The band's first taste of mainstream success came with the release of their fourth album Wild and Peaceful (1973), which contained the US top-ten singles "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging". Kool & the Gang subsequently entered a period of decline before they reached a second commercial peak between 1979 and 1986 following their partnership with Brazilian musician and producer Eumir Deodato and the addition of singer James "J.T." Taylor to the lineup. Their most successful albums of this period include Ladies' Night (1979), Celebrate! (1980), and Emergency (1984), their highest selling album with two million copies sold in the US. Their hit singles during this period included "Ladies' Night", the US No. 1 "Celebration", "Get Down on It", "Joanna", "Misled", and "Cherish". The band continues to perform worldwide, including as support for Van Halen in 2012 and their fiftieth-anniversary tour in 2014.
Kool & the Gang have won numerous awards, including two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and, in 2006, a Music Business Association Chairman's Award for artistic achievement. As well the band has been inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and been bestowed with a MOBO Award for Outstanding Achievement, the Soul Train Legend Award, the Marian Anderson Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. During 2018, the Bells, Brown, and Taylor were also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and received their first-time nomination into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2024. Their discography includes 23 studio albums and almost 70 singles. They have sold 7.5 million and 4.5 million RIAA-certified albums and singles, respectively, in the United States. Worldwide, they have sold 70 million albums.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kool_&_the_Gang
Discography
Kool and the Gang (1969)
Music Is the Message (1972)
Good Times (1972)
Wild and Peaceful (1973)
Light of Worlds (1974)
Spirit of the Boogie (1975)
Love & Understanding (1976)
Open Sesame (1976)
The Force (1977)
Everybody's Dancin' (1978)
Ladies' Night (1979)
Celebrate! (1980)
Something Special (1981)
As One (1982)
In the Heart (1983)
Emergency (1984)
Forever (1986)
Sweat (1989)
Unite (1992)
State of Affairs (1996)
Gangland (2001)
The Hits: Reloaded (2004)
Still Kool (2007)
Kool for the Holidays (2013)
Perfect Union (2021)
People Just Wanna Have Fun (2023)
Emergency
Kool & The Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Emergency, emergency
Emergency
Emergency, emergency
I need 10cc's of hot bash
A serious love reaction
Give it to me
Woman, heal me
Feel my heartbeat
Keep this body from a dangerous overheat
Give it to me
'Cause I need your love
Emergency, emergency
I need love, I need you
I need a cure, what should I do
Give it to me, urgent
Need your love, emergency
Suddenly I'm growing so strong
With every touch baby
Of your electric body
You rescued me from the fire of heartbreak
And you're just what I should take
Thank you girl for my survival
And a love so strong
You feel so good
It's much more than physical
Innocent it's oh so beautiful
You're the good I need deep in my system
Love your cool, it's so addicting
Give it to me, urgent
'Cause I need your love
Emergency, emergency
Sweet sensations passing through us
As we're making love
Give it to me, urgent
I need your love, baby
Emergency, emergency
You energize me
Standing beside me
Love and affection
Kiss and attention
Give it to me
Emergency, emergency
Emergency
Emergency, emergency
Urgent
Give it to me
Emergency
Emergency, emergency
The song "Emergency" by Kool & The Gang features a call-and-response chorus exclaiming the word "emergency" several times. The singer expresses his need for love as an urgent matter requiring immediate attention, referring to it as a serious love reaction. He implores a woman to "heal" him and keep his body from a "dangerous overheat." He feels as though he is growing stronger with every touch of her "electric body," and is grateful for her having "rescued" him from heartbreak. He acknowledges that their love is much more than just physical, and that he needs it deep in his system, finding her "cool" to be addictive. This song presents love as both a physical and emotional necessity, with the urgency calling for immediate attention to a matter that cannot be ignored.
The use of medical language throughout the song emphasizes the idea of love as a necessary remedy or cure. The singer uses phrases such as "10cc's of hot bash" and "I need a cure" to describe his need for love. The repeated exclamation of "emergency" emphasizes the idea that love is essential to his survival. The language used is strikingly similar to that used in a hospital or emergency room, adding to the urgency of the song's message.
Line by Line Meaning
Emergency
The situation is critical and requires immediate attention.
Emergency, emergency
The situation is extremely urgent and requires immediate attention.
I need 10cc's of hot bash
I need a strong dose of love and passion to keep me going.
A serious love reaction
I need a powerful and intense response to your love.
Give it to me
Please provide me with the love and affection that I need.
'Cause I need your love
I require your love to keep me alive and healthy.
Woman, heal me
Please cure me with your love and make me feel better.
Feel my heartbeat
Listen to my heart and feel how much I need you.
Keep this body from a dangerous overheat
Prevent me from getting too hot and bothered with your love.
Emergency, emergency
The situation is still critical and requires immediate attention.
I need love, I need you
I require your love to keep me alive and happy.
I need a cure, what should I do
I need a remedy for my love sickness, please help.
Give it to me, urgent
Please provide me with the love and affection that I need right now.
Suddenly I'm growing so strong
Your love is making me stronger and more alive.
With every touch baby
Your every touch makes me feel more alive and loved.
Of your electric body
Your body is electrifying me with love and passion.
You rescued me from the fire of heartbreak
You saved me from the pain and sorrow of a broken heart.
And you're just what I should take
You're the perfect remedy for my love sickness.
Thank you girl for my survival
I owe you my life and happiness for making me feel loved and alive.
And a love so strong
Our love is powerful and intense.
You feel so good
Being with you and feeling your love feels amazing.
It's much more than physical
Our love is not just physical, it's emotional and intellectual too.
Innocent it's oh so beautiful
Our love is pure and beautiful, with no ulterior motives.
You're the good I need deep in my system
You're the essential part of my life that keeps me going and feeling good.
Love your cool, it's so addicting
I can't get enough of your cool and calm demeanor, it's so attractive.
Emergency, emergency
The situation is still critical and requires immediate attention.
Sweet sensations passing through us
Our love is creating sweet and pleasant sensations in our bodies.
As we're making love
Our physical intimacy is making our love even stronger and more intense.
I need your love, baby
I require your love to keep me happy and content.
You energize me
Being with you and feeling your love gives me energy and vitality.
Standing beside me
You're always there for me, supporting and comforting me.
Love and affection
Our love is strong and full of affection.
Kiss and attention
Your kisses and attention are what I need to feel loved and appreciated.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Robert Bell, James L. Bonnefond, Michael Arthur Ray, Dennis Thomas, Clifford Alanza Adams, Robert Mickens, Curtis Fitzgerald Williams, Claydes Smith, James Taylor, George Brown
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mattdawg83686
26 years later and this song is still hot! The stuff coming out now won't be remembered 26 years from now.
@dinc4973
36 years later and still hot!
@taotaostrong
Still necessary in 2021!
@sk_abstract_art
So good!!!
@malanisuewheeler8092
Hey it’s eleven years later. Still hot!!!
@thegreaseboys3263
37 years later and hasn't lost any heat.
@janiedemedeiros9470
I Love their wholesome playfulness, entertainment, professional performances & energy.
@missparsley3202
Who's still digging this in 2023?
@zagortenay114
Io.
@emmyfan
This should have been a much bigger hit. This is one of my favorites