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)
Funky Stuff
Kool & The Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can't get enough of that funky stuff
Can't get enough of that funky stuff I'm tryin', I'm tryin'
I said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Get down
Hollywood life is good
Can't get enough of that funky stuff I'm tryin', I'm tryin'
Can't get enough of that funky stuff
I said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
Hey, hey, hey
I said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
The lyrics to Kool & The Gang's "Funky Stuff" depict a group of people who are wholly enamored by and cannot get enough of the funky music they are experiencing. The use of the phrase "parley" creates a sense of community and togetherness, as everyone involved is participating in this celebration of funk. The repeated line "Can't get enough of that funky stuff" emphasizes the addictiveness of the music and the joy it brings to the listeners. The repetition of "I'm tryin', I'm tryin'" suggests that the music is so entrancing that the listeners are struggling to tear themselves away from it.
The line "Hollywood life is good" alludes to the band's success and fame, and the following line "keep on" serves as a mantra, urging the band to continue creating and performing their funky music. The final line of the song, "I said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah" serves as a final exclamation of the power of the music being played.
Line by Line Meaning
Par...ley, par...ley
Let's get the party started and keep it going
Can't get enough of that funky stuff
This funk music is so addictive and enjoyable
Can't get enough of that funky stuff I'm tryin', I'm tryin'
I am doing my best to fully immerse myself in this funky atmosphere
I said, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah
I am so impressed and excited by this funky music
Get down
Let's start dancing and have a good time
Hollywood life is good
The celebrity lifestyle is enjoyable and glamorous
Keep on
Let's continue dancing and enjoying the music
Hey, hey, hey
Expressing enthusiasm and excitement for the music and party atmosphere
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: GEORGE BROWN, ROBERT MICKENS, CLAYDES SMITH, DENNIS THOMAS, RICHARD WESTFIELD, ROBERT BELL, RONALD BELL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind