The Best Funk Music Lyrics to Get You groovin’
The Best Funk Music Lyrics to Get You groovin’. Check out our top picks for the best funk lyrics that are sure to get you moving.
George Clinton
The one and only George Clinton has provided some of the best funk music lyrics of all time. Clinton was the mastermind behind the bands Parliament and Funkadelic and was a pioneer of the P-funk sound. His lyrics are often funky, sexual, and psychedelic. Let’s take a look at some of his best lyrics.
Maggot Brain
“Maggot Brain” is a 1971 instrumental funk song by Funkadelic from their third album of the same name. It is notable for its guitar solo by Eddie Hazel, which has been ranked as one of the greatest ever.
The song was recorded in one take, with Hazel improvising the solo after being asked by band leader George Clinton to “play like your momma just died”. The rest of the band were allegedly so impressed with the take that they decided to keep it and use it as the album’s opener.
“Maggot Brain” has been described as a “funk anthem” and “one of the most influential instrumentals in rock history”. It has been covered by a number of artists, including Miles Davis, Carlos Santana, and Jimi Hendrix.
Atomic Dog
“Atomic Dog” is a song by George Clinton from his 1982 album Computer Games. The song was released as a single in December 1982 and became one of Clinton’s most popular songs. It peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart in February 1983 and number 101 on the Billboard Hot 100 in May 1983. The song was ranked number 60 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of the ’80s list.
James Brown
Are you ready for a funky good time? Then you need to check out the best funk music lyrics by the one and only James Brown. From hit songs like “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” to “Super Bad,” Brown’s music is guaranteed to get you moving.
Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine
“Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Stay on the scene like a sex machine
Get up, get on up
Get up, get on up
Stay on the scene like a sex machine
Get up”
Super Bad
Super bad, super bad
You know got me feelin’ so, so good
I’m superbad, I’m superbad
You know I got to have, got to have all your love
I’m super bad, baby I’m super bad
You know what I am, what I am talkin’ about
Ooh, ooh (make it good to me)
Ooh child (make it nice and easy)
Now we’ve got it goin’ on now baby (ooh child)
And that’s all right with me (that’s all right)
You don’t have to be rich to be my girl
You don’t have to be cool to rule my world
Ain’t no particular sign I’m more compatible with
I just want your extra time and your…Kiss
Sly and the Family Stone
Sly and the Family Stone was a funk and soul band active from 1967 to 1983. The band was led by Sly Stone, and featured his brother Freddie Stone on guitar, Larry Graham on bass guitar, Rose Stone on keyboards, and Cynthia Robinson on trumpet. The band’s songs often featured social commentary, and were often covered by other artists.
Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)
This song was released in 1969 on the album Stand! and is one of the band’s most well-known tracks. The lyrics are about being thankful for what you have, even when things are tough. The message is clear – when you’re down, just keep dancing and eventually things will get better.
“Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)”
Sing a simple song of thanks
For all the love we’ve found
And if I falter or I stray
Just help me find my way back round
To that place where we can stay
groovin’ to the Funky beat
Funk not dead, long live Sly!
Everyday People
“Everyday People” is a 1968 song written by Sly Stone and recorded by Sly and the Family Stone. It was the first major hit for the group, reaching number one on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles charts in early 1969. The song’s message is about recognizing commonality, despite apparent differences. It features multiple male and female lead vocalists, who alternate during the verses and come together during the choruses, singing in harmony.
The lyrics of “Everyday People” have been variously described as an “anthem of unity”, a “celebration of harmony”, and a “statement against prejudice”. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked it number 473 on their list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. In 2019, Pitchfork ranked it number 21 on their list of “The 200 Best Songs of the 1960s”.
Parliament-Funkadelic
One Nation Under a Groove
Are you ready do the funk? Check out the best funk music lyrics to get you groovin’!
We want the funk, give up the funk
Oh, we gotta have that funk
We need that funk, oh yeah
I can’t help myself, I like that funky sound
Yeah, make me feel good, make me feel right
Oh, make me feel nice, I need that funky stuff
Gonna make you groove, gonna make you move
Gonna make you swing from side to side
Mothership Connection (Star Child)
We funk the whole nation
We’re all stars in the same show
We funk the whole world
We love to get down low
Funk is its own thing
You know we love it ’cause we sayfffff
Funkadelic, yeah yeah yeah yeah
Parliament, owwwww
We got the bomb, yes we do, yes we do
We got the bomb, yes we do, yes we do-ooh ooh ooh
Bootsy Collins
Bootsy Collins is a bass virtuoso and one of the most influential musicians in funk. He is known for his distinctive style and his innovative use of the wah-wah pedal. His lyrics are often humorous and have been sampled by many artists.
I’d Rather Be with You
You say you love me and you’re thinking of me
But you know you could be wrong
You might find somebody new and she might be better than me
I’m not trying to make you stay so don’t tell me to go
‘Cause I’d rather be with you than be all alone
I’d rather be with you than be all alone
The Pinocchio Theory
As told by Bootsy himself, “The Pinocchio Theory” is a funk anthem that celebrates the power of positive thinking. No matter how hard life gets, Bootsy urges us to keep our heads up and believe in ourselves:
“Now when Pinocchio was faced with adversity / He always found a way out of it / By using his head and believing in himself / He always came out smelling like roses.”
This is the kind of positive attitude that we all need to get through tough times. So put on your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie down to one of the catchiest and most inspiring funk songs of all time.
