The Brothers Johnson's version of his composition "Strawberry Letter 23" reached #1 in the Billboard rhythm and blues chart and #5 in the Billboard pop chart in 1977.
Shuggie's albums include: "Here Comes Shuggie Otis", "Freedom Flight" and "Inspiration Information".
In 2001 David Byrne rereleased the album "Inspiration Information" on Luaka Bop.
(2) Guitarist/singer/songwriter/producer/multi-instrumentalist Shuggie Otis may not be a household name, but his "Strawberry Letter 23" is in the record collections of millions of households. The Brothers Johnson's cover of "Strawberry Letter 23" has sold over a million copies, peaking at number one R&B and number five pop on Billboard's charts in summer 1977. It was on their LP Right on Time, which went platinum, selling over a million copies, holding the number one R&B spot for three weeks and making it to number 13 pop in spring 1977. Otis wrote "Strawberry Letter 23" for his girlfriend, who used strawberry scented paper for her letters to him. Another Otis favorite, "Inspiration Information," received substantial airplay in Chicago and other markets, charting #56 R&B in early 1975.
Born Johnny Otis, Jr. on November 30, 1953, in Los Angeles, CA, Otis' formidable musical talents appeared at an early age. He began his professional career around 1965. He played a guitar solo on his bandleader, father Johnny Otis' 1969 number 29 R&B hit, "Country Girl," issued by Kent Records. His guitar skills were so adept that during his teen years, he would have to wear dark glasses and strategically apply black ink between his nose and mouth to appear old enough to perform in clubs with his father.
Signing with CBS Records, Otis began recording virtuoso guitar-laced R&B/West Coast blues sides. His first LP was Al Kooper Introduces Shuggie Otis on CBS. Johnny Otis produced 1970's Here Comes Shuggie Otis, which was issued on the CBS imprint, Epic Records. Otis' Freedom Flight was issued September 1971 and included the original version of "Strawberry Letter 23," the heart-tugging "Someone's Always Singing," "Ice Cold Daydream," and the bluesy "Me and My Woman," co-written by Otis and Gene Barge (known best for his association with Chess Records, Chuck Willis, and Natalie Cole).
His LP Inspiration Information was issued in October 1974, with Otis playing all of the instruments on jazzy and Latin-tinged R&B numbers. The LP was one of the first releases to showcase the electronic rhythm box then found usually on organs. Besides "Inspiration Information," the LP included the sly "Sparkle City," the sweet ballad "Outtamihead," and the lush, strings-laden "Island Letter," which was the B-side of "Inspiration Information."
George Johnson of the Brothers Johnson was dating one of Otis' cousins who gave Johnson a copy of Freedom Flight. Immediately, he liked "Ice Cold Daydream" and "Strawberry Letter 23." The latter song was played at his brother Louis Johnson's wedding during the wedding march. Louis suggested the song to their producer Quincy Jones for an album track. The track's complex guitar solo was played by Lee Ritenour. The Brothers Johnson version is quite close to Otis' original version.
Later on in the '90s, Otis played with his own band around northern California and toured extensively. His son, Lucky Otis, played bass with Johnny Otis' band. Shuggie Otis is featured in the book Alligator Records Presents West Coast Blues, issued in August 1998 by Milwaukee, WI, publisher Hal Leonard. ~ Ed Hogan, Rovi
Aht Uh Mi Hed
Shuggie Otis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Aht uh mi hed, it's glowing
Aht uh mi hed 'cause I heard
Something said in a word
From your voice did I hear
Only choice, dear?
From shots that shot above
Aht uh mi hed things are different
Aht uh mi hed all the time
In the bed for a rhyme
Flashing back to your air
And the good there
There magic too
When the spread is on you
Won't you read me a trip
From your whip here? Who
It's about time for something new
You got to grow, got to grow
Aht uh mi hed
Aht uh mi hed
Said, hed, hed, hed, glowing
Oh, I wanna tell you
Hed, aht uh mi hed
Aht uh mi hed, aht uh mi hed
Aht uh mi hed, you got the glowing
The song "Aht Uh Mi Hed" by Shuggie Otis is a psychedelic soul ballad that combines various elements such as funk, blues, and jazz in a unique way. The central theme of the song is the way that love and desire can consume someone's thoughts and emotions. The repeated phrase "aht uh mi hed, it's glowing" suggests a euphoric state of mind, as if the passion and intensity of the singer's feelings are radiating from their head.
Throughout the song, Otis uses vivid and abstract imagery to convey the intensity of his emotions. The lines "From shots that shot above" and "When the spread is on you/Won't you read me a trip/From your whip here?" suggest a mind-altering experience, whether through drugs or simply the intensity of a physical connection. The repeated question "only choice, dear?" hints at the tension and uncertainty that can come with intense desire, wondering whether this connection is the only one worth pursuing.
The final lines of the song, "Oh, I wanna tell you/Hed, aht uh mi hed/Aht uh mi hed, aht uh mi hed/Aht uh mi hed, you got the glowing" suggest a desire to communicate the intensity of these feelings to the other person, to let them know how all-consuming and transformative they are. Overall, "Aht Uh Mi Hed" is a complex and evocative portrayal of the power of desire and connection.
Line by Line Meaning
Aht uh mi hed, it's glowing
My mind is illuminated, shining brightly
Aht uh mi hed 'cause I heard
Something said in a word
From your voice did I hear
Only choice, dear?
My mind shines bright because I heard a special word from your voice, and it made me wonder if you're the only one for me.
Aht uh mi hed, je taime
From shots that shot above
Aht uh mi hed things are different
My mind is full of love and my perspective has changed because of a powerful experience.
Aht uh mi hed all the time
In the bed for a rhyme
Flashing back to your air
And the good there
My mind is constantly preoccupied with thoughts of you, even in bed, and I fondly remember the good times we've had together.
There magic too
When the spread is on you
Won't you read me a trip
From your whip here? Who
There's magic when you're under the influence of drugs, so will you please take me on a trip and guide me through it?
It's about time for something new
You got to grow, got to grow
It's time for a change, for growth and progress.
Said, hed, hed, hed, glowing
Oh, I wanna tell you
My mind, shining bright, is speaking to me and I want to share with you.
Hed, aht uh mi hed
Aht uh mi hed, aht uh mi hed
Aht uh mi hed, you got the glowing
My mind, bright and illuminated, belongs to me, and I am telling you that you have that same brightness in you.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Shuggie Otis
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lauraiordache6669
Aht uh mi hed, it's glowing
Aht uh mi hed, it's glowing
Aht uh mi hed 'cause I heard
Something said in a word
From your voice did I hear
Only choice, dear?
Aht uh mi hed, je taime
From shots that shot above
Aht uh mi hed things are different
Aht uh mi hed all the time
In the bed for a rhyme
Flashing back to your air
And the good there
There magic too
When the spread is on you
Won't you read me a trip
From your whip here? Who
It's about time for something new
You got to grow, got to grow
Aht uh mi hed
Aht uh mi hed
Said, hed, hed, hed, glowing
Oh, I wanna tell you
Hed, aht uh mi hed
Aht uh mi hed, aht uh mi hed
Aht uh mi hed, you got the glowing
@DerekFromBK
I came across a fm radio station because I couldn't get the Bluetooth to work in my rental car and the radio program was playing some really good soul music so I kept listening. They played a tune that commanded all of my attention... I assumed someone had done a really good cover to The Brothers Johnson Strawberry Letter 23. At the end of a few songs the DJ told the listeners the title and artists of the previous songs. He said that it was Shuggie Otis... Strawberry Letter 23... And that he was the original singer/songwriter and not the Brothers Johnson. Well, my head exploded in the car and I immediately had to get Shuggie Otis in my music collection. The beautiful thing about the art of music is that it is new to someone in perpetuity. Discovering Shuggie today was a great experience!
@HamptonGuitars
He's got a cool personal story, too. Check out his dad's biggest hit, Willie and the Hand Jive by Johnny Otis.
@c.sangrantes3968
Uno Por Ellas 🍻 Aunque Mal Paguen Ya Tu Sabe ❤👀
@snayplay6251
En efecto mi estimado 🍻
@isabella_tf_
Exactamente. ✨💗
@_BLESSED_
asi es 🍻✨
@robbiekoon6244
Some of us poor souls grew up in the Wasteland of the 70s and while I knew about Johnny Otis, I didn't connect him to Shuggie until more than two decades after Strawberry Letter. So, sad to say, it was the 90s before I heard Shuggie at all and it was hard to find much during that time. Thank goodness for YouTube and channels like this!
@MrVeesworld
This guy was the original PRINCE. He is a mix of Sly Stone, and Foster Sylvers, but totally unique. Way ahead of the shit that was happening during 1973/74.
@thecapricorn11
the original prince!? he and prince and both amazing but different
@laddeveritt8933
Yes!