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.
Funkentelechy
Parliament Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Saying you might as well pay attention (this is mood control)
You can't afford free speech
Mood control is designed to render funkable
Ideas brought to you by the makers of Mr. Prolong
Better known as Urge Overkill
The pimping of the Pleasure Principle
Oh, but we'll be pecking lightly
Like a woodpecker with a headache
'Cause it's cheaper to funk
Than it is to pay attention
You dig?
Huck-a-buck
A-lo and behold, someone's funking with the mood control
When you're taking every kind of pill
(Deprogram, program)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
(Peck me lightly like a woodpecker with a headache)
When you're taking every kind of pill
(Funk! The nonprofit organization)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
Where'd you get your funk from (where'd you get that funk from?)
Hey, name that feeling
Would you trade your funk for what's behind the third door?
The big deal!
Heads I win, tails you lose!
How do you spell relief?
Huck-a-buck, sucker!
When you're taking every kind of pill
(Ho, the bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
When you're taking every kind of pill
(You deserve a break today)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
(Have it your way)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(Ooh, who was that? Ha ha ha ha ha ha, oh oh oh)
The salvation of inspiration is the motivation
Fasten your safety belt
While I take you face-to-face with the nosiest computer I know
Where'd you get that funk from?
When I count to ten I want you to jump up, stay there
Oh, ho, but don't come down 'til I flash the light
You deserve a break today, have it your way
Funk is not domestically produced, ho!
There's nothing that the proper attitude won't render funkable
Where'd you get your funk from? Funktism, hey
When you're taking every kind of pill
(Mood control)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
When you're taking every kind of pill
(Urge overkill)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
(Yeah, ho!)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(Program)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(Deprogram)
(And reprogram)
Heads I win, tails you lose (how do you spell relief?)
Would you trade your funk for this? (You deserve a break today)
Or that? (Have it your way)
A funk a day keeps the nose away ain't it true
I ain't gonna hold the lettuce, the pickles or the mustard (ha ha!)
Yo!
Step up and dance until I tell you to come down
You deserve a break today, sucker
I'm gonna flash the light and flop the J, down again?
This is mood de-control
Saying pay more attention
For free speech is high finance
Possible funkability?
Ho, Let the funk begin
Do anybody have change for funk?
Where'd you get your funk from?
Oh yes, this is heavyweight funk
Put up your dukes, haha
You want to funk around with me, oh
This is mood de-control, yo-ho
The home of the P.Funk, the Bomb
Mind your wants 'cause there's someone that wants your mind
When you're taking every kind of pill
(The bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
(How do you spell relief?)
When you're taking every kind of pill
(The bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
(Whoa, this is the big pill)
(Yeah, ho!)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(There they go again, there they go again)
(You might as well pay attention, free speech is too high)
Where'd you get that funk from?
(Huck-a-buck! Ho!)
(You deserve a break today)
(How do you spell relief?)
Where'd you get that funk from?
Yeah!
Take it to the bridge, hahaha
Let's take it to the stoop?
This is mood control
Funkentelechy (program, deprogram, reprogram)
Funkentelechy (how's your funkentelechy)
Funkentelechy (I got you back into turnaround)
Funkentelechy (right now, so y'all space)
Funkentelechy (heavyweight funk/hey)
Funkentelechy (rump to rump, we)
Funkentelechy (shall get down)
Funkentelechy
Funkentelechy (how's your funk?)
Funkentelechy (how's your funkentelechy?)
How's your funk-en-te-lechy?
How's your funk-entelechy?
How's your funk-en-te-lechy? (When you're taking every kind of pill)
How's your funk-entelechy? (Nothing ever seems to cure your ill)
How's your funk-en-te-lechy? (When you're taking every kind of pill)
How's your funk-entelechy? (Nothing ever seems to cure your ill)
Where'd you get your funk from? (Ho)
You're in the presence of your future
You deserve a break today
Have it your way
I ain't gonna hold the lettuce, the pickles or the mustard
A funk a day keep the Nose away
Mind your wants 'cause someone wants your mind
Funk is a non-profit organization
Peck me lightly, like a woodpecker with a headache
'Cause funk is not domestically produced
It is responsive to your mood
You can score it any day
On WEFUNK, we-funk, ho
Name that feeling, baby
This is mood de-control
Program, reprogram and deprogram
Funkentelechy (how's your funkentelechy?)
Funkentelechy (you might as well pay attention free speech is too high)
Funkentelechy (we are specially programmed for your P's?)
Funkentelechy (unfunky possibilities arrive for the makers of urge overkill)
Funkentelechy (and not your funky funny bone)
Funkentelechy (you deserve a break today so name that feeling)
Funkentelechy (would you trade your funk for what's behind the third door)
Funkentelechy (the big deal, heads I win, tails you lose)
Funkentelechy (there's nothing that funk will not render funkable)
Funkentelechy (this is mood decontrol, urge you to Funk On)
Funkentelechy (yo ho, how's your funk-en-tel-echy?)
Funkentelechy (ideas brought to you by the makers of urge overkill)
Do not respond
This has been a test
Ha ha ha ha ha!
And once again the Pleasure Principle has been rescued
With the aid of the funk
(This is Mr. Prolong)
How's your funk-en-te-lechy? (I have to leave early today, ha ha ha)
And in doing so, (How's your funk-entelechy?)
Freed the possibilities of funk beyond compare (how's your funk-entelechy?)
Program, deprogram, reprogram (How's your funk-entelechy?)
When you're taking every kind of pill (how do you spell relief)
Nothing ever seems to cure your ill (you deserve a break today)
When you're taking every kind of pill (ha ha ha ha)
Nothing ever seems to cure your ill (have it your way, this is the doctor)
When you're taking every kind of pill
(Saying, the bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
Nothing ever seems to cure your ill (what's happening?)
How's your funk?
How's your funk? (What's happening?)
Funkentelechy
Funkentelechy (I want you to stay up there until I tell you to come down)
Funkentelechy (check your funk pressure)
Funkentelechy (fly on)
Funkentelechy (ain't nothing but a party, baby)
Funkentelechy
How's your funk-entelechy?
How's your funk-en-te-lech-why?
How's your funk-entelechy? (Heads I win tails you lose)
The song "Funkentelechy" by Parliament-Funkadelic speaks about controlling people's moods and how free speech is not affordable. The lyrics suggest that funk music is the solution to this problem, and it can render anything "funkable." This song is a call to action for people to liberate themselves with music and not with medication.
The song also criticizes the idea that some people trade their funk for material possessions like money, fame, or power. It calls for people to embrace their funk and not give up what makes them unique for something that society deems as valuable. The chorus repeats the question, "where'd you get that funk from?" as a way to ask where people derive their inspiration and motivation.
Overall, the song's main message is that funk music is a powerful force that can free people from the constraints of society and empower them to be true to themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo, this is mood control (yo-ho!)
Attention, this is a system designed to manipulate and control your emotions
Saying you might as well pay attention (this is mood control)
Acknowledging that it's in your best interest to pay attention to the manipulation tactics
You can't afford free speech
Expressing that the freedom to speak your mind comes at a cost
Mood control is designed to render funkable
The manipulation aims to make you susceptible to the power and influence of funk music
Ideas brought to you by the makers of Mr. Prolong
The creators of this manipulation are also responsible for a well-known product named Mr. Prolong
Better known as Urge Overkill
Mr. Prolong is more commonly recognized as Urge Overkill
The pimping of the Pleasure Principle
Exploiting and promoting the concept of seeking pleasure and enjoyment
Oh, but we'll be pecking lightly
However, we will approach this situation with caution and minimal impact
Like a woodpecker with a headache
Just like a woodpecker gently tapping with a headache, the manipulation will be subtle
'Cause it's cheaper to funk
Engaging in the power of funk is more cost-effective
Than it is to pay attention
Rather than investing excessive attention, focusing on the funk is more beneficial
You dig?
Do you understand?
Huck-a-buck
A phrase used to indicate enthusiasm or excitement
A-Lo and behold, someone's funking with the mood control
Look and see, someone is challenging and disrupting the manipulation of emotions
When you're taking every kind of pill (Deprogram, program)
When you rely on various medications and therapies to alter your state of mind (undo the programming and reprogram)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill (Peck me lightly like a woodpecker with a headache)
None of these approaches seem to provide a true remedy (approaching with caution and minimal impact)
Where'd you get your funk from (where'd you get that funk from?)
What is the source of your funk and inspiration? Where do you find it?
Heh! Name that feeling!
Identify and label the emotions you experience
Would you trade your funk for what's behind the third door?
Are you willing to exchange your authentic funk for unknown possibilities?
The big deal! Heads I win, tails you lose!
This is a significant situation where the outcome is rigged in my favor
How do you spell relief?
What is the proper way to achieve comfort and relief?
Huck-a-buck, sucker!
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm, while also demeaning the listener
When you're taking every kind of pill (Ho! The bigger the headache, the bigger the pill)
When you rely on different medications to alleviate your troubles (the more severe the issue, the stronger the medication)
Nothing seems to ever cure your ill
None of these interventions appear to completely solve your problems
Where'd you get that funk from? (Funk! The nonprofit organization)
What is the source of your inspiration and groove? (Funk, a movement that operates without profit)
Where'd you get that funk from? (You deserve a break today)
Where do you find your funk? (You deserve some relaxation and leisure time)
Have it your way
Take control and customize your experience
How do you spell relief? (Ooh, who was that? ha ha ha ha ha ha, oh oh oh)
What is the proper approach to find solace and comfort? (Sounds of amusement and surprise)
The salvation of inspiration is the motivation
The act of finding true inspiration is what drives and motivates us
Fasten your safety belt
Prepare yourself for what's to come, hold on tight for the ride
While I take you face-to-face with the nosiest computer I know
I will guide you into a direct encounter with the most curious and intrusive computer system
When I count to ten I want you to jump up! Stay there!
When I reach the count of ten, I demand that you jump and remain elevated
Oh, ho! But don't come down til I Flash the Light
Do not descend until I signal you with a flash of light
Funk is not domestically produced, ho!
Funk music does not originate solely from your own country, hey!
There's nothing that the proper attitude won't render funkable
Having the right mindset can make anything funky and enjoyable
Where'd you get your funk from? Funktism! Hey!
What is the source of your funk? It's a belief system called Funktism! Hey!
Mood control!
This is an exclamation confirming the presence of mood control
Urge overkill!
Reinforcing the concept of excessive desire for stimulation
Yeah, ho!
Expressing excitement and enthusiasm
Program!
Invoke the act of programming
Deprogram!
Undo the effects of programming
And reprogram
Modify the existing programming
Heads I win, tails you lose (how do you spell relief?)
Using a coin toss to claim victory regardless of the outcome (how can one find comfort and relief?)
Would you trade your funk for this? (you deserve a break today)
Are you willing to exchange your funk for something else? (you deserve some relaxation)
Or that? (Have it your way)
Or perhaps something different? (Customize your experience)
A funk a day keeps the nose away ain't it true!
Engaging in funk music on a daily basis keeps negativity at bay, isn't that the truth!
I ain't gonna hold the lettuce, the pickles or the mustard (ha ha!)
I won't keep you waiting, no delays (laughter)
Step up and dance until I tell you to come down
Get on your feet and dance until I instruct you to stop
You deserve a break today, sucker!
You deserve some time off, my friend!
I'm gonna flash the light and flop the j, down again?
I will shine a light and create a sudden change, then lower it again?
This is mood de-control
Now, we are intentionally destabilizing your emotions
Saying pay more attention
Advocating for increased focus and awareness
For free speech is high finance
The freedom to express oneself comes with significant costs
Possible funkability?
Could there be a chance to make things funky and enjoyable?
Ho, Let the funk begin!
Hey, let's start the funk music!
Do anybody have change for funk?
Does anyone possess the means to trade for some funky music?
Where'd you get your funk from?
Where do you find your source of funk and inspiration?
Oh yes, this is heavyweight funk
Without a doubt, this is powerful and impactful funk music
Put up your dukes, haha!
Prepare yourself for a fight, haha!
You want to funk around with me, oh!
You desire to engage in funk with me!
The home of the P.Funk, the Bomb
This is the birthplace of Parliament Funkadelic music, the pinnacle of funk
Mind your wants 'cause there's someone that wants your mind
Be cautious about your desires, as there are individuals seeking to manipulate your thoughts
Urge you to Funk On!
Strongly encourage you to embrace and engage in the funk experience
Put up your dukes, haha!
Prepare yourself for a confrontation, haha!
The Bomb!
Expressing admiration and enthusiasm for something exceptional
How's your funk-en-te-lechy?
What is the state of your funk and its ability to influence and inspire?
How's your funk-entelechy?
What is the condition of your funk's impact on your life?
How's your funk-en-te-lechy? (When you're taking every kind of pill)
How is your funk's ability to thrive affected when you rely on various medications?
How's your funk-entelechy? (Nothing ever seems to cure your ill)
How is your funk's potential to heal hindered when no remedy seems to work?
Where'd you get your funk from? (ho!)
What is the origin of your funk and inspiration? (hey!)
You're in the presence of your future
You are currently experiencing the potential outcome of your actions
You deserve a break today
You have earned some rest and relaxation
Have it your way
Customize your experience according to your preferences
I ain't gonna hold the lettuce, the pickles or the mustard
I won't delay or restrain you any longer
A funk a day keep the Nose away ain't it true!
Engaging in funk music daily helps to keep negativity at bay, isn't that the truth!
Mind your wants 'cause someone wants your mind
Be cautious about your desires, as there are individuals seeking to manipulate your thoughts
Funk is a non-profit organization
The concept of funk operates without the intention of making a profit
Peck me lightly, like a woodpecker with a headache
Approach me with caution and gentleness, like a woodpecker tapping with a headache
'Cause funk is not domestically produced
Funk music does not originate solely within your own country
It is responsive to your mood
Funk adapts and caters to your emotional state
You can score it any day
You can experience and enjoy funk music at any time
On WEFUNK, we-funk, HO!
Tune in to WEFUNK, the radio station dedicated to funk music, and get into the groove, hey!
Name that feeling, baby
Identify and label the emotions you're experiencing, my dear
This is mood de-control
We are deliberately destabilizing your emotional state
Program, reprogram and deprogram
Engage in the acts of programming, modifying existing programming, and undoing programming
How's your funkentelechy?
What is the status of your funk's impact and influence?
How's your funk?
What is the condition and potency of your funk?
Funkentelechy
The state of being influenced and inspired by funk
How's your funkentelechy? (you might as well pay attention, free speech is too high)
What is the level of your funk inspiration? (you should focus, as the freedom of speech is expensive)
Funkentelechy (we are specially programmed for your p's?)
Funkentelechy refers to the unique programming intended to satisfy your desires
Funkentelechy (unfunky possibilities arrive for the makers of urge overkill)
Funkentelechy brings options that are not funky for the creators of urge overkill
Funkentelechy (and not your funky funny bone)
Funkentelechy does not cater to your regular sense of humor
Funkentelechy (you deserve a break today so name that feeling)
Funkentelechy offers you some relaxation and encourages you to identify your emotions
Funkentelechy (would you trade your funk for what's behind the third door)
Funkentelechy challenges you to consider exchanging your funk for unknown possibilities
Funkentelechy (the big deal, heads I win, tails you lose)
Funkentelechy is a significant situation where I am favored regardless of the outcome
Funkentelechy (there's nothing that funk will not render funkable)
Funkentelechy asserts that anything can be made enjoyable through the power of funk
This is mood decontrol, urge you to Funk On!
We are intentionally destabilizing your emotions and encouraging you to fully embrace the funk experience
How's your funk-en-tel-echy?
What is the state of your funk's impact and inspiration?
Ideas brought to you by the makers of urge overkill
These concepts are presented to you by the creators of urge overkill
Do not respond
Please do not react or reply
This has been a test
Consider this a trial or an experiment
Ha ha ha ha ha!
Expressing laughter and amusement
And once again the Pleasure Principle has been rescued
Yet again, the concept of seeking pleasure and enjoyment has been saved
With the aid of the funk
Assisted by the power and influence of funk music
(This is Mr. Prolong)
In this context, Mr. Prolong represents the presence of an entity or product that extends or enhances pleasure
How's your funk-en-te-lechy? (I have to leave early today, ha ha ha)
What is the status of your funk's impact and inspiration? (I need to depart earlier than expected, laughter)
Freed the possibilities of funk beyond compare
Unleashed unparalleled potential for funk and its impact
Program, deprogram, reprogram (How's your funk-entelechy?)
Engage in programming, undoing programming, and modifying programming (What is the state of your funk's influence?)
When you're taking every kind of pill (How do you spell relief)
When you rely on various medications (How can you find comfort and relief?)
Nothing ever seems to cure your ill (You deserve a break today)
None of these approaches provide a true remedy (You should take some time off)
How's your funk?
What is the condition and power of your funk?
How's your funk? (what's happening?)
What is the current state of your funk? (what's going on?)
Funkentelechy
The state of being influenced and inspired by funk
Funkentelechy (I want you to stay up there until I tell you to come down)
Funkentelechy refers to the impact and influence of funk music (I want you to remain elevated until I instruct otherwise)
Funkentelechy (check your funk pressure)
Funkentelechy encourages you to assess the potency and impact of your funk (evaluate your funk pressure)
Funkentelechy (fly on)
Funkentelechy urges you to keep going and soaring (fly onwards)
Funkentelechy (ain't nothing but a party, baby)
Funkentelechy represents the joyous and festive nature of funk music (it's simply a celebration, my dear)
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: George Clinton, William Bootsy Collins, Bernie Worrell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@letmesing6868
My grandmother has suffered two strokes and is also living with dementia. She is pretty down most of the time understandably. One day while playing music for her I stepped away from being the "dj" and autoplay kicked in with this record first. I was washing dishes or something and just let it play. After a couple of minutes I turned around expecting granny to be annoyed and agitated about the change of music and found her totally locked into the groove. Head bobbing and feet tapping. I could only laugh and smile. That's truly the power of the P baby. 💃🏾❤✊🏿 Funk on. ❣
@MrTPain
"THAT PFUNK IS,
VERY SSCRONG
@dwaynemcclellan5699
That was a great share!
@kcshipp80
Good to your earhole.
@stewartbroom4302
Aaaaa
@ralphpipkin164
Groovy from bab
@beverlymoses3659
DAMMMMM........I used to party all night on this song, and then go home, shower, change, and to straight to work, and smile all day with this song still playing in my mind..........ahhhhhh, the good ole days of original funk!!!! I was nineteen, and gorgeous!!!!!
@solicious1
I’m so glad you experienced this!!❤❤❤
@Archontechnica
"Mind your wants 'cause there's someone that wants your mind"...just let that sink in for a minute and marinate. Bro George was deeper than the Pacific.
@williamwooten6156
Profoundly accurate MIND YOUR WANTS