Maceo Parker (born February 14, 1943) is a noted African-American funk and … Read Full Bio ↴Maceo Parker (born February 14, 1943) is a noted African-American funk and soul jazz saxophone player, best known for his contributions to James Brown's distinct sound. He was born in Kinston, North Carolina in a musically-rich environment. His mother and father sang in a church and both his brothers are accomplished musicians (drums and trombones).

He and his brother, Melvin Parker, joined James Brown in 1964; in his book Brown says that he originally wanted Melvin as his drummer but agreed to take Maceo under his wing as part of the deal. Maceo, Melvin and a few of Brown's band members left to found Maceo & All the Kings Men which toured for two years. In 1973 Maceo returned to James Brown's band. In 1975 Maceo and some of Brown's band members, including Fred Wesley, left to join George Clinton's Parliament.

Maceo once again joined James Brown from 1984 to 1988. In the 1990s he finally embraced a successful solo career. He has released seven solo records and plays 250 tour dates per year. It's also worth noting that his average play time on stage is more than two and a half hours.

In the late 1990s, Maceo began contributing semi-regularly to recordings by Prince and accompanying his band (The New Power Generation) on tour.

His current tour band includes bassist Rodney Skeet Curtis and several other talented musicians. They have been billed as "The greatest little funk orchestra on earth".

His latest album "Roots & Grooves" with the WDR Big Band is a tribute to Ray Charles whom Parker cites as one of his most important influences.

His gear consists of a Selmer Mark VI (alto) Saxophone together with a Selmer Brilhart 'Ebolin' #5 mouthpiece to create the funky sound he's famous for.

Got to Get U
Maceo Parker Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I got to get you
I got to get you
I got to get you
I got to get you
I got to get you
I got to get you
I got to get yu

I need a
all i've got
I need a cupid's arrow
shoot straight and narrow
a chicken feather
put you back together
need a turtle's egg
to make her beg

I got to get you

I need a magic stick
to get you in my trick
I need a rabbit's foot
just ot get you hooked
I need a bowl of soup
just to make a stew
i need a turtle's egg
i wanna nake you beg

I got to get you

what you want?
come and get it

I need a magic stick
to get you in my trick
I need a big old pot
for all the love I got
I need a bowl of soup
just to make a stew
i need a saxophone
just to bring it home

I got to get you

Overall Meaning

Maceo Parker's song Got to Get U is a funky love song that expresses the desperate need for a person's love. In the lyrics, the singer repeats "I got to get you" seven times, emphasizing how urgent and essential it is to have this person in their life.

The song contains several metaphors and references that add to the playful and quirky nature of the lyrics. For example, the singer mentions needing a cupid's arrow to shoot straight and narrow, indicating that they want to strike this person's heart and make them fall in love. Likewise, the reference to a turtle's egg to make her beg is a metaphor for the singer's desire to have complete control over this person and make them yearn for their affection.

Other lyrics mention needing a magic stick or a rabbit's foot to get the person hooked. The reference to a bowl of soup just to make a stew suggests that the singer needs multiple ingredients to make this love work, adding to the complexity of the relationship they desire.

Overall, Maceo Parker's Got to Get U is a fun and upbeat song that celebrates the joys and struggles of love. The lyrics are cleverly written, using metaphors and wordplay to express the singer's intense desire for this person.

Line by Line Meaning

I got to get you
The singer is determined to obtain the person they desire and repeats this statement multiple times to emphasize their intent.

I need a all I've got
The singer is saying that they require everything they have in order to win the affection of the person they desire.

I need a cupid's arrow shoot straight and narrow
The singer needs Cupid's arrow, which always hits its target, to have a good chance of obtaining their desired person's affection.

I need a chicken feather put you back together
The artist requires a chicken feather, which is often associated with healing, to be able to make things right with their desired person.

need a turtle's egg to make her beg
The artist needs a turtle's egg, which in some cultures is believed to have aphrodisiac properties, to make the desired person want them.

I need a magic stick to get you in my trick
The singer requires a magic stick to perform a trick to win the affection of their desired person.

I need a rabbit's foot just to get you hooked
The singer needs a rabbit's foot, believed by some to bring good luck, to be able to get the desired person interested in them.

I need a bowl of soup just to make a stew
The artist requires a bowl of soup to make a stew, which could symbolize needing to add a little something extra to themselves in order to win the desired person's affection.

I need a turtle's egg I wanna make you beg
The artist requires a turtle's egg to make the desired person beg for their affection.

What you want? come and get it
The artist is asking the desired person to make a move and express what they want.

I need a big old pot for all the love I got
The singer needs a big pot to contain all the love they have to offer their desired person.

I need a saxophone just to bring it home
The artist requires a saxophone, which could symbolize a musical approach, to finally obtain the love of their desired person.

Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MACEO JR. PARKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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