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
Strawberry Letter 23 (One Rascal Extended Mix
Shuggie Otis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Red magic satin playing near, too
All through the morning rain I gaze, the sun doesn't shine
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
In the garden, I see west purple shower, bells and tea
Orange birds and river cousins dressed in green
Pretty music I hear, so happy and loud
Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
Playgrounds will laugh if you try to ask "is it cool?"
If you arrive and don't see me
I'm going to be with my baby, I am free
Flying in her arms, over the sea
Stained window, yellow candy screen, see speakers of kite
With velvet roses diggin' freedom flight
A present from you, strawberry letter 22
The music plays, I sit in for a few
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
The lyrics of Shuggie Otis's song "Strawberry Letter 23" present a vivid and surrealistic imagery, seemingly describing a dreamlike state or a psychedelic experience. The opening lines, "Hello, my love, I heard a kiss from you, Red magic satin playing near, too," suggest a sensory overload of romantic and erotic stimuli. The singer is immersed in a world where colors, sounds, and natural elements blend into a surreal landscape: "Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind," "In the garden, I see west purple shower, bells, and tea."
Amidst this kaleidoscopic vision, the singer hears "pretty music" that makes him happy and loud, while a "blue flower" echoes from a "cherry cloud." The song's chorus emphasizes the theme of freedom and escape, as the singer proclaims that he will be "with my baby" and "flying in her arms, over the sea." This escape from mundane reality is further accentuated by the reference to "strawberry letter 22," which is possibly a letter or message that triggers the singer's flight of fancy.
The last verse introduces a more concrete image of a "stained window, yellow candy screen" and "speakers of kite," which could be interpreted as symbols of artistic expression and imaginative flight. The singer sits in "for a few" moments, enjoying the music and the message, before the song's chorus repeats and fades away.
Overall, "Strawberry Letter 23" creates a dreamlike atmosphere that blends romantic, poetic, and psychedelic motifs into a rich tapestry of image and sound. The song's suggestive lyrics and alluring melody have made it a classic of 70s funk and R&B, earning Shuggie Otis a cult following and inspiring later artists such as Outkast and Beyoncé.
Line by Line Meaning
Hello, my love, I heard a kiss from you
I received a kiss from you and I am acknowledging it as a greeting
Red magic satin playing near, too
I hear the beautiful sound of the smooth, silky music that is playing around me
All through the morning rain I gaze, the sun doesn't shine
As I look out through the rain, the sky is cloudy and the sun is not visible
Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind
My thoughts are filled with beautiful, colorful images and peaceful sounds
In the garden, I see west purple shower, bells and tea
As I walk through the garden, I see purple flowers, ringing bells, and a calming atmosphere
Orange birds and river cousins dressed in green
I see birds with orange feathers and green plants near the river
Pretty music I hear, so happy and loud
I hear music that is beautiful, cheerful, and played with intensity
Blue flower echo from a cherry cloud
As clouds move and shift in shape, a blue flower appears and impresses me
Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue
The sun shines brightly and has a pinkish and bluish sparkle that I feel
Playgrounds will laugh if you try to ask "is it cool?"
The fun and joy of a child's playground is obvious, and asking if it is cool is unnecessary because the laughter of children is the answer
If you arrive and don't see me
If you come and I am not here
I'm going to be with my baby, I am free
I will be with my loved one, and I feel free and unburdened
Flying in her arms, over the sea
I am happily embracing my partner and traveling with them over the ocean
Stained window, yellow candy screen, see speakers of kite
I see a window with a colorful stained glass design, a screen that looks like yellow candy, and the sound of a kite being flown
With velvet roses diggin' freedom flight
I visualize roses with a velvet texture and their petals fluttering with freedom like birds in flight
A present from you, strawberry letter 22
You gave me a gift, a letter with sweet words of love and affection
The music plays, I sit in for a few
I sit and listen to the enjoyable music for a short amount of time
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
This is a repeated vocalization conveying pleasure or enthusiasm
Contributed by Alice V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.