You Got to Have a Job
James Brown & Marva Whitney Lyrics
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Yeah, yeah, yeah
Popcorn, yeah, yeah, yeah popcorn!
Some like 'em fat and some like em tall
Some like 'em short
Skinny legs and all
I like 'em tall
And when they walk
You know they draw a crowd!
See, you gotta have a mutha for me
Yeah, yeah, yeah ah come on!
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
Yeah! Popcorn! oh! uh!
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah! Eeee yeah!
Do the popcorn hu!
Ooooooooh!
Ooooooooh!
Popcorn! uh!
Yeah-yeah-yeah
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!
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 song Mother Popcorn by James Brown has a catchy rhythm with a fun and light-hearted tone. The lyrics of the song talk about the qualities of the ideal woman for James Brown. He likes them tall, proud and ones who draw a crowd. He mentions how he needs a mother to help him stay ahead of the competition and to give him some lovin'. The term "mother" used in the song is not in the literal sense, but rather a slang term used during that period to mean a strong, compassionate, and nurturing woman. The chorus mentions popcorn, which is not a reference to the snack but instead refers to the dance style.
The song also talks about James Brown's struggles, where he felt alone and betrayed. He talks about using salve to treat burns and how he calls his friend Maceo Parker when he's feeling low. The implication of the song is that he needs someone who can help him when he's in trouble or needs someone to talk to. The lyrics show James Brown's vulnerability and emotional struggles despite his popularity and fame.
Line by Line Meaning
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.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Alfred James Ellis, James Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MissJackieM
This performance is badass!!, RIP to Mr. James Brown and. Miss Marva Whitney gone but certainly not forgotten!!!
@davisoaresferreira7157
Essa música me marcou de tal forma que sempre que eu ouvi _ la , vai me contagiar , amo muito
@nicodemoscordeiro1116
Uma Sra musica, dancei muito, gravatão do Rio comprido
@franciscoqueiroz2463
Jamais haverá uma música que tão bem nos remete á essa época dos bailes de soul music, como YOU GOT TO A HAVE JOB ao vivo no Apollo.
@danyahpereira1006
Até hoje o que eles, James Brown and Marva diz nessa PAULEIRA é verdade....If you don't work you can't eat,you got to have a job...to buy your family meat,you got to have a job to keep your family stable.
@abelardomotta4255
Música Boa, tempos bons, Renascença, Vitória, coleginho, antigo Minerva e outros tantos clubes do RJ só Soul na raiz
@otonielribeiro9779
Muitas saudades dessa época maravilhosa dos bailes de soul music, esse balanço quando tocava não ficava ninguém parado, coelhinho,grêmio de Rocha Miranda, mr.paulao da Black Power, soul Grand Prix e outras,que saudades!!!
@otonielribeiro9779
Digo: coleginho
@zaqueudossantos.
Aqui em MG ,mais precisamente em Bh e Sabará,tinha as discotecas chamadas scooby du,tarantula negra,som do Sô nego ,máscara negra e outras que o Soul reinava
@joebuck1954
@Zaqueu Dos Santos ah, o máscara negra!