You Got To Have A Job
James Brown & Marva Whitney Lyrics

Yeah, yeah,yeah
The singer is excited and enthusiastic.

Yeah, yeah, yeah Popcorn, yeah, yeah, yeah popcorn!
The singer is urging everyone to dance and have a good time.

Some like 'em fat and some like em tall Some like 'em short Skinny legs and all I like 'em tall I like 'em proud And when they walk You know they draw a crowd!
People have different physical preferences, but the singer likes people who exude confidence and draw attention.

See, you gotta have a mutha for me Yeah, yeah, yeah ah come on!
The artist needs someone maternal to take care of him.

A look-a-here! There was a time when I was all alone I had a secret thought I was gone Somebody done me! Said now I see What you are doin', brother To stay ahead of me And when I get burndt ha! I use some salve And when I want some lovin' A mother she got to have See, you got to have a mother for me
The artist felt defeated at a point in his life and realizes the importance of having someone who doesn't judge and helps him recover.

Yeah! Popcorn! oh! uh! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah Yeah! Eeee yeah! Do the popcorn hu! Ooooooooh! Ooooooooh! Popcorn! uh! Yeah-yeah-yeah
The singer urges the audience to dance and enjoy themselves.

Look-a-here! ha! good lord! Hu! hu! Look-a-here! Do the popcorn and do the horse Show everybody where you at! You gotta be boss The way you do your little thing Step in a small ring And jump back baby! James brown gonna do his thing! Popcorn! yeah! yeah! yeah!
The singer urges the audience to dance in a unique way, show their own style, and confidently control the dance floor.

Sometime sometime I'm feelin' low Sometime I'm feelin' low I call another brother Talkin about Maceo! Maceo! blow your horn! Don't talk no trash hu! Play me some popcorn! Maceo! come on! uh! Popcorn hu! ah!
The artist turns to his friend Maceo to help him cheer up with music and dancing.