The band's first taste of 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 line-up. 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. 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 US. Worldwide, they have sold 70 million albums.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kool_%26_the_Gang
Studio albums
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)
Give It Up
Kool & The Gang Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You're steppin’ out tonight
And I want you to do
I want you to give it up, come on
Give it up, girl, give it up
Give it up, girl, give it up
I’m in a mood to get it started
I wanna see you gettin’ down on the dance floor
It’s that classic so remastered funky sound
Whenever you rock with Kool & The Gang
You’re guaranteed to dance
No more standin’ around, get up, get down
If you feelin’ this sound, come on, just give it up
Give it up to me, girl
Everybody put your hands together
Movin’ your feet
Give it up, girl, give it up
Give it up, girl, give it up
Now I know that you can feel the rhythm of the groove
So come on and start, just rock this party
I wanna see you get out on the floor with your dance move
It’s a party whenever the band comes through your town
Ain’t nothin’ wrong with doin’ your thing
So come on y’all just dance
No more standin’ around, get up, get down
If you fellin’ this sound, come on just give it up
Give it up for me
Everybody put your hands together
Movin’ your feet
Give it up, girl, give it up
Give it up, girl, give it up
Give it up, girl, give it up
Give it up, girl, give it up to me
The song "Give It Up" by Kool & The Gang is an invitation to the listener to let loose and dance. The lyrics encourage the audience to not just stand around, but to give in to the rhythm and move their feet. The song celebrates the weekend and getting together with friends to have a good time. Kool & The Gang are known for their funky sound, and this song is no exception. The repetitive call for the audience to "give it up" creates an infectious energy that is impossible to resist.
The song is a call to action for the listener to not be afraid to let go and have a good time. The lyrics encourage everyone to put their hands together and move their feet. The classic Kool & The Gang sound is evident in the song's instrumentation, which features funky grooves and a catchy horn section. The repetition of the phrase "give it up" creates a hypnotic effect that draws the listener into the song's groove. It's a song that's best enjoyed on the dance floor, where everyone can let go and have fun.
Overall, "Give It Up" is a feel-good song that celebrates the joy of dancing and having a good time. The lyrics are simple but effective, driving home the message that it's time to let loose and get down on the dance floor. The music is infectious, with a memorable melody and a toe-tapping beat that's impossible to resist. Kool & The Gang have been making music for over 50 years, and this song is a testament to their enduring legacy as one of the greatest funk bands of all time.
Line by Line Meaning
Ladies and gentlemen
Addressing the crowd in a formal manner
You're steppin’ out tonight
Going out for the evening
And I want you to do
Asking the audience to participate
I want you to give it up, come on
Encouraging the audience to let loose and have fun
Give it up, girl, give it up
Repeating the message to let go and enjoy the music
Finally the weekend's here, a party’s goin’ down
Celebrating the end of the work week and the start of a party
I’m in a mood to get it started
Excited to start the party
I wanna see you gettin’ down on the dance floor
Encouraging the audience to dance
It’s that classic so remastered funky sound
Referring to the band's style of music
Whenever you rock with Kool & The Gang
Implying that the band's music is always enjoyable
You’re guaranteed to dance
Suggesting that their music is infectious and gets people moving
No more standin’ around, get up, get down
Commanding the audience to start dancing
If you feelin’ this sound, come on, just give it up
Asking those who enjoy the music to express it through dancing
Give it up to me, girl
Asking the audience to direct their energy to the performers
Everybody put your hands together
Asking the audience to clap their hands in rhythm
Movin’ your feet
Encouraging the audience to dance
Now I know that you can feel the rhythm of the groove
Acknowledging that the audience is feeling the music
So come on and start, just rock this party
Encouraging the audience to let loose and dance
I wanna see you get out on the floor with your dance move
Encouraging the audience to show off their dance skills
It’s a party whenever the band comes through your town
Implying that the band's performances are always festive and enjoyable
Ain’t nothin’ wrong with doin’ your thing
Suggesting that there is no harm in having fun and enjoying the music
So come on y’all just dance
Asking the audience to dance
Give it up for me
Asking the audience to show their appreciation for the performers
Give it up, girl, give it up
Repeating the message to let go and enjoy the music
Give it up, girl, give it up
Repeating the message to let go and enjoy the music
Give it up, girl, give it up
Repeating the message to let go and enjoy the music
Give it up, girl, give it up to me
Asking the audience to direct their energy to the performers
Lyrics © Global Talent Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Broma 16, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., KIONGAZI MUSIC AMARI MUSIC, INC.
Written by: GENE JR. REDD, GEORGE BROWN, RICHARD WESTFIELD, ROBERT MICKENS, RONALD NATHAN BELL, ROBERT BELL, WOODROW SPARROW, CLAYDES SMITH, DENNIS THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind