Funky President (People It’s Bad) Lyrics
Funky, down
Nasty
Hey! Listen to the man
Rap, Godfather
Payback!
Cold blooded
People, people, we've got to get over
Before we go under
Yeah, Lord
People, people, we've got to get over
Before we go under
Hey, country, you didn't say what you meant
You just changed, a brand new funky president
Hah
Stock market going up, jobs going down
It ain't no funky job to be found, ugh
Tax keep going up
I changed from a glass
Now, I drink from a paper cup, getting bad
People, people, we've got to get over
Before we go under
Listen to me
Let's get together and raise...
Let's get together, get some land
Raise our food like the man
Save our money like the mob
Put up a factory, own the job
Nasty
Hey! Listen to the man
Rap, Godfather
Payback!
Cold blooded
People, people, we've got to get over
Before we go under
Yeah, Lord
People, people, we've got to get over
Before we go under
Hey, country, you didn't say what you meant
You just changed, a brand new funky president
Hah
Stock market going up, jobs going down
It ain't no funky job to be found, ugh
Tax keep going up
I changed from a glass
Now, I drink from a paper cup, getting bad
People, people, we've got to get over
Before we go under
Listen to me
Let's get together and raise...
Let's get together, get some land
Raise our food like the man
Save our money like the mob
Put up a factory, own the job
Woo! Tell 'em, Godfather
Hey Lord, hey
Turn on your funk motor
Get down and praise the Lord
Get sexy, sexy, get funky and dance
Love me baby, love me nice
Don't make it once, but can you make it twice
I like it
People, people, we've got to get over
Before we go under
People, people, well well well
Before we go under
Turn on your funk motor, I know it's tough
Turn on your funk motor until you get enough, yeah
Hey, give yourself a chance to come through
Wow, tell yourself, I can do what you can do
Hey, listen to the man, rap godfather
Pay back, cold blooded
People, people, hey, people, people
People, people, don't you see what's going on?
People, people, we've got to get together
Oh, get on your good foot, huh, change it, yeah
Got to get together and get some land
Raise our food just like the man
Hey... I got to say it again
We got to get together and buy some land
Raise our food just like the man
Save our money, do like the mob
Put up your factory and own the job
Hey Lord, hey
Turn on your funk motor
Get down and praise the Lord
Get sexy, sexy, get funky and dance
Love me baby, love me nice
Don't make it once, but can you make it twice
I like it
People, people, we've got to get over
Before we go under
People, people, well well well
Before we go under
Turn on your funk motor, I know it's tough
Turn on your funk motor until you get enough, yeah
Hey, give yourself a chance to come through
Wow, tell yourself, I can do what you can do
Hey, listen to the man, rap godfather
Pay back, cold blooded
People, people, hey, people, people
People, people, don't you see what's going on?
People, people, we've got to get together
Oh, get on your good foot, huh, change it, yeah
Got to get together and get some land
Raise our food just like the man
Hey... I got to say it again
We got to get together and buy some land
Raise our food just like the man
Save our money, do like the mob
Put up your factory and own the job
We've got to get over, before we go under
Time ain't a jaunt, hey Lord
Country, do you know just what I meant
We just changed
And got a brand new funky President
And hey, I need to be the mayor
So I can change the things around here
I need to be the governor, huh
I need to be the governor, huh
Time ain't a jaunt, hey Lord
Country, do you know just what I meant
We just changed
And got a brand new funky President
And hey, I need to be the mayor
So I can change the things around here
I need to be the governor, huh
I need to be the governor, huh
About
Genius Annotation
“Funky President (People It’s Bad)” was the lead single from James Brown’s 1974 album Reality. It peaked at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #4 on the R&B chart. The song went on to become one of the most sampled in hip-hop history, primarily the drums, wah-wah guitar licks, and “Hey!” elements in the intro. In his 1986 autobiography The Godfather of Soul, Brown talked about the inspiration for the track:
It was about President Ford, who had taken over from Mr. Nixon in August. Every time he made a speech, it gave people the blues. He was a nice man, but he talked a lot and didn’t say anything. He was there as a caretaker after Watergate, and I think he did that. He was a good man, but I never looked at him as a president.
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.Reality
- 2.Funky President (People It’s Bad)
- 6.All For One
- 8.The Twist
Credits
Produced By
Written By
Alto Saxophone
Baritone Saxophone
Bass
Drums
Flute
Keyboards
Percussion
Tenor Saxophone
Label
Recorded At
Sound Ideas Studios (New York City)
Release Date
December 19, 1974
Songs That Sample Funky President (People It’s Bad)
Pure (Instrumental) by Invisible Inc. (USA), PUMP SUMN by Fortye (Ft. Static amour), Buildaway by Fortye (Ft. 808sAndAbel & Mikel_3000), FUK SUMN by ¥$, Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign (Ft. Playboi Carti & Travis Scott), Interrogated Because I’m Brown Pt. 1 + 2 by Lighter Shade of Brown (Ft. A.L.T., Aztlan Nation, Kaos (duo), Pee Bee & Streetz Mentality), It's My Turn by Dezo Daz (Ft. DJ Slip), New God Flow by Pusha T & Kanye West, You Were Meant To Be My Lady ('88 Keith Cohen Extended Remix) by Alexander O'Neal, Missunderstanding (Swing Mob'n It) by Al B. Sure!, Off On Your Own (Girl) (Street Mix) by Al B. Sure!, Missunderstanding (Radio Edit) by Al B. Sure!, Missunderstanding (Missunder-Rub-a-Dub) by Al B. Sure!, HYAENA by Travis Scott, MADRUGA by Flaco Vazquez, Under Pressure (Extended Remix) by Boyz II Men (Ft. Tony Scott), Get Busy by Def IV, Mind Blowin' by Pete Rock (Ft. Vinia Mojica), Wussup Wit’ the Luv (Single Version) by Digital Underground (Ft. 2Pac), No Words (Pump 'N' Hip Hop) (No Rif Raf) by Three Times Dope, It's Goin' Down (Demo) by The X-Ecutioners (Ft. Mike Shinoda & Mr. Hahn), They Want EFX (Remix) by Das EFX, Lovely by Bell Biv DeVoe, Sound Clash (Radio) by Shabaam Sahdeeq, Picnic in the Summertime by Deee-Lite, Bullshit Freestyle by Levitate (Ft. DCR (BRA)), Socially Acceptable by DC Talk, Say the Words by DC Talk, Ditty (Street) by Paperboy, Mulheres Vulgares by Racionais MC's, To Da Break of Dawn (Bug Out Mix) by LL COOL J, To Da Break of Dawn (Remix Version) by LL COOL J, On My Way To Harlem by Coolio, Tanthof by C.S.R.-Delft, Wrap My Body Tight (House Mix) by Johnny Gill, Rub You The Right Way (Single Version) by Johnny Gill, Rub You The Right Way (J.G. Classic) by Johnny Gill, Rub You The Right Way (Straight Remix) by Johnny Gill (Ft. CL Smooth), Rub You The Right Way (Extended Hype I) by Johnny Gill (Ft. CL Smooth), Party Killer by Necro, No One (Remix) by Alicia Keys (Ft. Cassidy), Matrix by Kool Savas, Blood on the Dance Floor (Refugee Camp Edit) by Michael Jackson, It’s Goin' Down by The X-Ecutioners (Ft. Mike Shinoda & Mr. Hahn), The Return Of Da Livin' Dead by The D.O.C., Manifest by Hiob & Morlockk Dilemma, With You by Xscape, Nitro by LL COOL J, Fast Peg by LL COOL J, Kinda Funky by Jammin, Nu Thang by DC Talk, E Get Swift by King T (Ft. E-Swift), At Your Own Risk by King T, Ijuswannachill by Large Professor, Somethin' Funky by Big Daddy Kane, Say I Won't by Lecrae (Ft. Andy Mineo), Last Night by Kid 'n Play, Joven de la Pobla by Tiro de Gracia, C'est la vie by Zuna, Looseys by Das EFX, Blood on the Dance Floor (Refugee Camp Mix) by Michael Jackson, East Meets West Malt Liquor by EPMD (Ft. Ice Cube), Put A Lid On It by Yo-Yo, Gyrlz, They Love Me by Heavy D & The Boyz, We Got Our Own Thang by Heavy D & The Boyz, Revolution of the Mind by Ultimate Force, The Mob by Bobcat, Best In The West by Bobcat, I'm Serious by Bobcat, Reminisce (Audio 2 Remix) by Mary J. Blige (Ft. Milk Dee), Do tha Crew by N2Deep, Drop Tha Bass by MC Zappa, The Rock (Humps) by Madlib, The Shakedown by Casual, TAMILANO by Towa Tei, We're in da House by Kris Kross, Myintrotoletuknow by OutKast, Little Soldiers by Another Bad Creation, Check Da Style by Swigga, Who Is This? by Three Times Dope, Crazy by The Boys (R&B Group), Daydreaming by Penny Ford, Sex, Sex, Sex by Nice & Smooth, City of Stars by Logic, Feels Good by Tony! Toni! Toné! (Ft. Mopreme Shakur), I'm Looking For The One (To Be With Me) by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince (Ft. Teddy Riley), Rematch by Lord Finesse & Percee P, Hot 97 Freestyle by Funkmaster Flex (Ft. Canibus, DMX & N.O.R.E.), Yakety Yak (Take It Back) by Take It Back Foundation (Ft. Al B. Sure!, Barry White, B.B. King, Bette Midler, Brenda Russell, Bugs Bunny, Charlie Daniels, Dr. John, Jerry Leiber, Kenny Loggins, Lita Ford, MC Skat Kat and The Stray Mob, Melba Moore, Mike Stoller, Natalie Cole, Ozzy Osbourne, Pat Benatar, Queen Latifah, Quincy Jones, Randy Newman, Ricky Van Shelton, Stevie Wonder & Tone Lōc), Spoonie Is Back by Spoonie Gee, Funky Rhyming by Edan, Hip Hop On Wax-Volume 2 by Kool DJ Red Alert, Deep by eLZhi, Whatzupwitu by Eddie Murphy (Ft. Michael Jackson), It's Funky Enough by The D.O.C., Let Me In, Let Me In by Shaquille O'Neal, Gato Que Avanza, Perro Que Ladra by Calle 13, Ain't No Stoppin' This by LL COOL J, Eric B. Made My Day by Eric B. & Rakim, Stone Age by De La Soul (Ft. Biz Markie), I'm Blowin' Up by Kool Moe Dee, .45 Automatic by The D.O.C. (Ft. Jamal, Mally G & Passion (rapper)), Dritto dal cuore by The Next Diffusion (Ft. Guru), To Be Continued... by Evidence, Bloody Body Parts In Da Fruit Punch Bowl by R.A. The Rugged Man, Wussup Wit' the Love by Digital Underground (Ft. 2Pac), People People by RA 1HUNNID, Roadrunner (Puberty Mix) by Chi-Ali, Under Pressure by Boyz II Men, Barzellette by Fritz Da Cat (Ft. Egreen), Good Love by Klymaxx, I Missed the Bus by Kris Kross, Party by Kris Kross, Rico Suave by Gerardo, I'm So Into You by SWV, Relax Your Mind by L. Fly (Ft. Jay Funk), Bravo Ragazzo by Guè, Guerrilla Funk by Paris (Rap), Groove Me by Guy, Le livre de la jungle by IAM, Tranqi Funky by Articolo 31, New God Flow.1 by Kanye West, Pusha T & Ghostface Killah, School Dayz by Big L, Confessions of a Drug Addict by Psycho Realm, What'cha Gonna Do? by Shabba Ranks (Ft. Queen Latifah), Rub You The Right Way by Johnny Gill, Mighty Healthy by Ghostface Killah, New Jack Swing by Wreckx-N-Effect, Brakes by De La Soul, Ghetto Thang by De La Soul, Top Cat by Slick Rick, V. 3005 by Childish Gambino, Street Smart by Da Youngsta's, Just Another Day (In My Mind) by Logic, Juice by Logic, Fight the Power by Public Enemy, Rock Dis Funky Joint by Poor Righteous Teachers, 3Flips6 by Remy Banks (Ft. A$AP ANT & Zombie Juice), Horny Lil' Devil by Ice Cube, Fuck tha Police by N.W.A, Use The Force by Jamiroquai, This Is How We Do It by Montell Jordan, We Get High by Logic, More Than a Player by 2nd II None, Definition of a Thug Nigga by 2Pac, Jussumen (Remix) by Das EFX, 6 Minutes of Pleasure by LL COOL J, Outta Here by KRS-One, Jackin' For Beats by Ice Cube, As the Rhyme Goes On by Eric B. & Rakim, Lie To Kick It by 2Pac (Ft. Richie Rich), W.G.O.N.R.S. by Big Daddy Kane (Ft. Easy Dred & Junior P), Faces by Run–DMC, Da Two by Pete Rock & CL Smooth, True and Livin' by Lord Finesse, Time to Build by Mic Geronimo (Ft. DMX, Ja Rule & JAY-Z), Kill That Noise by MC Shan, Easy Money by Low Profile, Born Into the 90's by R. Kelly & Public Announcement, Hey Look at Shorty by Lord Finesse, Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now by Big Daddy Kane, Give it to Me by Big Daddy Kane, Call Me a Mack by USHER, Word to the Mother (Land) by Big Daddy Kane, Free Again by DJ Kay Slay (Ft. 50 Cent & Fat Joe), Anger in the Nation by Pete Rock & CL Smooth, Waitin' for the DJ by Talib Kweli (Ft. Bilal), Skinz by Pete Rock & CL Smooth (Ft. Grand Puba), Trust Me by Guru (Ft. N'Dea Davenport), If You Must by Del the Funky Homosapien, Duck Alert by Marley Marl (Ft. Craig G), Groove Me by Salt-N-Pepa (Ft. Styowlz), Shake Your Thang by Salt-N-Pepa (Ft. E.U.), Read These Nikes by Geto Boys, God Made Me Funke by Kool Moe Dee, Jazzy's in the House by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Black Is Back by Public Enemy, Big Ole Butt by LL COOL J, Positively Negative by Xzibit (Ft. King T), Funky Flute by Jimmy Z (Ft. Dr. Dre), Love Sign by Prince (Ft. Nona Gaye), Hippa to Da Hoppa by Ol' Dirty Bastard, Knowledge by Gang Starr (Ft. Damo D-Ski), Original Prankster by The Offspring (Ft. Redman), One to Grow On by The UMC's, Ain't Gonna Hurt Nobody by Kid 'n Play, Show Business by A Tribe Called Quest (Ft. Brand Nubian & Diamond D), Gotta Get Over (Taking Loot) by Gang Starr, Eric B. Is President by Eric B. & Rakim, Clique by Kanye West, JAY-Z & Big Sean, All for One by Brand Nubian, It's About That Time by Pete Rock (Ft. Black Thought & Rob Odindo), Gotta Get Mine by MC Breed (Ft. 2Pac), Summertime by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Hey Ladies by Beastie Boys, Nick Carter's Stunt Double (Telekinesis) by Dakoda Rollins Backup, Letitgo by Prince, Ditty by Paperboy, Hip Hop Hooray by Naughty By Nature, Nicety by Michel'le (Ft. Dr. Dre), To the Right by Brand Nubian, Why, Why, Why by Slick Rick, Live Fast, Die Young by Rick Ross (Ft. Kanye West), Time 4 Sum Aksion by Redman, Runaway by Kanye West (Ft. Pusha T) & Easily by Grimes
Songs That Interpolate Funky President (People It’s Bad)
Tags
Comments
