Prior to their first recording, "Please, Please, Please", The Famous Flames… Read Full Bio ↴Prior to their first recording, "Please, Please, Please", The Famous Flames were billed simply as The Flames, and Brown himself was billed as a member of the group. In later concerts and recordings Brown and the group were billed as James Brown and The Famous Flames, or sometimes as James Brown and His Famous Flames.

I Don't Mind
James Brown and The Famous Flames Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I don't mind your love
I don't mind the one
You're thinking of

But I know, I know
You're gonna miss me

I don't mind

Your body and soul
I don't mind your
Love growing cold

But I know, I know
You're gonna miss me

I don't mind
This is my song
I don't mind
Goodbye, so long

I know, I know
You're gonna miss me

Yeah
I know, I know

I know, know, know
Know, know, know, know

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to James Brown's song "I Don't Mind" express the singer's acceptance of his lover's infidelity and love growing cold, with the underlying knowledge that she will eventually realize what she has lost and come back to him. The repeated phrase "I don't mind" in the song suggests a sense of resignation, but the assertive "I know" in the refrain indicates a confidence in his lover's eventual regret.

Brown's delivery of the lyrics is characterized by his signature raspy yet soulful voice, accompanied by a lively rhythm and horn section. The song's overall upbeat tempo belies the melancholy sentiment expressed in the lyrics. This juxtaposition between the cheerful melody and the resigned lyrics reflects the complexity of love and the emotional toll it can take on people.

Overall, "I Don't Mind" is a poignant reflection on the challenges of love and human relationships, conveyed through the expert craftsmanship of James Brown's songwriting and performance.

Line by Line Meaning

I don't mind your love
I have no issues with the love you give to me

I don't mind the one
I am not bothered by the person you love

You're thinking of
The person who is on your mind

But I know, I know
However, I am aware

You're gonna miss me
That you will miss me

I don't mind
I am not upset

Your body and soul
I do not mind anything about you, including your body and soul

I don't mind your
I am not bothered by the fact that your

Love growing cold
Love is cooling down towards me

This is my song
This tune is created by me

Goodbye, so long
I am saying a final goodbye, goodbye forever

I know, I know
I am aware

You're gonna miss me
You will surely miss me

Yeah
Indicating agreement or confirmation

I know, I know
I am aware

I know, know, know
I am certain, undoubtedly sure

Know, know, know, know
I am very certain, with no doubt

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES BROWN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Comments from YouTube:

@sgmares

3y↑2

I love the Flames harmonizing in the background, They their super hits in my world

@tyroneprice6642

4y↑4

I once had this tune on 45 record very old recording 1961.

@srercrcr

10y↑31

This was his best work. This and Lost Someone and Prisoner of Love, and, and.....

@looknn

7y↑2

srercrcr I would agree that this is among his best work. This was nearing the end of his doo wop period!

@gloriousjohnson1807

4y↑1

Yesss!

@williamg2552

21w

and THE FAMOUS FLAMES!!
Bobby Byrd, Bobby Bennett, & Lloyd Stallworth

@anuncolonizedmind6296

2y↑1

Great song

@charlessavarese

13y↑3

I don't mind hearing this anytime.

@williamg2552

12y↑3

"I DON'T MIND" by James Brown and The Famous Flames was a 1961 Billboard Top 5 R&B hit, peaking at # 4, and reached # 47 on the Billboard Hot 100.

@williamg2552

6y↑5

GREAT HARMONIES by The Famous FLAMES !!

@calliejohnson6617

6y↑2

This is the type of music I grew up on. I miss it so glad for u tube.

@cynthiaclark2459

Brings back house party memories

@Canibal_Animal

9y↑2

I'm 5 years old and I fucking love James Brown.

@amandaclbn8324

I'm 2 and I love him too

@ronniemoon57

If you're 5, your parents oughta be ashamed of themselves for teaching you to use profanity. I'd whoop your backside myself if I could.

@CajunRice1000

13y↑1

IMO....I feel this is when James and the Famous Flames were at the top of his game.... This cooks with feeling.....

@greatmindsthinkalike1378

just listened to the Sinseers cover this, had to come back and listen to J. B.
the Sinseers did a great job tho!

@theametuers1

12y↑4

im 12 and i love james brown

@Spookyb10

your atleast 20 by now right? wow

@cynthia6637

10y↑8

1961....... "I don't Mind" Yesssssss .

@pjf654

10y↑1

good indeed yessss

@cynthia6637

10y

Nice one

@bettyemoon4054

Cynthia's Channel

@uribedaniel100

6y↑1

You don't hear this music no more!!

@trfesok

10y↑4

Besides the Who, this song was also done by the Moody Blues on their 1st album. The song was suggested to them by American record producer Bert Berns, who was hired by Decca Records to supply material to them after they blew it by not signing the Beatles! I have all 3 versions in my "Magnificent Moodies" playlist. Thanks for uploading.

@trfesok

10y

Also put them in my "My Generation" playlist.

@ethanhill9460

3y↑1

I loved this song in elementary school. Piano playing and drumming are dynamic.

@jflores6836

13y↑1

God Bless U James

@DrFrankensteam

13y↑1

Now THIS is music!!!!

@williamg2552

12y↑3

KUDOS to BOBBY BENNETT, the LAST surviving member of THE FAMOUS FLAMES, who accepted the induction for the group at the 2012 ROCK and ROLL HALL of FAME CEREMONY .

@cynthia6637

10y↑2

The Best of "James Brown" "I Don't mind"

@srercrcr

8y↑3

1961....this ushered in a whole new JB. It was enough to drop your jaw....OMG!!!

@msaintpc

5y↑1

He was the baddest mfr in the world back then.

@janetrome3584

I 100% agree . Never will be another like James Brown.

@poyeitorgnzlz3831

9y↑7

U gonna miss me...

@AB-fw6qp

6y↑2

Easily one of his best tracks. Strictly soul

@kellymoon3406

11y↑3

The Who's version seems more dramatic, but they were still just imitating the master. Gotta love that guitar!

@jeffwilliams196

crazy talk.

@mrstanbmw

you are out of your fucking mind

@williamg2552

JAMES and THE FLAMES' Original is the BEST....BY FAR !!

@eddiediggs

6y↑3

This man is the shit

@williamg2552

7y↑13

WHY no pictures of THE FAMOUS FLAMES ?
They are clearly singing on this record with James.

@williamg2552

Oh, WAIT...HERE are some pictures of THE FAMOUS FLAMES !!!
https://www.facebook.com/pg/thefamousflamesbysandibennett/photos/?tab=album&album_id=797029250432239
(The FAMOUS FLAMES are a SINGING GROUP...NOT BACKUP MUSICIANS )

@lordswine7962

5y↑1

Whoever disliked this tune were probably upset because there is no auto tuned vocals.

@mauricenunn6935

Never heard this one before, but, yes!

@blueshippie9906

9y↑7

Love that solo. I'm in love with the who's version too.

@SylentEcho

Check out the MC5 version.

@franceschavez7377

7y↑1

I don't mind Either career....miss u

@Clyde177

5y↑1

James Brown can sing

@mauricenunn6935

Yes!

@williamg2552

11y

JAMES BROWN & THE FAMOUS FLAMES

@CheckMate657879

13y

Ooh - I'm the first one to comment on this song. Thank you for the upload of this original song. One of my all time JB favs - dancing on a dime LOL!!!!

@williamg2552

5y↑1

Here are some PHOTOS of JAMES BROWN & THE FAMOUS FLAMES...from The Famous Flames' Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/thefamousflamesbysandibennett/photos/?tab=album&album_id=797029250432239

@priscillaserrano5458

Yep great

@timmy841212

12y

James Brown and The Famous Flames...

@stevemartinez7841

6y↑1

ONE FIRME ROLA KICKING
IT WITH YOUR OLD LADY. CRUZIN IN
YOUR LOWRIDER JAMMMING JAMES BROWN...

@deebaby27

12y

james is the god father of all soul music harlem jahmel

@williamg2552

"Mr Dynamite"....JAMES BROWN and The Mighty FAMOUS FLAMES
Bobby Byrd, Bobby Bennett, and Lloyd Stallworth !!!!

@walterjenkins4536

7y↑1

williamg2552 Johnny Terry & Slyvester Naah as well (The Flames)

@williamg2552

Johnny Terry , yes, but Sylvester Keels, and Nash Knox were gone by the time this song was recorded .

@veledajohnson1511

5y↑2

The Who,..!!! 1965 version is also amazing,..!!!!.,.

@TheZeevik

10y↑2

KILLER

@williamg2552

PHOTOS of JAMES BROWN & THE FAMOUS FLAMES:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/thefamousflamesbysandibennett/photos/?ref=page_internal

@williamg2552

PHOTOS of JAMES BROWN & THE FAMOUS FLAMES
from THE FAMOUS FLAMES Facebook Page
https://www.facebook.com/pg/thefamousflamesbysandibennett/photos/?tab=album&album_id=797029250432239

@hullygulley

There are some dumb-ass comments on here. Everything JB did is greatness.

@noelsoliz9071

Gangster

@uncledooley

8y↑7

James at his best before his 2 chord funk crap

@bluesandrhythm

8y↑2

+Darrell Reid With you on that, Darell

@FUNNYMANERICWHITE

8y↑2

huh???

@shannaboone5808

funk crap

@williamg2552

Yes, his years as lead singer of the vocal group THE FAMOUS FLAMES were his BEST.... when he was known as "Mister Dynamite"....instead of this later "Godfather Of Soul" Funk garbage.