Whitney's performing career started as early as three years old while touring with her family's gospel group, the Manning Gospel Singers. Singing with James Brown in the late 1960s, she was able to make a name for herself with powerful songs like "I'm Tired, I'm Tired, I'm Tired (Things Better Change Before It's Too Late)" and "If You Don't Work (You Can't Eat)." Her recording of "It's My Thing (You Can't Tell Me Who to Sock It To)" reached the R&B Top 20. Her song "Unwind Yourself" has been sampled by numerous modern artists, including DJ Kool.
Although she's not a household name, Marva Whitney is fondly remembered by funk devotees as one of the rawest, brassiest, most powerful divas the music ever produced. Along with fellow funk belters Lyn Collins and Vicki Anderson, Whitney made her name singing with the James Brown Revue for a few years, and her limited, much-sampled recordings for Brown-associated labels now fetch astronomical sums on the collector's market. Born in Kansas City, Whitney began performing at the age of three with her family's touring gospel group, the Manning Gospel Singers. She studied music in college and caught on as lead singer of the R&B group Tommy Gadson & the Derbys. In 1967, she signed on with the James Brown Revue as a featured female vocalist, meaning that she would perform her own small set every night while Brown took a break. Whitney accompanied Brown on his late-'60s tour of Vietnam, and made other international appearances with him as well.
In 1969, Whitney made her first solo recordings for King, Brown's label at the time. She scored a Top 20 hit on the R&B charts with "It's My Thing (You Can't Tell Me Who to Sock It To)," a rewrite of the Isley Brothers hit; the follow-up, "Things Got to Get Better (Get Together)," just missed the R&B Top 20. Far too gutsy and funky to cross over to the pop charts, Whitney remained with the Revue until 1970, without scoring any more significant hits on her own. Still, cuts like "Unwind Yourself" (now very recognizable through several hip-hop samples) and the duet "You Got to Have a Job (If You Don't Work)" helped cement her reputation among record collectors. Her only studio LP, It's My Thing, was released in 1969 and has been heavily bootlegged and sampled by numerous DJs; her Live and Lowdown at the Apollo LP also commands hefty price tags.
Whitney went on to record for the Isley Brothers' T-Neck label, as well as Nashboro, but her prime material is from the James Brown years. Seven of those tracks were compiled on the Polydor collection James Brown's Original Funky Divas. Whitney has reunited sporadically with Brown for live performances over the years.
In December 2009, Whitney collapsed on stage in front of thousands of fans in Lorne, Australia, while performing with The Transatlantics at Falls Festival. She was immediately rushed to Geelong Hospital, where doctors diagnosed a stroke. The remaining dates of her tour had to be canceled, but Whitney made a recovery and performed again in 2010.
In December 2012, Whitney died from complications of pneumonia at her home. She was 68.
Unwind Yourself
Marva Whitney Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come on and turn that soul loose
Come on baby
Unwind yourself
Turn your soul, soul loose
Well, if you can't groove
And you can't move
Well then baby
That's no groove
No, no
Find yourself
Since your baby got somebody else
Find a groove
Unwind yourself
Since your baby got somebody else
Well I told him
To give me the beat
Put my soul
In my feet
Make me shout
Oh ho, hey, yeah baby
Marva Whitney's song "Unwind Yourself" is a funky and upbeat track that encourages listeners to let loose and enjoy themselves. With a soulful sound and catchy lyrics, this song is all about finding your groove and dancing your cares away. The lyrics suggest that if you can't groove and move, then you're not really living, and that the key to happiness is to unwind and let go of your worries.
The song encourages listeners to let go of their inhibitions and embrace their inner spirit, urging them to turn their souls loose and find a groove that suits them. It suggests that even if your significant other has moved on, you should still find a way to enjoy yourself and dance the night away. The lyrics are written in a fun and playful way that encourages people to let go of their worries and have a good time.
Overall, "Unwind Yourself" is a powerful call to action for anyone who loves music and wants to let go of their cares for a while. The song's upbeat rhythm and catchy lyrics make it a classic of the soul and funk genres, and it continues to be loved by fans all over the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Unwind yourself
Let go of your inhibitions and dance free of any restrictions or hesitation.
Come on and turn that soul loose
Let your soul out and express yourself freely and unapologetically.
Come on baby
Inviting the listener to join in the energetic and liberating experience.
Unwind yourself
Continuing to encourage the listener to let go and enjoy the present moment.
Turn your soul, soul loose
Reiterating the main message to free oneself from any restraints and enjoy the music wholeheartedly.
Well, if you can't groove
Addressing those who might feel insecure or uncertain about their dancing abilities.
And you can't move
Continuing to acknowledge those who might feel self-conscious or hesitant to dance.
Well then baby
Assuring the listener that there is no need to worry or feel embarrassed.
Well then baby
Repeating the previous line for emphasis.
That's no groove
Affirming that inhibitions and restrictions only hinder one's ability to enjoy the music and dance to the beat.
No, no
Emphasizing the negativity of holding oneself back while everyone else is having fun.
Find yourself
Encouraging the listener to discover their inner rhythm and let the music guide them.
Since your baby got somebody else
Acknowledging that the listener might be feeling down or heartbroken due to their significant other moving on.
Find a groove
Encouraging the listener to not dwell on the past and instead find their own rhythm and happiness.
Unwind yourself
Repeating the main message to let go of inhibitions and dance freely.
Since your baby got somebody else
Reiterating the source of the listener's sadness and encouraging them to not let it dominate their thoughts.
Well I told him
Referring to the DJ or band, who is responsible for playing the music.
To give me the beat
Asking the DJ or band to play music that moves the listener and makes them want to dance.
Put my soul
Referring to the deep emotions and passion that the music brings out.
In my feet
Expressing how the music makes the listener feel, as if the music is moving their very being.
Make me shout
Revealing the joy and exhilaration the music brings out in the listener.
Oh ho, hey, yeah baby
An expression of excitement and happiness that the music inspires.
Writer(s): Hank Ballard, Charles Spurling
Contributed by Dylan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.