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.
Martial Law
GEORGE CLINTON Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Waving on while we dance...
Boosting the bass volume to a deaf range
Crackin' a bottle of champagne
They exchanged lyrical gratifications verbalized in the form of a toast
Chorus:
Curfew ain't gonna get it
It's gonna take Martial Law
We're used to funkin' after hours (repeat)
Funk is dead is what they said
While sittin' 'round cheatin' at pool—smooth
Bags baggin' and they weren't braggin'
To tell the truth they were lookin' real cool
They were choked up tight in their white on white
Cocoa brown fronts were down
They wore candy striped ties hangin' down to their flies
Sported gold dust crowns
Chorus
Before I shrivel up and die
Let me tell you a little story 'bout the FBI
The CIA, LAPD of the USA
Ask 'em why I list 'em
Talkin' 'bout that system
Let us take a look and see what's up today
They're takin' away the rights from the people, that's wrong
What did King say "Can't we get along?"
Beat down by the man whose check he paid
Stacey Koons was just a drop
In the bucket full of wicked cops
No fire hose could wash that blood away
It was the fifteenth frame of a straight pool game and they all stood diggin' the play
With an idle shrug they suddenly dug a strange cat movin' their way
He was a medium built cat with a funny type hat
Looked about five years old he wore a messed up vibe
He needed a shine, he shivered as if he was cold
Ah, but to all the other guys, they summized
The dude was a motherfunkin' flunky
But the well-trained eyes of how the mother ship flies
You could tell the sucker was funky
Homeboy grinned as the dude moved in
Askin' had they seen the doc
They said they hadn't seen him but heard he was fiendin'
He had went to the studio to cop
Ah, but if you got eyes coppin' size I can cop the P I'm in the flow
LP's, CD's, cassettes and 8-tracks all good to go
But you got to post bail, my man's wholesale,
He's the only connect I know
Flash me some bread the brother said
Freeze here while I go score
Well I got the bread but I'm leary, he said
I'm playin' with the big band you know
Homey had plans to burn the man, to take his money and blow
But then he hesitated, ah cuz he had underestimated
Now he's got to do the real show
He said I can cop a piece on a small time lease
You don't have to put up no ends, find you a stump to fit your rump
I'll sure back in ten
Ah, but as the brother stepped off up crept another brother
Yo grab yourself a stick
Said the little man I'm not a throw off worse yet I'm a show-off
As he chalked and broke the balls with his dick
Runnin' the three the five the seven and twelve
Blood said yo mama and the fifteen fell
With combinations of English and bankin'
He cued up to break rack three
Yo, lookin' over his bridge past the ball to the figure near the wall
Strokin' his stick, sayin' hold my thing while I go P
Chorus
Taking the cue from the man in view
He followed him into out of sight
Where upon he paused or rather he stopped
Pressin' the rewind then play on the beat box
The funk was a phony, a fake and a fraud, bootleg copies to boot
Not funk with a P on it but funk with a 3 on it
Now comes the time to salute
He says here's to beggin' duplicatin' and bootleggin'
Here's to the funk on which I'm high
The man made a pass, flashed a gold colored badge and said here's to I'm the FBI
Homeboy grinned as he said my friend
You want to make an example out of me
Cuz I stole a little funk and I sold a little bunk funk
Some pervert rapes your daughter and goes free
The man said with a grin, that's not why you lose and I win
If you're gonna steal the funk steal the motherfunkin' P!
Chorus
The song "Martial Law" by George Clinton can be interpreted as a commentary on the state of American society in the late 1980s. The lyrics describe a group of people who are partying and having fun, while also acknowledging the political and social issues facing the country. The chorus suggests that the solution to these problems is martial law, which represents a shift towards authoritarianism and the suspension of civil liberties. The song laments the death of funk music and references the FBI, CIA, and LAPD as examples of corrupt institutions that oppress people.
The first verse describes people dancing while the flag waves in the background, perhaps implying that they are not fully aware of the gravity of the country's problems. The second verse references the death of funk music and the cool demeanor of those who play pool, before delving into more political themes. The lyrics mention Martin Luther King Jr.'s message of peace and unity, and criticize the police brutality that occurred during his time. The verse ends with a reference to the Rodney King beating and the failure of the justice system to hold corrupt cops accountable.
The song's chorus is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the message that martial law is necessary to achieve order in a society that has lost its way. Ultimately, the song paints a bleak picture of America in the late 1980s, highlighting the need for drastic action to address the social, political, and cultural issues facing the country.
Line by Line Meaning
And the flag was still there
The flag continued to wave despite the revelry.
Waving on while we dance...
The flag waved as they danced explosively to the deafening bass.
Boosting the bass volume to a deaf range
The bass was made louder than bearable.
Crackin' a bottle of champagne
A bottle of champagne was opened with a loud pop.
They exchanged lyrical gratifications verbalized in the form of a toast
They gave one another compliments in the form of a verbal toast with drinks.
It's gonna take Martial Law
Martial law is required to bring order.
Curfew ain't gonna get it
A curfew is insufficient to the task.
We're used to funkin' after hours (repeat)
They are accustomed to partying even after hours.
While sittin' 'round cheatin' at pool—smooth
They were playing pool while cheating in a nonchalant manner.
Funk is dead is what they said
They said that funk is dead.
Bags baggin' and they weren't braggin'
They were collecting their winnings but not boasting.
To tell the truth they were lookin' real cool
They appeared very slick to be honest.
They were choked up tight in their white on white
Their white clothing fit them tightly.
Cocoa brown fronts were down
They had lowered cocoa brown fronts.
They wore candy striped ties hangin' down to their flies
They had ties with striped candy patterns which went down to their flies.
Sported gold dust crowns
They had crowns of gold dust.
Before I shrivel up and die
Before George Clinton dies.
Let me tell you a little story 'bout the FBI
I'm going to share a story about the FBI.
The CIA, LAPD of the USA
Other American organizations are also going to be discussed.
Ask 'em why I list 'em
Ask why I included those organizations.
Talkin' 'bout that system
Talking about the American system.
Let us take a look and see what's up today
Let's examine the present state of affairs.
They're takin' away the rights from the people, that's wrong
The government is taking rights away from citizens.
What did King say "Can't we get along?"
Asking what Martin Luther King Jr. meant when he said, "Can't we get along?"
Beat down by the man whose check he paid
He was beaten by the officer whom he paid.
Stacey Koons was just a drop
Stacey Koons was just one of many wicked police officers.
In the bucket full of wicked cops
There are numerous wicked police officers.
No fire hose could wash that blood away
The violence could not be undone.
It was the fifteenth frame of a straight pool game and they all stood diggin' the play
They watched the fifteenth frame of a Straight pool game with great interest.
With an idle shrug they suddenly dug a strange cat movin' their way
Without interest, they suddenly became aware of a peculiar person walking towards them.
He was a medium built cat with a funny type hat
He was a person of medium build wearing a strange hat.
Looked about five years old he wore a messed up vibe
He had an unorganized air about him and appeared young.
He needed a shine, he shivered as if he was cold
He appeared to require cleaning and was shivering.
Ah, but to all the other guys, they summed him up
Everyone else judged him quickly.
The dude was a motherfunkin' flunky
They believed the person was a low-level assistant.
But the well-trained eyes of how the mother ship flies
The person was actually significant, which only an expert could notice.
You could tell the sucker was funky
You could tell the person was cool.
Homeboy grinned as the dude moved in
The man smiled as the person approached.
Askin' had they seen the doc
He asked if they had seen the doctor.
They said they hadn't seen him but heard he was fiendin'
They told him they had not seen him after being informed he was looking for drugs.
He had went to the studio to cop
He had gone to the studio to purchase drugs.
Ah, but if you got eyes coppin' size I can cop the P I'm in the flow
If you can see the merchandise, I can purchase the drugs to sell.
LP's, CD's, cassettes and 8-tracks all good to go
All formats of recordings were available to copy.
But you got to post bail, my man's wholesale,
You must prepay before merchandise can be transferred, as he offers whole packs.
He's the only connect I know
He's the only source I'm aware of.
Flash me some bread the brother said
Give me a small amount of money, the man requested.
Freeze here while I go score
Wait here while I purchase merchandise.
Well I got the bread but I'm leary, he said
One man had the money but was suspicious.
I'm playin' with the big band you know
I'm involved in a risky business.
Homey had plans to burn the man, to take his money and blow
As a result, the man planned to rob the drug dealer.
But then he hesitated, ah cuz he had underestimated
However, he reconsidered since he underestimated his opponents.
Now he's got to do the real show
He now has to follow through with his plan.
He said I can cop a piece on a small time lease
He suggested buying drugs on a small scale.
You don't have to put up no ends, find you a stump to fit your rump
You don't have to pay much, just find a quiet spot.
I'll sure back in ten
He promised to return in ten minutes.
Ah, but as the brother stepped off up crept another brother
As he walked away, a man approached him.
Yo grab yourself a stick
Grab a pool stick, the stranger demanded.
Said the little man I'm not a throw off worse yet I'm a show-off
The small man declined being called a liar and was a show-off.
As he chalked and broke the balls with his dick
He prepared the pool table with his chalk and broke the balls open with a special technique.
Runnin' the three the five the seven and twelve
He continued to play, scoring points in the game.
Blood said yo mama and the fifteen fell
He scored so well, that his opponent swore after losing the fifteenth point.
With combinations of English and bankin'
He used combinations of English and bank shots to win the game.
He cued up to break rack three
He prepared to play the third series of shots.
Yo, lookin' over his bridge past the ball to the figure near the wall
Unusual methods of shooting and looking at the person by the wall.
Strokin' his stick, sayin' hold my thing while I go P
While holding his pool stick, he asked the person by the wall to hold it while he peed.
Taking the cue from the man in view
The stranger copied the man's pool stick technique.
He followed him into out of sight
The stranger shadowed him out of people's view.
Where upon he paused or rather he stopped
They stopped in a dark place.
Pressin' the rewind then play on the beat box
He activated the music to rewind on the beat box and then play.
The funk was a phony, a fake and a fraud, bootleg copies to boot
The stranger revealed that the music was fake and bootleg copies.
Not funk with a P on it but funk with a 3 on it
The music wasn't real funk, but a bootleg copy with an incorrect spelling.
Now comes the time to salute
Now is the time for acknowledgment.
He says here's to beggin' duplicatin' and bootleggin'
He toasts to illegal duplication and bootlegging of music.
Here's to the funk on which I'm high
Another toast to the music he loves.
The man made a pass, flashed a gold colored badge and said here's to I'm the FBI
The stranger revealed himself to be an FBI agent with a badge, toasting to a different thing entirely.
Homeboy grinned as he said my friend
The man laughed and said to the agent, "my friend..."
You want to make an example out of me
The man realized the agent could use him as a warning for others.
Cuz I stole a little funk and I sold a little bunk funk
The man admits to buying and selling fake music.
Some pervert rapes your daughter and goes free
The man asked why he should be punished for bootlegging fake music when sexual predators roam free.
The man said with a grin, that's not why you lose and I win
The agent revealed that his job is to win and that the reasons are not relevant.
If you're gonna steal the funk steal the motherfunkin' P!
If the man must steal music, he should steal actual authentic funk music with a correct spelling.
Contributed by Claire I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Javier
Chorus:
It's gonna take Martial Law
Curfew ain't gonna get it
It's gonna take Martial Law
We're used to funkin' after hours (repeat)
Funk is dead is what they said
While sittin' 'round cheatin' at pool—smooth
Bags baggin' and they weren't braggin'
To tell the truth they were lookin' real cool
They were choked up tight in their white on white
Cocoa brown fronts were down
They wore candy striped ties hangin' down to their flies
Sported gold dust crowns
Chorus
Before I shrivel up and die
Let me tell you a little story 'bout the FBI
The CIA, LAPD of the USA
Ask 'em why I list 'em
Talkin' 'bout that system
Let us take a look and see what's up today
They're takin' away the rights from the people, that's wrong
What did King say "Can't we get along?"
Beat down by the man whose check he paid
Stacey Koons was just a drop
In the bucket full of wicked cops
No fire hose could wash that blood away
It was the fifteenth frame of a straight pool game and they all stood diggin' the play
With an idle shrug they suddenly dug a strange cat movin' their way
He was a medium built cat with a funny type hat
Looked about five years old he wore a messed up vibe
He needed a shine, he shivered as if he was cold
Ah, but to all the other guys, they summized
The dude was a motherfunkin' flunky
But the well-trained eyes of how the mother ship flies
You could tell the sucker was funky
Homeboy grinned as the dude moved in
Askin' had they seen the doc
They said they hadn't seen him but heard he was fiendin'
He had went to the studio to cop
Ah, but if you got eyes coppin' size I can cop the P I'm in the flow
LP's, CD's, cassettes and 8-tracks all good to go
But you got to post bail, my man's wholesale,
He's the only connect I know
Flash me some bread the brother said
Freeze here while I go score
Well I got the bread but I'm leary, he said
I'm playin' with the big band you know
Homey had plans to burn the man, to take his money and blow
But then he hesitated, ah cuz he had underestimated
Now he's got to do the real show
He said I can cop a piece on a small time lease
You don't have to put up no ends, find you a stump to fit your rump
I'll sure back in ten
Ah, but as the brother stepped off up crept another brother
Yo grab yourself a stick
Said the little man I'm not a throw off worse yet I'm a show-off
As he chalked and broke the balls with his dick
Runnin' the three the five the seven and twelve
Blood said yo mama and the fifteen fell
With combinations of English and bankin'
He cued up to break rack three
Yo, lookin' over his bridge past the ball to the figure near the wall
Strokin' his stick, sayin' hold my thing while I go P
Chorus
Taking the cue from the man in view
He followed him into out of sight
Where upon he paused or rather he stopped
Pressin' the rewind then play on the beat box
The funk was a phony, a fake and a fraud, bootleg copies to boot
Not funk with a P on it but funk with a 3 on it
Now comes the time to salute
He says here's to beggin' duplicatin' and bootleggin'
Here's to the funk on which I'm high
The man made a pass, flashed a gold colored badge and said here's to I'm the FBI
Homeboy grinned as he said my friend
You want to make an example out of me
Cuz I stole a little funk and I sold a little bunk funk
Some pervert rapes your daughter and goes free
The man said with a grin, that's not why you lose and I win
If you're gonna steal the funk steal the motherfunkin' P!
Ricki Smith
My wife told me to look this up. She's dancing around the house the past 3 days singin this. And I'm like wtf? She said it's one of her favorite songs. George Clinton's the man.
RoninAli1
Hell of a song for this time.
Javier
Chorus:
It's gonna take Martial Law
Curfew ain't gonna get it
It's gonna take Martial Law
We're used to funkin' after hours (repeat)
Funk is dead is what they said
While sittin' 'round cheatin' at pool—smooth
Bags baggin' and they weren't braggin'
To tell the truth they were lookin' real cool
They were choked up tight in their white on white
Cocoa brown fronts were down
They wore candy striped ties hangin' down to their flies
Sported gold dust crowns
Chorus
Before I shrivel up and die
Let me tell you a little story 'bout the FBI
The CIA, LAPD of the USA
Ask 'em why I list 'em
Talkin' 'bout that system
Let us take a look and see what's up today
They're takin' away the rights from the people, that's wrong
What did King say "Can't we get along?"
Beat down by the man whose check he paid
Stacey Koons was just a drop
In the bucket full of wicked cops
No fire hose could wash that blood away
It was the fifteenth frame of a straight pool game and they all stood diggin' the play
With an idle shrug they suddenly dug a strange cat movin' their way
He was a medium built cat with a funny type hat
Looked about five years old he wore a messed up vibe
He needed a shine, he shivered as if he was cold
Ah, but to all the other guys, they summized
The dude was a motherfunkin' flunky
But the well-trained eyes of how the mother ship flies
You could tell the sucker was funky
Homeboy grinned as the dude moved in
Askin' had they seen the doc
They said they hadn't seen him but heard he was fiendin'
He had went to the studio to cop
Ah, but if you got eyes coppin' size I can cop the P I'm in the flow
LP's, CD's, cassettes and 8-tracks all good to go
But you got to post bail, my man's wholesale,
He's the only connect I know
Flash me some bread the brother said
Freeze here while I go score
Well I got the bread but I'm leary, he said
I'm playin' with the big band you know
Homey had plans to burn the man, to take his money and blow
But then he hesitated, ah cuz he had underestimated
Now he's got to do the real show
He said I can cop a piece on a small time lease
You don't have to put up no ends, find you a stump to fit your rump
I'll sure back in ten
Ah, but as the brother stepped off up crept another brother
Yo grab yourself a stick
Said the little man I'm not a throw off worse yet I'm a show-off
As he chalked and broke the balls with his dick
Runnin' the three the five the seven and twelve
Blood said yo mama and the fifteen fell
With combinations of English and bankin'
He cued up to break rack three
Yo, lookin' over his bridge past the ball to the figure near the wall
Strokin' his stick, sayin' hold my thing while I go P
Chorus
Taking the cue from the man in view
He followed him into out of sight
Where upon he paused or rather he stopped
Pressin' the rewind then play on the beat box
The funk was a phony, a fake and a fraud, bootleg copies to boot
Not funk with a P on it but funk with a 3 on it
Now comes the time to salute
He says here's to beggin' duplicatin' and bootleggin'
Here's to the funk on which I'm high
The man made a pass, flashed a gold colored badge and said here's to I'm the FBI
Homeboy grinned as he said my friend
You want to make an example out of me
Cuz I stole a little funk and I sold a little bunk funk
Some pervert rapes your daughter and goes free
The man said with a grin, that's not why you lose and I win
If you're gonna steal the funk steal the motherfunkin' P!
Cori Coates
RIP John "Pops" Witherspoon......reppin the funk in this video!
Barry Johnson
🙏🙏🙏🙏
Annick B
One nation under a groove
Glenn Smith
I got taste of this in back 93, George Clinton did it again.I just made Q-Dog.That was the new step show.Til this day,I jam it😎😎😎😎😎😎
Everett Williams
"2 tears in a bucket fuck it"!!! Lol😂
Evan Ginzburg
Greatest video EVER.
epickett63
1:15 - Flea exposing the brutality...!