaaaay!
This sure ain't gonna be funk, it's gettin' down on the sea thunk
'Cause we are living funk funk, funk funk, funk funk! Hey!
We can sync together and move to the beat like we were meant to do. This isn't just any type of music - it's funk, and we are the ultimate embodiment of it.
We can be funky as we want to be and can be funkier than that!
We were here before you felt the funk.
And we will be hear after the funky feelin's gone!
We can embody funk to the fullest extent possible and even surpass that. We have been around before anyone knew about funk, and we will continue to be here long after the funky feeling is gone.
I'm stretchin' out on the floor! I'm stretchin' out on the floor
It feels too good to ignore It feels too good to ignore
Sweats all over my face, baby, sweats all over my face
It's a crazy place!
We are so into the funk that we can't help but let loose and stretch out on the floor, feeling the music take control. It's a wild and crazy place to be.
I'm breakin' out on the floor again, baby, da-nah nah na-nah na
It feels too good to ignore, da-nah nah na-nah na
Sweats all over my face, da-nah nah na-nah na
Funk funk, it's a crazy place!
We can't get enough of the funk and keep dancing and breaking out on the floor. It feels too amazing to ignore, and it's a wild and crazy place to be.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: LARRY BLACKMON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Brian Paschal
Cameo is interplanetary talented.
panafrika2009etb
C is for "Cold", A is for Ahead their time! M is for Masterpiece! E is for Everlasting, and O is for One & Only! What an album! I loved every song on this album the first time I bought in back in 1977 OR 1978. I was in San Diego in the Navy back then and had a big boom box. Everyone on the ship kept asking me to play that song with the "ass-kicking base"! CAMEO FOREVER!!!
Michal Becoat
Funk Funk was the hit so why is Rigor Mortis on the greatest hits
Clarence Thompson
This is the first hit by Cameo came out in 1977 a true rap song young people need to know about old school rap I love this album
Swiss Chocolate Cake
@Kirk Douglas it was 1975 because I seen it at the record store and also look in the bottom of the label it says it on there
Kirk Douglas
@Swiss Chocolate Cake 1977
Swiss Chocolate Cake
Rap hip-hop artist ain't feeling this
Swiss Chocolate Cake
This album came out 1975
The Bro
Very true. Love this record so darn funky!!!
Marcus Reeves
AS A REAL TRUE CAMEO FAN,I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE.