Milton Bland (October 3, 1930 - July 3, 1986) better known as Monk Higgins,… Read Full Bio ↴Milton Bland (October 3, 1930 - July 3, 1986) better known as Monk Higgins, was an American musician and saxophonist who was born in Menifee, Arkansas. Higgins biggest hits were the instrumental tracks "Who Dun It" (which reached #30 on the R&B charts in 1966) and "Gotta Be Funky" (#22 on the R&B charts) Higgins worked with a variety of musicians including Bobby Bland, the Chi-Lites, Junior Wells, Muddy Waters, Etta James and the Three Sounds. His track "One Man Band (Plays All Alone)" was featured on the breakbeat compilation "Ultimate Breaks and Beats".

Gotta Be Funky
Monk Higgins Lyrics

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I ain't gonna play your game unless it's funky
It's gotta be plenty, plenty funky for me

I ain't gonna play your game unless it's funky
It's gotta be plenty, plenty funky for me

I ain't gonna play your game unless it's funky
It's gotta be plenty, plenty funky for me

I ain't gonna play your game unless it's funky
It's gotta be plenty, plenty funky for me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Monk Higgins's song "Gotta Be Funky" emphasize the necessity of funkiness in order for the singer to participate in a particular activity, likely a musical one. The repetition of the phrase "I ain't gonna play your game unless it's funky / It's gotta be plenty, plenty funky for me" highlights the importance of funkiness to the singer, as it is repeated eight times in total in the song.

The use of the term "game" in the lyrics suggests a certain level of competitiveness or challenge, but the singer insists that they will only participate if it meets their criteria for funkiness. This could be interpreted as a statement of both artistic integrity and personal preference. The emphasis on funkiness in the song speaks to the cultural significance of funk music, which often prioritized rhythm and groove above all else.

The repetition of the chorus is set to a lively funk groove, with a horn section and steady bass line that emphasize the funkiness that the singer desires. Ultimately, "Gotta Be Funky" is a declaration of the importance of funkiness in music and the singer's insistence on participating only in music that meets their standards.

Line by Line Meaning

I ain't gonna play your game unless it's funky
I refuse to participate in your activities if they're not funky enough for my taste

It's gotta be plenty, plenty funky for me
I require a significant amount of funk in whatever activity I choose to engage in

Writer(s): A. Brown

Contributed by Mackenzie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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