Funk: The Movie Music You Need to Know
This blog post will introduce you to the best funk songs of all time. From James Brown to Parliament-Funkadelic, we’ll explore the music that defined a genre.
Introduction to Funk
The word funk began being used in African American music in the 1960s, but the genre really came into its own in the 1970s with bands like Parliament-Funkadelic and James Brown. Funk is a style of music that is groove-oriented and often has a strong bassline. The lyrics are often about dancing and having a good time. If you’re looking for some fun, funky music to listen to, look no further than these essential albums.
What is Funk?
Funk is a genre of music that originated in the mid-1960s. It is characterized by a groove-oriented sound and a heavy emphasis on bass and drums. Funk songs typically have a simple, spare melody and a strong rhythmic groove.
Funk was the product of African-American musicians who were looking for a new way to express themselves. They drew inspiration from various sources, including jazz, soul, and R&B. Funk developed its own unique sound by blending these different styles together.
Funk became popular in the 1970s with artists like James Brown and Parliament-Funkadelic. It continued to be popular in the 1980s and 1990s with artists like Prince and George Clinton. Today, funk continues to be popular with musicians all over the world.
The History of Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in African American communities in the mid-1960s. The term funk originally referred to a distinct odor, but it was later used to describe a style of music characterized by a driving rhythm, syncopated basslines, and call-and-response vocals.
Funk is often associated with the disco and soul genres, but it actually predates both genres by several years. Funk’s earliest predecessors include Louisiana blues and New Orleans R&B. The earliest funk songs were often based on 12-bar blues progressions, but they also incorporated elements of jazz and African rhythms.
The popularity of funk music exploded in the 1970s with the release of hits like “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder and “give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker)” by Parliament. Funk continued to be popular in the 1980s and 1990s with artists like Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and George Clinton.
Despite its origins in African American culture, funk has been adopted by musicians of all backgrounds. The genre has also been highly influential on subsequent genres like hip hop, disco, and electronic dance music.
The Best Funk Songs
Funk is a genre of music that is often overlooked but definitely worth a listen. It’s a unique blend of African and Latin influences with a dash of jazz, soul, and R&B. Funky beats, groovy basslines, and catchy melodies are what make funk so special. If you’re looking for something new to add to your music collection, look no further than these essential funk songs.
“Superstition” by Stevie Wonder
“Superstition” is a song by American singer-songwriter Stevie Wonder. It was released on October 24, 1972, as the lead single from his fifteenth studio album, Talking Book. The song was written by Stevie Wonder and produced by Rob Mounsey.
“Superstition” is widely considered to be one of the greatest funk songs of all time. It was a major commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts. The song has been covered by many artists, including Michael Jackson and Carlos Santana.
“Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” by James Brown
Few musicians are as synonymous with the funk genre as James Brown. The Godfather of Soul’s catalog is loaded with timeless hits, but “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” might be his most iconic track. The song was originally released as a two-part single in 1970, with Part 1 serving as the A-side and Part 2 on the B-side. Both versions were included on Brown’s 1971 album Hot Pants, which is considered one of his most influential records.
Fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers will no doubt recognize “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” as the inspiration for the band’s 1991 hit “Give It Away.” RHCP guitarist John Frusciante has said that the track is one of his favorite James Brown songs, and that he was trying to channel the energy of Brown’s recording when he wrote the Peppers’ own funk anthem.
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” by Michael Jackson
“P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” is a song by American singer Michael Jackson from his sixth studio album Thriller (1982). It was written and composed by Jackson and produced by Quincy Jones. The song is a disco and funk song that contains elements of pop, R&B, and post-disco. Jackson said that the song’s concept is about young love, and he compared it to “a teenage love story à la Grease”.
The song was originally recorded by Jones in 1981, but Jackson re-recorded it for Thriller. The new version was released as the album’s eighth single on September 10, 1984, following the success of ” Thriller “. It received positive reviews from contemporary music critics and was a commercial success worldwide, becoming one of Jackson’s best-selling singles. It peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States and at number three in the United Kingdom . The music video , directed by Bob Giraldi , features Jackson breaking out of a cardboard prison as he performs a dance routine with background dancers .
The song has been covered and sampled numerous times. In 2008, it was voted by Billboard magazine as the seventh most influential song of all time .
“Pick Up the Pieces” by Average White Band
“Pick Up the Pieces” is a 1974 instrumental by the Scottish funk and R&B band Average White Band. The song was a worldwide hit, reaching number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number 6 on the UK Singles Chart. The song has been covered by many artists, including Eric Clapton, the Blues Brothers, and Bob James.
“Flash Light” by Parliament
Flash Light was written and performed by Parliament and released in 1977 on the album Funkentelechy vs. the Placebo Syndrome. The song features a signature funky bassline by Bootsy Collins and some of the most iconic saxophone playing by Maceo Parker. Flash Light is one of the most well-known funk songs and has been covered by many artists over the years.
The Best Funk Artists
Funk is a style of music that was popular in the 1970s. It is a mix of soul, R&B, and rock. Funk artists use elements of these genres to create a new style of music. Some of the best funk artists are Parliament, Funkadelic, James Brown, and Prince.
James Brown
James Brown is the Godfather of Soul, and his influence on the sound of funk is immeasurable. His place in music history was cemented with hits like “I Got You (I Feel Good)” and “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” which defined the sound of soul in the 1960s. Brown’s band was tight, his rhythms were infectious, and his stage show was electrifying. He was a true original, and his impact on funk cannot be overstated.
Parliament
Formed in the early 1970s by George Clinton, Parliament was a funk band that blended elements of psychedelic rock, soul, and R&B. The group was originally known as The Parliaments, but they changed their name to Parliament after releasing their debut album in 1974. Parliament is perhaps best known for their hit song “Give Up the Funk (Tear the Roof off the Sucker),” which was included on their 1976 album The Mothership Connection. In addition to Clinton, Parliament’s lineup included several other talented musicians, such as Bernie Worrell, Bootsy Collins, and Maceo Parker.
Though they were only active for a few years, Parliament was one of the most influential funk bands of all time. Their music inspired later artists like Prince and Outkast, and helped to define the sound of funk.
Bootsy Collins
Funk is a genre of music that originated in African-American communities in the mid-1960s. It is characterized by a strong rhythmic groove, often with syncopated basslines, and emphasized vocals.
Bootsy Collins is a funk musician who became famous as a member of Parliament-Funkadelic. He has also worked with other artists such as James Brown, George Clinton, and Bootsy’s Rubber Band. Collins is considered one of the most influential bass guitarists in rock music.
George Clinton
Clinton was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina, grew up in Plainfield, New Jersey, and graduated from Plainfield High School. During his teen years Clinton formed a doo-wop group inspired by Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers called The Parliaments, while straightening hair at a barber salon in New Jersey. For a period in the 1960s Clinton was a staff songwriter for Motown.
Sly and the Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone was an American musical group from San Francisco, California, active from 1966 to 1983. Led by singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sly Stone, and featuring a rotating lineup of musicians, the band was most active during the 1970s where they enjoyed their greatest commercial success.
The band’s music encompassed several different genres, including psychedelic rock, R&B, soul, and funk. In October 2010, they were ranked 43rd in Rolling Stone magazine’s “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”, as well as being ranked 96th in VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1993.
Conclusion
Funk is a genre of music that is often overlooked but has had a huge impact on popular culture. From its early origins in the African-American community to its modern day popularity, funk has influenced many different genres of music. If you are a fan of any type of music, chances are you have heard a funk song without even realizing it. So next time you hear a catchy bass line or a groovy guitar riff, take a moment to appreciate the influence of funk.
