In 1970, TOP signed a recording contract with Bill Graham's San Francisco Records and quickly released its first album, East Bay Grease. 1972's Bump City and 1973's self-titled release were breakout albums for the band; the latter included possibly their most enduring song, What is Hip?.
Tower of Power has remained active throughout the 1970s, '80s, '90s, and into the 21st century, and is still touring in 2010. Personnel changes have been part of the history and evolution of the band; at least 60 musicians have performed, toured, and/or recorded with the band through the years, including Saturday Night Live musical director Lenny Pickett, drummer David Garibaldi, bassist Rocco Prestia, and bassist and BALCO founder Victor Conte. (His brother Bruce Conte played guitar in the band as well.) Lenny Williams served as lead singer for several years after one of the original singers, Rick Stevens was imprisoned. Rufus Miller performed most of the lead vocals on "East Bay Grease." Former lead vocalist Rick Stevens (real name Donald Stevenson) was sentenced to life in prison on three counts of first-degree murder relating to a botched drug deal, crimes committed after leaving the band. Stevens was paroled on July 20, 2012 after 36 years in prison. Rick Stevens died on September 5th, 2017.
TOP has released 15 albums over the years, the latest being 2003's The Oakland Zone. In addition, the horn section has become well-known as a backing horn section for other artists. The TOP horn section has appeared on many recordings, including some made by the Monkees, Santana, Elton John, John Lee Hooker, Rod Stewart, Jefferson Starship, Heart, Huey Lewis and the News, Lyle Lovett, Poison, Phish, Pharoahe Monch, and Aerosmith.
Official Website
(2) The renowned horn-driven funk outfit Tower of Power have been issuing albums and touring the world steadily since the early '70s, in addition to backing up countless other musicians. The group's leader since the beginning has always been tenor saxophonist Emilio Castillo, who was born in Detroit but opted to pursue his musical dreams in Oakland, California. It was in Oakland that Castillo put together a group called the Motowns, which, as their name suggested, specialized in '60s-era soul. In 1967, Castillo teamed up with baritone sax player Stephen "Doc" Kupka, and soon the Motowns were transformed into Tower of Power. (One of the first tunes the duo penned together was "You're Still a Young Man," which would eventually go on to be one of Tower of Power's signature compositions.)
Tower of Power played regularly in the Bay Area throughout the late '60s, as their lineup often swelled up to ten members, including such other mainstays as Greg Adams on trumpet and vocals, Lenny Pickett on sax, and Rocco Prestia on bass. By 1970, the funk outfit had inked a recording contract with Bill Graham's San Francisco Records, resulting in the group's debut the same year, East Bay Grease, which failed to make an impression on the charts as Tower of Power were still trying to find their own sound.
But it soon came together for the group, as 1972's Bump City would touch off a string of classic hit albums, including 1973's self-titled release (which introduced vocalist Lenny Williams and included another of the group's most enduring tunes, "What Is Hip?"), 1974's Back to Oakland, and 1975's Urban Renewal and In the Slot. While Tower of Power remained a must-see live act, as disco became the new trend in R&B the group's original funk-laden style fell out of favor, and disco-oriented albums like 1978's We Came to Play and 1979's Back on the Streets didn't please critics or fans, and the band would go nine years without releasing an album.
Despite it all, Tower of Power -- in particular their horn section -- remained a much in-demand backing group for some of pop/rock's biggest names, including Elton John, Santana, Bonnie Raitt, Huey Lewis, Little Feat, David Sanborn, Michelle Shocked, Paula Abdul, Aaron Neville, Aerosmith, Public Image Ltd., and many others. In 1988, Tower of Power returned to the studio for the album Power, and in 1991 they signed with Epic Records, where they released five albums by the end of the decade.
Into the new millennium, Tower of Power kept up their reputation as a strong live band, maintaining a steady touring schedule, and in 2009 they launched their own TOP Records label with The Great American Soulbook, in which they covered a dozen soul and R&B classics in the trademark Tower of Power style. In 2007, Tower of Power celebrated their fourth decade together with a special concert at San Francisco's Fillmore Auditorium, and a year later the show was issued in a special CD/DVD package, simply titled 40th Anniversary. In 2013, Tower of Power took a look back with the release of Hipper Than Hip: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, which documented a live radio broadcast from 1974. The bandmembers also announced they would be touring in 2013 and 2014 with two other iconic acts from Northern California, Journey and the Steve Miller Band. ~ Greg Prato & Steve Leggett, Rovi
What Is Hip?
Tower of Power Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ease on in a hip thang
But you ain't exactly sure what is hip
So you started to let your hair grow
Spent big bucks on your wardrobe
Somehow, ya know there's much more to the trip
What is hip?
What is hip?
If you're really hip
The question, "Will it show?"
You're into a hip trip
Maybe hipper than hip
What is hip?
You became a part of a new breed
Been smokin' only the best weed
Hangin' out with the so called "Hippie set"
Seen in all the right places
Seen with just the right faces
You should be satisfied, but it ain't quite right
What is hip?
Tell me, tell me, if you think you know
What is hip?
If you're really hip
The question, "Will it show?"
You're into a hip trip
Maybe hipper than hip
What is hip?
Come on
Hipness is, what it is
Hipness is, what it is
Hipness is, what it is
Sometimes hipness is, what it ain't
You went an' found you a guru
In an effort to find you a new you
And maybe even raise your conscious level
While you're striving to find the right road
There's one thing you should know
"What's hip today, might become passé"
What is hip?
Tell me, tell me, if you think you know
What is hip?
If you're really hip
The question, "Will it show?"
You're into a hip trip
Maybe hipper than hip
What is hip?
Think about it y'all
Hipness is, what it is
Hipness is, what it is
Hipness is, what it is
Sometimes hipness is, what it ain't
What is hip?
Ah
What is hip?
I'd like to know
What is hip?
Is it in the style of your hair?
What is hip?
Is it in the clothes that you wear?
What is hip?
I'd like to know
What is hip?
I'd like to know
What is hip?
What is hip y'all? Hey
What is hip?
Hey, oh
What is hip?
What is hip y'all?
What is hip?
I wanna know
What is hip?
Ah
What is hip?
I wanna know what hipness is
The song "What Is Hip?" by Tower of Power is a playful satire on the search for "hipness." The song highlights how the quest to be hip often results in individuals conforming to a particular image: growing out their hair, spending exorbitant amounts on clothing, and hanging out with the "right" people. The lyrics suggest that trying to be hip is futile as it is constantly evolving and what is hip today may be passé in the future.
The song also touches on the idea of finding oneself through spiritual endeavors, but warns of the potential dangers of blindly following a guru without understanding the bigger picture. Ultimately, the lyrics convey a sense of skepticism towards the very concept of hipness, suggesting that it is an illusory goal that cannot be truly attained.
Tower of Power released "What Is Hip?" in 1973, and it quickly became one of their most well-known and beloved songs. The song features a classic funk sound with a heavy bass line and horns, capturing the essence of the band's unique sound. The song's lyrics have been interpreted in various ways, with some suggesting that it is a critique on the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 70s.
Line by Line Meaning
So ya wanna dump out yo' trick bag.
You want to impress others by presenting yourself as cool and stylish.
Ease on in a hip thang,
You are making an effort to be accepted and fit in with society's current fashion trends.
But you ain't exactly sure what is hip.
You don't quite understand what it takes to be stylish and cool among others.
So you started to let your hair grow.
You tried to adopt a new hairstyle to match with the current trend.
Spent big bucks on your wardrobe.
You spent a lot of money on your clothes to create an image of being hip and stylish.
Somehow, ya know there's much more to the trip.
However, you realize that there is more to being hip and stylish than simply following current fashion trends.
What is hip
You are questioning the true meaning of what makes someone hip and stylish.
Tell me, tell me, if you think you know
You are asking others to share their perception of what it takes to be hip and stylish.
If you're really hip
If you are truly up-to-date with the latest fashion and lifestyle trends,
The passing years will show
Time will reveal if you were genuinely stylish and hip or just following a trend for the sake of it.
You're into a hip trip
You are experimenting with different trends to find out what works for you.
Maybe hipper than hip
You might even be trendier and more stylish than what the current trend dictates.
Hipness is
Hipness stands for the current, cutting-edge trend and style.
What it is
It is the embodiment of being fashionable and current.
Sometimes hipness is, what it ain't
Sometimes, what is considered not cool and trendy can surprisingly become a part of the hipness culture.
You went and found you a guru
You seek a mentor or advisor who can guide you in becoming hip and trendy.
In an effort to find you a new you,
You are trying to change your image to align with the latest hipness trend.
And maybe even raise your conscious level
You are also trying to elevate your understanding and awareness of current events and issues to be more socially conscious.
While you're striving to find the right road,
While you are exploring the path to being hip and stylish,
There's one thing you should know,
You must remember that one day, what is hip today may become outdated tomorrow.
The question is will it show
The question is whether your style is genuinely stylish or just an attempt to fit in, as the passing years will reveal the truth.
Think about it y'all
Reflect on the significance of being trendy and fashionable.
I wanna know
You seek a deeper understanding of what hipness entails.
Is it in the style of your hair
You wonder if your hairdo is a defining characteristic of hipness culture.
Is it in the clothes that you wear
You wonder if your choice of clothes is a defining characteristic of hipness culture.
I wanna know what hipness is
You have a strong desire to understand the true meaning of being fashionable and trendy.
Hey
Exclamation to grab the listener's attention to the topic at hand.
I wanna know
You are determined to acquire knowledge and insight into the hipness culture.
Ahh
Exclamation to express deep thought and consideration.
What is hip y'all
You are thoroughly questioning and contemplating the definition of hipness culture.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Emilio Castillo, John David Garibaldi, Stephen M Kupka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sudipbista7116
So you want to jump out your trick bag
And ease on into a hip bag
But you ain't just exactly sure what's hip
So you start to let your hair grow
Spend big bucks to top your wardrobe
But somehow you know there's much more to the trip
(What is hip) tell me, tell me if you think you know
(What is hip) if you're really hip, the passing years will show
You in a hip trip, maybe hipper than hip
But what is hip
You became part of the new breed
Been smoking only the best weed
Hanging out on the so-called hippest set
Been seen in all the right places
Seen with just the right faces
You should be satisfied, but still it ain't quite right
(What is hip) tell me, tell me if you think you know
(What is hip) if you're really hip, the passing years will show
You in a hip trip, maybe hipper than hip
But what is hip
Hipness is (well) what it is
Hipness is (yeah) what it is
Hipness is (uh huh) what it is
And sometimes hipness is what it ain't
Hey, hey
You done went and found you a guru
In an effort to find you a new you
And maybe even managed to raise your conscious level
While you're striving to find the right road
There's one thing you should know
What's hip today might become passé
(What is hip) tell me, tell me if you think you know
(What is hip) if you're really hip, the passing years will show
You in a hip trip, maybe hipper than hip
But what is hip
Think about it, y'all
(What is hip) tell me, tell me if you think you know
(What is hip) if you're really hip, the passing years will show
(What is hip) tell me, tell me if you think you know
(What is hip) if you're really hip, the passing years will show
(What is hip) ah
(What is hip) ha, I'd like to know
(What is hip) is it in the style of your hair
(What is hip) is it in the clothes that you wear
(What is hip) ha, I'd like to know
(What is hip) I'd like to know
(What is hip) what is hip, y'all, hey
(What is hip) hey, ho, oh
(What is hip) what is hip, y'all
(What is hip) I wanna know
(What is hip) I
(What is hip) hey, I wanna know what hip it is
@Albert-Mag...
The Hippies were Hip.
They had it going on...
and on, and on, and on...
They were Happening,
and doing their thing.
They were especially hip,
when they were on an acid trip.
They grew their hair long
and grooved to a psychedelic song.
while they smoked a bong.
Just like Cheech and Chong.
The hippies were hip as hip can be,
It's plain as day, for us all to see.
Peace, love and woodstock.
a hip place for all hippies to rock.
I must say, I'm not a poet,
I'm not great, and I know it.
You can like it, or not,
but I did give er my best shot.
Cheers Dears,
and good years.....
Albert Magliocco from East Vancouver BC
Happy New Years 2024 ✌🤠🎸
@ricksmith2885
my neighbors called the cops on me for playing this to loud, the cops arrested them..............
@kristianclear8959
Wow, tell the neighbours what real music is! Blast it all day! Btw I'm 11and think this is amazing!
@linosdial
Now thatś hip!!
@nancywells2099
That's Hip
@cliftonmoore3460
Now 😀those, were probably very hip cops !
@bartoszkolacz
holy dude, that's damn edgy
@VethoRinga
R.I.P. Rocco ❤
One of the most underrated bass geniuses to have ever lived.
@juanmanuelpedrosa53
underrated? pff!
@nickwride2023
Rocco and Garibaldi DROVE that band. And of course, the horn section is one of the best. And they've had a lot of different horn players but Rocco and Garibaldi were the heartbeat of Tower of Power.
@smitskee
@@juanmanuelpedrosa53 Yes, very much an influential player in the world of bass players and rhythm section musicians.