Testify
The Parliaments Lyrics

BritIronRebel

I was turned onto Parliaments/ Funkadelics and Motown music by Black brothers in Vietnam. This and other great music of the time definitely helped us cope with the insanity!

Muffs 55mercury

My brother arrived in Nam in July 1967 when this song was big. He got along very well with the black guys in his unit too.

MikeBlitzMag

A solid #1 at home on WKNR Keener 13 for them, and the first of several stunning and essential singles that they did for Revilot. Absolute, utter perfection.

John Golofit

I hear this song and I’m that 11 year old going on 12 in the Late Summer of 1967. I’ve begun 7th grade and begun to notice the girls around me. No, I’m not going to say “umm luscious sure been delicious to me” but this song added to to the mood of that Time. I’ll never forget Sheila, Sherry, Janet, and Barb. Unforgettable!

Staff The Prowers Journal

Taking me back to the summer of 67...a great, but overlooked classic.

Leslie Huggins

I was nine years old when this song was released in 1966 and "I Wanna Testify" was my first favorite song. I used to look forward to listening to it every time it played on the radio. I didn't know Johnny Taylor did a version of it, and didn't care. I loved the Parlaiment- Funkadelics version. The original version. "I just wanna testify what your love has done for me." Oh, yeah, baby!!!

Pierre Lucas

Leslie Huggins one of my first favorite also, hanging at the community center i was 10 it had everybody rocking

K Fox

I was 15 back then. Still love it !! Maybe more...

COL. Enrique Armand Cesar Cruz, USA Ret.

Leslie Huggins, I am right there with you Lady. I was 12 back then when I fisrt heard it D.C's Soul Station WOOK-1340 AM & I was blown away. I have been a Parliament and later Funkadelic fan. This song is also my FIRST Favorite Parliaments song. You are so right Johnny Taylor is good, but No one can match George Clinton & the "Fella's" singing the "The Original" I Wanna Testify with so much SOUL. This is what Soul Music is about. When I hear this classic I'm transported back to to simpler, kinder time in my life. I'm also reminded of my late nephew Bernard Jenkins who along with myself thought we were the Jr. Parliaments. I'd sing lead & Bernard would sing the falsetto & background. He could mimic the falsetto so perfectly. Funny how a song can take you back to a certain place & time. This one for you Bernard Rest Eternal. I'm Missing "U" More Each Day. VAYA CON DIOS MI SOBRINO.

jerry feigelson

when music mattered and it was so so good! R and B like home cookin'

marty3888

There were so many types of music back then. This song, words by the monkees, chapel in the moonlight by Dean Martin werre all on the top ten the same week. I was ten when this song was number 1.

Isaiah Winbrone

They went from doo-wop to psychedelia

Carolyn Ciccio

so...

Isaiah Winbrone

@Carolyn Ciccio what you mean so my mother and father grew up listen to Parliament funkadelic

Pee Nugget

Parliament is one group and funkadelic is a group..so 2 separate groups that came together

Isaiah Winbrone

@Pee Nugget George Clinton founded both groups

Dean Kissell

They were funkier than the average doo wop tho. Them and Sly and the family stone were both funk before funk was funk. Similar to how Tho Who and the Ramones were both punk rock before punk rock was a thing.

stormatsunup

This song is so smooth, soulful, it's a groove for all times. Classic. Played it everyday after school on my little record player. ;-)

Mike Kurek

I was 14 when this came out. I played it every day when I came home from school. I still look it up once a month. I love this song. Shout out to any radio stations that still play it. We have a station here in Cleveland that does it’s the koolcat WDLW

Rob Hollander

So great to hear this again!

Tess Padmore

I remember when this song came out, had it and I was in junior high school. I saw them at the Apollo Theater and they were dressed like the Temptations. Then they combined with the Funkadelics and the rest is history. I went back to the Apollo to them and it was the best shows I'd ever seen back then. Yea baby.

Linda Valentine

I know George Clinton and genius showed even at an early age. A creative miracle

Louie Colon

I grew up listening to this song back in the 60" Still listening 50 yrs later. May 2020

dancingnature

I was in 7th grade and I loved this song and was fascinated with the way the colors of the 45 looked as it spun for some reason. I still think that label is pretty

Haze Mcdanill

I'm a drummer in a gospel group and we use this song as our intro saying i just wanna testify what the lord has done for me

Choock5219

Excellent!

Matt Zurbo

So good!

woozie

This would be a fun groove on the drums

K Fox

I love that you use this great song like this !!!

Soham Sali

Church musicians are absolute pros!

Kalishnikov Stoner owner

This song is so slept on.

Steve Mumma (nylonguitar)

This was definitely in my 45 record collection. I think I was in Junior high at the time. 7th or 8th grade. Junior high dances and dancing with any girl that would ask me. I was too shy to ask them, but then once I danced with one, other girls started to approach, It was perfect. I think it was the shing-a-ling or buga-loo...lol..."yeah baby" (Austin Powers)

fiftymerc sled

great bass work by Bob Babbitt... a legend among studio players mainly..His real name was Hungarian origin ..I think.
Did Rubberband man I know for sure.

Izell Kinney

This is the version of this song i been looking for!

Mary Jane

i have the 45 rpm, still. " oooh oooh luscious, sho been delicious to meee"

UnMexicanoMás

Search Roger Taylor's version, it's sooo good B)

Dee Askew

I dated the guitar player on this recording, James Frank Boyce from Plainfield, NJ. He was killed in Viet Nam. Will remember him always.

Kenny Downing

You dated history. That guitar is amazing. May James rest in His Peace. Thank you for sharing.

Tyler Byars

What a shame. Such a pointless waste of so many wonderful lives.

Paul Boyd

undeniable classic

Gazonade

Milestone, start of a revolutionary odyssey!

TheExodus30

Remember this as a kid in New York. Just found out tonite that THE Parliament recorded this. WOW!

Jason Oliver

I was just listening t o 'Can you get to that' yesterday & the video for the Cosmic Slop single makes me smile every time

Paul Smith

Great so song.A real classic.

Farrah Teague

Johnnie Taylor did a good version of this two years later. This is however, the definitive version.

John Davis

Really I'm going to peep that joint out..good looking

TheRonin99

The beginning of true musical legends! Check out "I Bet You" as well! 👍🏿

CSC Driver

Correct.

pgh45rpms

"Get on Up" by the Esqures was on the charts with this jam.

TheAudivisioner

Would you believe there are three guitar parts on this song?
P-Funk generally had a room full of performers on their recordings.

Joe Diaz

That's a Hell of a song! I had the Vinyl with 12 other great tunes.Tried to find it, and I did. but the seller Wants $ 975 Amazon

David Olson

What vinyl was this version on?

MikeBlitzMag

That's WAY overpriced. Don't fall for it. I've encountered at least five or six copies of the original Revilot pressing of this 45 in the past year while record hunting, and not one of them cost more than ten dollars.

Annak

yo! Porky, Pittsburgh, and Parliment: a holy trinity in unholy times. Vote! (i'm orginally from st. clair village, and i remember hearing this when playing hooky, and totally digging the falsetto backup after the break. also, George Clinton! Sun Ra's other brother!)

Jason Oliver

I was ignorant, I always liked psych bands but I didn't realize how psychedelic Funkadelic was & is. Cosmic Slop & Hardcore Jollies ruled my turntable for years....

Cynthia's Channel

Great song here.... 1967 was a great year ... Of course I remember this song...

Rabbi Ingber

1967 was certainly a great year; all the great albums of the "summer of love" and these incredible singles!! Be Blessed

Rabbi Ingber

@willie417 willie it was a great, great year musically. Be Blessed

willie417

@Rabbi Ingber I agree

Rabbi Ingber

@willie417 glad you got out of there alive. Be Blessed

Karen Sharpe

Wore this 45 out back in the day. The beginning of the funk for life!

Paul Burek

great dance number, played often at all Pittsburgh area dances...

NineSSix

Ga’DAMN this is FUNKY!

christopher dawson

Summer of 67, CKLW, played this over and over and over and over. And well they should have Loved the Parliaments in the 60's 60's several gems, Good ole music Look at what I almost missed to name just two, CKLW always had great tunes the rest of the country never heard

balle 733

One hit wonder group. Thank god they finally got a hit

B. Rod Clark

Two years before my time but...I LUVIT!

Dale Schneider

I love the back- up ladies on this song.

robert white

The first time I saw Parliaments was in Detroit at Cobo Hall 1969 with the Originals, Bobby Franklin Insanity, and Mad Dog and the Pups. Man that was a great night.

Raphaella Velasquez

I remember this when I was a little kid. I never knew it was George Clinton. I feel like should be eating flower flavored pez candies.

Toney Isaiah

There's a version that is
called "Testify '74 " from the Up For The Downstroke.

brad pertner

What a sleeper. Fantastic.

J.Robert Greene

I was just born and bought it when I was 12 ☺️👍✊🏿

Cynthia Stines

This is pre Tear the Roof Off The Sucker, Atomic Dog, Flashlight, and One Nation Under A Groove

Bart FUNK Bass

Bob Babbitt on bass!

Leslie Huggins

This is the best version of this song, Izell Kinney. The original version. Written by George Clinton.

Michael Lantz

According to Wiki George Clinton is the only member on this record
The only member of the Parliaments to actually appear on the recording was group leader George Clinton, as the group was based in New Jersey at the time and only Clinton was able to travel to Detroit for the session. The recording was rounded off by session singers and musicians.

bill Verizon

Recorded at Motown Studios in Detroit. Several Funk Brothers playing on this Dennis Coffey guitar, Bob Babbitt, Earl Vandyke organ.

Saxman1219 Jones

1967-WOOK TV, channel 14 in DC: me and my siblings dancing while George Clinton & the boys lip-synced to “Testify”....wearing SUITS & TIES, doing steps! Boggles the mind.

SucSynched

hard to believe this spawned the mothership

Toney Isaiah

As I said before that the group
went from suits to Psychedelic
clothes.

Choock5219

WButane

Here because of an old CKLW aircheck. Thanks, Big 8! 🙂

James N. Osterberg

Golden Label.

Doug Morgan

First thing that comes to mind? WKNR and Scott Regan.

T.Y.G

George Clinton is underrated

James Dean Brown

The word "underrated" is overrated.

T.Y.G

@James Dean Brown Why yes. Yes, it is. George Clinton is underrated.

James Dean Brown

@T.Y.G Sure, the grandmaster of Funk who is on the scene since more than 60 years, member of the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, one of the most sampled artists of all time, released uncountable records and sold millions is "underrated". By whom? Death Metal fans?

T.Y.G

@James Dean Brown In my opinion, and i can't speak for you and you cant speak for me, no matter how much logic one applies to it....Clinton is underrated - as a singer, as an artist / writer. My opinion. Thanks for respecting that. IF i said YOU are underrated, then yeah, you can respond :)

Tad Somato

I first heard this song as a cover by Roger Taylor from Queen

Sara

Roger sang Women and Drinkin by The Persuasions even tho the title was I Wanna Testify

Cool Stuff playlist

I have that exact 45, sounds scratchy of COURSE

♦️_PingPongZappaFM_⏳

Wow, Parliament Before The 1970s!!!

JOHN Luise

THIS IS A 'GREAT-SOUL-DOO WOP BALLAD.' BELIEVE THAT THIS 'FUNKY GROUP' HAD NAMED (THEMSELVES) AFTER A 'CIGARETTE' CALLED 'PARLIAMENT' THAT HAD A 'WHITE FILTER TIP.' WHAT DO 'YOU' THINK.PLEASE 'KEEP THOSE DOO WOPS AND, SOULDIES ALIVE & WELL. (VERY AWESOME.)

Choock5219

This early George Clinton group ( Before Funkadelic) could very well be named after Parliament cigarettes, after all the Penguins got their name from the penguin pictured on a pack of Kool cigarettes!

William Smith

You can here George taking charge @ certain intervals ...pre-mommy what is a funkadelic....I remember back around 71 or 72,me & my crew went to see them,they had a cat named James Wesley Johnson opened up for them..new years eve Gary Indiana I think Claymens Club...crowd was an oiled up alcohol set...they weren't ready for the funk/they wanted to hear the blues...we came from ss chi town....and they got to shooting we had to scram to the sky way, nobody got hurt...we were definitely into the free your mind & your ass will follow....man o man the good ol days

hwgray

"WHAT DO 'YOU' THINK" I had an Australian girlfriend who smoked Parliaments, when I was in grad school. Otherwise, I don't think anything about it. What does it matter? You're overthinking it, John.

hwgray

@Choock5219 "Before Funkadelic" Before Parliament-Funkadelic.

hwgray

@Choock5219 "Before Funkadelic" Before Parliament, Parliament-Funkadelic, etc. 0x

James N. Osterberg

👌

Michael Nix

Mikey's Oldies But Goodies.

Jack V224

That's when George Clinton was cultivating the funk

muata chikwendu

I still DJ this one I am 66

Cynthia Cutler

Still have this 45
Ronnie Wood just redid song

Christopher Michael

Mike Purdy 🙏💪❤️

Mary Jane

"Ohhhhhh Ohhhhhhh, luscious sho been delicious to meeeee" 1967 still have the 45

L Lance

I don't like those lyrics.

BattlinBuck

I still have the 45, too, Mary Jane!

Mary Jane

@BattlinBuck Yea!

chris edwards

Gc with the holidays and pat lewis on backing vocals

With billy Nelson on guitar he was 15 or 16

Duane Marshall

George was the only to make the trip Dennis Coffey &motown session players backing George even the backing vocals are motown session singers.

Jason Oliver

The music is so busy, growing up on punk rock & garage I liked no fi bands, turns our I like good bands

Leslie Huggins

This was the time when the Parlaiments dressed in suits. Didn't look natural.

Darrian Mitchell

like Clinton said, they went to Detroit wanting to be like the Temptations, with the suits and the dance steps, they get there to audition and there's other groups trying to be like the Temptations

Michael Marino

Heavy heavy shit.

Tim Sanders

Gotta Love YouTube

AlanPurpleOwls

Roger Taylor sent me here!

Bʀᴇᴀᴋᴀᴅᴀᴡɴ

Parliaments, The

mikeymopp

Detroit.

Tim Krol

Not a good song....G R E AT😂

Saxman1219 Jones

I re