Solid Gold Spotlight: "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag"

Papa's Got A Brand New Bag

Performed by: James Brown
Written by: James Brown
Produced by: James Brown
Recorded: February 1, 1965 (Arthur Smith Studios, Charlotte, NC)
Mixed: unknown
Length: 1:55
Takes: 1
Musicians: James Brown: vocals
Jimmy "Chank" Nolen: guitar (Gibson ES-175)
Bernard Odum: bass (1956 Fender Precision)
Clayton Fillyau: drums
Nat Jones: organ
Maceo Parker: tenor sax
St. Clair Pinckney: baritone sax
Joseph Davis: trumpet
First released: June 2, 1965 (King 5999)
Highest chart position: #8 Pop (July 17, 1965), #1 R&B (seven weeks from August 14, 1965)
History:

• Recorded as part of an ongoing dispute with Brown's label, King; the singer had recorded the very similar sounding "Out of Sight" for Smash earlier that year, violating his King contract. James retooled the song, using a riff his band had been playing live, as a peace offering to King.

• The original song was appoximately seven minutes in length, moved at a slower pace, and featured a more elaborate intro. After the song was cut, Brown sliced off most of the intro, sped the song up to get it played on pop radio, and broke it up into three parts (the second of which can be heard on the flipside of the original single).
• Brown recorded this song in one take -- the released version was merely supposed to be a run-through, but sounded so perfect it was kept anyway. James, who still hadn't memorized the song's lyrics, read from a sheet in front of him; at the beginning of the original take, he can be heard saying "There's a lot of words here, man." He also can be heard exclaiming "This is a hit!" just before the band kicks in.
• This is sometimes referred to as the first funk recording, although traces of this style can be heard in 1962's "Night Train" and 1965's "Out of Sight." Some claim that 1967's hit "Cold Sweat," which features a slower, harder, and more complex beat, is the first true funk recording.

Trivia:

• Dances referenced in the song: The Jerk, The Fly, The Monkey, The Mashed Potato, The Twist, and the Boomerang.
• This song was originally taken to influential New York City disc jockey Frankie Crocker (WWRL), who hated it; but once he agreed to play it on his show, audience reaction proved him wrong.
• Awarded a Grammy for "Best R&B Recording of 1965" on March 16, 1966. Also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
• As part of his settlment with King, Smash was allowed to release instrumentals of James' tunes for a one-year period. An instrumental version of this song was released as a 45, but naturally did not sell as well as the vocal.

Covered by: Pat Boone, Freddy Cannon, Georgie Fame, Quincy Jones, L.A. Guns, Willie Mitchell, Pigbag, Otis Redding, Roger, Jimmy Smith, The Ventures, Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band