Kansas City
James Brown Lyrics

James Brown wrote and recorded "Kansas City" in 1959, and it was later covered by many artists, including The Beatles. The song is about going to Kansas City to find love and fun, but also about the little guitar amplifiers that were made there. In the first verse, Brown sings, "They got some crazy little boxes there, I'm gonna get me one." This is a reference to the small guitar amplifiers that were made in Kansas City, which were revolutionary because they were the first amplifiers to incorporate a spring reverb tank, creating a unique and distinctive sound.

The second verse of the song is about standing on the corner of Twelfth Street and Vine, a famous intersection in the heart of the jazz district of Kansas City. Brown sings, "With my Kansas City, baby, and a taste of [Incomprehensible] wine." The wine he is referring to is likely either a sweet port or a type of fortified wine that was popular in the region at the time.

The final verse of the song is about the pain of heartbreak, and how Brown believes he can find a new woman if he goes to Kansas City. This is a common theme in blues and R&B music of the time, and it reflects the social and economic conditions of black Americans during the mid-20th century. Overall, the song is a celebration of the fun and excitement of Kansas City, but it also reflects the hardships that many black Americans faced during this time period.