Beginning in 1968, as a pivotal member of James Brown's hard working band, Fred Wesley played on numerous hit recordings including: "Say it Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud;" "Mother Popcorn;" and co-wrote tunes such as "Hot Pants".
The lineup would shift occasionally, and, Wesley who'd left Brown's group for a period, in a pay dispute, rejoined as official leader in 1970, beginning a very fruitful period that lasted through 1975.
The J.B's scored several instrumental hits in the early 70s, including: "Pass the Peas," "The Grunt","Gimmie Some More;" and the #1 R&B "Doing It to Death;" on Brown's People Records imprint distributed through Polydor. In 1974 they had three top 40 hits: "Same Beat;" "If You Don't Get It the First Time, Back Up and Try It Again, Party;" and "Damn Right I Am Somebody."
While the J.B.'s sound has most often been associated with three hornmen in particular -- Wesley, along with saxophonists Maceo Parker and Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis, other key J.B.'s in the group included at one time or another: tenor saxman St. Clair Pinckney; saxophonist Jimmy Parker, and a trumpet section consisting of Jerone Jasaan Sanford, Russell Crimes, and Isiah "Ike" Oakley.
Others who played on key recordings included: Bobby Byrd on organ; bassists Fred Thomas or William "Bootsy" Collins and his guitarist brother Phelps "Catfish" Collins, other guitarists included Hearlon "Cheese" Martin and Jimmy Nolen.
Drums were played by either John "Jabo" Starks, or John Morgan joined by conga player Johnny Griggs.
Wesley, along with saxophonist Maceo Parker, helped define the instrumental potentials of funk and are heavily sampled by Hip Hop producers & DJs. Both men left Brown's band in 1975, and spent several years playing with George Clinton's various Parliament/Funkadelic projects, like Bootsy’s Rubber Band, and they recorded a couple of albums specifically focused on their talents, as the spin-off group, The Horny Horns featuring fellow J.B.'s refugee, Pee Wee Ellis.
The various members of the J.B.'s occasionally would get back together for reunions and side projects, including a stint in the 90's performing as The JB Horns, and they recently released a single in 2008, admonishing black youth to have some dignity and Pull Your Pants Up!!
If You Don't Get It The First Time Back Up And Try It Again Party
Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How can we do it? (Do it to death!)
How can we do it? (Do it to death!)
Right now
Yes, indeed
Yes, indeed
Back up and try it again
If you don't get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don′t get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don't get it the first time
Back up and try it again
Now me and you, Fred. Do it, Fred
First time
Back up and try it again
If you don't get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don′t get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don′t get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don't get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don′t get it the first time
Back up and try it again
I need some horns, I need
If you don't get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don′t get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don't get it the first time
Back up and try it again
Wait a minute, fellas, wait a minute, can I get some handclappin′?
(Yes, you can! Anything you want in here!)
Can I get it? (Yeah!)
I want it
I need it
I want it
I need it
The song "If You Don't Get It the First Time Back up and Try It Again Party" by Fred Wesley & The J.B.'s is a funky, upbeat track that encourages perseverance and resilience. The lyrics repeat the phrase "If you don't get it the first time, back up and try it again" throughout the song to emphasize the importance of persistence. The call-and-response style of the verses creates a sense of community and shared experience among the listeners.
The opening lines of the song, "Fellas, can we still do it? How can we do it? Do it to death!" set the tone for the rest of the track. The band is ready to give it their all and urges the listener to do the same. The use of the phrase "do it to death" can be interpreted as a metaphor for giving everything you have to achieve your goals.
The repeated use of the phrase "back up and try it again" highlights the importance of not giving up in the face of failure. The song encourages the listener to keep going, even if they don't succeed on the first try. The upbeat tempo and lively instrumentation create a sense of energy and excitement that aligns with the message of the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Fellas, can we still do it? (Yeah!)
Are we still capable of performing this music? (Yes, we are!)
How can we do it? (Do it to death!)
How should we approach this music? (With great energy and intensity!)
Right now
Yes, indeed
Yes, indeed
Let's start playing the music now, with absolute certainty and conviction.
If you don′t get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don't get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don′t get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don't get it the first time
Back up and try it again
If you don't understand or perform the music correctly on your first try, take a step back and try again. Keep trying until you get it right.
Now me and you, Fred. Do it, Fred
Let's perform this music together, Fred. Let's do it!
I need some horns, I need
I require the addition of some horns to the music.
Wait a minute, fellas, wait a minute, can I get some handclappin′?
(Yes, you can! Anything you want in here!)
Can I get it? (Yeah!)
I want it
I need it
I want it
I need it
Pause for a moment, guys. Can we add some handclapping to the music? (Yes, of course, you can add anything you want!) I really want it, I need it. Let's add that element to the music.
Writer(s): James Brown
Contributed by Andrew V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.