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)
Life Is What You Make It
Kool & The Gang Lyrics
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Girlies are partying touching my body and
Talking to me like I'm a kindergartian
Today she's on mine tomorrow she's on his
But don't worry about me because I know what time it is
Time to get mine while you try to get yours
I'll get mine pause in those silky drawers
Take you to the cleaners and I got a trick
Didn't you know that my girlie, my toe
It's easy to come, but harder to go
Hope you got a good heart and you're a good sport
Cause I'm a treat you like beaver on a basketball court
I'm gonna run you around, take you up and down
Take you out and leave you in the lost and found
So if you want to be down, miss listen to this
Before you deal with me, you'd better know what time it is
Do you know what time it is? (Tell me do you know?) (Repeat 3x)
Some girlies are pretty, some girlies are fine
But most girlie girlies like to play with your mind
They like sporting new gold and riding in cars
And most of them, they don't care who you are
They're materialistic and unrealistic
And to most of them you're nothing but another statistic
Whoever's got the money, they're all on his
why'all can save it for David, cause I know what time it is
Do you know what time it is? (Tell me do you know?) (Repeat 3x)
Check the clock!
Put your Gucci watch on and synchronize the time, and let's rock
Girls for me come a dime a dozen
And that's why I never never was a
Situation where I could get jerked
Like a mechanic, all I do is bodywork
Want my money? You must be a fool
Cause like Billy Idol said, I'm gigalo cool
Moe Dee, that's me, introduce yourself, miss
But don't try to be slick, cause I know what time it is
Time to make sure that the girlies stay poised
String 'em out so they will always want more
Don't come around here and try to get richer
Don't ask me for no money, cause baby baby baby
Bet you don't know me from a can of paint
And I bet you think I'm fronting but I tell you I ain't
And I bet you think you know, but I'll tell you like this:
I'll be you don't know (Know what?) What time it is
Do you know what time it is? (Tell me do you know?) (Repeat 4x)
It's time to get money, time to get paid
It's time to have fun, it's time to get laid
Like to front like I'm poor, I don't drive, instead
I be chilling in a Jetta with my man that be red
Riding all around the city and half the world
And after talking from girl to girl
All you ladies seem to sing the same old song
Makes it hard for me when a real girl comes along
Now I'm a veteran, a girl all-pro
And as many as I've had, I still don't know
So I made a little system so I can tell
Doesn't always work, but what the hell?
Don't ask me for nothing, and don't give me nothing
And keep it like that for about a whole month and
Half and I'll laugh and maybe one day miss
Maybe you can be down, maybe you can be down
Maybe you should be down cause you know what time it is
Do you know what time it is? (Tell me do you know?) (Repeat 3x)
Check the clock!
Put your Gucci watch on and synchronize the time, and let's rock
The lyrics of "Do You Know What Time It Is?" explore the complex themes of materialism, relationships and power. The song is sung from the perspective of a man who is rather nonchalant about the attention he receives from women, but also doesn't want to be taken for granted. He recognizes that many women are more interested in material gain than in genuine interaction, and he wants to make sure that he is not being used for his wealth or status. He advises women to think carefully before getting involved with him because he knows what he wants and won't settle for anything less.
The song also touches on issues of power dynamics in relationships. The man seems to enjoy exerting his control over women, using sports analogy to depict sex as a competition where he always comes out on top. He treats women like disposable objects, taking them out and leaving them in the "lost and found." He makes it clear that he is more interested in having fun and being in control than in developing meaningful relationships.
Overall, "Do You Know What Time It Is?" is a cautionary tale about relationships and the importance of being honest about one's intentions. It highlights the need for balance in relationships where both parties can get what they want without taking advantage of one another.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you know what time it is?
It's time to take control of your life and make the most of it.
Girlies are partying touching my body and
Women are attracted to me, but I won't be fooled by their advances.
Talking to me like I'm a kindergartian
Women try to take advantage of me by speaking down to me.
Today she's on mine tomorrow she's on his
Women are fickle and will move on to the next guy quickly.
But don't worry about me because I know what time it is
I won't be caught up in their games because I am in control of my life.
Time to get mine while you try to get yours
I'm focused on achieving my goals while others are focused on their own.
I'll get mine pause in those silky drawers
I will be successful in whatever I do, even if women try to distract me.
Take you to the cleaners and I got a trick
I have a plan to take advantage of anyone who tries to take advantage of me.
Cause all you're ever going to get is a piece of my dee-dee-duh
You will never have complete control over me or my life.
Didn't you know that my girlie, my toe
I have a girlfriend who is loyal and important to me.
It's easy to come, but harder to go
It's easy to be in a relationship, but harder to end one.
Hope you got a good heart and you're a good sport
I hope that you are kind and able to handle the ups and downs of a relationship.
Cause I'm a treat you like beaver on a basketball court
I will be aggressive and assertive in the relationship.
I'm gonna run you around, take you up and down
I will lead the relationship and take control of the situation.
Take you out and leave you in the lost and found
I will abandon you if you try to take advantage of me.
So if you want to be down, miss listen to this
If you want to be in a relationship with me, you need to pay attention.
Some girlies are pretty, some girlies are fine
There are many women in the world who are attractive.
But most girlie girlies like to play with your mind
Many women try to manipulate men for their own benefit.
They like sporting new gold and riding in cars
Women are often materialistic and care more about possessions than people.
And most of them, they don't care who you are
Women are often more interested in what you can do for them than who you are as a person.
They're materialistic and unrealistic
Women often value possessions and money more than the real qualities of a person.
And to most of them you're nothing but another statistic
To most women, men are disposable and not worth much.
Whoever's got the money, they're all on his
Women are often attracted to men who have money and possessions.
why'all can save it for David, cause I know what time it is
I know that women are often attracted to money and possessions, but I won't be fooled.
Check the clock!
It's time to take control of your life and make the most of it.
Put your Gucci watch on and synchronize the time, and let's rock
Get ready to take action and make the most of your life.
Girls for me come a dime a dozen
I have many women interested in me and my life.
And that's why I never never was a
I won't be fooled by women who try to manipulate me.
Situation where I could get jerked
I won't be taken advantage of by anyone, especially women.
Like a mechanic, all I do is bodywork
I know how to repair anything that may come my way.
Want my money? You must be a fool
I won't give my money to someone who only wants it for themselves.
Cause like Billy Idol said, I'm gigalo cool
I am confident and strong in my life and relationships.
Moe Dee, that's me, introduce yourself, miss
My name is Moe Dee, let's get to know each other.
But don't try to be slick, cause I know what time it is
I won't let anyone try to deceive me or trick me.
Time to make sure that the girlies stay poised
I will make sure that women don't try to take advantage of me.
String 'em out so they will always want more
I will keep women interested in me by not giving them everything they want.
Don't come around here and try to get richer
Don't try to take advantage of me for personal gain.
Don't ask me for no money, cause baby baby baby
I won't give you any money because you're only interested in yourself.
Bet you don't know me from a can of paint
You don't really know who I am or what I'm about.
And I bet you think I'm fronting but I tell you I ain't
I'm not pretending to be something I'm not.
And I bet you think you know, but I'll tell you like this:
You don't really know me or what I'm thinking.
I'll be you don't know (Know what?) What time it is
You don't know what time it is or what you're getting yourself into.
It's time to get money, time to get paid
It's time to take control of your life and make the most of it.
It's time to have fun, it's time to get laid
It's time to enjoy life and not take things too seriously.
Like to front like I'm poor, I don't drive, instead
I don't like to show off my wealth and possessions.
I be chilling in a Jetta with my man that be red
I like to spend time with my friends and enjoy life.
Riding all around the city and half the world
I like to travel and experience different cultures.
And after talking from girl to girl
I enjoy spending time with women and getting to know them.
All you ladies seem to sing the same old song
Many women are focused on money and possessions, rather than a genuine connection.
Makes it hard for me when a real girl comes along
It's hard for me to find someone who is genuine and not trying to take advantage of me.
Now I'm a veteran, a girl all-pro
I have experience in relationships and know how to handle myself with women.
And as many as I've had, I still don't know
Even with experience, relationships can still be complicated and difficult to navigate.
So I made a little system so I can tell
I have developed a system to protect myself and make wise decisions in relationships.
Doesn't always work, but what the hell?
My system is not always foolproof, but I will still use it to protect myself.
Half and I'll laugh and maybe one day miss
I will only invest half of myself in a relationship and be ready to walk away if needed.
Maybe you can be down, maybe you can be down
If you prove to be genuine, you may be able to enter into a relationship with me.
Maybe you should be down cause you know what time it is
If you are ready to take control of your life and not try to take advantage of me, we may be able to have a relationship together.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MOHANDAS DEWESE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind