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.
Party On Plastic
GEORGE CLINTON Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Shake that floppy disk
Shake that floppy disk
Turn your radios up
Don′t you wanna party with us?
We party harty when we party
You can run but you can't hide
There is no hiding place
To just get out my face (yo)
But if you feel the groove
You can go ahead and move
Shake your body down
I want you to know that i'm back
Ha, he′s Bootsy!
And, don′t ever send a mouse
To the job of a rat baby
Turn your radios up, turn it up
Cos' when we party, we party real tough
It ain′t nothing but a party, baby
Turn your radios up, you got to turn it up
Cos' when we party, it gets real rough
This is your party on plastic
This is your party on plastic
And it′s super groove elastic
This is your party on plastic
And it's fantastic, baby!
This is your party on plastic
I want to party
Do you want to party?
Get up on this!
I wanna play
I wanna pull some string today
Do you want me to play?
Yeah!
Play it Bootsy!
I′m gettin' ready to blow you away
Hit me now
Shake it
Shake that floppy disk
You got to shake it
Shake it
Shake that floppy disk, shake, shake
Break it baby
Shake it
Shake that floppy disk
You got to shake it
I'm gonna shake it
And don′t ever walk the water
Unless you know where the rocks are baby
Hey, hey, hey
I wanna know where the party is
Excuse me fellas, hello
I think i want to party
Right here
Yeah, but is it legal?
Let me see you wiggle, girl
This is your party on plastic
And it′s super groove elastic
This is your plastic
And it's fantastic, baby!
This is your party on plastic...
The lyrics to George Clinton's "Party On Plastic" are all about bringing the funk and getting people up and moving. The song opens with the question "What's Bootsy doin'?", referencing Bootsy Collins, who played bass guitar for Clinton's band, Parliament-Funkadelic. This is followed by the instruction to "shake that floppy disk", which is a playful nod to the technology of the time – floppy disks were commonly used for data storage in the 80s when this song was released. The repeated refrain to turn up the radio is an invitation to join the party and groove to the music.
The lyrics also contain a playful challenge. Clinton dares his listeners to try to hide from the music and the party atmosphere, but there's "no hiding place". He then addresses his audience directly, telling them to get out of his face if they're not ready to party. But if they feel the groove, they're welcome to join in on the fun. The lyrics contain a sense of disregard for any negative energy or people who aren't on board with the party vibe.
Overall, "Party On Plastic" is a celebration of music, dance, and having a good time. It's a playful and funky track that encourages its listeners to let loose and join in on the fun.
Line by Line Meaning
What's Bootsy doin'?
Asking about Bootsy Collins' whereabouts and activities.
Shake that floppy disk
Encouraging the audience to dance and move their bodies.
Turn your radios up
Requesting the audience to increase the volume of their radios to enjoy the song fully.
Don't you wanna party with us?
Asking the audience if they want to join in on the festivities.
We party harty when we party
Stating that they celebrate and have fun with intensity and enthusiasm.
You can run but you can't hide
Conveying that it is impossible to avoid the party or the fun it brings.
There is no hiding place
Reiterating that no refuge or escape from the celebration exists.
I want you all so-called bad mothers
Addressing the audience and referring to them as self-proclaimed cool people.
To just get out my face (yo)
Telling the cool people to move away or leave if they cannot handle the level of partying.
But if you feel the groove
Saying that if the audience senses the rhythm and beat of the music, they should respond accordingly.
You can go ahead and move
Assuring the audience that it is acceptable to dance and express themselves.
Shake your body down
Instructing the audience to move their bodies and dance to the music.
I want you to know that I'm back
Announcing that George Clinton has returned and is ready to party.
Ha, he's Bootsy!
Introducing Bootsy Collins as part of the performance.
And, don't ever send a mouse
Advising the audience never to assign inconsequential tasks to someone ill-equipped to handle them.
To the job of a rat baby
Comparing a small, insignificant task to a more significant one to highlight the importance of proper delegation.
Cos' when we party, we party real tough
Stating that when they celebrate, they do so with energy, enthusiasm, and intensity.
It ain't nothing but a party, baby
Suggesting that their ultimate goal is to have fun and enjoy themselves.
This is your party on plastic
An allusion to the record's vinyl material and inviting the audience to party alongside the song.
And it's super groove elastic
Claiming the party to be exceptionally flexible and adaptable to all tempo changes and rhythmic variations.
I want to party
Expressing the desire to celebrate and have fun.
Do you want to party?
Asking the audience if they also want to join in the festivities.
Get up on this!
Encouraging the audience to participate in the song's dance or performance.
I wanna play
Desiring to showcase his musical talent and entertain the audience by playing his instrument.
I wanna pull some string today
Asking to be allowed to play or perform the guitar, which involves string instruments.
Do you want me to play?
Asking the audience if they want to hear a guitar or instrumental performance.
Yeah! Play it Bootsy!
Encouraging Bootsy Collins to play and demonstrate his skills on the bass guitar.
I'm gettin' ready to blow you away
Preparing to give an electrifying performance that would excite and entertain the audience.
Hit me now
Giving a cue for the band to start playing.
Break it baby
Encouraging the band to improvise, innovate, or break the beat in a particular part of a song to add more rhythm and variation.
And don't ever walk the water
Advice to avoid doing something dangerous or challenging unless adequately prepared.
Unless you know where the rocks are baby
Comparing a person's situation to crossing a river and advising that one should know the obstacles or dangers that might arise.
Hey, hey, hey
A vocal expression of excitement and joy.
I wanna know where the party is
Asking about the location or the place where the fun and celebration are happening.
Excuse me fellas, hello
Addressing the band members or people around him politely.
I think I want to party
Expressing interest and excitement to join the celebration or party.
Right here
Confirming that the party is happening where they currently are.
Yeah, but is it legal?
Questioning the lawfulness or appropriateness of the celebration.
Let me see you wiggle, girl
Inviting a woman to dance and move her body sensually.
And it's fantastic, baby!
Emphasizing that the party is fantastic or remarkable.
Writer(s): William Earl Collins, Bootsy
Contributed by Cole O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@shanemichaelneal648
I love how bootsy doesn't take himself too seriously. Not only is he an excellent musician...but he has fun with it.
@greenhowie
Thank you for your service we salute you as a hero and protector of humankind.
@matthewconstantine5015
This is chaos. And I love it.
@birdmansclambake
Bootsy is a funk God/Genius. Best in the business on the bass guitar.
@twiff3rino28
Lol a nameless Japanese guy designed and wrote the software for the drum machine used in this song. Bootsy was giving credit where it was due ☺️
@mr.lonniebooker3205
Bootzilla rules funk music. He's the all time craziest of R&B funk.
@naybordave123
Oh man - that's got so much slippery funk. Savage!
@fontaholic
Please give him a cameo in the mandalorian lol
@racingman3000
My boy Rodan likes to groove.
@user-iu6bm1em9t
今も大好き😍💓💓