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 Feel That Old Feeling Comin' On
James Brown and The Famous Flames Lyrics

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I, I ,I feel, I feel that old feelin' coming on
Well, I feel, I feel that old feelin' coming on
Well, I been so unlucky ever since I was born

Tell me pretty baby, tell me what you goin' do
Well, well, tell me pretty baby, tell me what you goin' do
You goin' keep on runnin', let the woman make a fool of you

I, I, I,
I feel, I feel that old feelin' comin' on

I been buked pretty baby
Don't you know that I've been scorned
Well, I've been buked pretty baby
Don't you know that I've been scorned
I've been talked about just as sure as you're born

Now count on your fingers till you reach twenty one
Well, just keep on countin' baby, till you reach twenty one
I've been so unlucky, I'm my mothers seventh son

Count on your fingers till you reach 21
Well, well, I say keep on countin' baby, till you reach twenty one
I'm so unlucky, I'm my mothers seventh sun

I, I, I, I
I feel, I feel that old feelin' comin' on

I, I, I
I feel, I feel that old feelin' comin' on

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of James Brown’s “I Feel That Old Feeling Coming On” express the singer's emotional state of feeling the pain and heartache caused by a romantic relationship gone wrong. Brown describes his feelings as an old feeling, meaning that this isn't his first time experiencing this pain. He has been unlucky since birth, which might be suggesting that he has been prone to heartache throughout his life. Brown asks his lover what she will do; if she will keep running away from him and deceive him, or if she will stay by his side and stop making a fool of him. The lyrics also reference how Brown has been talked about and scorned in the past. He is asking his beloved for emotional support and reassurance that she is not going to betray or humiliate him.

The lyrics are simple in structure but enhanced by Brown’s soulful and powerful delivery. The repetition of the phrase “I feel that old feeling coming on” emphasizes the singer's emotional state and the pain he's going through. The lyrics are relatable, and the song remains relevant as people still experience heartache and vulnerability in love.

Line by Line Meaning

I, I ,I feel, I feel that old feelin' coming on
I am experiencing a familiar sensation from the past, and it is taking hold of me once again.

Well, I feel, I feel that old feelin' coming on
I am sensing a feeling that has been a part of my life for a long time and it is returning to me now.

Well, I been so unlucky ever since I was born
Throughout my entire life, I have had no luck, and this pattern has persisted since my birth.

Tell me pretty baby, tell me what you goin' do
Please share with me, my dear, what actions you plan to take in order to address the current situation.

Well, well, tell me pretty baby, tell me what you goin' do
I am asking again, my lovely, what you intend to do in response to these circumstances.

You goin' keep on runnin', let the woman make a fool of you
Are you just going to keep avoiding confronting the issue at hand and allow this woman to take advantage of you?

I been buked pretty baby
My dear, I have been mistreated.

Don't you know that I've been scorned
Surely, you must acknowledge that I have been the victim of contempt and disdain.

Well, I've been buked pretty baby
I have endured unfair treatment, my dear.

I've been talked about just as sure as you're born
People have been spreading unkind rumors and gossip about me for as long as I can remember.

Now count on your fingers till you reach twenty one
Please count along with me using your fingers until you reach the number twenty-one.

Well, just keep on countin' baby, till you reach twenty one
Please continue counting past twenty-one, my dear.

I've been so unlucky, I'm my mothers seventh son
My misfortune has been present since birth, and has even been associated with a mystical belief about being the seventh son of my mother.

Count on your fingers till you reach 21
Let us count together using our fingers until we get to the number twenty-one.

Well, well, I say keep on countin' baby, till you reach twenty one
I urge you, my love, to continue counting until we reach the number twenty-one.

I'm so unlucky, I'm my mothers seventh sun
My bad fortune seems to be a part of my identity, even being associated with a mystical belief in being the seventh son of my mother.

I, I, I, I
I am feeling a strong emotion.

I feel, I feel that old feelin' comin' on
I am sensing a familiar feeling from the past that is coming back to me now.

I, I, I
I have a strong sensation.

I feel, I feel that old feelin' comin' on
A sensation from my past is resurfacing and taking hold of me once more.

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CARLIN AMERICA INC, BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: NAFLOYD SCOTT, NAS PONDLE KNOX, NASH KNOX

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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