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.
P-Funk
Parliament Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Do not attempt to adjust your radio, there is nothing wrong
We have taken control as to bring you this special show
We will return it to you as soon as you are grooving
Welcome to station W E F you N K, better known as We-Funk
Or deeper still, the Mothership Connection
Home of the extraterrestrial brothers
Coming you directly from the Mothership
Top of the chocolate milky way, 500,000 kilowatts of P.Funk power
So kick back, dig, while we do it to you in your eardrums
And me? I'm known as Lollipop Man
Alias, The Long Haired Sucker, my motto is
Make my funk the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
Yeah, W E F you N K, y'all now this is what I want you all to do
If you got faults, defects or shortcomings you know
Like arthritis, rheumatism or migraines
Whatever part of your body it is, I want you to lay it on your radio
Let the vibes flow through, funk not only moves, it can remove, dig?
The desired effect is what you get
When you improve your Interplanetary Funksmanship
Sir Lollipop Man, chocolate coated, freaky and habit forming
Doin' it to you in 3-D, so groovy that I dig me
Once upon a time called, 'Now'
Somebody say, "Is there funk after the death?"
I say, "Is Seven Up?", yeah, P.Funk
Make my funk the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
Make my funk the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, don't want my funk stepped on
Make my funk the P.Funk before I take it home
Yeah, I dig, let me put my sunglasses on
That's the law around here, you got to wear your sunglasses
So you can feel cool, gangster lean, y'all should dig my sunroof top
Well, alright, hey I was diggin' on y'all funk for a while
Sounds like it got a three on it though to me
Then I was down South and I heard some funk
With some main ingredients like
Doobie Brothers, Blue Magic, David Bowie
It was cool, but can you imagine Doobie-in' your funk?
W E F you N K, We-Funk
Make my funk the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, don't want my funk stepped on
Make my funk the P.Funk before I take it home
Gettin' deep
Once upon a time called 'Right Now'
Ain't it funky now?
Far around
Hey, doin' it to you in the ear hole
Make my funk the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, don't want my funk stepped on
Make my funk the P.Funk before I take it home
Yeah
We're not leavin' y'all, I want you all to stay tuned for Starchild
Make my funk the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, don't want my funk stepped on
Make my funk the P.Funk before I take it home
Don't stop, get down
Talk, blow your horn
Pee you
Wants to get funked up
Well alright
Make my funk the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
Welcome to station W E F you N K, better known as
We-Funk or deeper still, the Mothership Connection
Home of the extra terrestrial brothers
Dealers of funky music, P.Funk, uncut funk, the bomb
Lollipop Man here, alias, the Long Haired Sucker
Chocolate coated, freaky and habit forming
Coming to you in 3-D, so groovy that I dig me
Yeah, yeah, P.Funk
Make my funk the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, don't want my funk stepped on
Make my funk the P.Funk before I take it home
The lyrics to Parliament's "P-Funk" are a proclamation of what the group stands for in the music industryβfunkiness. It starts with a radio introduction, where the DJ tells listeners that "We have taken control as to bring you this special show," and that "We-Funk" is "Home of the extraterrestrial brothers/ Dealers of funky music, P.Funk, uncut funk, the bomb." Then Lollipop Man introduces himself, also known as "The Long Haired Sucker," and commands, "Make my funk the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut/ Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up/ I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, don't want my funk stepped on."
The lyrics discuss the power of music, highlighting that "funk not only moves, it can remove, dig?" and that listening to funk can heal arthritis, rheumatism, migraines, or any other ailment the listener may have. Overall, the song is a celebration of the electrifying, funky music that Parliament is known for producing and the way it can unite people and heal their spirits.
Line by Line Meaning
Good evening
Greetings, welcome to the show
Do not attempt to adjust your radio, there is nothing wrong
Do not tinker with your radio station as there is no technical problem
We have taken control as to bring you this special show
We are curating and presenting this exceptional program
We will return it to you as soon as you are grooving
The show will continue until you are enjoying and feeling the groove
Welcome to station W E F you N K, better known as We-Funk
This is W E F you N K station, also referred to as We-Funk
Or deeper still, the Mothership Connection
This station is connected to the Mothership
Home of the extraterrestrial brothers
This is where extraterrestrial beings reside
Dealers of funky music, P.Funk, uncut funk, the bomb
We are purveyors of funky music, especially P.Funk and uncut funk, which are the pinnacle
Coming you directly from the Mothership
The music is disseminating, directed from the Mothership
Top of the chocolate milky way, 500,000 kilowatts of P.Funk power
This is the highest level of the musical stratosphere, with 500,000 kilowatts of P.Funk potency
So kick back, dig, while we do it to you in your eardrums
Relax and immerse yourself in the music as we play it through your eardrums
And me? I'm known as Lollipop Man Alias, The Long Haired Sucker, my motto is Make my funk the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
I am called Lollipop Man and my pseudonym is The Long Haired Sucker, my principle is to ask for P.Funk and uncut funk
Make my funk the P.Funk, I wants to get funked up
I seek intense joy and I want to get into the mood with P.Funk
I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, I want my funk uncut
I want the best and most powerful P.Funk, uncut funk, and the bomb
Yeah, W E F you N K, y'all now this is what I want you all to do
Listen up to W E F you N K; I am going to give you some instructions
If you got faults, defects or shortcomings you know Like arthritis, rheumatism or migraines
If you have any flaws, handicaps, or physical ailments such as arthritis, rheumatism, or migraines
Whatever part of your body it is, I want you to lay it on your radio
Place any part of your body on your radio
Let the vibes flow through, funk not only moves, it can remove, dig?
Let the energy pass through you; funk can heal and uplift, you comprehend?
The desired effect is what you get When you improve your Interplanetary Funksmanship
You can attain the outcome that you seek by advancing your Interplanetary Funksmanship
Sir Lollipop Man, chocolate coated, freaky and habit forming Doin' it to you in 3-D, so groovy that I dig me
I am Sir Lollipop Man - delicious, peculiar, and captivating - who is providing you with a 3-D musical experience that I enjoy
Once upon a time called, 'Now' Somebody say, "Is there funk after the death?"
It is the present time. Can funk exist beyond death?
I say, "Is Seven Up?", yeah, P.Funk
My response is, of course, like Seven Up; yes, there is P.Funk
I want the bomb, I want the P.Funk, don't want my funk stepped on
I want powerful music, I want P.Funk, but I do not want it to be altered
Make my funk the P.Funk before I take it home
Ensure that my P.Funk is unadulterated before I leave
Yeah, I dig, let me put my sunglasses on That's the law around here, you got to wear your sunglasses So you can feel cool, gangster lean, y'all should dig my sunroof top
I understand, let me wear my sunglasses. It's customary here where being cool is paramount; check out my sunroof
Well, alright, hey I was diggin' on y'all funk for a while Sounds like it got a three on it though to me
Okay, I was enjoying your music for some time. However, it seems to have a complexity level of three to my ears
Then I was down South and I heard some funk With some main ingredients like Doobie Brothers, Blue Magic, David Bowie It was cool, but can you imagine Doobie-in' your funk?
Later, I went to the South and heard some amazing music infused with Doobie Brothers, Blue Magic, and David Bowie flavoring. It was fantastic. However, could you incorporate Doobie Brothers and funk?
W E F you N K, We-Funk Gettin' deep
W E F you N K or We-Funk is advancing and becoming profound
Once upon a time called 'Right Now' Ain't it funky now?
As of now, it is funky, isn't it?
Far around Hey, doin' it to you in the ear hole Yeah
It's all around us, doing it to you in the ear
We're not leavin' y'all, I want you all to stay tuned for Starchild
We are not going anywhere. Please gear up for Starchild
Don't stop, get down Talk, blow your horn Pee you Wants to get funked up Well alright
Don't stop, groove. Share your thoughts, play the trumpet, show enthusiasm and love for the funk
Welcome to station W E F you N K, better known as We-Funk or deeper still, the Mothership Connection Home of the extra terrestrial brothers Lollipop Man here, alias, the Long Haired Sucker Chocolate coated, freaky and habit forming Coming to you in 3-D, so groovy that I dig me Yeah, yeah, P.Funk
Welcome to W E F you N K, AKA We-Funk, which is interconnected to the Mothership. I am Lollipop Man, also known as the Long Haired Sucker, who is alluring and captivating, providing you with engrossing 3-D music. I love my music.
Lyrics Β© Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: George Bernard Worrell, George Jr. Clinton, William Earl Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@metalrex1887
I'm whiter than bread, my parents are whiter than snow. But they grew up with a love for James Brown, Parliament/Funkadelic. And my childhood nickname was "P-Funk", and my dad still calls me and starts his conversations with
"Make my funk the P-Funk"
So this song is meaningful in many ways.
@37kingspublishing80
ππππππππone love
@chuckt4558
Raised in a wonderbread house but love my funk as well.
@aceshabazz1937
Nice
@e.adriannapatterson3900
Alright Now!!!! Greetings FunkATeer!!!!.
@purpledancerbmw5279
Music knows no color. Musicians should be our politicians. Rock on P Funk!
@karameldreem
This song is 45 years old and it still sounds stellar.
@joannmoxley9963
Song is totally still awesome.
@joannmoxley9963
Remind of the good old days.
@ggman002
I would say it sounds interstellar