1 a USA jazz funk fusion band… Read Full Bio ↴There are at least four bands w/ the name:
1 a USA jazz funk fusion band,
2. a side project of Swedish rock group Ultima Thule
3. An Australian band from Sydney active 1980, 1984, 1988 - featuring prominent Australian and New Zealand musiciansTodd and Marc Hunter (hence the name) from Dragon and Kevin Borich. They released at least one album and single.
1. USA: Herbie Hancock originally assembled the band for his 1973 album Head Hunters. The Headhunters' new lineup & instrumentation, retaining only wind player Bennie Maupin, from the previous sextet, reflected his new musical direction. Bassist Paul Jackson was the only other member who maintained a continuous presence in the lineup, in subsequent recordings & concerts. On the originating album, the other band members were Bill Summers (percussion) & Harvey Mason (drums).
They continued to work with Hancock throughout the seventies, although the precise line-up varied from album to album. For the next Headhunters album, 1974's Thrust, Mike Clark took over drumming duties.
Both Mason and Clark contributed drums to the Hancock's 1975's solo album Man-Child, which featured guest appearances from Stevie Wonder on harmonica and Wayne Shorter on soprano sax in its greatly expanded line-up. (The release notes for Man-Child credit 18 musicians, in contrast to the simple quintet of their debut.)
1975 also saw Headhunters first album without Hancock, Survival of the Fittest, featuring the hit "God Made Me Funky". This song was sampled by The Fugees for their track "Ready or Not," and has been covered by Jamiroquai as a live track.
As the 1970s turned to the 1980s, Herbie Hancock drifted away from the band as he moved into his electro-oriented phase, and they ceased operation as a visible unit. The band reunited with Hancock for the 1998 album Return of the Headhunters.
Clark, Jackson and Summers have since continued recording and performing as The Headhunters, based in New Orleans, with Victor Atkins or Robert Walter filling in for Hancock on keyboards. They released an album, Evolution Revolution, for Basin Street Records in 2003, and backed up the saxophonist Rebecca Barry on her 2005 album Rebecca Barry and the Headhunters. In 2005 Hancock assembled a new group called Headhunters 2005. The group included guitarists John Mayer and Lionel Loueke, bassist Marcus Miller, drummer Terri Lynne Carrington, trumpeter Roy Hargrove and percussionist Munyungo Jackson.
British: the Headhunters appeared in the early 1980s on the Shout Records label, for which they released four singles and and an LP, "Industrial Warfare", before disappearing. The LP is in the mould of Killing Joke heading towards Chrome.
God Make Me Funky
The Headhunters Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I don't even own my health
And when I get on my knees and pray
'Cause the only thing I can say
That God, God...
God made me funky
Ohh God made me funky
God made me funky
God made me funky
God made me funky
Ya know some people wanna be saved
But they don't know how to behave
And when they go to church... yeah
They don't listen to what the preacher said
He sayin' God can give you anything you want
He sayin' God can give you anything you want
He sayin' God can give you anything you want
He sayin' God can give you anything you want
Help me! anything you want
Ohh [?] me anything you want
He can give you anything you want
And you can do anything you want
Ohh...
God made me funky, ahh yeah
God made me funky
God made me funky
God made me funky, ahh yeah
God made me funky
(Anything you want!)6
God made me funky
God made me funky
I said God, God made me funky
Made me funky, God made me funky
God made me, God made me funky
Made me funky, God made me funky
Ahh, God made me funky
He made me funky, God made me funky
God made me funky, God made me funky
Said... God made me funky
Uhh... God made me funky
God made me funky
Made me funky, God made me funky
Made me funky, God made me funky
God, made, God made me funky
He made me funky, God made me funky
Made me funky, God made me funky
Ohh yeah God made me funky
God made me funky
God made me funky
The Headhunters’ “God Make Me Funky” is a funky and groovy track that discusses the role of God in people’s lives. The lyrics discuss the different ways people approach prayer and how they expect God to answer their prayers. The song is reflective of the belief that individuals are unique and can be defined by their innate attributes, such as how God made them, rather than solely by their possessions or achievements. The opening lines of the song “You know some people pray for wealth, But I don't even own my health” demonstrates that some people place too much emphasis on material goods rather than their overall welfare.
The chorus of the song “God made me funky, God made me funky, God made me funky” reiterates the belief that God created each person to have unique and individual characteristics, often referred to as a “funkiness”. Therefore, instead of praying for material possessions, one should embrace their unique characteristics and celebrate them. The final verse, which says “Made me funky, God made me funky, Ahh, God made me funky, He made me funky, God made me funky, Made me funky, God made me funky” reinforces this message, encouraging people to embrace and celebrate the funkiness that makes them unique.
Line by Line Meaning
You know some people pray for wealth
Some people may pray for wealth and material possessions, however I do not even have control over my own health.
But I don't even own my health
Health is a state of well-being that should ideally be owned and controlled, but unfortunately I do not have that privilege.
And when I get on my knees and pray
When I humble myself and turn to a higher power seeking guidance and assistance,
'Cause the only thing I can say
As a result of my vulnerability and trust, the only words that come out of my mouth are,
That God, God...
Those words being 'God, God…'
God made me funky
God, the creator of all, instilled me with a sense of rhythm and soul that is undeniable.
Ohh God made me funky
This fact is so true and prominent that it deserves affirmation and emphasis.
Ya know some people wanna be saved
There are people who wish to be saved and seek redemption.
But they don't know how to behave
Although they recognize their need for salvation, they struggle with their actions and how to properly conduct themselves.
And when they go to church... yeah
Even when they go to a place of worship,
They don't listen to what the preacher said
They may not pay attention to the message being conveyed by the preacher or leader of the congregation.
He sayin' God can give you anything you want
The preacher reminds the congregation that God has the power to provide them with anything they desire.
He sayin' God can give you anything you want
This point is reiterated to drive the message home.
He sayin' God can give you anything you want
This is repeated one more time to emphasize the significance of the message.
He sayin' God can give you anything you want
This point is made clear for the fourth time to ensure the message is understood.
Help me! anything you want
Help me, seeking redemption from God and letting him know that I am open to receiving anything he chooses to give me.
Ohh [?] me anything you want
This could either mean the same as the previous line, or it could be interpreted as asking God for clarification on what he wants from me.
He can give you anything you want
A reminder that God has the power to provide and fulfill desires.
And you can do anything you want
Not only can God provide anything you want, but with his guidance and assistance, anything is possible.
God made me funky, ahh yeah
Reasserting that God has instilled me with a sense of rhythm and soul that is a part of who I am.
God made me funky
This truth cannot be emphasized enough.
God made me funky
The repetition of this line continues to reinforce the idea that the funk is an inherent part of my being.
God made me funky, ahh yeah
The deep grooves and soulful beats within me are a direct result of God's creative handiwork.
God made me funky
This cannot be overstated - God's influence on my funky nature is undeniable.
(Anything you want!)6
A final reminder that with God's help, anything is possible and all desires can be fulfilled.
I said God, God made me funky
A confirmation that my funky disposition is a direct result of God's handiwork.
Made me funky, God made me funky
This is a fact that cannot be ignored, and it bears repeating.
God made me, God made me funky
Underscoring that the funk is a vital part of my identity and all credit goes to God.
Made me funky, God made me funky
This bears repeating, as the funk is an integral part of my being that cannot be denied.
Ahh, God made me funky
Without a doubt, the funk within me is an undeniable result of God's creative influence.
He made me funky, God made me funky
The funkiest parts of who I am originated from, and are sustained by, God's hand.
God made me funky, God made me funky
This is a fact that I do not want to forget - God's creative handiwork is responsible for the funky soul within me.
Said... God made me funky
This is an irrefutable truth that must be acknowledged and embraced.
Uhh... God made me funky
I want to acknowledge, with emphasis, that the funky soul within me is a direct result of God's influence.
God made me funky
This is a statement that cannot be denied, as it is the truth that defines me.
Made me funky, God made me funky
The repetition of this line continues to emphasize the fact that the funk within me is a direct result of God's creative influence.
Made me funky, God made me funky
The truth within this statement cannot be stated enough - the origin of my funk is God's creative handiwork.
God, made, God made me funky
God is the creator and the source of the funky beat that drives me forward.
He made me funky, God made me funky
There can be no denying that God's creative influence has instilled me with a unique and funky soul.
Made me funky, God made me funky
With each repetition of this line, the truth of God's influence on my funky soul continues to be reinforced.
Ohh yeah God made me funky
This cannot be overstated - God's handiwork is responsible for the deep grooves and soulful beats within me.
God made me funky
This statement encapsulates the truth of my funky nature, as God's creative handiwork is behind it all.
God made me funky
It is important to continue to acknowledge and reaffirm that the funky soul within me is a direct result of God's influence.
Writer(s): Michael Clark, Paul Jackson, Dewayne Mcknight, William Summers, Bennie Maupin
Contributed by Madison F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
William L.
i caught these guys (with Herbie) in '75....an absolutely mind melting experience. I've been to many, many concerts over the years, and in nearly evey genre. I've seen some truly amazing shows....this concert still ranks in my top 10. I swear to God I thought the venue was going to lift off like a flying saucer a few times when these cats really got going (it was "in the round")....a jaw dropping show.
Soundpaint
Thank you for your beautiful description. Some of the finest music the past century had to offer.
James Hall
I was at FT. POLK, LA US Army when Sergeant Cox introduced me to Herbie Hancock and I got hooked. I'd spit shine my boots and Iron my Fatigues listening to Herbie. Great music. Some soldiers would demand I turn it off in the Barracks but, no way, I'd play it with joy. They finally 'got it' in the end.....
Global Go Getter
Peace and Blessings Big Paul
Thank you for the funk big bruh.
God DEFINITELY made you funky 💯👍🏿💪🏿🏆
Stuart Holme
Like extra-funky with two scoops of nasty on top!
Carlos Arturo
Rest in peace, Paul Jackson. God made him funky!
newgondiwatergate
One of the best break beats of all time
Xell52
ABSO FUKIN LUTELY
David Hopson
Grandmaster Flash was the first DJ I ever heard spin this. Just plain funky!! Grew up on this. 1970s were the best years for funky music.
Xell52
ABSO FUKIN LUTELY