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
The Song is Familiar
Funkadelic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is a song, that I sing, whenever I'm sad, feeling bad
There is a place, in my head, that I go when I'm feeling low
I can trust in the melody
In this song I can find me
Ever since I lost you
I've been so lost too
And I want to see this love through with you
There is a song (you can sing)
When the love you had is love gone bad
(There is a place you can go)
There's a quiet place...all you gotta do is space
[Chorus: ]
There is a song, that I sing, whenever I'm sad, feeling bad
There is a place, in my head, that I go when I'm feeling low
To my song I can relate
And I don't got to syncopate
Every word is in time, on time, at all times
In our love there is harmony
And I want to see this love through with you
There is a song (you can sing)
There is a quiet place where you'll got to do is face
[Chorus: ]
The lyrics of The Song is Familiar by Funkadelic revolve around the idea of a musical escape that helps the singers cope with sadness and heartbreak. The song highlights the importance of music as a means to find solace, a place within that is untouched by emotional turmoil. The chorus, which repeats throughout the song, conveys the idea of a song and a place where the singer can find comfort during tough times. All they have to do is space out and trust in the melody. The singer professes his trust in this song - it helps him find himself, even after losing love.
The lyrics signify that the song's familiarity is a source of strength for the singer, making them feel whole again. Music and rhythm help heal the scars of heartbreak and evoke the hope of a brighter tomorrow. Every word falls into place, just as it should, and the song's inherent harmony helps create a pathway for love to flourish once more.
The Song is Familiar is a song that acknowledges the power of music and the transcendent properties of melody. It highlights the importance of creating a sanctuary within one's mind amid tumultuous times. The song comforts and inspires its listeners, assuring that a quiet space exists where hope and joy could come alive.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a song, that I sing, whenever I'm sad, feeling bad
Whenever sadness or negativity takes hold of me, I find comfort in a song I know and sing always.
There is a place, in my head, that I go when I'm feeling low
Whenever I feel down or low, there is a place in my mind where I can retreat to find solace.
I can trust in the melody
The melody of the song I know and sing has brought me so much comfort that I know it to be trustworthy.
In this song I can find me
Through this song I am able to rediscover myself and reconnect with my innermost feelings and thoughts.
Ever since I lost you
Since the loss of you, I have felt lost and absent, searching for meaning and consolation.
I've been so lost too
The feeling of being lost has taken root in me, making me feel adrift and unsure of my place in the world.
In our love there is harmony
Our love is characterized by a sense of unity and agreement that brings us together.
And I want to see this love through with you
I desire that our love persists and survives every challenge that comes our way.
There is a song (you can sing)
You too can find comfort in a song you know and sing when love has gone sour.
When the love you had is love gone bad
When the love that once nurtured and sustained you becomes toxic and harmful.
(There is a place you can go)
There is a quiet and serene space you can retreat to in your moments of despair and sadness.
There's a quiet place...all you gotta do is space
Within the confines of your mind, there exists a peaceful and calming space that can help you find clarity and solace.
To my song I can relate
I am able to identify with the song I sing and find solace and meaning through its message.
And I don't got to syncopate
I do not have to force my tempo or rhythm; I can let the melody and message of the song guide and soothe me.
Every word is in time, on time, at all times
The lyrics and melody of the song I know and sing are congruent, always in sync with one another and with me.
[Chorus: ]
Refrain that emphasizes the main message and theme of the song - the power of music to heal and soothe the soul.
Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC
Written by: BERNARD WORRELL, GEORGE CLINTON, WILLIAM BOOTSY COLLINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
matt springs
This song has a lot of power. That ppl don't understand
C Collins
This one in particularly. Just hits home
Patrick Ramey
All of funkadelic is that way.It uplifts your spirit and gives you understanding.There’s so much knowledge and power in this music!
Michael Wallace
Cot damn!
MrSama5000
Great breakup song from the greatest funk band ever! Bootsy’s (Casper) space bass is in full effect on this one. Beautiful simple track.
Cmommy Mack
Still moves me... Listening to this since the age of 10.. 56 yrs of age now...
Kerry L Hodges
Classic Guitar is off the Chain some serious Rock & Roll Riffs!
chris edwards
Yes george had the funkiest players
Charole Morse
I use to listen to this back in the day with my art so many songs that weren't popular but has so much meaning by funkadelic. March to the witches castle is one along with cosmic slop
Art Van Kampen
Beyond brilliant.