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)
Just Do It
James Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
Come on, just do it, do it
Do it till it feels alright
Come on, just do it, do it
I know it's gonna make you feel real good
Come on, just do it, do it
Way to sing the song, I'm steady, ready to turn you on
Just to impress, party down, I don't take no mess
Swing to the limit then bring it back again
Move that hip and don't you slip
Come on, let's play the whip, now
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
Come on, just do it, do it
Do it till it feels alright
Come on, just do it, do it
I know it's gonna make you feel real good
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on now, let's do, the do
Now when you hear my music
Hold that feet and don't you dare lose it
Right now go
Stomp to the rhythm, move with the flow
Surely it make you feel good
Come on, give it a try
Nothing to venture, nothing to gain
And that's the reason why you got to
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
And I want to just do it, do it
Do it till it feels alright
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on now, let's do the do
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on, just do it, do it
Shake it out, sin for your mind to know what it's about
Survival for the fittest in a race, make all swell
Throw your adrenaline fast and you best remember quick
'Cause if you don't then you won't know what you have missed
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
And I want to just do it, do it
Do it till it feels alright
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on now, let's do the do
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
And I want to just do it, do it
Do it till it feels alright
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on now, let's do the do
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
And I want to just do it, do it
Do it till it feels alright
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on now, let's do the do
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
And I want to just do it, do it
Do it till it feels alright
Come on, just do it, do it
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
Come on, just do it, do it
Come on now, let's do the do
The lyrics to James Brown's song "Just Do It" urge listeners to get up and move their bodies to the beat. The repetition of the phrase "just do it" and the encouragement to "do it till it feels alright" convey a message of taking action and enjoying oneself. Brown's words also signify a sense of urgency and desire to get people to let loose and join in the fun.
The song's verses describe the energy and excitement of a party, with Brown urging everyone to dance and move with the rhythm. He sings, "Swing to the limit then bring it back again / Move that hip and don't you slip / Come on, let's play the whip, now." The verses also emphasize the importance of enjoying life in the present moment, with lines like "Nothing to venture, nothing to gain / And that's the reason why you got to." Overall, the lyrics to "Just Do It" are meant to inspire people to let go of their inhibitions and have a good time.
Line by Line Meaning
Come on, just do it, do it
Encouraging the listener to take action and not hesitate.
'Cause I know it's gonna make you feel real good
Assurance that the action will lead to a positive outcome.
Do it till it feels alright
Continuing the action until it becomes comfortable or enjoyable.
Come on now, let's do the do
Inviting the listener or audience to participate in the energetic activity, likely dancing.
Way to sing the song, I'm steady, ready to turn you on
The performer is confident and enthusiastic about entertaining the audience.
Just to impress, party down, I don't take no mess
The performer wants to impress and entertain, but won't tolerate any negativity or drama.
Swing to the limit then bring it back again
Encouraging the audience to dance freely and without inhibition.
Move that hip and don't you slip
Instructions on how to dance and avoid losing balance or coordination.
Come on, let's play the whip, now
Encouraging a specific dance move or style.
Now when you hear my music
Highlighting the power of the performer's music to inspire and energize the audience.
Hold that feet and don't you dare lose it
Encouraging the audience to maintain their enthusiasm and energy throughout the performance.
Right now go
Urging the audience to begin dancing or participating immediately.
Stomp to the rhythm, move with the flow
Instructions on how to dance and follow the beat of the music.
Surely it make you feel good
Repeating the assurance that dancing and participating will lead to a positive outcome.
Come on, give it a try
Encouraging those who may be hesitant to participate in the energetic activity, likely dancing.
Nothing to venture, nothing to gain
Life requires taking risks to reap rewards.
And that's the reason why you got to
Explaining the importance of being willing to take risks and participate in new experiences.
Shake it out, sin for your mind to know what it's about
Encouraging the audience to let go of inhibitions and experience the music and dancing fully to understand its value.
Survival for the fittest in a race, make all swell
Life is a competition and those who participate fully and energetically will achieve success and happiness.
Throw your adrenaline fast and you best remember quick
Encouraging the audience to participate energetically, quickly adapting to the fast pace of the performance.
'Cause if you don't then you won't know what you have missed
Highlighting the regret that comes from not participating and enjoying experiences fully.
Contributed by Joseph F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Michelle Nolasco
Just do it, let's do it