Cold Sweat
James Brown & His Famous Flames Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ha
I don't care ha, about your past
I just want ho, our love to last, uh
I don't care darlin', about your faults, huh
I just want to satisfy your pulse

Ohh
When you kiss me

When you mess me
Hold my hand
Make me understand

I break out in a cold sweat

Ho, uh, ho
I don't care about your wants
I just wanna ha, tell ya about the do's and don'ts
I don't care about the way you treat me darlin', ha
I just want ha, to understand me honey

Ohh
When you kiss me, no
And ya miss me
You hold me tight
Make everything all right

I break out in a cold sweat, hey

Mercy on me
C'mon now
Brother
Put it, put it where it's at now
Ahh

Let me have it
Uh

Overall Meaning

In James Brown & His Famous Flames's song Cold Sweat, the artist expresses his desire for a lasting love that disregards the past and faults of his partner. He states that all he wants is to fulfill his partner's desires and cause her pulse to flutter. The song portrays a sense of urgency and an intense desire for physical intimacy that is emphasized through the repetition of the phrase "make me understand." James Brown's vocal delivery is intense and energetic as he belts out the chorus, "I break out in a cold sweat," capturing the passion and heat that the song celebrates.

The second verse begins with a similar expression of disinterest in his partner's wants and instead explains that he only wants her to understand him. The bridge in the song breaks into a saxophone solo as James Brown shouts, "Mercy on me" and "C'mon now." When the chorus returns, it is powerful and emphasized with repeated "ho's" and "uh's." The final line, "let me have it," embodies the fiery passion that the song exudes and serves as an anthem for all-consuming love.

Line by Line Meaning

Ha
Expressing a nonchalant attitude

I don't care ha, about your past
Your past is irrelevant to me

I just want ho, our love to last, uh
I desire a long-lasting relationship

I don't care darlin', about your faults, huh
Your flaws don't bother me

I just want to satisfy your pulse
I want to meet your emotional needs

Ohh
An expression of pleasure or contentment

When you kiss me
The act of kissing brings me joy

When you mess me
When you're gone, I miss you

Hold my hand
Physical touch is important to me

Make me understand
Effective communication is necessary

I break out in a cold sweat
Intense emotions overwhelm me

Ho, uh, ho
A rhythmic interjection

I don't care about your wants
Your desires don't matter to me

I just wanna ha, tell ya about the do's and don'ts
I want to communicate some guidelines

I don't care about the way you treat me darlin', ha
Your behavior doesn't impact me that much

I just want ha, to understand me honey
I want to be understood by you

Mercy on me
An expression of exasperation

C'mon now
Let's go

Brother
An address to a close friend

Put it, put it where it's at now
Do what you do best

Ahh
An expression of satisfaction or pain

Let me have it
Give me what I want

Uh
An interjection to indicate hesitation, excitement, or disbelief

Writer(s): Alfred James Ellis, James Brown

Contributed by Riley R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

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Comments from YouTube:

@tyjuanwilliams8719

2y↑184

Clyde Stubblefield was the coolest drummer ever! His ability to play in the pocket and just ride the groove is unmatched!

@hankhenderson7489

1y↑2

P p hl7

@hankhenderson7489

1y↑4

Llp

@mikebrown1052

49w↑6

And it's ABSOLUTELY AMAZING how Clyde put those "ghost notes" on the snare 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿😳😳😳!!!!!

@johnorson6907

46w↑4

This is one of the most fun songs to play along to, and deceptively difficult to do well

@tcvlogsclark

44w↑2

That’s what I like not too much on drums but enough in pocket and fills if need

7 More Replies...

@davidcoillins8035

44w↑7

This song is legendary the birth of funk pretty much the band is ridiculously tight

@mackjigger6030

2y↑47

Amazing voice, funny how people underestimate James vocal abilities

@xsnrgman

2y↑33

The bass player is on point in this one. Never missed a beat!

@lcem32

2y↑20

One of the dopest grooves ever made.

@gaylanowens3528

4y↑180

This song right here was considered to be the first funk song! James Brown was the first artist to put the bass in the forefront of the music also employing the almighty bass line. His music was initially so different from what everybody else was doing until everyone else jumped on board. This song still sounds fresh!

@mpunch51

2y↑16

I heard this when I was 16 in 1967, it blew my mind !
my brother & I had never heard a rhythm feel like this,
let alone the excitement of JBs' singing…incredible stuff

@unocryptoblackart716

1y↑7

James Brown, the hardest workin' man in show business. Godfatha of Soul, Fatha of the Funk. Before him there was none, after him there will be no mo. All Praises to The Most High

@johnallen6945

1y↑5

I remember when I was almost 16 in 1966 and I just loved James Brown. He was the one that got me into listening to older R&B stuff which I came to love, too. So I saw in the paper he and the band were coming to Cleveland so I got tickets for me, my little sister and a foreign exchange student that was visiting from Sweden. We were sitting just waiting for the show and my sister said, "We're the only white people here." I looked around and she was right. Three peas in a pod. I didn't care. As soon as the whole audience was up and starting dancing by the second song nobody paid any attention to anything but the music. A couple of guys started to hassle us on the way out about being white until Rosie Grier came over and told them to back off.

@unocryptoblackart716

1y↑5

@John Allen lol. I was 8in 1966. I was born in late 1957, and by that time JB was a star, so I know I was listening to JB in the womb because my parents loved James Brown. It is cool to hear you had that experience in Cleveland, my hometown, and still a great music town. GO BROWNS!

@chriscurtis8344

35w

@@mpunch51pi I’ll ok loopopkp

1 More Replies...

@patrickpamment2547

3y↑98

RIP Pee Wee. A phenomenal player who helped define funk. I was lucky enough to share a stage with him a couple of times, at the post-gig jams at the Bristol International Jazz & Blues Festival, during my time at the uni about 6/7 years ago. EVERYBODY listened when he got up. An absolute titan who will be sorely missed.

@chrisedwards3214

2y↑3

All the funk greats are leaving us

@youknowwhyimhere756

1y↑1

Patrick payment????? THE PATRICK PAMMENT?!?!

@dorothyparker9121

4y↑104

I love James Brown. His music never gets old. It's always fresh.

@jeksixten5751

2y↑2

u mean gold

@Mone525

22w

Never gets old.

@louisvasquez5214

39w↑8

This is James Brown's tour de force. It revolutionized soul music/funk.

@sherwinmarlin2782

3y↑118

Absolute masterpiece! James Brown's band was without comparison. Nasty sax, blaring horns, and the best drummer!

@zenhippie2011

2y↑8

And the overwhelmingly thick bass that dominates the whole thing!

@MrNedsaabdickerson

2y↑3

Real physical sound coming from actual physical instruments manipulated by real American Heroes!!!!!!!!

@amtooam

2y↑3

That drummer is on mars tho 😂😍

@brodocbetty4856

1y↑5

Clyde killing those drums.

@MonotoneCreeper

4y↑110

That bass playing! No ego, just funk, he hold it down for the whole song.

@rootsychick2151

2y↑2

Steady!😁

@vivienwebb7986

2y↑3

I don't care

@verbavolant6895

2y↑7

James Brown made sure of that

@rwyatt26

2y↑13

Bernard Odom on bass!!!!!

@grinchoi1

2y↑4

It’s coming out of his pay if not lol

6 More Replies...

@richardheidt7036

9y↑8

A must if you want to completely funkify your life. Maceo Parker's solo at 2:30 or so is legendary.

@georgealanlpsandcds9311

7y↑17

This is one of the great singles in music history on many counts and it is wonderful to listen to it again. Love Clyde's drumming on this cut.

@alkh3myst

4y↑114

At the height of his career, James Brown had the daring to bring modal jazz to the dance floor. "Cold Sweat" is a funk reworking of Miles Davis' "So What", plus The Godfather of Soul's vocal. The main melody is in D Dorian mode, like "So What", and the band uses the same two chords.

@gabrielpascom5524

2y↑14

Brilliant. I never realized this detail. Cheers

@Cespinozas

1y↑3

And John coltranes Impressions too dawg , except Coltrane took that Dorian scale and made into something more eternal then James or Davis .

@andigisler

1y↑4

WHOAAA! That's it! I never ever thought of the connection, brillant!

@michaelnorris2522

1y↑2

It would be interesting if someone with some editing skills raised the pitch a half step on the third section where it happens on So What.

@AlRubottom

1y↑2

See fascinating account by PeeWee Ellis of Cold Sweat's origin in The Blue Moment by Richard Williams, pp 206 (published 2010)-- what a great book!

3 More Replies...

@Bigbot97

5y↑25

I consider this one of the earliest if not the first songs that were flat out funky....the tightness, the musicianship, so many pieces to an an amazing puzzle....you can listen and seperate and then reassemble it and it just makes you move!

@sbretstacey

4y↑1

Clyde Stubblefield

@user-fk5hk7sn7l

21w↑2

This song stops me dead in my tracks and I have to listen to it. I've heard it thousands of times and I hope to hear it a million more.

@sweetnonpareil

35w↑4

The groove is so Hard! 🔥

@djmattg11

3y↑35

This is why he is the most sampled artist in music history...his songs were perfectly made..and he made sure of it

@rsouza01

10y↑140

Timeless masterpiece. Holy cow, this man was a genius.

@ilae.williams7675

5y↑4

Sho' Nuff!!! (Sure enough)

@ilawilliams8617

2y↑1

"Timeless masterpiece. Holy cow, this man was a genius"....I like how you said that....💯

@imanim4844

3y↑47

I love James Brown!! This is one of my favorite instrumentals, and his voice is phenomenal here as always! Love the drum solo, Maceo, etc. No one like James Brown!! 💖🎶💃🏾

@ArmedAlex

2y↑2

I think you are mistaken what an instrumental is

@pamelajones-meadows7627

This Jammie Is Too Tight!

@o.g.geezer7058

I worked pretty hard mastering that drum solo. But I finally got it!

@chrisedwards3214

Maceo always delivered

@als125poundweightlossjourney

5y↑12

He was so ahead of his time in music, 500 years from now they will still be bopping to this.

@RickRox75

2y↑10

This is a TUNE. An absolute all time classic by the one and only James Brown. An R&B No.1, this classic reached No.7 in the American pop charts in late August 1967. Just fantastic with great drums from Byrd and a wicked sax from Maceo Parker. An early original funk masterpiece. This will never get old.

@peterh1353

9y↑583

He could do this song for an hour on stage and you wouldn't be bored.

@ladylambchopsfavs3623

8y↑34

sure you RIGHT!! HELL he could sing art had a little Lamb" &STILL SELL OUT THE STADIUM. CAN NEVER BE DUPLICATED!! EVER!!!

@sheldonwoodson1194

4y↑7

Peter H
That’s a fact jak!

@toucantango1

4y↑11

I saw him do this on stage in Virginia Beach.It was not an hour but it was surely funky and entertaining! A GREAT show of funkiness.

@aaronroberts178

4y↑4

And that's a fo sho right on

@williamcooper182

4y↑6

Peter H my first 45

14 More Replies...

@kena7007

2y↑10

I love how the horns go high pitch in the second verse @1:23… genius

@belindasimpson7695

10y↑11

Wow! This song brings me back to the 10th grade when it hit the charts. My high school's marching band would play COLD SWEAT at football halftime shows and the kids in the stands would rock to this jam--and all of James's jams. A master musician and performer. James Brown and Michael Jackson are giving those angels some masterful, jamming performances and I am jealous.

@thrill37

4y↑24

I love how the song doesn't end. James tells the band to "keep it right there" at 6:31 and they just ride the groove all the way to the fade. Solid, solid funk.

@gregmyers9154

1y↑5

I love hitting my drum kit with this. You can't help but dance. This number is one of his best, and all of his songs are the best. Truly the Godfather of Soul. His music is timeless.

@dougcromartie3465

8y↑87

This is true genius. The musicians the feel the voice it don't get any better

@guywebster8018

3y↑27

When james brown sings its like he reaches a whole different dimension. I could see his gospel influence cause thats definitely god talking. When he reaches those higher notes its like the divine got into his soul. Never heard anything like it man.

@ramonaclaytor8736

3y↑10

This was a REVOLUTIONARY NEW SOUND, I STILL GET CHILLS WHEN I HEAR IT 50 YEARS LATER!!!!

@Roro0708

3y↑6

Such a great song! So soul!!

@johnhelgason7838

2y↑3

That's one hell of a groove. Some excellent musicianship, especially Maceo Parker.

@michaelmason7253

5y↑17

I would argue that this is one of the greatest pieces of music recorded in the 20th century.

@jaysonbiggs8979

5y↑34

I bought the single in '67. It was a HUGE hit! Every young black person had this one and a year later, "Black and Proud". Which was beyond huge!

@hannibaltharadio

10y↑5

my absolute favorite James Brown song.... this jam is dopeness personified!!

@sergiobatera6878

7y↑6

E assim nascia o funk (original) que tanto adoro! Demais! Valeu!!

@dasilvianbruce4805

4y↑6

Isn't this just the best groove ever? 2 hours in and it still does not bore anyone! :)

@kimanderson8556

8y↑2

This is a INCREDIBLE song by James Brown. It's VERY catchy. He had a unique way of doing his songs. He was extremely talented.

@g9743

8y↑4

SOUL, FUNK AND JAZZ ALL TIED TOGETHER, YOU CAN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS!!!!

@gregoryfrancis6893

6y↑77

This 1967 top ten record left Motown & Stax ducking for cover,this was the TRUE synthesis of funk & soul,one of the most important tunes in the history of black music!!

@AB-wr8vl

3y↑3

One of the most important tunes in ALL music!

@magical7703

9y↑6

The vocal chords on this man!

@scottierobinson7280

3y↑8

That bassline is the soul of this song which started the Funk. James was literally listening to his own bassline while he performed this song 😨🐐

@yoliebee9176

3y↑6

I absolutely love ❤️ this song. Smooth funky r and b.

@funksfparty-fx6dz

48w↑2

This is the jam and beat that changed the History and the groove of black soul music forever !!

@Bear-pw7nu

28w↑2

Top 3 greatest musicians of all time (he’s number 1 in my book)

@MixQuisite

9y↑34

The coldest jam made in the last 40 years. The groove style unlocked the door to many new styles of music and the way music is made and played.

@dkevinwalker

10y↑13

Still one of the funkiest, hard-edged songs I've ever heard.

@deniseduncan6218

2y↑17

Listening to this takes you to a better place...the beat, James Brown👑👞, The BAND🎷🎺🎸🥁🎹❤️. If anyone doesn't have any soul, just listen to his musical catalog, you will find yourself automatically jumping on beat. This hits you to the core.♥️🎵🎶🎼. I'm here for it 2022.

@carlsbadtaverns

10y↑49

As good as it gets.

There's never been a better pleader and screamer.

Thank you J.B.

@patgarrett1407

9y↑4

Excellent Drummer...Excellent Bass Player...Excellent saxo...Excellent Voice of the GODFATHER HIMSELF....

@CB-bh5ht

6y↑15

The Godfather of Soul. The most sampled man of all time. A vicious band, outstanding writer, producer, orchestra. Legendary entertainer, great business man, will never,ever, be another as influential as James "The Godfather of Soul" Brown.

@veldehobson4277

2y↑3

That bass is everything!

@ThePunisha82

7y↑37

People that appreciate legendary music understand the genius of James Brown. Everyone that came after him took a page from him.

@damienmillar3158

4y↑8

Any one out ther in the world who loves hip hop owes it all to this legend with out him there would be no hip hop at all..we all owe this man a lot for the legacy he has left us all to love and enjoy peace and love to every one around the world

@bigblue7597

4y↑3

Seamless band conducting🔥Blends right in with the song

@mellotronage

6y↑8

Those screams at the end.... chills.

@TheBlackSamura1

2y↑22

As an 18 year old, this goes to hard. I might have to sample this and make a beat from this😭.

@timspinks6813

Check out: Sweet T, I got the feeling 👍

@Sonofwhosonofhim

36w

You not wrong bro

@xb5883

32w↑6

Said every producer ever

@kuahmelallah

26w

@@xb5883especially circa '88-89.

@Soundpaintmusic

2y↑3

Big, bold, beautiful production! Nothing in the digital world holds the soul of this.

@xiiinosceteipsum

4y↑4

They're performance of this in 'when we were kings' is amazing

@hapzap13

8y↑12

A funk and soul masterpiece .......

@muhrvis

8y↑241

This has to be the greatest funk groove ever...

@michelguevara151

6y↑17

jmuhr it's the First funk groove

@lamariahrice7884

5y↑6

jmuhr I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!!

@jimbridges3499

5y↑6

It is PERIOD!!!!

@RobertoGinsburg

5y↑12

The First groove 100% Funk .. before, tracks like "I've got Money" (1962 with Clayton Fillyau on drums), "Out Of Sight", "Papa's got a brand New Bag", "Bring it up" was aproximations to Funk , but no the whole funky stew.

@yug08

5y↑3

Without a doubt!

6 More Replies...

@ronerbsb

6y↑2

muito bom. Adoro James Brow. Um icone do Funk Music internacional.

@PLOttawa

34w↑1

This goes through your whole body ❤️🔥❤️

@kennethrozga2807

2y↑1

I had the opportunity to see this artist perform 6 times in concert. One thing I always enjoyed was his dancing he seemed like he floating on air. RIP!

@putsomerespectonit.1638

3y↑10

Still rocking to this cold blooded sound 60 years later...them doggone HORNS!!! WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

@Kitu74

3y↑2

It doesn't get much better than this..never

@ambereyes888

6y↑4

This was my song back in the day. I was in high school when this came out. Will alway be my favorite JB song! Kudos to my Bison brother Chadwick Boseman for bringing this to life! #GetOnUp

@williamparker6941

8y↑182

Right from the first note, the band hit it on THE ONE! They were ready to create FUNK HISTORY!! That band had every band in the country trying to emulate what their ears were hearing! They couldn't believe the FUNK had just arrived in full force!! I was just 12 years old, but I felt a feeling I had never experienced before!!! The drummer and the bass man went crazy, this ladies and gentlemen was when FUNK was born!!!!!!!!!!

@nobodyyouknow222

8y↑6

this is when you got it or you didn't... burned into my wb soul, baby..never got better hotter than this.. you cant dance to this.. you cant dance..

@ora.dhector5531

8y↑1

marvin Gaye. I met lil girl

@AaronT129

7y↑9

William Parker is speaking facts!

@thenowchurch6419

7y↑8

William Parker.
No one else had mastered syncopation like that before.
Something spiritual about that Funky soul.

@billchew450

6y↑3

This is just a tornado of pure funk

1 More Replies...

@mannyruiz1954

4y↑5

That bass is sick. The horn section sick. Maceo is a badass.......😎🤘

@TheDebgirl12000

9y↑93

That drum solo by Clyde is the bomb! James Brown is the man! The King, Godfather, Soul brother #1 forever!

@BluBrryYum

8y↑4

when he calls Mayceo and Clyde it's gonna be funky ya dig

@TheDebgirl12000

8y↑1

Definitely! I am so glad I grew up listening to JB! I miss him so very much. He was truly an inspiration to us all. Peace out now. Be blessed!

@williamparker6941

8y↑3

You got dat right super natural soul sister!! Sometimes I clown but I'm bout to back up and do the James Brown!!! LOOKA HARE !!

@ladylambchopsfavs3623

8y↑3

+Deborah G.M. He inspired THE MIGHTY & INFINITE MICHEAL JACKSON. NUFF SAID?!!!

@nobodyyouknow222

8y↑2

duh well yahhhhhhhh!

1 More Replies...

@johnl.2314

3y↑1

The first musician of his kind to blend jazz and funk together what a genius

@polarboi6161

48w↑1

im doing the drum solo for an audition and I can stop singing it and air drumming it. So good!

@ryannata157

8y↑12

Just discovered this great man, i immediatly fall in love with his music, it's so different than any other music! it has it's own character, And he paved the way for another kind of funky soul music, man Mr James Brown is Great!

@2001jonb

10y↑20

Immaculate is the word that comes to my mind. Nobody does it like James Brown and his crew. The funkiest soul brothers.

@emaccshawtyy

6y↑6

I’m 24 years old my grandparents mostly raised me but back when I didn’t understand James Brown 🤦🏻‍♀️ But these days as life twist and turns I get up everyday for work starting my day off with some JB! It’s so uplifting like a gospel ! Damn I wish I was born in this time where music was appreciated and they took time ! I miss u James Brown when I listen to u it’s like I get a idea of exactly who u were ! RIParadise!

@kevc21

9y↑7

Way way ahead of his time: James FREAKIN' Brown! Almost 50 year old record, still smoldering.

@ezerlenewatkins9644

4y↑3

I was blessed enough to see the godfather of soul in concert two times. I tell you out of all of the concerts I went to his was without a doubt the very best one. I danced so much I could hardly go to work the next week. Those were the good ole days.

@davidwesley2525

4y↑7

JAMES BROWN he's the SULTAN of SOUL , the FATHER of FUNK , the BOSS of BLUES . NO one can GET DOWN like JAMES BROWN.

@mecorn56

6y↑3

This record is still changing the world.

@grahamreal6021

One of the first songs I learned all the way through on drums. Praise Clyde!

@gisellemcallister4008

10y↑1

PURE SOUL, LOVE THOSE FUNKY HORNS!!!

@terrylew2209

40w↑2

There are many horn players. But the mix of Maceo and JB was and is epic. I do not think of one without thinking of the other.

@vincentcherry5466

8y↑3

The ONE and only live performance I ever paid to see.... at age 14. JAMES BROWN!!!!!

@walibashir102

3y↑2

This beat became known as the JAMES BROWN BEAT that's been used many times by James Brown & other artists. Can never go wrong with this beat.

@barroningram7286

3y↑8

Fred Wesley Peewee Ellis maceo Parker needs to be in a hall of fame , these guys didn't miss a note , James assembled some of the best musicians there ever was ,

@mrstep2me

3y↑1

This was his best band.

@ilawilliams8617

2y↑1

...."some of the best musicians ever"...💯🔥💯

@hot88s23

They didn't miss a note because James would fine their ass if they did.

@cliffordsangster4109

2y↑2

OMG just hearing James Brown sing and scream Cold Sweat brings back memories of my Mom and Grandma playing it on the zenith hifi on Sunday afternoon

@michaelvandergrift2253

4y↑8

This is seasoned playing in the pocket with feeling !

@britneyychantee3075

9y↑9

15 years old , & im loving me some james brown. This Is the real definition of feel good music, rather than todays music.

@budday111

6y↑1

I am truly grateful to have shared the world with a soul like his

@yyzx_6668

Why have I never heard this song its a masterpiece it's like the embodiment of funk

@edwardtrimble3848

5y↑3

The True King of Soul Music. Mr.James Brown.

@carolynabrown3395

6y↑10

Boy do we miss James!! Classics of all time.!1

@morrisparrish76

They didn’t call him the hardest working man in show business for nothing!

@sheilapalmer224

5y↑1

I love his voice

@joesmith7660

9y↑1

never gets old

@richarddavisjr.5865

11y↑5

james brown will be forever the general of funk! cold sweat(parts 1 & 2) proves mr. brown was and still is soul brother #1!!!

@cindychristian1700

23w↑1

This is my favorite James Brown song!!!

@calvinsmith2803

7y↑28

50 Years Later Still Funky!

@walterjenkins4536

43w

Almost 60 now Bruh!!!!!!

@jimthompson606

4y↑6

Here's the thing about James Brown. He could make a fabulous recording, like how could you ever top that. But then live he'll do the same song completely different and it's better than the original. How many times did you hear him and think I can't believe what I'm hearing.