He was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina, grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey, and currently resides in Tallahassee, Florida. In Plainfield, he ran a barber salon, where he straightened hair, and soon formed a doo wop group, inspired by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers, called The Parliaments. Despite initial commercial failures, The Parliaments eventually found success under the names Parliament and Funkadelic in the seventies (see also P-Funk). This article focuses on Clinton's solo efforts after 1981.
Beginning in the early 1980's, Clinton recorded several nominal "solo" albums, although all of these records featured contributions from P-Funk's core musicians. The primary reason for recording under his own name was legal difficulties, due to the complex copyright and trademark issues surrounding the name "Parliament" (primarily) and Polygram's purchase of his former label (as part of Parliament), Casablanca Records. In 1982, Clinton signed to Capitol Records as a solo artist and as the P-Funk All-Stars, releasing Computer Games that same year. "Loopzilla" hit the Top 20 R&B charts, followed by "Atomic Dog," which reached #1 R&B, but peaked at #101 on the pop chart. In the next four years, Clinton released three more studio albums (You Shouldn't-Nuf Bit Fish, Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends and R&B Skeletons in the Closet) as well as a live album, Mothership Connection (Live from the Summit, Houston, Texas) and charting three singles in the R&B Top 30, "Nubian Nut," "Last Dance," and "Do Fries Go with that Shake." This period of Clinton's career was marred by multiple legal problems (resulting in financial difficulties) due to complex royalty and copyright issues. In 1985 he was recruited by the Red Hot Chili Peppers to produce their album Freaky Styley, because the bandmembers were huge fans of George Clinton and Funk in general. Though Clinton's popularity had waned by the mid 1980s, he experienced something of a resurgence in the early 1990s, as many rappers cited him as an influence and began sampling his songs. Alongside James Brown, George Clinton is considered to be one of the most sampled musicians ever.
In 1989, Clinton released The Cinderella Theory on Paisley Park, Prince's record label. This was followed by Hey Man... Smell my Finger. Clinton then signed with Sony 550 and released T.A.P.O.A.F.O.M. (The Awesome Power Of A Fully Operational Mothership) in 1996, having reunited with several old members of Parliament and Funkadelic.
In the 1990s, Clinton appeared in films such as Graffiti Bridge (1990), Good Burger (1997) and PCU (1994). Most recently he appeared as the voice of The Funktipus, the DJ of the Bounce FM station in the 2004 video game, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Rapper Dr. Dre sampled most of his beats to create his G-Funk music era.
"You're Thinking Right" - the theme song for The Tracey Ullman Show, was written by Clinton.
----
This is not the soundtrack composer George S. Clinton who did Mortal Kombat etc.
Funkentelechy
GEORGE CLINTON Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saying you might as well pay attention (this is mood control)
You can't afford free speech
(mood, mood, mood, someone's funking with the mood!)
Mood control is designed to render funkable
Ideas brought to you by the makers of Mr. Prolong
Better known as Urge Overkill
Oh, but we'll be pecking lightly
Like a woodpecker with a headache
'Cause it's cheaper to funk
Than it is to pay attention
You dig?
Huck-a-buck
A-Lo and behold, someone's funking with the mood control
When you're taking every kind of pill
(deprogram, program)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
(peck me lightly like a woodpecker with a headache)
When you're taking every kind of pill
(Funk! The nonprofit organization)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
Where'd you get your funk from (where'd you get that funk from?)
Heh! Name that feeling!
Would you trade your funk for what's behind the third door?
The big deal!
Heads I win, tails you lose!
How do you spell relief?
Huck-a-buck, sucker!
When you're taking every kind of pill
(Ho! The bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
When you're taking every kind of pill
(You deserve a break today)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
(Have it your way)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(Ooh, who was that? ha ha ha ha ha ha, ohh ohh ohh)
The salvation of inspiration is the motivation
Fasten your safety belt
While I take you face-to-face with the nosiest computer I know
Where'd you get that funk from?
When I count to ten I want you to jump up! Stay there!
Oh, ho! But don't come down til I Flash the Light.
You deserve a break today, have it your way
Funk is not domestically produced. Ho!
There's nothing that the proper attitude won't render...funkable.
Where'd you get your funk from? Funktism! Hey!
When you're taking every kind of pill
(Mood control!)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
When you're taking every kind of pill
(Urge overkill!)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
(yeah, ho!)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(Program)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(Deprogram)
(And reprogram)
?????
Heads I win, tails you lose (how do you spell relief?)
Would you trade your funk...for this? (you deserve a break today)
Or that? (have it your way)
A funk a day keeps the nose away...ain't it true!
I ain't gonna hold the lettuce, the pickles or the mustard (ha ha!)
Yo!
Step up and dance until I tell you to come down
You deserve a break today, sucker!
I'm gonna flash the light and flop the j, down again????
This is mood de-control
Saying pay more attention
For free speech is high finance
possible funkability???
Ho, Let the funk begin!
Do anybody have change for funk?
Where'd you get your funk from?
Oh yes, this is heavyweight funk
Put up your dukes, haha!
You want to funk around with me, oh!
This is mood de-control, yo-ho!
The home of the P.Funk, the Bomb
Mind your wants 'cause there's someone that wants your mind
When you're taking every kind of pill
(The bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
(How do you spell relief?)
When you're taking every kind of pill
(The bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
(whoa, this is the big pill)
(yeah, ho!)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(there they go again, there they go again)
(You might as well pay attention, free speech is too high)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(Huck-a-buck! Ho!)
(You deserve a break today)
(How do you spell relief?)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(Hey, wind me up!)
Yeah!
Take it to the bridge, hahaha
Let's take it to the stoop???
This is mood control
Funkentelechy (program,deprogram,reprogram)
Funkentelechy (how's your funkentelechy)
Funkentelechy (I got you back into turnaround)
Funkentelechy (right now, so y'all space)
Funkentelechy (heavyweight funk/hey ????!)
Funkentelechy (rump to rump, we)
Funkentelechy (shall get down)
Funkentelechy
Funkentelechy (how's your funk?)
Funkentelechy (how's your funkentelechy?)
How's your funk-en-te-lechy?
How's your funk-entelechy?
(x2)
How's your funk-en-te-lechy? (When you're taking every kind of pill)
How's your funk-entelechy? (Nothing ever seems to cure your ill)
(x2)
Where'd you get your funk from? (ho!)
You're in the presence of your future
You deserve a break today
Have it your way
I ain't gonna hold the lettuce, the pickles or the mustard
A funk a day keep the Nose away
Mind your wants 'cause someone wants your mind
Funk is a non-profit organization
Peck me lightly, like a woodpecker with a headache
'Cause funk is not domestically produced
It is responsive to your mood
You can score it any day
On WEFUNK, we-funk, HO!
Name that feeling, baby
This is mood de-control
Program, reprogram and deprogram
Funkentelechy (how's your funkentelechy?)
Funkentelechy (you might as well pay attention free speech is too high)
Funkentelechy (we are specially programmed for your p's????)
Funkentelechy (unfunky possibilities arrive for the makers of urge overkill)
Funkentelechy (and not your funky funny bone)
Funkentelechy (you deserve a break today so name that feeling)
Funkentelechy (would you trade your funk for what's behind the third door)
Funkentelechy (the big deal, heads I win, tails you lose)
Funkentelechy (there's nothing that funk will not render funkable)
Funkentelechy (this is mood decontrol, urge you to Funk On!)
Funkentelechy (oh ho, how's your funk-en-tel-echy?)
Funkentelechy (ideas brought to you by the makers of urge overkill)
Do not respond
This has been a test
Ha ha ha ha ha!
And once again the Pleasure Principle has been rescued
With the aid of the funk
(this is Mr. Prolong)
How's your funk-en-te-lechy? (I have to leave early today, ha ha ha)
And in doing so, (How's your funk-entelechy?)
Freed the possibilities of funk beyond compare (How's your funk-entelechy?)
Program, deprogram, reprogram (How's your funk-entelechy?)
When you're taking every kind of pill (How do you spell relief)
Nothing ever seems to cure your ill (You deserve a break today)
When you're taking every kind of pill (ha ha ha ha)
Nothing ever seems to cure your ill (have it your way, this is the doctor)
When you're taking every kind of pill
(saying, the bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
Nothing ever seems to cure your ill (what's happening?)
Ha ha ha
Sucker!
How's your funk?
How's your funk? (what's happening?)
Funkentelechy (x2)
Funkentelechy (I want you to stay up there until I tell you to come down)
Funkentelechy (Check your funk pressure)
Funkentelechy (fly on)
Funkentelechy (ain't nothing but a party, baby)
Funkentelechy
How's your funk-entelechy?
How's your funk-en-te-lech-why?
How's your funk-entelechy? (Heads I win tails you lose!)
The song "Funkentelechy" by George Clinton is a satirical commentary on the radio industry and the impact of mood control on the masses. The lyrics refer to "mood control" as a tool used by radio broadcasters to manipulate the emotions and attitudes of listeners through the use of music and other media. Clinton suggests that this form of control is designed to render "funkable" only those ideas that are brought to the public by the "makers of Mr. Prolong," better known as Urge Overkill, whose music is criticized in the song for promoting "the pimping of the Pleasure Principle."
Throughout the lyrics, Clinton challenges the listener to question where they get their "funk" from, whether it be from taking medication, following the latest trends, or succumbing to peer pressure. He suggests that true funk comes from within, and encourages listeners to break free of the constraints imposed by society and media. The song is filled with playful wordplay and sarcastic humor, as Clinton pokes fun at the commercialization of funk music and the commodification of popular culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, this is mood control (yo-ho!)
This is a system of controlling emotions and attitudes (yo-ho!)
Saying you might as well pay attention (this is mood control)
Advising that it's best to pay attention and take notice because mood control is in effect
You can't afford free speech
Having free speech is not something you can afford
(mood, mood, mood, someone's funking with the mood!)
Emphasizing that someone is interfering with the desired mood
Mood control is designed to render funkable
The purpose of mood control is to make ideas and concepts funky
Ideas brought to you by the makers of Mr. Prolong
These ideas are presented by the creators of Mr. Prolong
Better known as Urge Overkill
Mr. Prolong is more commonly recognized as Urge Overkill
The pimping of the Pleasure Principle
Exploiting and promoting the Pleasure Principle
Oh, but we'll be pecking lightly
However, we will approach this cautiously and carefully
Like a woodpecker with a headache
Like a woodpecker tapping lightly due to a headache
'Cause it's cheaper to funk
Because it is more cost-effective to engage in funk
Than it is to pay attention
Rather than investing attention and focus
You dig?
Do you understand?
Huck-a-buck
A playful exclamation
A-Lo and behold, someone's funking with the mood control
Look and see, someone is messing with the mood control
When you're taking every kind of pill
When you're relying on medication for various issues
(deprogram, program)
Attempting to remove and then reprogram behaviors and beliefs
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
No treatment seems to bring relief or improvement
Where'd you get your funk from (where'd you get that funk from?)
Where did you acquire this funk and attitude (where did you get that funk from?)
Heh! Name that feeling!
Hey! Identify and recognize that emotion!
Would you trade your funk for what's behind the third door?
Are you willing to exchange your funk and attitude for an unknown alternative?
The big deal!
This is a significant and important decision!
Heads I win, tails you lose!
Regardless of the outcome, I will benefit and you will lose!
How do you spell relief?
What is the correct way to express or find relief?
Huck-a-buck, sucker!
Ha! Got you, fool!
(Ho! The bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
(Ha! The worse the problem, the more extreme the solution)
You deserve a break today (Have it your way)
You should take some time off and relax (Do whatever makes you happy)
Where'd you get that funk from? (Ooh, who was that? ha ha ha ha ha ha, ohh ohh ohh)
Where did you acquire such an attitude? (Who influenced you? Ha ha ha ha)
The salvation of inspiration is the motivation
Motivation is the key to finding salvation in inspiration
Fasten your safety belt
Prepare yourself for what's to come
While I take you face-to-face with the nosiest computer I know
I will introduce you to the most intrusive and curious computer I am acquainted with
When I count to ten I want you to jump up! Stay there!
When I reach the count of ten, I want you to jump up and remain in that position
Oh, ho! But don't come down til I Flash the Light.
But wait for my signal before returning to the ground.
Funk is not domestically produced. Ho!
Funk does not originate within one's own country. Ho!
There's nothing that the proper attitude won't render...funkable.
With the right mindset, anything can become funky.
Funktism! Hey!
The practice and belief in funk as a form of religion! Hey!
(Urge overkill!)
(Intense and excessive desire for pleasure!)
(Mood control!)
(Control over emotions and attitudes!)
Where'd you get that funk from? (Program)
Where did you acquire that funk? (Through programming)
Where'd you get that funk from? (Deprogram)
Where did you acquire that funk? (Through deprogramming)
(And reprogram)
(And through reprogramming)
?????
Unable to determine meaning from the given lyrics
Heads I win, tails you lose (how do you spell relief?)
Regardless of the outcome, I will be victorious (how can you find relief?)
Would you trade your funk...for this? (you deserve a break today)
Are you willing to give up your funk...for this alternative? (You should take some time off and relax)
Or that? (have it your way)
Or for this option? (Do whatever makes you happy)
A funk a day keeps the nose away...ain't it true!
Having a daily dose of funk helps keep away unwanted interference...isn't that right!
I ain't gonna hold the lettuce, the pickles or the mustard (ha ha!)
I won't waste time or hesitate (ha ha!)
Yo!
Hey!
Step up and dance until I tell you to come down
Get up and start dancing, and don't stop until I give the signal to stop
You deserve a break today, sucker!
You should take some time off, fool!
I'm gonna flash the light and flop the j, down again????
I will quickly turn on the light and then lower it, and then repeat...
This is mood de-control
This is the opposite of mood control
Saying pay more attention
Stating the need for increased focus and attention
For free speech is high finance
The ability to freely express oneself is expensive or valuable
possible funkability???
The potential for something to become funky???
Ho, Let the funk begin!
Hey, let the funk start!
Do anybody have change for funk?
Does anyone have the capacity to exchange something for funk?
Where'd you get your funk from?
Where did you acquire your funk and attitude?
Oh yes, this is heavyweight funk
Indeed, this is powerful and significant funk
Put up your dukes, haha!
Prepare to fight, haha!
You want to funk around with me, oh!
You want to engage in funk-related activities with me, oh!
The home of the P.Funk, the Bomb
The birthplace and origin of P.Funk, the ultimate form of funk
Mind your wants 'cause there's someone that wants your mind
Be aware of your desires, as there are others who desire to control you
The bigger the headache, the bigger the pill
The more severe the problem, the more extreme the solution
Where'd you get that funk from? (Ho! The bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
Where did you acquire that funk and attitude? (Ha! The more severe the problem, the more extreme the solution)
(You might as well pay attention, free speech is too high)
(You should pay attention, as the cost of free speech is excessive)
Huck-a-buck! Ho!
Ha! Gotcha! Hey!
(You deserve a break today)
(You should take some time off)
(How do you spell relief?)
(How can you find relief?)
Where'd you get that funk from?
Where did you acquire that funk and attitude?
(Huck-a-buck! Ho!)
(Ha! Gotcha! Hey!)
(You deserve a break today)
(You should take some time off)
(How do you spell relief?)
(How can you find relief?)
Where'd you get that funk from?
Where did you acquire that funk and attitude?
(Hey, wind me up!)
(Hey, excite and energize me!)
Yeah!
Yes!
Take it to the bridge, hahaha
Bring the music to a musical interlude or breakdown, hahaha
Let's take it to the stoop???
Let's bring the music to a more relaxed and casual setting, perhaps???
This is mood control
This is the regulation and manipulation of emotions and attitudes
Funkentelechy (program,deprogram,reprogram)
The fusion of funk, technology, and self-improvement (programming, deprogramming, and reprogramming)
Funkentelechy (how's your funkentelechy)
The state and condition of your funk (how's your funkentelechy)
Funkentelechy (I got you back into turnaround)
Funkentelechy has restored and improved your existence and attitude
Funkentelechy (right now, so y'all space)
Funkentelechy is present and effective, so everybody give it some room
Funkentelechy (heavyweight funk/hey ????!)
Funkentelechy is powerful and significant funk (hey ????!)
Funkentelechy (rump to rump, we)
Funkentelechy is the binding together and collaboration of individuals through the power of funk
Funkentelechy (shall get down)
Funkentelechy will get and become intense and funky
Funkentelechy
Funkentelechy
Funkentelechy (how's your funk?)
The status and condition of your funk (how's your funk?)
How's your funk-en-te-lechy?
How is your funk and attitude (funk-en-te-lechy)?
How's your funk-entelechy?
How is your funk and attitude (funk-entelechy)?
How's your funk-en-te-lechy? (When you're taking every kind of pill)
How is your funk and attitude? (When you are dependent on various medications)
How's your funk-entelechy? (Nothing ever seems to cure your ill)
How is your funk and attitude? (Nothing seems to provide relief to your ailment)
Where'd you get your funk from? (ho!)
From where did you acquire your funk and attitude? (ho!)
You're in the presence of your future
You are currently experiencing what will shape your future
I ain't gonna hold the lettuce, the pickles or the mustard
I won't pause or hesitate to take action
A funk a day keep the Nose away
Regular exposure to funk helps ward off unwanted intrusion
Mind your wants 'cause someone wants your mind
Be mindful of your desires because someone desires to control and influence you
Funk is a non-profit organization
Funk operates without seeking financial profit
Peck me lightly, like a woodpecker with a headache
Tap or peck lightly against me, similar to a woodpecker experiencing a headache
'Cause funk is not domestically produced
Because funk does not originate within one's own country
It is responsive to your mood
Funk is influenced and influenced by your emotional state
You can score it any day
You can acquire and experience funk at any time
On WEFUNK, we-funk, HO!
Through WEFUNK, we can access and enjoy funk, HO!
Name that feeling, baby
Identify and label that emotion, baby
This is mood de-control
This is the removal and absence of mood control
Program, reprogram and deprogram
Initiate, modify, and remove programmed behaviors and beliefs
Funkentelechy (how's your funkentelechy)
The state and condition of your funk (how's your funkentelechy)
Funkentelechy (you might as well pay attention free speech is too high)
Funkentelechy advises paying attention as the cost of free speech is excessive
Funkentelechy (we are specially programmed for your p's????)
Funkentelechy is specifically designed and created for your pleasure and enjoyment
Funkentelechy (unfunky possibilities arrive for the makers of urge overkill)
Funkentelechy presents unfunky options for the creators of urge overkill
Funkentelechy (and not your funky funny bone)
Funkentelechy affects and impacts more than just your sense of humor
Funkentelechy (you deserve a break today so name that feeling)
Funkentelechy believes you should take some time off and identify that emotion
Funkentelechy (would you trade your funk for what's behind the third door)
Funkentelechy questions if you would exchange your funk for the unknown
Funkentelechy (the big deal, heads I win, tails you lose)
Funkentelechy emphasizes that this decision is important and regardless of the outcome, I benefit and you don't
Funkentelechy (there's nothing that funk will not render funkable)
Funkentelechy believes that funk has the power to make anything appear funky
Funkentelechy (this is mood decontrol, urge you to Funk On!)
Funkentelechy promotes the absence of mood control and encourages you to embrace funk
Funkentelechy (oh ho, how's your funk-en-tel-echy?)
Funkentelechy inquires about the state and condition of your funk-en-tel-echy
Ideas brought to you by the makers of Urge Overkill
These ideas are presented by the creators of Urge Overkill
Do not respond
Do not provide a response
This has been a test
This was an experimental situation
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Exclamation representing laughter
And once again the Pleasure Principle has been rescued
Once again, the Pleasure Principle has been preserved and protected
With the aid of the funk
With the help and support of funk
(this is Mr. Prolong)
(This is Mr. Prolong)
How's your funk-en-te-lechy? (I have to leave early today, ha ha ha)
How is your funk and attitude? (I must depart sooner than expected, ha ha ha)
And in doing so, (How's your funk-entelechy?)
And while doing that, (How is your funk-entelechy?)
Freed the possibilities of funk beyond compare (How's your funk-entelechy?)
Released the limitless potential of funk unlike anything else (How is your funk-entelechy?)
Program, deprogram, reprogram (How's your funk-entelechy?)
Establish, remove, and modify programming (How is your funk-entelechy?)
When you're taking every kind of pill (How do you spell relief)
When you rely on medication for various issues (How can you find relief)
Nothing ever seems to cure your ill (You deserve a break today)
No treatment provides permanent relief for your ailment (You should take some time off)
When you're taking every kind of pill (ha ha ha ha)
When you rely on medication for various issues (ha ha ha ha)
Nothing ever seems to cure your ill (have it your way, this is the doctor)
No treatment provides permanent relief for your ailment (do whatever makes you happy, this is the solution)
When you're taking every kind of pill
When you're relying on medication for various issues
(saying, the bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
(stating that the more severe the problem, the stronger the medication)
Nothing ever seems to cure your ill (what's happening?)
No treatment seems to bring permanent relief to your ailment (what is wrong or going on?)
Ha ha ha
Representation of laughter
Sucker!
Fool!
Lyrics © A SIDE MUSIC LLC D/B/A MODERN WORKS MUSIC PUBLISHING, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: George Clinton, William Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@letmesing6868
My grandmother has suffered two strokes and is also living with dementia. She is pretty down most of the time understandably. One day while playing music for her I stepped away from being the "dj" and autoplay kicked in with this record first. I was washing dishes or something and just let it play. After a couple of minutes I turned around expecting granny to be annoyed and agitated about the change of music and found her totally locked into the groove. Head bobbing and feet tapping. I could only laugh and smile. That's truly the power of the P baby. 💃🏾❤✊🏿 Funk on. ❣
@MrTPain
"THAT PFUNK IS,
VERY SSCRONG
@dwaynemcclellan5699
That was a great share!
@kcshipp80
Good to your earhole.
@stewartbroom4302
Aaaaa
@ralphpipkin164
Groovy from bab
@beverlymoses3659
DAMMMMM........I used to party all night on this song, and then go home, shower, change, and to straight to work, and smile all day with this song still playing in my mind..........ahhhhhh, the good ole days of original funk!!!! I was nineteen, and gorgeous!!!!!
@solicious1
I’m so glad you experienced this!!❤❤❤
@Archontechnica
"Mind your wants 'cause there's someone that wants your mind"...just let that sink in for a minute and marinate. Bro George was deeper than the Pacific.
@williamwooten6156
Profoundly accurate MIND YOUR WANTS