Flashlight
George Clinton & the P-Funk All Stars Lyrics


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Flash Light
Now, I lay me down to sleep
Ooh, I just can't find a beat
Flash light (ohh, I will never dance!)
Flash light
Flash light
Flash light
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Oh, it's no use!
Flash light
Red light
Neon light
Ooh, stop light

Now I lay me down to sleep
I guess I'll go count the sheep
Oh, but I will never dance

(oh, don't make me do it)
(Dance, sucker! ooh ha ha!)
(oww! Get him!)

Most of all he needs the funk (shine it)
Help him find the funk (ha, funk it!)
Most of all he needs the funk
Help him find the funk (get him)
Most of all he needs the funk (I know we can get him)
Help him find the funk (ho!)
Most of all he needs the funk (ha, don't!)
Help him find the funk (I know you will! Dance, sucker!)
Most of all he needs the funk (Shine the spotlight on him!)
Help him find the funk (Oh funk me!)

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (Dance, Nose! You know you on my funk street
Oh, funk me!
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (get on down, Nose! I like it! Dance, then!

Flash light
Flash light (oh ho ho!)
Spot light
Neon light (neon light)
Street light (street light)

Oh ho, ha ha!
Everybody's got a little light under the sun
Shinin' on the funk
Shinin' on the funk
Most of all he need the funk
Help him find the funk

Most of all he need the funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Help him find the funk
Help him find the funk
Help him find the funk

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Oh
Flash light (flash light, flash light)
Flash light (flash light, flash light)
Flash light (oh, flash light)
Flash light (oh, flash light)
Spot light (spot light)
Neon light (ooooh, neon light)
Flash light (ooh, flash light ho!)
Stop light (stop light)

Now I lay me down to sleep
I guess I'll go count the sheep
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (oh)
Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Shake your rump (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da) (ho!)
I think I found the funk

Flash light (flash light)
Day light (day light)
Spot light (spot light)
Red light (ohhh, hooo, red light!)

Everybody's got a little light under the sun
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da

Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Everybody's got a little light under the sun

Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun

Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun

Under the sun




Under the sun
Under the sun

Overall Meaning

"Flash Light" by George Clinton & The P-Funk All-Stars is a funk song that talks about the need for the funk and the search for the perfect groove. The lyrics lay out the scene of someone struggling to find the right rhythm to move their body to. The repeated refrain of "Flash Light" signifies the search for this perfect rhythm but the singer can't seem to find it. The references to different types of lights - red light, neon light, stop light, etc., all indicate the various distractions and obstacles that are coming in the way of the groove. The humorous interjections from different voices further underline the theme of the struggle to find the funk. The latter part of the song encourages everyone to find their own little light under the sun and shine it on the funk, looking to help others find it as well.


This song has been interpreted in many ways - from being a metaphor for the search for a higher consciousness, to a commentary on the struggle for black visibility in American society. The lyrics are often seen as a call to dance and let go of one's inhibitions, while the instrumental aspects of the song are praised for their complexity and catchiness. The song has been described as a "funk anthem" and "one of the most infectious earworms of the era." It has been covered and sampled by numerous artists and continues to be a popular choice for dance parties and funk festivals.


Line by Line Meaning

Flash Light
The song begins with the title track, which is a reference to a flashlight. The use of this metaphor sets the tone for the rest of the song, which focuses on the search for the 'funk'.


Now, I lay me down to sleep
The singer reflects on his inability to dance or find a beat, which sets up the need for the 'funk'.


Ooh, I just can't find a beat
Despite the singer's attempts to get into the groove, he cannot find the right rhythm.


Flash light (ohh, I will never dance!)
The repetition of 'flash light' reinforces the metaphor of the light, while the line in parentheses reveals the singer's reluctance to dance.


Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
This is a nonsense phrase that is used throughout the song, providing a rhythmic backdrop to the lyrics.


Oh, it's no use!
The singer laments his inability to dance, suggesting that he is frustrated by his lack of rhythm.


Red light
The reference to a 'red light' can be interpreted in a number of ways - it could be a reference to a stop light, or it could be a metaphor for something that is holding the singer back from finding the 'funk'.


Neon light
The reference to a 'neon light' suggests a vibrant, colorful atmosphere, which is conducive to the search for the 'funk'.


Ooh, stop light
The repetition of the 'stop light' motif suggests that there is something holding the singer back from finding the 'funk'.


I guess I'll go count the sheep
The singer gives up on trying to find the 'funk', instead choosing to go to sleep and forget about it for a while.


Most of all he needs the funk (shine it)
The search for the 'funk' becomes the main focus of the song, with the singer and his backing band searching for this elusive quality.


Help him find the funk (ha, funk it!)
The backing vocals provide encouragement and support for the singer, urging him to keep looking for the 'funk'.


Oh, funk me!
This line could be interpreted in a number of ways, but it likely refers to the singer finding the 'funk' and becoming one with it.


Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (Dance, Nose! You know you on my funk street
The use of nonsense syllables continues, while the reference to a 'funk street' implies that there is a particular quality or vibe that the singer is searching for.


Spot light
The spotlight is another metaphor that is used to represent the search for the 'funk' or some other quality.


Flash light (oh ho ho!)
The repetition of 'flash light' returns, with the backing vocals adding emphasis and excitement to the line.


Street light (street light)
The street light could be interpreted in several different ways - it could be a metaphor for the urban landscape, or it could be symbolic of something else entirely.


Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
The singer encourages his audience to get into the groove and find the 'funk'.


I think I found the funk
The singer discovers the 'funk', suggesting that he has achieved his goal.


Day light
The use of 'day light' suggests that the search for the 'funk' has been successful - the light has been found and is shining brightly.


Everybody's got a little light under the sun
The repetition of 'under the sun' emphasizes the universality of the search for the 'funk', suggesting that everyone has the potential to find it within themselves.


Under the sun
This line provides a simple conclusion to the song, tying together the themes of light, search, and discovery.




Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RONALD R. BROOKS, GREGORY E. JACOBS, DAVID R. ELLIOT, BERNARD WORRELL, WILLIAM EARL COLLINS, GEORGE JR. CLINTON

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Clifton McKnight

Never gets old

Joe Flip

one of the best funk tune ever created 

jimihd1

+Joe Flip yeah!

Billy Smith

nice

birddoc47

Awesome to hear this tune! Excellent live. Thanks for posting.

Tammie Powell-Bishop

I can't fight da funk I'm dancin WHATEVER

More Real

Best ever. Free your Mind and Your Ass Will Follow!

barbm1001

🙌🏼💯💯💯

bwanna23

Parabolic!

Le discophile

Funk!

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