With deep, funky grooves and a pop sensibility, Henderson was one of the first notable bassists of the fusion era as well as being one of the most influential jazz and soul musicians of the past 40 years. In addition to Miles, he has played and recorded with Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, the Dramatics, Doctor John, and others. He is considered to be one of the three greatest motown bassists, along with Bob Babbitt and his primary influence, James Jamerson.
Before working with Miles, Henderson had been touring with Stevie Wonder, whom he met at the Regal in Chicago while warming up for a gig. Miles Davis saw the young Henderson performing at the Copacabana (nightclub) in New York in early 1970 and reportedly said to Wonder simply "I'm takin' your fuckin' bass player."
After almost seven years with Miles, Henderson focused on songwriting and singing in a solo career that produced multiple hit songs and albums for Arista Records until his retirement in 1986. Although known primarily for ballads, he was an influential funk player whose riffs and songs have been widely covered.
In a resurgence in popularity, many of his bass riffs have been imitated by players seeking the fat, deep grooves of the Motown sound. His bass riffs, from such hits as "Valentine Love" and "You are my Starship," have been sampled by the likes of Snoop Dogg and L.L. Cool J, and his songs have been covered by Rick James, Wayman Tisdale, and Sugar Ray, and many more!
He continued to play shows intermittently with classic Michael Henderson music such as the very funky "WIDE RECEIVER" "GEEK YOU UP" "YOU ARE MY STARSHIP" "VALENTINE LOVE" "BE MY GIRL" LET ME LOVE YOU" the famous duets IE., Roberta Flack, "AT THE CONCERT" "Phyllis Hyman "CAN'T WE FALL IN LOVE AGAIN" Rena Scott "TAKE ME, I'M YOURS" Jean Carne on "VALENTINE LOVE" and additional tracks ranging from great Bass Instrumentals to Sexy Ballads to the very Funky.
Slingshot
Michael Henderson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Can I breathe in, or should I dare?
Way down beneath your clouds
Will it be dry or will I drown?
I'm gonna slingshot around your star
You'll stretch my gravity too far
You're gonna spin me off my mark
What is it like walking on your ground?
Will I feel light or a thousand pounds?
Way down beneath your sea
Will it be clear or nowhere to see?
I'm gonna slingshot around your star
You'll stretch my gravity too far
You're gonna spin me off my mark
You'll bend my molecules too far
What is it like walking on your ground?
Will I feel light or a thousand pounds?
Way down beneath your sea
Will it be clear or nowhere to see?
I'm gonna slingshot around your star
You'll stretch my gravity too far
You're gonna spin me off my mark
You'll bend my molecules too far
Slingshot around your star
You'll stretch my gravity too far
You're gonna spin me off my mark
You'll bend my molecules too far
Slingshot around your star
Slingshot around your star
The lyrics of Michael Henderson's song "Slingshot" describe the adventure of a person who is going to slingshot around a star, seeking to learn about a new planet. The curiosity can be seen from the questions asked about the planet's air and ground. The first two lines of the song ask about the quality of air and whether it is breathable or not. The person is contemplating daring to breathe in the air on this new planet. The next line ventures into below the clouds, pondering about the dryness or possibility of drowning.
The person seems eager to discover all that he can and is open to experiencing something new. The chorus of the song repeats multiple times, creating a sense of excitement about the adventure. The slingshot around the star is a journey, but the person is taking precautions so as not to stray too far from their current path. The song's title "Slingshot" reflects the idea of using an object as a tool to gain momentum and speed, and in this sense, the person is going around the star to gain energy for their next move.
Overall, the lyrics of "Slingshot" speak to the human nature of curiosity, the human desire to explore, to learn about the unfamiliar, and experience new territories. The use of questions in the lyrics creates a sense of wonder, and the chorus emphasizes the excitement that the person feels about exploring the new planet.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me about your planet's air
Asking the host of the planet about the quality of the air, whether it is breathable or not.
Can I breathe in, or should I dare?
Questioning if it's safe for the singer to inhale the planet's air or if they should avoid doing so.
Way down beneath your clouds
Asking about the weather conditions beneath the planet's cloud cover.
Will it be dry or will I drown?
Inquiring whether the climate on the planet is dry or if there is a risk of drowning due to water on the planet.
What is it like walking on your ground?
Curious to know about the planet's surface and how it feels to walk on it.
Will I feel light or a thousand pounds?
Asking if the planet's gravity is comparable to Earth's or if it is much stronger, making the singer feel very heavy.
Way down beneath your sea
Asking about the conditions beneath the planet's ocean or bodies of water.
Will it be clear or nowhere to see?
Asking about the visibility beneath the water and whether it is clear or murky.
I'm gonna slingshot around your star
The artist is planning to use the planet's gravity to slingshot around its star and achieve greater speed or momentum for their journey.
You'll stretch my gravity too far
The planet's gravity will be so strong that it will stretch the artist's body and equipment too much.
You're gonna spin me off my mark
Due to the planet's gravity, the singer's trajectory will be altered or disturbed from its intended course.
You'll bend my molecules too far
Because of the intense gravitational force, the artist's body or equipment may experience molecular distortion or damage.
Slingshot around your star
Repeating the intention to use the planet's gravity to slingshot around its star and gain momentum.
Slingshot around your star
Repeating the intention to use the planet's gravity to slingshot around its star and achieve greater speed or momentum for their journey.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: MICHAEL HENDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JungleYT
Heard him do an interview on a local FM station here in Los Angeles the other night... A very intelligent Brother with one Hell of a history - Miles Davis, Phyllis Hymen, etc. I had kind of heard of his name, but couldn't think of a single one of his songs. He definitely had an influence on Prince and the Tyme, etc.
@Foukez
Tyler the creator bring me here.
@anthonywaynethornton9456
His best album too me was wide Receiver.
@veightengine
Back on my school days on 1981...
@marywilson6354
I really don’t remember this one because I was all into other music like earth,wind , commodore, the Jackson but I like him I did start listening until star ship cam out , I. Sure I probably heard it and did know it was him I probably thought it was cameo