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
Philmore
Funkadelic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stick it
Stick it!
Stick it
Let me talk to you for awhile
Love me my way, you're in style
And got some (?) on your mind
Feel it, feel it
Listen to this
Tell all your friends and anyone too
That they'll be there pretty soon
Philmore baby
That's all you need
Philmore is gonna be guaranteed
Sometimes it smells, you know?
Feel it
Stick it
Stick it!
Stick it, stick it, stick it!
Chicken
Everybody's got a problem
And you don't even give a damn
Up on you, like I said
Everybody's got a problem
But you don't even give a damn
Everybody's got a problem
But you don't even give a damn (mm, ha!)
Everybody's got problems
But you don't even care
You don't care and you don't care, yeah
Everybody's got a problem (everyone's got problems, y'all)
But you don't care and you don't care
Everybody's got problems
But you don't even give a damn
Do what you want to do
Everybody's got problems
But you don't even give a damn
Everybody's got problems (stop and stare, beware)
But you don't even give a damn
Everybody's got problems (Stick it stick it) (Good god)
But you don't even give a damn (Philmore sometime)
Hit it
The lyrics to Funkadelic's song "Philmore" seem to be about living life carefree and not worrying about other people's problems. The song begins with a repetition of "Stick it" four times, perhaps suggesting a rebellious attitude. The singer then invites the listener to listen to his ideas about living life with a certain style, and to ignore any negative thoughts that may be occupying their mind. He encourages the listener to feel the groove and the music itself, as if it were a fine wine that they could taste.
The chorus of the song is a repetition of "Philmore baby," followed by the lyrics "That's all you need / Philmore is gonna be guaranteed." This suggests that "Philmore" is a state of mind or a way of life that can bring happiness and satisfaction, and that the listener should tell their friends that they too can experience this. The final section of the song reiterates that everyone has problems, but the listener shouldn't care about them - they should do whatever they want, and others should beware or stop and stare. Overall, the lyrics to "Philmore" encourage a carefree, individualistic spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
Stick it
Expressing the desire for someone to take action or apply themselves.
Let me talk to you for awhile
Requesting for someone's attention to listen to them.
Love me my way, you're in style
Expressing the need for someone to love them for who they are, being unique is fashionable.
And got some (?) on your mind
Asking if someone has something on their mind that they want to share.
Your lovin', taste my wine, yeah
Asking for someone to try their love like wine, savoring and enjoying its flavors.
Feel it, feel it
Encouraging someone to connect with the emotions of the music they are listening to.
Tell all your friends and anyone too
Instructing someone to spread the word to everyone they know.
That they'll be there pretty soon
Informing people that they will be arriving soon.
Philmore baby
Referring to a place or a person as 'Philmore baby'.
That's all you need
Stating that all anyone needs is 'Philmore baby'.
Philmore is gonna be guaranteed
Promising that 'Philmore baby' is guaranteed to be a good time.
Sometimes it smells, you know?
Admitting that sometimes things can get unpleasant.
Chicken
Slang for someone who is cowardly or afraid.
Everybody's got a problem
Acknowledging that everyone has their own issues.
And you don't even give a damn
Pointing out that someone doesn't seem to care about anyone else's problems.
Up on you, like I said
Repeating that someone's problems are their responsibility, not theirs.
But you don't even give a damn (mm, ha!)
Highlighting that not caring about someone's problems is generally seen as negative and not funny.
You don't care and you don't care, yeah
Saying that someone is indifferent and apathetic to others' issues.
Do what you want to do
Encouraging someone to follow their instincts and desires.
Stop and stare, beware
Cautioning someone to be careful when they are being watched by others.
Hit it
Signaling for the music to start playing or someone to take action.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ray Burton
U can definitely hear James Brown influence it this one! Good Gawd!
chris edwards
That's why George hired bootsy and the ex jbs he wanted that jb sound
Valerie Brown Cheers
Yes, stick it and I get it!!!!!! Just trying to break some things to straighten some things! Yes, everybody got a problem and I do but how do you get rid of problems without getting to the root of the problem. Hard to explain, just got to break it, to fix it! God bless and thanks for the message!!!!--health and wellness
Eric Blowtorch
Sounds like this might have been a Maurice White favorite.
Jeff Dawson
Bringing James to acid funk. This is thee album.
Tim Kinley
Total House Guests to the Max.
chris edwards
Only song the houseguests did as a unit on the America eats it's young album
Kyler Stevens
bootsy's james brown impression
Dee G
Sly Stone vocals meets The JBs. Pure sticky icky funk. Sweet
mrstep2me
Bootsy coming hardcore!