Now, with the release of West Coast Coolin', Norman Brown consolidates his reputation as a premier recording and performing artist with a collection of ten tracks -- written and co-written by the artist - that take the sonic adventure of Just Chillin' into breathtaking new spheres. It's an innovation due in large part to Brown's exceptional skills as a distinctive urban vocalist, with the specially selected tracks of West Coast Coolin' providing the perfect vehicle for this dazzling new facet of his career. As a result, Norman Brown joins a very select list of versatile urban artists gifted as both instrumentalists and vocalists.
All which should come as no surprise to savvy music fans. Over the course of five landmark releases and a virtually constant itinerary of international touring, this gifted and gloriously versatile guitarist and vocalist has established himself as one of a handful of preeminent instrumentalists and composers in contemporary musical realms, setting a standard for virtuosity that has placed the Shreveport, La. native in a category of one.
It's a love affair with music that began at the tender age of eight, after the family had relocated to Kansas City. It was there that Brown first heard the mind-blowing brilliance of Jimi Hendrix and determined to make the guitar his life. The obligatory garage rock apprenticeship followed, but it was Brown's steelworker father who eventually introduced his son to the equally life-changing influence of Wes Montgomery and turned his talents toward jazz.
After graduating high school, Brown headed west to study at the renowned Musician's Institute in Los Angeles, eventually landing a teaching job at the school even as he put together his first jazz combo and began playing on the city's thriving club scene. Adding George Benson to his list of seminal influences, Brown had already garnered a small but fanatical following when he landed his first recording contract with Motown Records. Over the course of the next four years he released three critically acclaimed albums, Just Between Us (1992), the gold-selling After The Storm (1994) and Better Days Ahead (1996). The decade drew to a close with a new label, Warner Bros. Records, and one of his most accomplished and assured offerings, the above mentioned Celebration, which marked the beginning of his fruitful collaboration with ace producer Paul Brown.
Celebration was followed, two years later, by the Grammy winning Just Chillin', spotlighting an altogether more laid back sound and an A-list of supporting vocalists that included Michael McDonald, Chante Moore, Miki Howard and others.
Celebration
Norman Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Westside, Westside, Westside, Westside, Westside
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
I'm out the door with dro on the keys
Scooping up Chris and I'm hitting the freeway
Yeah, got a whole zip of that purp
Got a couple house ... home with no clothes on
Cause they roll on us, twerk
Now we hot boxing that Ghost
Ace all in that door
Ray Bans in my face, never know when my eyes low
Smoke good, fuck good, eat good, stay ...
She said backwoods, kill switches, you eat take out
Yeah, but I love fucking that redbone
She country thick and that hair long
That pussy killer, she dead wrong
She went to Howard, her head strong
Her momma taught her, her legs long
She went to college and got a masters
Now she bringing that bread home
Roll up
Get high, get high, get high, get high, get high
Put the purp in the blunt
Westside, Westside, Westside, Westside, Westside
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
It's a celebration, all on the pole doing your dance
Anticipating I'm feeling your body
Hoping that you would just give me a chance
God damn babe, just hold your glass up for this toast
My cash up and your ass up, and I'm the ones tipping the most
Tonight, on the Westside
And if you wanna roll, have the best fucking night of your life
No lie, no lie
Me and you together girl I'm celebrating you tonight
Uh, yeah I'm blown no cigarillo, rello
Loving like Mello, get on my level 101 carats in my bezel
I'm on, like soon as the ice cream truck at the ghetto
Little knucklehead always in trouble
Soon as I ask shawty her number, fo sho
Yeah I get it, then I bone, then I hit it like bone bone
Now you fucking up my zone, my zone, my zone
Said she wait for daddy come home
Told me she ain't got nothing on
I'm talking no thong, th-thong, thooong
Yeah she throwing that ... back
Hard as a back, sit on my lap
Fucking with me, ain't nothing better than that
That's a fact, that's a fact
Don't act Hollywood cause I don't act
Bout my business but I don't slack
This my celebration rap, so
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
I pour up for Pimp C, light up for Soulja Slim
Straight out the gutter, with the rest of the bowling pins
Money for days, bitches go both ways
On the road to riches, bitch I got road rage
Got the kush in the swisher, got the pussy, the liquor
Got a silencer on the gun, take it off like a stripper
Yeah, wake up, wake up, I'm going at your face make up
These niggas need stitches cause they taking pay cuts
Man somebody tell them hoes it's a celebration
All my niggas got guns no registration
Now go an' light that weed up, I'm Trukfit tee'd up
Hoes down, B's up
Rollin' and chokin' and movin' slow motion, I'm floatin' I'm gone
Rollin' and chokin' and movin' slow motion, I'm floatin' I'm gone
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
The song "Celebration" by Norman Brown is an ode to partying and the love of getting high. The lyrics repeat the phrase "we havin' a celebration, love to stay high" over and over again, expressing the joy and euphoria of letting loose and indulging in mind-altering substances. The song also touches on the themes of sex and hedonism, with lyrics about hooking up with women and enjoying good food, set against a backdrop of driving beats and catchy melodies.
The first verse features a rapper discussing his experiences smoking marijuana and cruising around with his friends. He describes picking up some friends and driving on the freeway, smoking a whole zip of "purp" and hot boxing a car called a Ghost. The second verse focuses on the rapper's sexual exploits, describing how he loves to hook up with a "redbone" woman with a thick, country girl figure. The chorus repeats the phrase "we havin' a celebration, love to stay high" four times in a row, expressing the joy of indulging in hedonistic pleasures.
Overall, "Celebration" is a feel-good party anthem that emphasizes the pleasures of getting high, having sex, and living life to the fullest. Its driving beat and catchy melody make it a fun song to listen to, and its lyrics capture the carefree spirit of youthful indulgence.
Line by Line Meaning
Get high, get high, get high, get high, get high
Repetition of getting high to express its importance and the current state of mind.
Westside, Westside, Westside, Westside, Westside
Geographical reference to the location of the celebration, which is on the west side of town.
We havin' a celebration, love to stay high
Announcement of the celebratory mood and the love for staying high.
Nigga blowing on that ayo, breakin' down them trees
Refers to smoking marijuana and preparing it for consumption.
I'm out the door with dro on the keys
Leaving the house with a car key in hand and marijuana in pocket or car.
Scooping up Chris and I'm hitting the freeway
Picking up a friend named Chris and driving to the freeway.
Yeah, got a whole zip of that purp
Possession of a large amount of high-grade marijuana.
Got a couple house ... home with no clothes on
Being intimate with a partner at home without clothes on.
Cause they roll on us, twerk
Refers to getting pulled over by police and the act of moving your hips and buttocks in a sexually suggestive manner.
Now we hot boxing that Ghost
Smoking marijuana inside a vehicle, possibly a Rolls Royce Ghost.
Ace all in that door
Possibly a reference to Ace of Spades champagne or Ace Hood, while 'door' could refer to the car.
Ray Bans in my face, never know when my eyes low
Wearing Ray-Ban sunglasses because of bloodshot eyes from smoking marijuana.
Smoke good, fuck good, eat good, stay ...
Refers to enjoying life by smoking marijuana, having sex, eating well, and remaining content and satisfied.
She said backwoods, kill switches, you eat take out
A girl mentions smoking tobacco and modifying cars with kill switches, and that they frequently eat takeout food.
Yeah, but I love fucking that redbone
'Redbone' is a term used to describe a light-skinned Black woman, and the artist admits to enjoying having sex with her.
She country thick and that hair long
The girl is described as having a curvy body and long hair, possibly referring to her African American heritage and physical features.
That pussy killer, she dead wrong
Refers to the girl having sexually satisfying genitalia or seductive abilities.
She went to Howard, her head strong
The girl has attended Howard University, known for its strong African American culture and community.
Her momma taught her, her legs long
The girl's mother has instilled in her good values and morals, and she also has long legs.
She went to college and got a masters
The girl has obtained a graduate degree from college.
Now she bringing that bread home
The girl is earning money and bringing it home to support herself and her family.
It's a celebration, all on the pole doing your dance
Refers to a party or club where people dance around a pole in a suggestive manner.
Anticipating I'm feeling your body
The artist is excited and looking forward to feeling the person's body, possibly indicating sexual attraction.
Hoping that you would just give me a chance
Expressing a desire for the person to give them a chance to pursue a romantic or sexual relationship.
God damn babe, just hold your glass up for this toast
Asking the person to hold up their glass in celebration of the moment.
My cash up and your ass up, and I'm the ones tipping the most
The artist is paying for everything and tipping excessively, while the person is attracting attention for their physical appearance.
Tonight, on the Westside
Refers to the location of the party or celebration on the west side of town.
And if you wanna roll, have the best fucking night of your life
Inviting the person to join the celebration and have an amazing time.
No lie, no lie
Asserting honesty or truthfulness about the statement or offer made.
Me and you together girl I'm celebrating you tonight
The artist is celebrating the person they are with that night or expressing admiration and appreciation for them.
Uh, yeah I'm blown no cigarillo, rello
The artist is high or under the influence of marijuana, without the use of a cigarillo or blunt wrap.
Loving like Mello, get on my level 101 carats in my bezel
Comparing the level of love to successful basketball player Carmelo Anthony and showing off the number of diamonds in a watch or piece of jewelry.
I'm on, like soon as the ice cream truck at the ghetto
The artist is successful and 'on' like an ice cream truck in a poor neighborhood with a high demand for sweets.
Little knucklehead always in trouble
Refers to the artist's past mistakes and being a young troublemaker.
Soon as I ask shawty her number, fo sho
Asking a girl for her phone number with confidence and certainty of receiving it.
Yeah I get it, then I bone, then I hit it like bone bone
After receiving a girl's phone number, the artist has sex with her, with repetition of 'bone' to emphasize the act.
Now you fucking up my zone, my zone, my zone
Someone is disrupting the artist's personal space or focus, possibly referring to someone who is not respected or considered an outsider.
Said she wait for daddy come home
The girl is waiting for someone, possibly her father, to come home.
Told me she ain't got nothing on
The girl is not wearing any clothing or is physically naked.
I'm talking no thong, th-thong, thooong
Repetition of the word 'thong' to emphasize that the girl is not wearing any undergarments.
Yeah she throwing that ... back
The girl is gyrating her hips and buttocks in a sexual manner.
Hard as a back, sit on my lap
The artist is sexually aroused and inviting the girl to sit on their lap.
Fucking with me, ain't nothing better than that
Being intimate with the artist is the best experience the girl could have.
Don't act Hollywood cause I don't act
The artist is genuine and down-to-earth, and expects the same from others despite their social status.
Bout my business but I don't slack
The artist is focused on their work or activities, but does not waste time or procrastinate.
This my celebration rap, so
The artist is expressing their appreciation and enjoyment of the moment through their music.
I pour up for Pimp C, light up for Soulja Slim
Paying tribute and smoking marijuana in honor of deceased rappers Pimp C and Soulja Slim.
Straight out the gutter, with the rest of the bowling pins
The artist is successful despite coming from a difficult or impoverished beginning, and is still surrounded by people who are struggling (like the last pins in a bowling game).
Money for days, bitches go both ways
The artist has a lot of money and is attractive to females of all sexual orientations or preferences.
On the road to riches, bitch I got road rage
The artist is aggressively pursuing success and wealth, and is willing to overcome obstacles and face challenges.
Got the kush in the swisher, got the pussy, the liquor
The artist is smoking high-quality marijuana, having sex, and drinking alcohol.
Got a silencer on the gun, take it off like a stripper
The artist has a gun with a silencer attached to it, and takes the silencer off as a stripper would take off their clothing.
Now go an' light that weed up, I'm Trukfit tee'd up
Encouraging others to smoke marijuana, and wearing clothing from Lil Wayne's clothing line called Trukfit.
Hoes down, B's up
Refers to a saying popularized by the Bloods gang, meaning that the girls are available and the artist is in a state of dominance or power.
Rollin' and chokin' and movin' slow motion, I'm floatin' I'm gone
Describes the feeling of smoking marijuana and being in a relaxed, 'floaty' state of mind.
Writer(s): Dennis Thomas, Robert Bell, James Taylor, Ronald Nathan Bell, Claydes Smith, Earl Toon, Eumir Deodato, Robert Mickens, George Brown
Contributed by Xavier A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BabyMario1130
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"Currently the temperature is 63 degrees with rainy conditions."
Regional Forecast
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Extended Forecast
"On Saturday, we'll see a chance of rain. Look for mostly cloudy skies on Sunday. And on Monday, expect fair skies."
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amusica2424
It this is the BEST Norman Brown album, timeless music, I love this timeless song, thank you for posting it
TheBeautifulGoldenhour
i use to hear this song many times on the weather channel.always loved this song.
actual
Very inspiring song. Nothing can stop you when you hear this. Never give up!
Marco Polo
Awesome tune! I remember transcribing this back in HS for a jazz studies class. I've been looking for this tune again for a long time. Happy to have found it!
Billy Williams
I love this song and the key boards make your mind go into space
beastlyboys
Listening to this music at 33000 feet and sunset gives you a wonderful feeling
M Estroughtonaire
My co-worker James Cousar introduced me to Norman Brown in 1996. Been in love with him ever since. RIP Brother James. 😢
Travelin' Art
It's a celebration, break out the food, drinks, and the fun!
Frank Civitak
Hall of fame classic forever one of my favorites
José Osvaldo de Jesus Freitas
sublime.