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.
If It Don't Fit
Parliament Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ohh, ohh ooh yeah
Ohh, ohh ohh, yeah yeah yeah
Ohh, ohh ooh yeah
If it don't fit, don't force it (don't force it, force it)
Just leave it a little room, let it ease on in (let love just ease on in)
If it don't fit, don't force it (don't force it, force it)
Wait a second with your help, it needs a chance
If it don't fit, don't force it (don't force it, force it)
Mind control is what it's all about (no, no, no)
If it don't fit, don't force it (don't force it, force it)
Just take your time and check it out (take your time and check it out)
If you feel love is just right
Don't hesitate, let's get it on
But if you're gonna love me skin tight, that's too tight
You can take your love and go on
If it don't fit, don't force it (force it, force it, force it)
Don't let your ego tell you when (ooh)
If it don't fit, don't force it (force it, force it, force it)
Wait a second with your help, it needs a chance
If it don't fit, don't force it (don't force it, force it)
Mind control is what it's all about
If it don't fit, don't force it (don't force it, force it, force it)
Just take your time to check it out
If it don't fit, don't force it (don't force it, force it)
Just leave it a little room, let it ease on in
If it don't fit, don't force it (don't force it, force it)
Wait a second with your help, it needs a chance
The song “If It Don't Fit” by Parliament is a perfect example of the band’s funky and humorous style of music. The song is all about relationships, specifically the importance of not pushing things too far when in a romantic encounter. The chorus is a catchy repetition of the line “If it don't fit, don't force it, just leave it a little room, let it ease on in,” which essentially translates to, if things aren't going smoothly, just take a step back and wait for the right moment.
The lyrics also touch on the importance of checking in with yourself and your partner to make sure things are comfortable and enjoyable for both parties. There’s also a nod to the dangers of ego and not letting it take control of your actions.
Overall, the song is a lighthearted and fun reminder to take things slow and make sure everyone is on the same page. It’s a classic example of Parliament’s funky sound and soulful lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
If it don't fit, don't force it (don't force it, force it)
If something doesn't seem right, don't try to make it work by forcing it.
Just leave it a little room, let it ease on in (let love just ease on in)
Give things some space and time to naturally fall into place, especially when it comes to love.
Wait a second with your help, it needs a chance
Don't rush to a decision or try to control something, sometimes things just need time to work themselves out.
Mind control is what it's all about (no, no, no)
Trying to manipulate or control things will only make things worse.
Just take your time and check it out (take your time and check it out)
Be patient and make sure everything is right before you make any big decisions.
If you feel love is just right
If you're sure that the love you're experiencing is the real deal
Don't hesitate, let's get it on
Don't hold back, go for it and let the good times roll.
But if you're gonna love me skin tight, that's too tight
If someone is too clingy or controlling it's too much to handle and not healthy for a relationship.
You can take your love and go on
If things aren't working out, it's okay to move on.
Don't let your ego tell you when (ooh)
Don't let your own pride or ego make decisions for you.
Just leave it a little room, let it ease on in
Sometimes being flexible and allowing things to happen naturally is the best approach.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@wcorowitz
This sounds like something straight off of the Fat Albert cartoon. I love this jam. They were the only ones who could funk like this.
@lothaire23
Love that tune Merci d'avoir ajouté !
@bassplayer418
I never knew this was a parliment song, damn the things you can find wile on youtube
@chrisedwards656
I hear Eddie hazel singing and garry too
@Melloh
and btw I love this joint
@s4ujxm
@zyruemusic Junie was not with them when this album was made. He didn't come until a few years later.
@erichayes1507
This does have a Sly Stone vibe.
@RobertoGinsburg
Definetely P-Funk was more directly influenced by Sly Stone that the Godfather James Brown. Doo Wop and Jimi Hendrix is also a source.
@chrisedwards3214
@@RobertoGinsburg the James brown influence came from bootsy, cat, Fred, maceo, frank and kush
@bean9seventy
its rubber soul, going over chromatic run on a minor scale
as opposed to typical 1 4 5 rock turn around