No, I'm not talking about the best funk song of al time or even your favorite. I'm asking what song to you epitomizes best what funk is?

To me a song that best epitomizes the FUNK has to meet this criteria:

-Tight Drumming to anchor the groove
-Killer bassline riff
-fine rhythm guitar to support the groove
-punchy horns
-dirty, sexy subject matter
-raw, soulful vocals

With that said, I was surprised at the songs that to me best fit that description. I came up wit these three.


James Brown's hot. Really alot of JB's classics fit this description but for me this is his finest example. the groove is just so FUNKY. The drumming is solid work, and the bassline surges. The rhythm guitar is great with a bit of a dirty raunchy tone that best suits the lyrics. The Horns are upfront and center and then there are the vocals--MY GOD. you can feel the sweat soaking the bed through james Browns vocals. Ahhhhh AAAAAHHHHH. such a beautiful sound. Not to mention that Fender Rhodes(I believe) It's only negative probably is the rhythm guitar riff that people say was stolen from Bowie's fame, but I've heard that this was actually the same guitarist. So idk


This wouldn've never came into my mind as the greatest funk track, but it certainly epitomises what the funk is. Dirty sexy loving, with a rhythm that best personifies the combined coital chemistry two people can produce.
Probably the most memorable opening rhythm guitar in pop history. The Drumming is hella funky, and the bassline is hella sexy, I imagine that's either nathan watts or my man Bob Babbitt. And who can forget that sexy sax blowing!?! Awesome song. And I think sometimes underrated funk song.



Every man(and maybe some women) can relate to this song. A tease that doesn't want to put out. Only thing I hate more is the baphomet. Luckily Stevie helps us through this dilemma with a groovy tune that best explains what we want(BITCH GIMME YO GOODIES!!!!) Only thing this song really lacks is horns.

Please fill free to add to this or disagree with my criterion of the epitome for a funk song
[Edited 4/1/10 21:13pm]

Great choices. And that's Nathan Watts on "Let's Get It On".

I agree.....excellent examples.

But honestly? They fit the "dictionary" definition of "funk".

As long as I've been around the genre, it just seems to me that it hasta "hit you in the ass".....that's a BIG wildcard as to what's "funky".

I liked Prince's ditty about making "the funky face". If you get that expression at ANY time.....it's funk.

Funk music is hard to pinpoint actually lol. Funk comes in all styles too.

Funk does not "have" to have horns.

JamFanHot said:

I had an internal argument about that. Does the epitome of FUNK have to be sweaty and sexy or just fun, and jamming? I ultimately decided that FUNK inherently is fun and jamming. The closest i've heard to a depressing bluesy funk song was on there's a Riot Goin on and that is still my favorite funk album, and I think still danceable albeit not in a dancehall type of way, but more in a churchy "I feel the spirit of FUNK" type of way, if you fellows get my drift. Funk wil always get me off my ass and jamming, but there's a difference between private & public jamming. But I respect your assertion as well

minneapolisFunq said:

I don't deny that. One of my fav funk songs, betty davis' "F.U.N.K" doesn't have a heavy bassline, a killer drumline or horns, but no one can tell me it ain't funky. What I'm saying is what epitomizes he funk has all of the above criteria IMO.

Your criteria epitomizes a certain style of funk.

I understand your logic completely, I just want to clarify that when a song is less organic it isnt necessarily less funky.

There's all kinds of funk.

There's these are some examples, IMO.

.
[Edited 4/2/10 11:56am]

One other thing I've noticed & always loved about Funk's appeal.....

It's a quick rush.....it hits you FAST....

The first 5 seconds of:

Knee Deep
Slide
Fantastic Voyage
More Bounce
Head
Pick Up the Pieces
Thank You
Funky Drummer
Glide
Flashlight
Etc...

My hand actually feels "magnetically & immediately" pulled to the volume.....gotta have decibels IMMEDIATELY.

JamFanHot said:

Definitely my favorite funk song of all time. I think it is perfect.

...
Bar Kays - Holy Ghost








...

paligap said:

A VERY fine contender. No doubt top 5.

daPrettyman said:

I argued with myself bout that one for many years. LOVE "Knee Deep" SO much.....but after decades, "More Bounce" won me over.

Great memories attached to both though (they will always be "1 & 2" to me)....always a smile & always feel fantastic.

Timmy84 said:

But Let's get it on isn't Funk .. at all!

JamFanHot said:

I like Zapp and Roger, both, but nothing can touch "Knee Deep" to me. It's got James, Sly, George and Phillipe Wynn all wrapped up into one.

[Edited 4/2/10 8:02am]

MrSoulpower said:

...
Ndeed! Actually, this reminds me, Bootsy, Catfish and Garry Shider's original version of 'Together' ("Together in Heaven") is a great example, too!

...















...
[Edited 4/2/10 8:15am]

It comes in a number of varieties, from raw to refined.


James Brown...



...Mother Popcorn


Herbie Hancock...



...Spank-A-Lee - from the album Flood (live in Japan)


Soulive...



...One In Seven (Funkin' Shit Up in Montreal)


Miles Davis...



...One Phone Call (Also from a Montreal performance)



Music for adventurous listeners


tA

Tribal Records

GREAT choices all..The Org....as always...GREAT taste.

Yeah, Da.....Phillip on Knee Deep is just stellar genius.....sure miss that guy.

I dunno...maybe it's the memories of the summer of '80 with that bombastic sound of More Bounce BANGIN outta car windows.....or bein SO SO lucky to have gotten to dance with Rog on stage to the track.....but "More Bounce" won by an inch.

It's hard in any case (with Slave being my #1 funk band) to choose.

I think I'm most thankful that all this shit is OUT there for the next gen to check out & enjoy. It's universal. All these tracks.

No matter race, color, age, sex, or creed....Funk is FUNNNNN.

"Aqua Boogie" by Parliament epitomizes funk for me, mainly for that mind-bending break toward the 4:32 mark. True FUNK, for me, needs to take you on a little trip, lol.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say "The Big Payback".

The epitome of FUNK!


[Edited 4/15/10 20:31pm]

One thang I'm lovin about this thread is....no matter the jam...I ain't ever disagreein by much

P-Funk (Who wants to get funked up) and/or SHAFT!
[Edited 4/3/10 11:49am]

Alguy said:

How could I forget about shaft! doesn't get a whole lot funkier than *Shut yo mouth*