TM Steven's skill and proficiency globally as a bassist and vocalist is leg… Read Full Bio ↴TM Steven's skill and proficiency globally as a bassist and vocalist is legendary. A luminous figure amongst today's bassists, he has unbelievable energy, stunning stage presence and knows how to win a crowd over within minutes. His ferocious, yet melodic, style of bass is as unique as his larger than life persona. Never losing sight of his own special blend of signature roots music Heavy Metal Funk with his band Shocka Zooloo, TM's versatility and heavyweight skills as producer, songwriter, singer and instrumentalist are obvious on his now six solo albums with a seventh due in summer of 2006.

His extravagance, combined with tenderness and complimented by a whole lot of 'Funkiness', is enriched through years of recording with award-winning stars like Steve Vai, Cindy Lauper, Little Steven, Tina Turner and Billy Joel. A former member of he Pretenders, TM recorded on the platinum album "Get Close" and also produced and arranged, amongst others, the album "Tribute to Deep Purple According to New York" on which artists like Yngwie Malamsteen, members of Living Colour and Bernie Worrell (P-Funk) all participated. It was TM who contributed the compelling groove with his unmistakable style on Joe Cocker's mainstream classic "Unchain my Heart." Together with Narada Michael Walden he penned the billboard hit "I Should Have Loved Ya." (Source: http://www.tmstevens.com)

Up
T.M. Stevens Lyrics

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FUNK WANTS - TO BET 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 wantr the bomb
I want the P-funk

I wants my funk uncut
Make my funk P-funk
I wants to get funked up
Swing down sweet chariot
Stop and let me ride
Swing down sweet chariot
Stop and let me ride

Go Bernie

Bernie Says : I am the funk
O.O.C : We're out of control x2

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to T.M. Stevens's song "Up" are a call for unadulterated funk music. The lyrics evoke the funk sound of the Parliament-Funkadelic, a legendary funk band led by George Clinton. The line "Make my funk the P-funk" refers to the P-Funk sound, a funk sound created by Parliament-Funkadelic. The line "I wants to get funked up" conveys the desire for a raw, uncut, and energetic funk sound.

The line "Swing down sweet chariot, stop and let me ride" is a reference to the traditional African American spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot." This line is a common sample used in the funk genre, and it has been used in multiple songs that are similar in style to T.M. Stevens's "Up."

The lyrics also feature a reference to Bernie Worrell, the keyboardist of Parliament-Funkadelic. The line "Go Bernie" is a nod to his signature keyboard sound. The line "Bernie says: I am the funk" reinforces his importance to the P-Funk sound.

Overall, the lyrics of "Up" are a call for a raw and energetic funk sound that can make the audience dance and forget their worries.

Line by Line Meaning

Make my funk the P funk
I desire a pure, unadulterated form of funk music that is synonymous with the P-Funk style

I want my funk uncut
I desire a raw and uncompromising version of the funk genre that is void of any edits or dilutions

I wants to get funked up
I desire to be immersed in and intoxicated by the power and energy of funk music

I want the bomb
I desire something explosive and extraordinary, such as a perfect performance of funk music

I want the P-funk
I strongly desire to be exposed to the unmistakable sound and style of P-Funk music

Make my funk P-funk
I demand that the funk music I listen to reflects the distinct characteristics of P-funk genre

Swing down sweet chariot
I want to experience an incredible and dramatic shift in my life, as symbolized by the descent of a chariot from heaven

Stop and let me ride
I want everyone to pause and take notice of my will to succeed and my brilliance as a musician

Bernie Says : I am the funk
Bernie is professing his musical expertise and talent, avowing himself to be the quintessential funk musician

O.O.C : We're out of control x2
A statement of pure excitement as the musicians revel in the energy and passion they are experiencing