Cosmic Slop

Album: Cosmic Slop (1973)
Charted: 102
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • One of the most potent grooves in the P-Funk canon, "Cosmic Slop" is also one of their most lyrically incisive tracks, telling the story of a woman with five children who works as a prostitute to feed her family. A God-fearing woman, she prays to the Lord, justifying her sins by pleading that she's doing it for her kids. The Devil hears her call, and answers:

    Would you like to dance with me?
    We're doing the cosmic slop


    In a Songfacts interview with bandleader George Clinton, he said it was inspired by "women that have to prostitute themselves to take care of their kids, and feel ashamed of themselves, or feel like they're not doing God's work by having to do that."

    He continued: "The instinct of having to take care of your kids is a strong instinct, so that's what that whole mental thing is. You think you're dancing with the Devil, and you have to do something like that to support your family. That's what that 'Cosmic Slop' is."
  • George Clinton wrote this song with Bernie Worrell, the Funkadelic keyboard player who was a huge part of their success. Clinton's bandleader Garry Shider, who wore a diaper on stage, handled the vocals. Shider and Ron Bykowski played guitar on the track.
  • The Funkadelic crew also recorded as Parliament, in part to avoid contractual entanglements. The more accessible songs generally went to Parliament, but Funkadelic did try for some hits. "Cosmic Slop," running 5:17 on the album, was cut down to 3:20 and released as a single, the only one from the album. It stalled at #102, but the song proved a live favorite and one of the most enduring P-Funk tracks.

Comments: 4

  • Keno Was There from South CarolinaIn answer to Joe Funk:
    On the album, yes it was Garry Shider and Ron Bykowski. However, during the Mothership Connection and subsequent tours Michael Hampton was the primary lead guitarist; he was joined in song on guitars by Garry Shider and Glenn Goins. The live version is much, much better than the album. How do I know...KenO Was There (3×)
  • Uyung from IndonesiaTo me, Cosmic Slop is a sad song lyrically.
  • Alan Funk from Waikapu, MauiGarry Spider got that Jimi thang.
  • Joe Funk Drummer from United StatesContrary to belief, cosmic slops guitarist are Garry and Ron Bykowski, not Eddie Hazel.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top Proverb

How "A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss" Became Rock's Top ProverbSong Writing

How a country weeper and a blues number made "rolling stone" the most popular phrase in rock.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

The Evolution of "Ophelia"

The Evolution of "Ophelia"Song Writing

How five songs portray Shakespeare's character Ophelia.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Randy Houser

Randy HouserSongwriter Interviews

The "How Country Feels" singer talks Skynyrd and songwriting.