Funk

The song “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown is an American sixties music classic. A bag is a way of doing some or a kind of lifestyle. Musicians would say something’s an “R&B bag” or a “doo wop bag.” Well, “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” is an early funk bag. James Brown wrote and recorded the song about an older man keeping up with the dances and doing his thing out on the dance floor. “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” was released in 1965. The single has Part 1 on the A-Side and Part 2 on the B-Side. It is seen as the beginning of funk as a style — a strong rhythm and bass, less emphasis on melody and harmony. “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” features a great horn section and guitar work by Jimmy Nolen. It went to #1 on the R&B Chart and #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, and was Brown’s first to reach the Top Ten on that chart. Brown was awarded a Grammy for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording. It is also on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Here are the lyrics to “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown:

“Come here sister, Papa’s in the swing
He ain’t too hip, about that new breed babe
He ain’t no drag
Papa’s got a brand new bag

Come here mama, and dig this crazy scene
He’s not too fancy, but his line is pretty clean
He ain’t no drag.
Papa’s got a brand new bag

He’s doing the Jerk,
He’s doing the Fly
Don’t play him cheap ’cause you know he ain’t shy
He’s doing the Monkey, the Mashed Potatoes,
Jump back Jack, See you later alligator.

Come here sister Papa’s in the swing
He ain’t too hip now
But I can dig that new breed babe;
He ain’t no drag
He’s got a brand new bag

Oh papa! He’s doing the Jerk
Papa, he’s doing the Jerk
He’s doing the twist, just like this,
He’s doing the Fly every day and every night
The thing’s, like the Boomerang.
Hey, come on
Hey! Hey, come on
Hey! Hey, he’s put tight, out of sight,
Come on. Hey! Hey!”

If you are interested in an album of music by James Brown, please click on the photo below:

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 50+ commercial free online songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown.