Due to legal difficulties between Clinton and Revilot, The Parliaments' label, the name was abandoned in favor of Funkadelic, which consisted of the same group of people (that is, both the former Parliaments and their back-up band, now both combined in the name "Funkadelic"). The group signed to Westbound in 1968.
The group's self-titled debut album, Funkadelic, was released in 1970. The credits listed organist Mickey Atkins plus Clinton, Fulwood, Hazel, Nelson and Ross, though the actual recording also included several uncredited sessionmen then employed by Motown, as well as Ray Monette (of Rare Earth) and Bernie Worrell.
Bernie Worrell was officially credited starting with Funkadelic's second album, 1970's Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow, thus beginning a long collaboration between Worrell and Clinton (who had been friends for quite a while). Worrell would go on to produce many Parliament and Funkadelic albums, as well as play keyboard on albums by other members of P Funk.
After the release of Maggot Brain in 1971, Bootsy Collins and Catfish Collins joined the group. The brothers would go on to become major contributors to the P Funk sound. In 1972, this new line-up released America Eats Its Young, but many members left the group after that, due to internal squabbles, plus Hazel spending a year in jail for drug possession and assault and Tawl Ross experiencing a bad LSD trip and/or speed overdose, while Billy Bass quit due to financial concerns. Michael Hampton, a seventeen-year-old guitar prodigy, replaced Hazel.
1975 brought Funkadelic to Warner Brothers, and saw the release of Hardcore Jollies in 1976. The same year, Westbound released a compilation of archived tracks titled Tales of Kidd Funkadelic, which did significantly better than Hardcore Jollies and included "Undisco Kidd", a R&B Top 30 single. In 1977, Westbound capitalized on the success of Tales of Kidd Funkadelic by releasing The Best of the Early Years. Funkadelic recorded and released its magnum opus, One Nation Under a Groove in 1978. The title track spent six weeks at #1 on the R&B charts, while Parliament was enjoying success with "Flash Light" and "Aqua Boogie."
As the 1980s wore on, legal difficulties arising from the multiple names used by multiple groups, as well as a shakeup among Parliament's record label, Parliament and Funkadelic disintegrated. George Clinton recorded several solo albums (sometimes under the name George Clinton & the P-Funk Allstars).
Filmmaker Yvonne Smith of Berkeley, California-based Firelight Media produced Funkadelic: One Nation Under a Groove, a full-length documentary about the groundbreaking group, which aired on PBS in 2005.
ALSO......
Though it often took a back chair to its sister group Parliament, Funkadelic furthered the notions of black rock begun by Jimi Hendrix and Sly Stone, blending elements of '60s psychedelia and blues plus the deep groove of soul and funk. The band pursued album statements of social/political commentary while Parliament stayed in the funk singles format, but Funkadelic nevertheless paralleled the more commercial artist's success, especially in the late '70s when the interplay between bands moved the Funkadelic sound closer to a unified P-Funk style.
In the grand soul tradition of a backing band playing support before the star takes the stage, Funkadelic began life supporting George Clinton's doo wop group, the Parliaments. After having performed for almost ten years, the Parliaments had added a rhythm section in 1964 -- for tours and background work -- consisting of guitarist Frankie Boyce, his brother Richard on bass, and drummer Langston Booth; two years later, the trio enlisted in the Army. By mid-1967, Clinton had recruited a new backing band, including his old friend Billy "Bass" Nelson (born January 28, 1951, Plainfield, NJ) and guitarist Eddie Hazel (born April 10, 1950, Brooklyn, NY). After several temporary replacements on drums and keyboards, the addition of rhythm guitarist Lucius "Tawl" Ross (born October 5, 1948, Wagram, NC) and drummer Ramon "Tiki" Fulwood (born May 23, 1944, Philadelphia, PA) completed the lineup.
The Parliaments recorded several hits during 1967, but trouble with the Revilot label backed Clinton into a corner. He hit upon the idea of deserting the Parliaments' name and instead recording their backing group, with the added vocal "contributions" of the former Parliaments -- same band, different name. Billy Nelson suggested the title Funkadelic, to reflect the members' increased inspiration from LSD and psychedelic culture. Clinton formed the Funkadelic label in mid-1968 but then signed the group to Detroit's Westbound label several months later.
Released in 1970, Funkadelic's self-titled debut album listed only producer Clinton and the five members of Funkadelic -- Hazel, Nelson, Fulwood, and Ross plus organist Mickey Atkins -- but also included all the former Parliaments plus several Motown sessionmen and Rare Earth's Ray Monette. Keyboard player Bernie Worrell also appeared on the album uncredited, even though his picture was included on the inner sleeve with the rest of the band.
Worrell (born April 19, 1944, Long Beach, NJ) was finally credited on the second Funkadelic album (1970's Free Your Mind...and Your A** Will Follow). He and Clinton had known each other since the early '60s, and Worrell soon became the most crucial cog in the P-Funk machine, working on arrangements and production for most later Parliament/Funkadelic releases. His strict upbringing and classical training (at the New England Conservatory and Juilliard), as well as the boom in synthesizer technology during the early '70s, gave him the tools to create the horn arrangements and jazz fusion-inspired synth runs that later trademarked the P-Funk sound. Just after the release of their third album, Maggot Brain, P-Funk added yet another big contributor, Bootsy Collins. The throbbing bass line of Collins (born October 26, 1951, Cincinnati, OH) had previously been featured in James Brown's backing band, the J.B.'s (along with his brother, guitarist Catfish Collins). Bootsy and Catfish were playing in a Detroit band in 1972 when George Clinton saw and hired them.
The Clinton/Worrell/Collins lineup premiered on 1972's America Eats Its Young, but soon after its release several original members left the camp. Eddie Hazel spent a year in jail after a combination drug possession/assault conviction, Tawl Ross left the band for medical reasons relating to an overdose of LSD and speed, and Bill Nelson quit after more financial quarrels with Clinton. Funkadelic hired teenaged guitar sensation Michael Hampton as a replacement, but both Hazel and Nelson would return for several later P-Funk releases.
Funkadelic moved to Warner Bros. in 1975 and delivered its major-label debut, Hardcore Jollies, one year later to lackluster sales and reviews. The same year, Westbound raided its vaults and countered with Tales of Kidd Funkadelic. Ironically, the album did better than Hardcore Jollies and included an R&B Top 30 single, "Undisco Kidd." In 1977, Westbound released The Best of the Early Years while Funkadelic recorded what became its masterpiece (and arguably the best P-Funk release ever), 1978's One Nation Under a Groove.
During the most successful year in Parliament/Funkadelic history, Parliament hit the charts first with "Flash Light," P-Funk's first R&B number one. "Aqua Boogie" would hit number one as well late in the year, but Funkadelic's title track to One Nation Under a Groove spent six weeks at the top spot on the R&B charts during the summer. The album, which reflected a growing consistency in styles between Parliament and Funkadelic, became the first Funkadelic LP to reach platinum (the same year that Parliament's Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Syndrome did the same). In 1979, Funkadelic's "(Not Just) Knee Deep" hit number one as well, and its album (Uncle Jam Wants You) reached gold status.
At just the point that Funkadelic appeared to be at the top of its powers, the band began to unravel. As is sometimes the case, commercial success began to dissolve several old friendships. In 1977, original Parliaments members Fuzzy Haskins, Calvin Simon, and Grady Thomas had left the P-Funk organization to record on their own. In early 1981, they hit the R&B charts with a single called "Connections and Disconnections," recorded as Funkadelic. To confuse matters more, the original Funkadelic appeared on the charts at the same time, with the title track to The Electric Spanking of War Babies.
During 1980, Clinton began to be weighed down by legal difficulties arising from Polygram's acquisition of Parliament's label, Casablanca. Jettisoning both the Parliament and Funkadelic names (but not the musicians), Clinton began his solo career with 1982's Computer Games. He and many former Parliament/Funkadelic members continued to tour and record throughout the '80s as the P-Funk All Stars, but the decade's disdain of everything to do with the '70s resulted in critical and commercial neglect for the world's biggest funk band, especially one which in part had spawned the sound of disco. During the early '90s, the rise of funk-inspired rap (courtesy of Digital Underground, Dr. Dre, and Warren G.) and funk rock (Primus and Red Hot Chili Peppers) re-established the status of Clinton & co., one of the most important forces in the recent history of black music. ~ John Bush, Rovi
Knee Deep
Funkadelic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who, ho, oo, oo, oo, oh, hey ho, ah, ho, oh
Something about the music, she always makes me dance
She turns me on and on, and all about
She was a freak, never missin' a beat, yeah
She was a freak, boy was it neat, yeah
Not just knee deep
She was totally deep
When she did the freak with me
She did the freak, never missin' a beat, yeah
She did the freak
Boy was it neat, yeah
She's a freak
The girl is a freak
The girl never misses a beat, yeah, yeah
Not just knee deep, she was totally deep
When she did the freak with me
She did the jerk, it didn't work, no
She did the monkey, it wasn't funky, no more
Chicken wasn't pickin'
Not just knee deep, she was totally deep
When she did the freak with me
She turns me on and on, and all about
(Round and round)
She's the freak of my desire
(Round and round she goes)
And when she dance she sets the world on fire
(Round and round she goes)
The little girl is the freak of the week
(Round and round she goes)
When she dance she gives me happy feet
(Round and round she goes)
She's the freak of my desire
And when she dance she sets the world on fire
(Round and round she goes)
She's givin' me happy feet
Yeah, she's the freak of the week
She was a freak, never missin' a beat, yeah
She was a freak, boy was it neat, yeah
Not just knee deep, she was totally deep
When she did the freak with me
She did the jerk, it didn't work, no
I did the moose, oh no, not the moose
Monkey wasn't funkin', chicken wasn't pickin'
But she was not just knee deep
The lyrics to Funkadelic's song "Knee Deep" celebrate the power of music to move and inspire people to dance. The song tells the story of a woman who is a "freak" on the dance floor, never missing a beat and always turning heads with her moves. The singer describes how she "turns me on and on" and how "when she dance she sets the world on fire". The song's repetitive refrain, "Not just knee deep, she was totally deep," underscores the idea that this woman's musical prowess is not just superficial but runs deep, touching something essential and profound within the singer.
While the song's lyrics may seem simple and straightforward on the surface, they are actually packed with verbal and musical tricks and flourishes. The playful use of sounds like "ho, oo, oo, oo" and "hey ho, ah, ho, oh" creates a hypnotic, trance-like effect that reinforces the song's message of the power of music to draw people in and move them. The lyrics also feature a variety of cultural references, from the dances like the "jerk" and the "monkey" to the idea of a "freak of the week," which was a popular term in the 1970s for a woman who was considered sexually promiscuous.
Overall, Funkadelic's "Knee Deep" is a celebration of the transformative power of music, and a tribute to those who have the ability to tap into that power and share it with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Something about the music, she always makes me dance
The music has a special effect on me which makes me dance every time
She turns me on and on, and all about
She excites me and arouses my feelings completely
She did the freak, never missin' a beat, yeah
She danced with such incredible grace, never missing a beat
Not just knee deep, she was totally deep
Her dancing skills were not just limited to the surface, but ran deep
The girl is a freak
The girl is unique and unconventional, especially when it comes to dancing
The girl never misses a beat, yeah, yeah
She has complete control of the rhythm and never loses her step
She did the jerk, it didn't work, no
She tried one dance but it didn't go as planned
She did the monkey, it wasn't funky, no more
She tried another dance but it wasn't cool anymore
Chicken wasn't pickin'
She tried yet another dance but it wasn't lively enough
She turns me on and on, and all about
She continues to arouse me and excite me with her dancing
She's the freak of my desire
I find her uniqueness and unconventional nature extremely fascinating
And when she dance she sets the world on fire
When she dances, she captures everyone's attention and ignites their passions
The little girl is the freak of the week
She is the most unique and intriguing person around and has captured everyone's attention
When she dance she gives me happy feet
Her dancing has a positive effect on me, making my feet feel happy
She's givin' me happy feet
Her dancing is making me feel happy and excited
She was a freak, boy was it neat, yeah
She was unique and unconventional, and it was really cool
I did the moose, oh no, not the moose
I tried a dance move but it didn't work out
But she was not just knee deep
Her dancing skills ran deep and were not just surface-level
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: George Clinton Jr, Philippe Escalante Wynn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cam1la8o5
Lyrics:
Who, ho, oo, oo, oo, oh, oh, oh, huh
Who, ho, oo, oo, oo, oh, hey ho, ah, ho, oh
Something about the music, she always makes me dance
Something about the music, she always makes me dance
She turns me on and on, and all about
She was a freak, never missin' a beat, yeah
She was a freak, boy was it neat, yeah
Not just knee deep
She was totally deep
When she did the freak with me
She did the freak, never missin' a beat, yeah
She did the freak
Boy was it neat, yeah
She's a freak
The girl is a freak
The girl never misses a beat, yeah, yeah
Not just knee deep, she was totally deep
When she did the freak with me
She did the jerk, it didn't work, no
She did the monkey, it wasn't funky, no more
Chicken wasn't pickin'
Not just knee deep, she was totally deep
When she did the freak with me
She turns me on and on, and all about
She's the freak of my desire
And when she dance she sets the world on fire
The little girl is the freak of the week
When she dance she gives me happy feet
She's the freak of my desire
And when she dance she sets the world on fire
She's givin' me happy feet
Yeah, she's the freak of the week
She was a freak, never missin' a beat, yeah
She was a freak, boy was it neat, yeah
Not just knee deep, she was totally deep
When she did the freak with me
She did the jerk, it didn't work, no
I did the moose, oh no, not the moose
Monkey wasn't funkin', chicken wasn't pickin'
But she was not just knee deep
RagerRobloxYT
It’s 2021 and you still can’t beat this funk.
juni
Fasho. I be dancing up and down the house to this song 😂😭
Michael Johnson
One of two i just couldn't get away from. Forever. Hahahh get on down. Lol.
Gregory Henderson
Facts and Im 14
Amy Maynor
My brother and his friend had a dance to this crazy.😄
MK
@Gregory Henderson You go some good taste in music then and probably your parents too :) Not many kids that have that these days... keep it funky :)
2Fat4Armor
It doesn't matter how you got here. What matters is that YOU are here jamming out with us. Now get the funk on ❤️
Aaron Moore
That's damned right. However you learn about the funk doesn't matter. As long as you pheel the phunk, you're alright with me. Stay funky, cats and kitties.
Robert Del Aguila
Aaron Moore Carole baskin?
Sahara Damnit
I know dass riiiiight!!!!