Born in Pensacola, Florida, McCrae grew up singing in her pentecostal church and later discovered secular singers like Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin. She began performing in local clubs as a teenager, and singing with local groups like the Lafayettes and the Independents. In 1963, she met a young sailor named George McCrae, whom she married within a week.
From 1963 onward, she recorded as a duo with her husband George, and was first to receive a solo contract, with Henry Stone's TK Records. She found success on the R&B charts with "Lead Me On" in 1970, followed by "For Your Love".
George & Gwen were discovered in 1967 by singer Betty Wright, who helped get them signed to Henry Stone's Alston label. Their debut single, "Three Hearts in a Tangle," was released in 1969; the follow-up, "Like Yesterday Our Love Is Gone," marked the first time they worked with the writing team of Clarence Reid (who would later morph into the bawdy comic Blowfly) and Willie Clarke. Both were regional hits, as was third single, "No One Left to Come Home," although none of those records broke nationally; meanwhile, the McCraes and Wright were collectively earning a reputation as stellar session vocalists.
Following husband George’s unexpected solo success with "Rock Your Baby", Gwen went on to have a major hit of her own in 1975 with "Rockin' Chair", a #1 R&B hit which also reached the US Top 10. The follow-up album, Love Insurance, also made the R&B charts. By this time, the separate successes were taking their toll on the McCraes' marriage. Gwen has since alleged that her husband beat her frequently.
After Gwen and George divorced and TK Records collapsed, Gwen moved to New Jersey, and signed with Atlantic Records, having another hit with "Funky Sensation" in 1981. She continued to record, and the success of some of her earlier recordings on the UK’s Northern Soul scene maintained her popularity as a live act in Europe. In 2004, she released her first gospel album.
Funky Sensation
Gwen McCrae Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
I'm calling all you, party people
Come on, get up and dig that funk I have for ya
I have a funky sensation
That was spread around the nation
Get up, clap your hands and feel the groove
You see people like me need people like you
To come together and enjoy the funky beat
Take your time, relax your mind
Come on, come on and dig my funky sensation, eh
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
You know what?
Yeah, yeah, I see you creeping out there on the dance floor
I want you to put the hands together like this, come on
Yeah, you feel it, that's when you got oooh
There you go, just move the left leg, that's it
Move your left leg (ya, with the beat come on)
Put your right hand in the air (mm, that's it)
Lean left, lean right, lean front, lean back come on
You gotta ride it right, baby
It's just the funky sensation
Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
My funky sensation
The song "Funky Sensation" by Gwen McCrae is a classic disco-funk track that is all about the power of the groove. The lyrics are simple and repetitive, designed to get people moving and feeling the rhythm of the music. The repeated refrain of "Can you feel it? My funky sensation" reinforces the idea that music has the power to move us and to connect us with one another in a profound and immediate way.
The verses of the song are devoted to calling on people to join in the party and to come together to dance and enjoy the funky beat. The lyrics are full of exhortations to "get up" and "clap your hands" and "feel the groove." The song suggests that music is a force for unity and that it has the power to bring people together across all kinds of different boundaries.
Overall, "Funky Sensation" is a catchy and infectious track that captures the spirit of the disco era. The song is all about the power of the groove and the way that music can bring us together and make us feel alive.
Line by Line Meaning
Can you feel it? Can you feel it?
Asks the listener whether they are aware of the presence of the song's funky beat
My funky sensation
Refers to the unique and groovy musical vibe that the song brings
I'm calling all you, party people
Addressing listeners who enjoy dancing and having fun at social events
Come on, get up and dig that funk I have for ya
Encourages listeners to engage with the music and find pleasure in its funky rhythm
That was spread around the nation
Indicates the popularity and widespread appeal of the song's funky style
Get up, clap your hands and feel the groove
Directs the listener to participate physically by clapping hands and moving to the beat
You see people like me need people like you
Highlights the song's communal nature and the way it brings people together to enjoy music
To come together and enjoy the funky beat
Reinforces the idea that the song is intended to be a shared experience enjoyed by many
Take your time, relax your mind
Encourages the listener to let go of stress and focus on enjoying the music
Come on, come on and dig my funky sensation, eh
Invites listeners to engage with the song's funky rhythm and enjoy the experience
Yeah, yeah, I see you creeping out there on the dance floor
Acknowledges that some listeners are already dancing and enjoying the music
Put the hands together like this, come on
Instructs the listener on how to physically engage with the music by clapping hands in a rhythmic way
That's when you got oooh
Suggests that the listener will experience a positive physical and emotional reaction to the music
There you go, just move the left leg, that's it
Provides guidance on how to move the body to the music, starting with a simple step
Move your left leg (ya, with the beat come on)
Encourages the listener to move their body in time with the song's beat
Put your right hand in the air (mm, that's it)
Provides an additional physical action for the listener to engage with i.e. raising their right hand in the air
Lean left, lean right, lean front, lean back come on
Provides further instruction on how to move to the music, incorporating a variety of physical movements
You gotta ride it right, baby
Encourages the listener to fully embrace the song's funky rhythm and enjoy the experience
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Kenton Nix
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
susanfit47
In 1981, old-school hip hop musician Afrika Bambaataa sampled the song for "Jazzy Sensation".
In 1990, Salt-N-Pepa sampled the song for "Independent".
In 1992, Father MC sampled the song for "One Night Stand"
In 1994, [Sounds of Blackness] song entitled "I Believe"
In 1995, [Aswad] song entitled "One Shot Chiller"
in 1996, Rahsaan Patterson sampled the song for "Where You Are"
In 1996, Shyheim sampled the song for "Can You Feel It?"
In 2000, the single was heavily sampled in the German language single "Get Up," by DJ Thomilla featuring Afrob
In 2002, Ja Rule sampled the song for "Last Temptations"
In 2006, Leela James sampled the song for "Good Time"
In 2018, Disclosure heavily sampled the song for their single "Funky Sensation".
Antertainment531
My blank tapes were ready everytime this played on the radio. I can never get tired of this!! Thanks, Kiss FM & WBLS for breathing life in NYC in the 80s.....
Michael Corker
Ll
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Vegan Vocalist
you paint a really cool image ;D
Janet Harper
O Yea, Great Memories
Beyond The Matrix
I used to drive around NYC in my 86 Cadillac Fleetwood blasting this song! Great memories and great era!
ELVIN J.
That was the decade of great awesome music. Yes Kiss FM and WBLS was the best radio stations at the time. Don't forget about WKTU 92.3 FM. ("This is Paco...K...T...U...") Man...I loved that time.
J Eshun
Can you feel it? yes that funky sensation? well Gwen can, as she belts it out on what has become over the years a massive club anthem since its releae in 1981, still rocks the floors & parties, a track sampled by artists like Rahsaan Patterson, written by Kenton Nix
Jennifer Fields
When I first Heard this song was American Band Stand . He was changing things around 😁😁
Mo Vetta
One of my all time favorites!
martha shepherd
Love this long version listening while quarantined April 2020!!!