The above biography taken from: Wikipedia - Rufus Thomas
The Crown Prince of Dance; an early rock & roll DJ, Memphis soul icon and creator of the Funky Chicken.
Artist Biography (below) by Richie Unterberger
Few of rock & roll's founding figures are as likable as Rufus Thomas. From the 1940s onward, he has personified Memphis music; his small but witty cameo role in Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train, a film which satirizes and enshrines the city's role in popular culture, was entirely appropriate. As a recording artist, he wasn't a major innovator, but he could always be depended upon for some good, silly, and/or outrageous fun with his soul dance tunes. He was one of the few rock or soul stars to reach his commercial and artistic peak in middle age, and was a crucial mentor to many important Memphis blues, rock, and soul musicians.
Thomas was already a professional entertainer in the mid-'30s, when he was a comedian with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels. He recorded music as early as 1941, but really made his mark on the Memphis music scene as a deejay on WDIA, one of the few black-owned stations of the era. He also ran talent shows on Memphis' famous Beale Street that helped showcase the emerging skills of such influential figures as B.B. King, Bobby Bland, Junior Parker, Ike Turner, and Roscoe Gordon.
Thomas had his first success as a recording artist in 1953 with "Bear Cat," a funny answer record to Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog." It made number three on the R&B charts, giving Sun Records its first national hit, though some of the sweetness went out of the triumph after Sun owner Sam Phillips lost a lawsuit for plagiarizing the original Jerry Leiber/Mike Stoller tune. Thomas, strangely, would make only one other record for Sun, and recorded only sporadically throughout the rest of the 1950s.
Thomas and his daughter Carla would become the first stars for the Stax label, for whom they recorded a duet in 1959, "'Cause I Love You" (when the company was still known as Satellite). In the '60s, Carla would become one of Stax's biggest stars. On his own, Rufus wasn't as successful as his daughter, but issued a steady stream of decent dance/novelty singles.
These were not deep or emotional statements, or meant to be. Vaguely prefiguring elements of funk, the accent was on the stripped-down groove and Rufus' good-time vocals, which didn't take himself or anything seriously. The biggest by far was "Walking the Dog," which made the Top Ten in 1963, and was covered by the Rolling Stones on their first album.
Thomas hit his commercial peak in the early '70s, when "Do the Funky Chicken," "(Do The) Push and Pull," and "The Breakdown" all made the R&B Top Five. As the song titles themselves make clear, funk was now driving his sound rather than blues or soul. Thomas drew upon his vaudeville background to put them over on-stage with fancy footwork that displayed remarkable agility for a man well into his 50s. The collapse of the Stax label in the mid-'70s meant the end of his career, basically, as it did for many other artists with the company. In 2001, Rufus Thomas was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame. Later that year, on December 15, he died at St. Francis hospital in Memphis, TN.
The above biography taken from: All Music Biography - Rufus Thomas by Richie Unterberger
The Breakdown
Rufus Thomas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know how, shake the butter bowl
I got to see for myself
If you got any butter left
Breakdown to the left
Breakdown to the right
Breakdown to the one
Do the breakdown, children
Break on down
Do the breakdown, children
Break on down
You got it going, my, my, my
Just look around and grab your guy
Stop where you are, let your big hip rock
Show him how your love can rock
Breakdown for me
Breakdown for you
Breakdown to the one
Gonna give it to
Do the breakdown, children
Break on down
Do the breakdown, children
Break on down, ???
Come on children, look at me
I'm showing you how it's supposed to be
Do it in the evening, late at night
I'm gonna show you, breakdown is alright
Do the breakdown, children
Break on down
Do the breakdown, children
Break on down
Listen, it's the brand new dance that's going around
It ain't the Funky Chicken, it's called The Breakdown
It's the brand new dance that's going around
It ain't push and pull, it's called The Breakdown
Now breakdown, children
Break on down
Breakdown, children
Break on down
Mama can do it, Papa too
Grandma, Grandpa, they're doing it too
Mama, Mama, just look at Sis
She's in the backyard breaking down like this
Breakdown, children
Break on down
Breakdown, children
Break on down
Breakdown, children
The song "The Breakdown Part 1" by Rufus Thomas is a fun and catchy dance tune. The lyrics encourage listeners to participate in the new "Breakdown" dance craze by breaking it down to the left, right, and center. The singer urges everyone to let loose and move their hips, expressing themselves through the dance. The lyrics suggest that the dance is not just for young people, as even grandparents can join in the fun. The singer is excited to show everyone that the Breakdown is the new dance sensation that is taking over, and it is not the same as the traditional popular dances of the time such as the Funky Chicken.
The song is a product of the Soul and R&B era of the 1960s when dance songs were popular, and Rufus Thomas was a prominent figure in the genre. The Breakdown Part 1" was a huge success; it reached #5 on the R&B charts and #31 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. This song became an instant dance party classic and stayed relevant for years. It was popular in the community and played on many radio stations as well. The Breakdown Part 1" was also featured in the opening and closing scenes of the 1971 cult movie, "Vanishing Point".
Line by Line Meaning
Honey, baby, I been told
Hey there, my dear, people have told me
You know how, shake the butter bowl
That you know how to move your hips, just like shaking a bowl of butter
I got to see for myself
I need to witness it firsthand
If you got any butter left
If you still have any moves left to show
Breakdown to the left
Move your body to the left rhythmically
Breakdown to the right
Move your body to the right in a rhythmic way
Breakdown to the one
Move your body in a rhythmic way with a partner
Gonna love her tonight
You are going to love your dance partner tonight
Do the breakdown, children
Children, do the dance we call the Breakdown
Break on down
Continue dancing by breaking it down
You got it going, my, my, my
You're doing great, my goodness
Just look around and grab your guy
Look around and find a partner to dance with
Stop where you are, let your big hip rock
Stay still and move only your hips in a big way
Show him how your love can rock
Demonstrate how much you can move with love and enthusiasm
Breakdown for me
Dance this Breakdown dance with me
Breakdown for you
Dance this Breakdown dance with your partner
Gonna give it to
You are going to dance to give them a great time
Come on children, look at me
Come on, children, look at my moves
I'm showing you how it's supposed to be
I'm demonstrating how this dance should be done
Do it in the evening, late at night
You can dance this dance in the evening or late at night
I'm gonna show you, breakdown is alright
I'll show you that this Breakdown dance is just fine!
Listen, it's the brand new dance that's going around
Hey, listen to this, there's a brand new dance going around
It ain't the Funky Chicken, it's called The Breakdown
It's not the Funky Chicken dance, it's called the Breakdown
Now breakdown, children
Now let's dance this Breakdown, children
Mama can do it, Papa too
Even parents can dance the Breakdown
Grandma, Grandpa, they're doing it too
Even grandparents are getting in on the dancing action
Mama, Mama, just look at Sis
Look at Sis, Mama, and see how well she's dancing
She's in the backyard breaking down like this
She's in the backyard dancing the Breakdown like this
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EDDIE FLOYD, MACK RICE, RUFUS THOMAS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Odawg96
For those who know their funk, you know that they guys playing behind Rufus were known as Project Soul. They're from Northern California and went to Memphis to backup the Soul Children and ended up with Rufus. After leaving Memphis they changed their name to CON FUNK SHUN!!!!!
Chief Running Turtle
Yo, that's some dope musical history you droppin' on us, homie! #dig
contending4dafaith
These were our parents, aunts and uncles who are seniors now. They were a stronger people than us today, got to get back to that beat, and that vibe.
#Loveistheonlykey Dedanero The Producer
facts
alan Rogs
@Jimmy Bum I swear they messed with the tape speed when he did his thing because it looked so freaky.
Maine Road 74
You ainβt wrong my friend. .
Zee_ LolaJ
I only WISH we were still that STRONG and unified as a people
Ras T
Always lifts me up and reminds me of my parent's house parties. RIP MOMMY AND DADDY!
joel maqueira
GOD BLESS AND REST THEIR SOULS!
inquizative44
That is so sweet of you! You made me smile and took me back to those parties as a kid shuffling around everybody as the dance and I find me a little spot to do my thing and dance!