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
What Is Sou
Funkadelic Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am not of your world
But fear me not
I will do you no harm
Loan me your funky mind, and I shall play with it
For nothing is good, unless you play with it
And all that is good is nasty!
[Repeat: 4X]
Lalalala, ladada
What is soul?
I don't know, huh!
Soul is a hamhock in your cornflakes, yeah
What is soul? Hehhehheh
I don't know
Huh
Soul, soul is the ring around your bathtub
What is soul?
I don't know
Huh, uh
Soul is a joint rolled in toilet paper
[Repeat: 3X]
Lalalala, ladada
Boo, boo, boo, bom, bom, bom
What is soul
Man, I don't know, huh
Soul is rusty ankles and ashy kneecaps
What is soul
Man, I don't know
Soul is chitlins foo yung
What is soul
Man, I told ya, I don't know
Huh
Soul is a hamhock in your cornflakes
Oh, get on down now!
Yeah
[Repeat: 5X]
Lalalala, ladada
[Repeat: 3X]
Boo, bom, boo, bom,
Oh yeah
Soul, soul, soul
[Repeat: 14X]
Lalalala, ladada
A joint rolled in toilet paper
Heh heh heh
Oh yeah, right on
Yeah
Yeah, yeah
Soul is you
Soul is you, baby
Soul is you, big mama
The lyrics of Funkadelic's "What Is Soul" are a playful take on the question of what constitutes soul. The singer, who identifies as Funkadelic, presents himself as an otherworldly entity who promises not to harm the listener. He then invites the listener to let him borrow their "funky mind" so that he can play with it. The singer asserts that "nothing is good, unless you play with it" and that "all that is good is nasty," suggesting that soul is something that must be experienced through risk-taking and unbridled joy.
The chorus, which repeats several times throughout the song, asks what soul is, and the singer offers several offbeat and humorous responses. He compares soul to a ham hock in your cornflakes or a joint rolled in toilet paper. These irreverent comparisons suggest that soul defies easy categorization and can be found in unexpected places.
Overall, the lyrics of "What Is Soul" embrace a playful and experimental approach to the concept of soul. The singer challenges listeners to think beyond conventions and embrace whatever brings them joy and excitement, whether that's a ham hock in their cereal or a funky bassline.
Line by Line Meaning
Behold! I am Funkadelic
I am an entity from a different realm, and I am here to make music
I am not of your world
I come from a world beyond this physical realm
But fear me not
Do not be afraid, for I am not here to harm you
I will do you no harm
I am here to share my music, and I do not intend to hurt or harm anyone
Loan me your funky mind, and I shall play with it
Allow me to expand your mind and explore the depth of funk music with you
For nothing is good, unless you play with it
To truly appreciate something, you must allow yourself to experience and interact with it
And all that is good is nasty!
All of the things that we enjoy or find pleasurable have a degree of dirtiness or imperfection associated with them
Fly on, baby
Keep moving forward and don't be held down by life's obstacles
What is soul?
What makes this music genre so unique and profound?
I don't know, huh!
I'm not exactly sure
Soul is a hamhock in your cornflakes, yeah
Soul music is like discovering something tasty and surprising within a mundane, everyday experience
Soul, soul is the ring around your bathtub
Soul music is like an unexpected and often overlooked aspect of your life that brings a sense of comfort and familiarity
Soul is a joint rolled in toilet paper
Soul music is like something that seems unappealing or even disgusting at first, but turns out to be a unique and unforgettable experience
Boo, boo, boo, bom, bom, bom
Vocal interjections that punctuate the instrumental music
Man, I don't know, huh
I'm still not sure what soul music truly is
Soul is rusty ankles and ashy kneecaps
Soul music is like finding the beauty and grace in something that's normally considered unattractive or imperfect
Soul is chitlins foo yung
Soul music is like the unexpected fusion of two cultures or styles that come together in a beautiful way
Man, I told ya, I don't know
I'm still trying to figure out the essence of this music genre
Soul is a hamhock in your cornflakes
Soul music is like discovering something exciting and new within a familiar and comfortable experience
Oh, get on down now!
Let's keep grooving to the music and enjoying ourselves
Yeah
An exclamation of excitement or enjoyment
Lalalala, ladada
Nonsensical, repetitive vocalization that adds to the rhythm and melody of the music
Boo, bom, boo, bom,
More vocal interjections that add to the rhythm and melody
Oh yeah
An exclamation of excitement, approval, or enjoyment
Soul, soul, soul
Reaffirming and celebrating the essence of soul music
Soul is you
Soul music is a reflection of who you are, and what you feel
Soul is you, baby
Soul music is a part of your identity and what makes you unique
Soul is you, big mama
Soul music is a source of strength, power, and inspiration, particularly for women
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LukyGonzo
What Is Soul/Funkadelic
Behold! I am Funkadelic
I am not of your world
But fear me not
I will do you no harm
Loan me your funky mind, and I shall play with it
For nothing is good, unless you play with it
And all that is good is nasty!
Fly on, baby
Lalalala, ladada
What is soul?
I don't know, huh!
Soul is a hamhock in your cornflakes, yeah
What is soul? Hehhehheh
I don't know
Huh
Soul, soul is the ring around your bathtub
What is soul?
I don't know
Huh, uh
Soul is a joint rolled in toilet paper
Lalalala, ladada
Boo, boo, boo, bom, bom, bom
What is soul
Man, I don't know, huh
Soul is rusty ankles and ashy kneecaps
What is soul
Man, I don't know
Soul is chitlins foo yung
What is soul
Man, I told ya, I don't know
Huh
Soul is a hamhock in your cornflakes
Oh, get on down now!
Yeah
Lalalala, ladada
Boo, bom, boo, bom,
Oh yeah
Soul, soul, soul
Lalalala, ladada
A joint rolled in toilet paper
Heh heh heh
Oh yeah, right on
Yeah
Yeah, yeah
Soul is you
Soul is you, baby
Soul is you, big mama
Edward Hazel / George Jr. Clinton / William Nelson
iluvgifts2
I owed this album when I was like 11 - 12 yrs old back in 1968-69. I believe I still have it packed away. Pure and Raw, never goes out of style.....
Nanton BullArt
Fallin' in love and sleepin' every night with the Funkadelic. I love my motherfunkin' life .
Jonathan Kosyjana
The sound engennering on this album is genius,as to the rest of it as well,but that in paticullar stands out to me!
DJ Green HORNET
Facts.
LukyGonzo
What Is Soul/Funkadelic
Behold! I am Funkadelic
I am not of your world
But fear me not
I will do you no harm
Loan me your funky mind, and I shall play with it
For nothing is good, unless you play with it
And all that is good is nasty!
Fly on, baby
Lalalala, ladada
What is soul?
I don't know, huh!
Soul is a hamhock in your cornflakes, yeah
What is soul? Hehhehheh
I don't know
Huh
Soul, soul is the ring around your bathtub
What is soul?
I don't know
Huh, uh
Soul is a joint rolled in toilet paper
Lalalala, ladada
Boo, boo, boo, bom, bom, bom
What is soul
Man, I don't know, huh
Soul is rusty ankles and ashy kneecaps
What is soul
Man, I don't know
Soul is chitlins foo yung
What is soul
Man, I told ya, I don't know
Huh
Soul is a hamhock in your cornflakes
Oh, get on down now!
Yeah
Lalalala, ladada
Boo, bom, boo, bom,
Oh yeah
Soul, soul, soul
Lalalala, ladada
A joint rolled in toilet paper
Heh heh heh
Oh yeah, right on
Yeah
Yeah, yeah
Soul is you
Soul is you, baby
Soul is you, big mama
Edward Hazel / George Jr. Clinton / William Nelson
PhillyGregA
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AN ARTIST IS FREE, FREE TO DO WHATEVER HE WANTS. FORGET WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING. DO YOU!
emp
... well free is our surname but they are saying war ...
Wymell Williams
@emp we all can be free if we want to be
Dave Gurbarg
Such an epically amazing unreal superb album
brian robinson
Soul is getting knocked down and getting back up with a smile on your face and in your heart.