Parliament was originally The Parliaments, a doo-wop group based out of George Clinton's Plainfield, New Jersey barber shop. The name was soon abandoned due to legal issues with Revilot and Atlantic Records, and most of the same people recorded under the name Funkadelic, which consisted of The Parliaments' backing musicians. Billy "Bass" Nelson is credited with creating the name Funkadelic. He also switched from 6-string guitar to bass, creating room for his childhood friend Eddie Hazel to join the group. Soon, Parliament was created in addition to Funkadelic and the two bands consisted of essentially the same people, though both released albums under their respective names.
The legal problems with the name "The Parliaments" were resolved in 1970, and Clinton signed all of Funkadelic to Invictus Records under the name Parliament, releasing Osmium ("The Breakdown" reached #30 on the R&B charts in 1971) but the name Parliament was then abandoned for some time, as Funkadelic was much more successful.
In the early 1970s, Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins and Catfish Collins joined Funkadelic, which released five albums by 1974. With only moderate success, Funkadelic signed with Casablanca Records as Parliament, releasing "Up for the Down Stroke" (off the album of the same name) which reached #10 on the R&B charts but peaked at #63 Pop. The song was the biggest hit of P Funk's career. 1975 saw the release of Chocolate City, which also enjoyed moderate success; the title track reached #24.
With the ensuing albums, Parliament became one of the most respected bands on the 1970s, and are now recognized as one of the forefathers of funk music. Of particular interest are the spacey themes of Starchild, Sir Nose and other recurring characters from multiple albums.
Of particular note is the landmark album Mothership Connection, an amalgam of many '70s themes and the tight "popular" funk sound which was both more commercially viable (particularly in the black community) and more readily emulated by the numerous artists capitalizing on the popularity of funk's mainstream cousin: disco. Artists such as the BeeGees, the Commodores and Kool and the Gang repackaged many of Parliament's innovations into radio-ready pop hits and upon the mass acceptance of disco culture as portrayed in Saturday Night Fever, millions of suburban Americans were able to boogie-oogie-oogie safely protected from exposure to the urban dance scene's multi-ethnic, sexually diverse and cocaine-fueled celebration.
In the early 1980s, with legal difficulties arising from the multiple names used by multiple groups, as well as a shakeup at Casablanca Records, George Clinton dissolved Parliament and Funkadelic as recording and touring entities. Parliament/Funkadelic morphed into P-Funk. New audiences were fueled in the '90s due to extensive sampling by hip hop DJs and producers, including beats used in The Chronic and Cypress Hill's debut album.
A variety of bands evolved in their own right out of the main two bands - they included Bootsy's Rubber Band, The Brides of Funkenstein, Parlet, Mutiny, The Horny Horns, and Quazar.
George Clinton subsequently worked with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Reformed in January 2018, the first new Parliament release in 38 years was "I'm Gon Make U Sick O'Me", which features the rapper Scarface. A new Parliament album, Medicaid Fraud Dogg, was released in May 2018.
Flash Light
Parliament Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ooh, I just can't find a beat
Flash light (ohh, I will never dance!)
Flash light
Flash light
Flash light
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Oh, it's no use!
Flash light
Red light
Neon light
Ooh, stop light
Now I lay me down to sleep
I guess I'll go count the sheep
Oh, but I will never dance
(Oh, don't make me do it)
(Dance, sucker! Ooh ha ha!)
(Oww! Get him!)
Most of all he needs the funk (shine it)
Help him find the funk (ha, funk it!)
Most of all he needs the funk
Help him find the funk (get him)
Most of all he needs the funk (I know we can get him)
Help him find the funk (ho!)
Most of all he needs the funk (ha, don't!)
Help him find the funk (I know you will! Dance, sucker!)
Most of all he needs the funk (Shine the spotlight on him!)
Help him find the funk (Oh funk me!)
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (Dance, Nose! You know you on my funk street???)
Oh, funk me!
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (Get on down, Nose! I like it! Dance, then!)
Flash light
Flash light (oh ho ho!)
Spot light ( spot light)
Neon light (neon light)
Street light (street light)
Oh ho, ha ha!
Everybody's got a little light under the sun
Shinin' on the funk
Shinin' on the funk
Most of all he need the funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Help him find the funk
Most of all he need the funk
Help him find the funk
Most of all he need the funk
Help him find the funk
Most of all he need the funk
Help him find the funk
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Oh
Flash light (flash light, flash light)
Flash light (flash light, flash light)
Flash light (oh, flash light)
Flash light (oh, flash light)
Spot light (spot light)
Neon light (ooooh, neon light)
Flash light (ooh, flash light ho!)
Stop light (stop light)
Now I lay me down to sleep
I guess I'll go count the sheep
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da (oh)
Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Shake your funk (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Shake your rump (Ha da da dee da hada hada da da) (ho!)
I think I found the funk
Flash light (flash light)
Day light (day light)
Spot light (spot light)
Red light (ohhh, hooo, red light!)
Everybody's got a little light under the sun
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
Everybody's got a little light under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
Under the sun
The song "Flash Light" by Parliament is a funk classic that has been widely popular since its release in 1977. The lyrics of the song seemingly describe someone who is having trouble finding their rhythm and cannot seem to dance to the music. The lyrics suggest that the person is looking for the funk, and everyone else around them is dancing and enjoying the music. The person appears to be searching for their groove and is urged to find the funk with the help of others.
The song also contains several sound effects, including literal flashlight noises, whistles, and horns. The chorus repeats the phrase "flash light" as well as several other types of lights such as neon and stoplight. The song ends with an encouraging message that everyone has a little light under the sun, and by finding the funk, they can shine their light and enjoy the music.
Overall, the song's message is about finding one's rhythm in life and allowing oneself to let go and get lost in the music. The song encourages the listener to find their inner funk and embrace the joy and energy that comes with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, I lay me down to sleep
The singer is tired and wants some rest.
Ooh, I just can't find a beat
The singer is unable to feel the rhythm of the music.
Flash light (ohh, I will never dance!)
The singer does not want to dance and is resistant to it, despite the music's attempt to get them to do so.
Ha da da dee da hada hada da da
This is a nonsensical lyric and has no true meaning in the context of the song.
Oh, it's no use!
The artist is frustrated and feels defeated in their inability to dance.
Red light
A reference to traffic signals, where a red light means to stop.
Neon light
A type of bright light, often used in flashy displays in cities.
Ooh, stop light
The artist is getting impatient with the various lights and wants to keep going.
I guess I'll go count the sheep
The artist is trying to find some way to fall asleep, despite the music playing loudly.
(Oh, don't make me do it)
The artist is still resistant to dancing and is pleading with the music to leave them alone.
(Dance, sucker! Ooh ha ha!)
The music is taunting the singer, trying to get them to dance despite their unwillingness.
(Oww! Get him!)
This is likely a reference to someone in the audience or a member of the band, encouraging them to dance.
Most of all he needs the funk (shine it)
The singer is calling for more of the signature 'funk' style in the music and encouraging the band to showcase it.
Help him find the funk (ha, funk it!)
The singer is getting excited about the funk and wants to hear more of it in the music.
Ha, don't!
This is likely a playful moment of resistance to the funk, before the singer ultimately gives in and dances.
(Shine the spotlight on him!)
The artist is asking for more attention and focus to be put onto their dancing.
(Oh funk me!)
The artist is getting into the music and enjoying the funk, getting ready to dance.
(Get on down, Nose! I like it! Dance, then!)
This is likely a reference to another member of the band or someone in the audience, encouraging them to dance and enjoy the funk together.
Spot light ( spot light)
A type of focused light used in performances to highlight something or someone specific.
Street light (street light)
Typically used to light up the streets in urban areas, but also used in the context of a performance to add to the visual display.
Everybody's got a little light under the sun
A reference to everyone having the potential for greatness and success.
Shinin' on the funk
The artist is riding the energy of the funk music and feeling good about it.
(Ha da da dee da hada hada da da)
Another nonsensical lyric, possibly just a filler phrase to match the rhythm of the music.
(Shake your funk)
The artist is calling for others to join them in dancing and enjoying the funk music.
(I think I found the funk)
The singer has fully embraced the funk and is now aving fun dancing to it.
Day light (day light)
A reference to natural sunlight or a bright light source during the day.
Under the sun
A continuation of the idea that everyone has the potential for greatness and success, no matter the circumstances.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Bernard Worrell, George Jr Clinton, William Earl Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@doriangray6166
Just heard my 16 year grandson playing this in his room. There's hope for the next generation 💯
@cedricsmith2929
And a child shall lead us!!
@MrLenroc82
Dont forget.....we gotta keep these tunes playing ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽
@minorsnow5306
Some kids will always seek good music
@willisverynice
And for all the generations to come.
@lesliekendall9902
Right on
@TMGettingMoney
This song came out in ‘77, when I was a 13 year old and immediately brings me back to my childhood growing up in Harlem. The guitars and the whole production is pure bananas! One of the most extraordinary and timeless classics ever produced! Salute to the legendary and incomparable Parliament!!!💯‼️👑💪🏾🔥
@powerkor
it lasted about 2 days in the south
@jsutigers8954
@ENOCH THE RAD not in Jxn Ms....my Uncle is a PFunk Diehard...
@phizzler5051
@ENOCH THE RAD i moved from southern california to northwest arkansas and its still good over here. im prolly the only white guy listening to it but its still good