Loopzilla

Album: Computer Games (1982)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song takes a swipe at the unimaginative radio stations that play the same songs over and over, as if on a loop. A big song at the time was "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force, which repeats the line, "We gotta rock it, don't stop it." Clinton invokes that track in the lyrics:

    Like "Planet Rock," we just don't stop
    We're gonna drive you nuts
  • The song is a pastiche of interpolations from hit songs over the years, including a few Clinton creations:

    "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" by The Four Tops
    "Dancing in the Street" by Martha & the Vandellas
    "The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game" by The Marvelettes
    "(Not Just) Knee Deep" by Funkadelic
    "One Nation Under A Groove" by Funkadelic
    "More Bounce To The Ounce" by Zapp
    "Flash Light" by Parliament
    "Aqua Boogie (A Psychoalphadiscobetabioaquadoloop)" by Parliament
    "Don't Touch That Dial" by Captain Sky

    The single states that the song "contains excerpts" from "Dancing in the Street" and "I Can't Help Myself," but the other tracks are not credited. A few years later, when sampling became rampant, Clinton's catalog was pillaged by rappers looking for beats, usually without crediting him.
  • Released ahead of "Atomic Dog," this was Clinton's first single to chart as a solo artist, reaching #19 R&B. After leading the conterminious groups Funkadelic and Parliament throughout the '70s, he got bogged down in legal issues that kept those outfits from recording, which is why he made Computer Games a solo album, his first. Many of his P-funk musicians played on the album, including Bernie Worrell, Garry Shider and Bootsy Collins.
  • On the album, this flows from the track "Man's Best Friend," establishing a dog theme. "Loopzilla" takes up 8:46 on the album; the single was cut to 5:58.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of Wayne

Adam Schlesinger of Fountains of WayneSongwriter Interviews

The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.

Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty

Rob Thomas of Matchbox TwentySongwriter Interviews

Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.

Ron and Russell Mael of Sparks

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees

Jack Blades of Night Ranger and Damn YankeesSongwriter Interviews

Revisit the awesome glory of Night Ranger and Damn Yankees: cheesily-acted videos, catchy guitar licks, long hair, and lyrics that are just plain relatable.