Brown began his career as a gospel singer in Toccoa, Georgia. He first came to national public attention in the mid-1950s as the lead singer of the Famous Flames, a rhythm and blues vocal group founded by Bobby Byrd. With the hit ballads "Please, Please, Please" and "Try Me", Brown built a reputation as a dynamic live performer with the Famous Flames and his backing band, sometimes known as the James Brown Band or the James Brown Orchestra. His success peaked in the 1960s with the live album Live at the Apollo and hit singles such as "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag", "I Got You (I Feel Good)" and "It's a Man's Man's Man's World".
During the late 1960s, Brown moved from a continuum of blues and gospel-based forms and styles to a profoundly "Africanized" approach to music-making, emphasizing stripped-down interlocking rhythms that influenced the development of funk music. By the early 1970s, Brown had fully established the funk sound after the formation of the J.B.s with records such as "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine" and "The Payback". He also became noted for songs of social commentary, including the 1968 hit "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud". Brown continued to perform and record until his death from pneumonia in 2006.
Brown recorded 17 singles that reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B charts. He also holds the record for the most singles listed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that did not reach No. 1. Brown was posthumously inducted into the first class of the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2013 as an artist and then in 2017 as a songwriter. He also received honors from several other institutions, including inductions into the Black Music & Entertainment Walk of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. In Joel Whitburn's analysis of the Billboard R&B charts from 1942 to 2010, Brown is ranked No. 1 in The Top 500 Artists. He is ranked seventh on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Brown
Studio albums
Please Please Please (1958)
Try Me! (1959)
Think! (1960)
The Amazing James Brown (1961)
James Brown and His Famous Flames Tour the U.S.A. (1962)
Prisoner of Love (1963)
Grits & Soul (1964)
Showtime (1964)
Out of Sight (1964)
James Brown Plays James Brown Today & Yesterday (1965)
Mighty Instrumentals (1966)
James Brown Plays New Breed (The Boo-Ga-Loo) (1966)
James Brown Sings Christmas Songs (1966)
Handful of Soul (1966)
James Brown Sings Raw Soul (1967)
James Brown Plays the Real Thing (1967)
Cold Sweat (1967)
I Can't Stand Myself When You Touch Me (1968)
I Got the Feelin' (1968)
James Brown Plays Nothing But Soul (1968)
Thinking About Little Willie John and a Few Nice Things (1968)
A Soulful Christmas (1968)
Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud (1969)
Gettin' Down to It (1969)
The Popcorn (1969)
It's a Mother (1969)
Ain't It Funky (1970)
Soul on Top (1970)
It's a New Day - Let a Man Come In (1970)
Hey America (1970)
Sho Is Funky Down Here (1971)
Hot Pants (1971)
There It Is (1972)
Get on the Good Foot (1972)
Black Caesar (1973)
Slaughter's Big Rip-Off (1973)
The Payback (1973)
Hell (1974)
Reality (1974)
Sex Machine Today (1975)
Everybody's Doin' the Hustle & Dead on the Double Bump (1975)
Hot (1976)
Get Up Offa That Thing (1976)
Bodyheat (1976)
Mutha's Nature (1977)
Jam 1980's (1978)
Take a Look at Those Cakes (1978)
The Original Disco Man (1979)
People (1980)
Soul Syndrome (1980)
Nonstop! (1981)
Bring It On! (1983)
Gravity (1986)
I'm Real (1988)
Love Over-Due (1991)
Universal James (1993)
I'm Back (1998)
The Merry Christmas Album (1999)
The Next Step (2002)
Funky President
James Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey, listen to the man
I'm the Godfather
Payback
Cold blooded
People, people, we got to get over
Before we go under, [Incomprehensible]
Before we go under
Hey, country
Didn't say what you meant
You just changed
Brand new funky President
Stock market goin' up, jobs are goin' down
And ain't no funking jobs to be found
Taxes keep goin' up, I changed from a glass
Now I drink from a paper cup, gettin' bad
People, people, we got to get over
Before we go under
Listen to me, let's get together and raise
Let's get together, get some land
Raise our food like the man
Save our money like the Mob
Put up [Incomprehensible] on the job
[Incomprehensible]
Tell 'em, Godfather
Hello
Turn on your funk motor
Get down and praise the Lord
Get sexy, sexy
Get funky and dance
Love me, baby, love me nice
Don't make it once
But can you make it twice?
I like it
People, people, we got to get over
Before we go under
People, people, well, well, well
Before we go under
Turn on your funk motor
I know it's tough
Turn on your funk motor
Until you get enough, yeah
Hey, give yourself a
Chance to come through
Tell yourself, I can
Do what you can do
Hey, listen to the man
I'm Godfather
Payback
Cold blooded
People, people
People, people
Hey, people, people
Don't you see what's goin' on?
People, people, we got to get together
Get on the your foot, change it, yeah
Got to get together and get some land
Raise our food just like the man
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey
I got to say it again
We got to get together, buy some land
Raise our food just like the man
Save our money, do like the Mob
Put up your [Incomprehensible] on the job
We gotta get over
Before we go under
Time's gettin' short, Lord
Country, do you know
Just what I meant?
We just changed
We got a brand new funky President
I need to be the Mayor
So I can change the things around here
I need to be the Governor
I need to be the Governor
I need to be the Governor
The lyrics of James Brown's song "Funky President" speak to the social and political situation in the United States in the mid-1970s. The song begins with the lines "Funky town, nasty / Hey, listen to the man / I'm the Godfather / Payback / Cold blooded," which establish Brown's persona as a powerful, confident figure who is unafraid to speak his mind.
The next section of the song introduces the idea of "getting over before we go under," which suggests that people need to band together and take action in order to avoid being crushed by the problems facing them. Brown speaks to the economic issues of the time, with lines like "Stock market goin' up, jobs are goin' down / And ain't no funking jobs to be found / Taxes keep goin' up, I changed from a glass / Now I drink from a paper cup, gettin' bad." Here, Brown is commenting on the shrinking job market and the rising cost of living, which are affecting many Americans.
The middle section of the song is a call to action, as Brown urges listeners to band together and take control of their lives. He suggests that people need to "get some land / Raise our food like the man / Save our money like the Mob / Put up [Incomprehensible] on the job" in order to achieve self-sufficiency and financial stability. Brown's strong voice and the funky groove of the song make for an empowering and inspiring message.
Line by Line Meaning
Funky town, nasty
The situation is dire and unfavorable.
Hey, listen to the man
Listen to me, pay attention.
I'm the Godfather
I hold immense power and influence.
Payback
It's time for retaliation for wrongdoings against us.
Cold blooded
We need to be ruthless and determined to achieve what we want.
People, people, we got to get over
We need to rise above our struggles and triumph over them.
Before we go under, [Incomprehensible]
We can't let our hardships consume us, or else we'll fail.
Hey, country
Hey, you there.
Didn't say what you meant
You weren't clear or honest with your words.
You just changed
You went back on your word or changed your stance.
Brand new funky President
We have a new leader who will bring change and progress.
Stock market goin' up, jobs are goin' down
Despite economic growth, unemployment rates are still high.
And ain't no funking jobs to be found
There simply aren't any jobs available.
Taxes keep goin' up, I changed from a glass
As taxes rise, we have to cut back on our expenses.
Now I drink from a paper cup, gettin' bad
Our standard of living is decreasing, reflecting the dire state of our economy.
Listen to me, let's get together and raise
Let's unite and make a change.
Let's get together, get some land
Let's work towards self-sustainability by owning land to produce our own food.
Raise our food like the man
Let's become self-reliant like the people in power.
Save our money like the Mob
Let's save our money strategically and efficiently like organized crime groups.
Put up [Incomprehensible] on the job
Let's invest in our own projects and create our own employment opportunities.
[Incomprehensible]
An unclear remark.
Tell 'em, Godfather
Speak up and address the issue at hand.
Hello
A greeting or attention-getter.
Turn on your funk motor
Get ready to move and take action.
Get down and praise the Lord
Express gratitude and humbleness in the face of difficulties.
Get sexy, sexy
Be confident and empowered in your own skin.
Get funky and dance
Enjoy life and express yourself in the face of adversity.
Love me, baby, love me nice
Show love and care to one another.
Don't make it once
Don't let this be just a temporary display of affection.
But can you make it twice?
Can you make this love last?
I like it
I approve of this situation or statement.
People, people, we got to get over
We have to overcome our issues and struggles to succeed.
Turn on your funk motor
Get ready to take action and make a change.
Until you get enough, yeah
Persist until you see results and achieve your goals.
Hey, give yourself a
Encourage yourself to take action.
Chance to come through
Give yourself the opportunity to succeed.
Tell yourself, I can
Believe in yourself and your abilities.
Do what you can do
Make the most of your talents and resources.
Hey, listen to the man
Pay attention to me, I know what I'm saying.
I'm Godfather
I am the powerful figure in control.
People, people
Addressing the audience, urging for change.
Don't you see what's goin' on?
Are you blind to the issues we're facing?
We got to get together
We must unite to make a change.
Get on the your foot, change it
Get up and take action to change your circumstances.
Got to get together and get some land
We must work towards self-sustainability by owning land.
Raise our food just like the man
We must produce our own food and become self-sufficient.
I got to say it again
I feel the need to reiterate.
Save our money, do like the Mob
We must save money strategically, like organized crime groups would.
Put up your [Incomprehensible] on the job
We must invest in our own projects and employment opportunities.
Time's gettin' short, Lord
We're running out of time to make a change.
Country, do you know
Addressing the nation, asking a rhetorical question.
Just what I meant?
Do you understand what I'm saying?
We just changed
Our situation has changed.
We got a brand new funky President
We have a new leader who will bring change and progress.
I need to be the Mayor
I aspire to hold political power as the Mayor.
So I can change the things around here
I want to make a change in my community.
I need to be the Governor
I aspire to hold political power as the Governor.
People, people
Issuing a call to action to the audience.
Before we go under
Before we succumb to our challenges.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind