In 1967, The Parliaments (a Plainfield-based doo wop band headed by George Clinton) hit the charts with "I Wanna Testify". Clinton recruited a backing band for a tour, hiring Billy "Bass" Nelson. Eddie was in Newark, New Jersey working with George Blackwell and couldn't be reached. After Nelson returned from the tour, he tried to recruit Eddie. His mother at first vetoed the idea (since Eddie was only seventeen), but Clinton and Nelson worked together to change her mind.
In the fall of 1967, The Parliaments went on tour with both Nelson and Hazel. In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Hazel met and befriended Tiki Fulwood, who quickly replaced The Parliaments' drummer. Nelson, Hazel and Fulwood became the backbone of Funkadelic, which was originally the backup band for The Parliaments, only to later become an independent touring group when legal difficulties forced the group to (temporarily) abandon the name "Parliaments".
The doo wop of The Parliaments quickly began morphing into the soul-inflected hard rock of Funkadelic, influenced as much by Jimi Hendrix as Frankie Lymon. The switch to Funkadelic was complete with the addition of Tawl Ross and Bernie Worrell (rhythm guitar and keyboards, respectively). Funkadelic (1970), Free Your Mind... And Your Ass Will Follow (1970) and Maggot Brain (1971) were the first three albums, released in a mere two years.
Maggot Brain is perhaps the definitive musical statement by Funkadelic, and the titular track's ten-minute guitar solo is Eddie Hazel's defining moment, and the one piece of music for which he has remained a legend. Perhaps apocryphally, George Clinton told Hazel, during the recording session, to "play like your momma just died" and the result was the epic sounds of Hazel's guitar. The term, "Maggot Brain," refers both to Hazel's incredible intake of various drugs, as well as a mode of thinking which allows one to rise above the "bullshit" of the world, which is inhabited by maggots who have not yet achieved the status of Maggot Brain (see P Funk mythology).
Frantic Moment
Eddie Hazel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Trying to be strong
I should’ve given into you
It was a real thing to do
Where do I get off
Thinking I could go on
You should’ve given up on me
(musical break)
Where did I go right
Went without a fight
I’d kind of given up on you
Thought that was the thing to do
Where did I go wrong
Trying to be strong
I should’ve given into you
It was a real thing to do…
"Eddie Hazel's song Frantic Moment" is a poignant piece that reflects on the choices and decisions that people face in relationships. The song is centered around the singer's retrospective analysis of their past relationship and the regret they feel for being too stubborn and unwilling to compromise. In the first verse, the singer laments their failure to give in to their partner, which ultimately caused the relationship to fall apart. They recognize that they should have put their ego aside and compromised for the sake of the relationship. In the second verse, the singer reflects on their decision to give up on their partner, which they thought was the right choice at the time. The musical break in the middle of the song allows the listener to pause and reflect with the singer before moving on to the final verse. The chorus repeats the first verse, emphasizing the regretful feelings over the lost relationship.
There is a sense of vulnerability and honesty in the lyrics that speak to the universal struggle of being in a relationship. The song pulls at the heartstrings of the listener, invoking empathy and understanding. It is a reminder that we are all human and make mistakes, but it is never too late to recognize them and learn from them.
Line by Line Meaning
Where did I go wrong
Expressing regret for past actions or decisions that have resulted in a negative outcome
Trying to be strong
Attempting to handle a difficult situation alone without seeking help or support
I should’ve given into you
Realizing that compromising and yielding to the wishes of another party would have been a better course of action
It was a real thing to do
Acknowledging that making a tough decision, albeit a painful one, was a genuine act and reflective of one's character
Where do I get off
Asking oneself where the right to act in a particular way arises from
Thinking I could go on
Believing that one can continue to cope with a challenging or problematic situation, even though it has become emotionally or mentally exhausting
You should’ve given up on me
Recognizing that another party has been let down or disappointed by one's behavior or actions
Now I see how blind can be
Understanding that one's previous beliefs or opinions were incorrect or misguided, and that one failed to recognize crucial details or insights
Where did I go right
Reflecting on past successes, positive outcomes or achievements
Went without a fight
Choosing not to engage in an argument or confrontation, and acquiescing without resistance or protest
I’d kind of given up on you
Feeling discouraged or disillusioned with another party, and placing low expectations on future interactions
Thought that was the thing to do
Believing, even if mistakenly, that a particular action or decision would yield the best possible outcome
I should’ve given into you
Reiterating the importance of compromise and yielding to the wishes of another party, and expressing regret for not doing so earlier
It was a real thing to do…
Acknowledging once more that making a tough decision, even in light of negative consequences or outcomes, was still a genuine and valid choice
Contributed by Wyatt P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.