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
Red Hot Mama
Funkadelic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But it's not nice to fool mother nature
The proud mother of god like all ho's
Is jealous of her own shadow
Who is this young Vic Tanny bitch
Who wish to be queen for a day?
Who would sacrifice the great grandsons and daughters of her jealous mother
By sucking their brain until their ability to think was amputated
Until they were fat, horny and strung-out
In a neurotic attempt to be queen of the universe
Who is this bitch?
Red hot mama from Louisiana
Thumbin' her way to Savannah
She been cooped up too long
Red hot mama lookin' to the city
Taxi dancers and big time spenders
She's been groovin'
Red hot mama was gettin' down
Scoping the places where fun to be found
She was smokin'
Ride on, red hot mama
Girl, you sure look good to me
Ride on, red hot mama
Girl, you sure look good to me
Ride on, red hot mama
Girl, you sure look good to me
Ride on, red hot mama
Girl, you sure look good to me
Red hot mama was really bad
She was badder than bad, bad as she want to be
Red hot mama was a real gas
Doin' it good and doing it fast
She was smokin'
Whoa
Ride on red hot mama
Girl, you sure look good to me
Ride on red hot mama
Girl, you sure look good to me
Ride on red hot mama
Girl, you sure look good to me
(Right on!)
Ride on red hot mama
Girl, you sure look good to me
Be my dog!
You look good, girl
Carry on!
Hey!
Get funky?
Hey baby
Be my dog
Come on, baby!
Red hot mama
Right on
Play, boy
Play on
The opening lines of Funkadelic's "Red Hot Mama" describe a woman who is undeniably attractive, but the lyrics suggest that she is manipulative and willing to sacrifice others for her own gain. The phrase "it's not nice to fool mother nature" could be interpreted as a warning against trying to defy the laws of the natural world, or as a reminder that all actions have consequences. The reference to the woman as "the proud mother of god like all ho's" suggests that she is idolized and worshipped, but also implies a sense of contempt for women who are seen as promiscuous or sexually liberated.
The song's chorus describes a woman who is adventurous and seeking new experiences. The lyrics "thumbin' her way to Savannah" suggest that she is traveling and exploring, and the lines "taxi dancers and big-time spenders/She's been groovin'" imply that she is enjoying the nightlife and indulging in luxuries. However, the repeated refrain of "ride on red hot mama" suggests that she is ultimately viewed as a sexual object, with little agency or autonomy beyond her physical appeal.
Line by Line Meaning
A luscious bitch she is, true
She's very attractive, but that doesn't mean she's good.
But it's not nice to fool mother nature
It's not a good idea to try to cheat nature.
The proud mother of god like all ho's
There's something wrong with all those who try to act like they're the ultimate creator.
Is jealous of her own shadow
She's very insecure, and is nervous about any sort of criticism or competition.
Who is this young Vic Tanny bitch
Who is this person who wants to be like a king or queen?
Who wish to be queen for a day?
Who wants to be high and mighty just for a short time?
Who would sacrifice the great grandsons and daughters of her jealous mother
Who would be willing to harm others for personal gain?
By sucking their brain until their ability to think was amputated
By manipulating them until they were no longer able to think for themselves.
By pimping their instincts
By exploiting their instincts just to benefit oneself.
Until they were fat, horny and strung-out
Until they were addicted to the wrong things and unable to stop.
In a neurotic attempt to be queen of the universe
In an unhealthy effort to be the boss of everything.
Who is this bitch?
Who is this selfish and manipulative person?
Red hot mama from Louisiana
Attractive and exciting woman from Louisiana.
Thumbin' her way to Savannah
Hitchhiking her way to Savannah.
She been cooped up too long
She's been stuck in one place for too long.
Red hot mama lookin' to the city
Attractive woman looking for excitement in the city.
Taxi dancers and big time spenders
People who love to spend and party, especially with attractive dancers.
She's been groovin'
She's been having a great time and moving to the music.
Red hot mama was gettin' down
She was really dancing up a storm and enjoying herself.
Scoping the places where fun to be found
Looking for the best places to party and have fun.
She was smokin'
She was really hot and impressive in everything she did.
Ride on, red hot mama
Keep on moving and enjoying yourself.
Girl, you sure look good to me
You're very attractive and exciting to be around.
Red hot mama was really bad
She was really cool, confident, and impressive in every way.
She was badder than bad, bad as she want to be
She was even more impressive and cool than anyone would expect.
Red hot mama was a real gas
She was very exciting and made everything more enjoyable.
Doin' it good and doing it fast
She was doing everything very well and very quickly.
Whoa
Expression of impressed excitement.
Be my dog!
Be my loyal follower, and do things only I tell you to do.
You look good, girl
You're very attractive and impressive.
Carry on!
Keep doing what you're doing, and stay confident.
Hey!
Expression of excitement or urgency.
Get funky?
Do something fun and wild with me.
Hey baby
Friendly greeting to an attractive woman.
Be my dog
Be my loyal follower and do things only I tell you to do.
Come on, baby!
Encouragement to an attractive woman to do something fun with me.
Red hot mama
Attractive and exciting woman.
Right on
Expression of excitement, agreement or support.
Play, boy
Have fun and enjoy the moment.
Play on
Keep having fun and enjoying the moment.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: GEORGE JR. CLINTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@delmaddox2377
Dude, I was the only speck of salt in all that pepper at many shows, never anything but love, funk, and the GROOVE . Funk on people
@user-bj7uq9ns9s
❤
@elvisbarber3432
My brother played the hell out of Red hot mama. On guitar. I growed up playing. The shit. The seventies played with my brother we turned out many clubs. He was a legend. And now I'm a legend. My brother has passed on but he live in me. Forever!!!
@neillbarrett4959
That drummer never misses a beat.
@marvinmcdonald1676
Funk has it's own reward put your foot on the rock
@brotherdaryll1399
Fall 2023 and even now, sometimes ONLY THE P FUNK will do.....
Pfunk is literally part of my DNA.......
@treeslikeflowers
For sure!! Love this version of Red Hot Mama.
Since I was in my early teens in the early 70’s. The first concert I ever went to was to see the Funkadelics.
@knobbynah
This is a masterpiece.
@scottycunningham1413
Michael Hampton's legato based soloing is so fluid and smooth. Very tasteful and deserves just as much love as Eddie.
@yogiguitar1
yup . he's liquidity ratio is pretty high .