In 1964, at the age of 11, Khan formed her first musical group, the Crystalettes. While still in high school, she joined the Afro-Arts Theater, a group which toured with Motown great Mary Wells; a few years later, she adopted the African name Chaka Khan while working on the Black Panthers' breakfast program. After quitting high school in 1969, Khan joined the group Lyfe, soon exiting to join another dance band, the Babysitters — neither was on the fast track to success, but her fortunes changed when she teamed with ex-American Breed member Kevin Murphy and Andre Fisher to form Rufus.
Debuting in 1973 with a self-titled effort on the ABC label, Rufus was among the preeminent funk groups of the decade. Distinguished by Khan's dynamic vocals, the group earned half a dozen gold or platinum albums.
While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career. Her signature hits, both with Rufus and solo, include "Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing", "Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel for You" and "Through the Fire".
LIKE SUGAR
Chaka Khan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's like su--
It's like su--
It's like sugar, so sweet
Good enough to eat
When I feel the funk, I give in
Get up on a-yo' feet
(Yeah)
(Ah)
Why with the state that I'm in
Everybody here is dancing
All I wanna do is get ya
Body next to mine, yeah
Baby won't you stand up to me
Come around and make a move
Maybe teach ya something like this
Funky, funky groove
It's like sugar, so sweet
Good enough to eat
When I feel the funk, I give in
Get up on a-yo' feet
It's like su--
It's like su-- (I like it)
Like sugar (like sugar), it's like sugar (like sugar)
It's like sugar (like sugar), it's like sugar (like sugar)
It's like sugar (like sugar), it's like sugar (like sugar)
It's like sugar (like sugar), it's like sugar (like sugar)
It's like sugar (yeah), it's like sugar (like sugar)
It's like sugar (like sugar), it's like sugar (like sugar)
It's like sugar (like sugar), it's like sugar
It's like sugar (like sugar), it's like (ooh)
It's like su--
It's like sugar, so sweet
Good enough to eat
When I feel the funk, I give in
Get up on a-yo' feet
It's like sugar, so sweet
Good enough to eat
When I feel the funk, I give in
Get up on a-yo' feet
Why with the state that I'm in
Everybody here is dancing
All I wanna do is get ya
Body next to mine
Baby won't you stand up to me
Come around and make a move
Maybe teach ya something like this
Funky, funky groove
The lyrics to Chaka Khan's song "Like Sugar" express the irresistible attraction of music and dancing, particularly to the funk genre. The song starts with a funky beat that sets the tone and mood for the listener. The repetition of "It's like su--" adds anticipation and eagerness into the listener's mind, as if they are waiting for the next line to complete the thought. The metaphor of sugar refers to the sweetness and joy that music and dancing brings, which is good enough to eat. Chaka Khan sings about the freedom and abandon one feels when the funk takes over, and it's impossible not to give in and get up on your feet to dance.
Line by Line Meaning
(Funky, funky, funky, funky)
The song is super funky and upbeat.
It's like sugar, so sweet
The feeling of dancing to the song is sweet and enjoyable.
Good enough to eat
The song is so good that it could be compared to tasty food.
When I feel the funk, I give in
When the funk music plays, it's hard not to dance.
Get up on a-yo' feet
The song encourages listeners to dance and move their feet.
Why with the state that I'm in
Even if the singer is feeling down, the song still makes them want to dance.
Everybody here is dancing
Everyone around is in the groove and dancing to the music.
All I wanna do is get ya
The artist wants to dance with and enjoy the music with someone else.
Body next to mine, yeah
The artist wants to be close and dance next to the person they are addressing in the song.
Baby won't you stand up to me
The artist is encouraging the addressed person to dance and stand up with them.
Come around and make a move
The addressed person is being encouraged to join the singer and make a dance move.
Maybe teach ya something like this
The artist wants to dance and teach the addressed person some moves.
Funky, funky groove
The groove and beat of the music is funky and enjoyable.
It's like su--
The song is so good that it leaves the singer speechless.
It's like sugar (like sugar), it's like sugar (like sugar)
The feeling of dancing and moving to the music is sweet and enjoyable.
It's like sugar (yeah), it's like sugar (like sugar)
The song is so good that it can be compared to something as enjoyable as sugar.
It's like sugar (like sugar), it's like sugar
The song makes the artist feel an enjoyable and sweet sensation.
It's like su--
The joy of dancing to the song leaves the singer speechless and unable to describe it.
It's like sugar, so sweet
The sweetness of the music and feeling of dancing is powerful and enjoyable.
Good enough to eat
The music is so good that it can be compared to tasty food.
When I feel the funk, I give in
The irresistible beat of the song makes the artist want to dance and move.
Get up on a-yo' feet
The song encourages listeners to get up and dance, letting the music move them.
It's like sugar, so sweet
The sweet sensation of dancing to the music is powerful and enjoyable.
Good enough to eat
The joy of dancing to the song is so good that it can be compared to tasty food.
When I feel the funk, I give in
The power of funk music is strong and makes the singer want to dance.
Get up on a-yo' feet
The song encourages listeners to dance and move their feet to the beat.
Why with the state that I'm in
Even if the singer is feeling down, the song has the power to lift their mood and make them dance.
Everybody here is dancing
The feeling of dancing to the music is so good that everyone around is dancing and enjoying themselves.
All I wanna do is get ya
The artist wants to share the joy of dancing to the music with someone else.
Body next to mine
The singer wants to dance close and move together with the addressed person.
Baby won't you stand up to me
The singer is encouraging the addressed person to dance and enjoy the music with them.
Come around and make a move
The addressed person is being invited to join in and dance together with the artist.
Maybe teach ya something like this
The artist wants to enjoy and share the dance moves they know with the addressed person.
Funky, funky groove
The groove of the music is enjoyable and funky, perfect for dancing.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Spirit Music Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: David James Andrew Taylor, Sarah Ruba, Chaka Khan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Kyzzle112718
I foresee this song being in the next mainstream commercial advertising an electronic device.
@robinhawkins5861
Kyzzle112718.. Yeah I see a Target 🎯 / Old Navy commercial.. 💃🕺
@yaxl
for that fruit corporation
@jayknowswhy
Or movie lol
@LadiiLush
Kyzzle112718 true
@corneliuswhite5139
Definitely licensing possibilities, but it appears like Chaka is the guest star on somebody else's production, not her own recording.
@rajeshkaran7800
Congratulations to one of the BEST female singers of my 70’s generation being finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame class of 2023
@gigigiseleworld
🌹🌹🌹🌹
@caththomas5152
What a masterpiece. Both the dancing (choreography AND execution) and the music (percussions, bass) are AMAZING.
@amandaf1042
Agree, totally.