Papa's Got A Brand New Bag

Album: Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (1965)
Charted: 25 8
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  • Come here sister, Papa's in the swing
    He ain't too hip, about that new breed babe
    He ain't no drag
    Papa's got a brand new bag

    Come here mama, and dig this crazy scene
    He's not too fancy, but his line is pretty clean
    He ain't no drag
    Papa's got a brand new bag

    It's the Jerk
    He's doing the Fly
    Don't play him cheap 'cause you know he ain't shy
    He's doing the Monkey, the Mashed Potatoes
    Jump back Jack, See you later alligator

    Come here sister
    Papa's in the swing
    He ain't too hip now
    But I can dig that new breed babe
    He ain't no drag
    He's got a brand new bag

    Oh papa, He's doing the Jerk
    Papa, he's doing the Jerk
    He's doing the twist, just like this
    He's doing the Fly every day and every night
    The thing's, like the Boomerang
    Hey, come on
    Hey hey, come on
    Hey hey, said you uptight, out of sight
    Come on, see what you know
    Come on, see what you know Writer/s: James Brown
    Publisher: BMG Rights Management, Capitol CMG Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

  • Robert Parker from Kansas CityGreatest Soul, R&B, and Funk song of all time!!!
  • Melvyn from Nottingham UkBrown may well have read the lyrics from a piece of paper but he did not complain on the tape about "a lot of words here, man".

    On the full take released on Star Time in 1991, the tape starts in mid-conversation with Brown saying that he will have to 'check whether he can afford it'. This produces some indecipherable backchat to which Brown immediately ripostes: "NOT A WORD, YOUNG MAN..."

    Another dance featured in the lyrics is The Fight (every day and every night).

    I bought this record the day it was released in the U.K. On the London American label. Ever since then it has been my favourite single!

    The full take, at original speed (and without the slight echo that was added to the single) is a revelation.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn March 10th 1979, James Brown performed "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" on the Grand Ole Opry* at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN...
    He also sang the country standards, "Tennessee Waltz" and "Your Cheating' Heart"; he was invited on the show by Porter Wagoner and received mixed reviews...
    * I checked a couple of different web sites, and they verified that he actually did appear on the Opry!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 1st 1965, James Brown performed "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" on the ABC-TV program "Shindig!"...
    It was the first time he performed the song on national TV; and at the time it was in its 4th of 8th weeks as the #1 record on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart {it was at #8 on the Hot Top 100 chart}...
    {See the second post below}.
  • Babbling Babette from Tulsa OkBack in August 1965, I entered the University of Kansas & this song was huge on campus. I bought the album in Lawrence, Ks. and loved it. My roommate at KU loved it so much she stole it for 2 weeks! The nerve!! I got it back though. That hit and the LP are what started me on the road to being a longtime James Brown fan. I think "Papa" was a #1 hit at one of Lawrence's radio stations that year. Tough song!
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn July 11th 1965, "Papa's Got A Brand New Bag (Part One)" by James Brown & the Famous Flames entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #80; and on August 29th, 1965 it peaked at #8 (for 2 weeks ) and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
    And since he is 'The Godfather of Soul' it is not surprising that on August 8th, 1965 it reached #1 (for 8 weeks) on Billboard's Hot R&B Singles chart; in fact between 1958 and 1974 he had seventeen #1 records on the Hot R&B Singles chart...
    May he R.I.P. (1933 - 2006).
  • Sean from TorontoThis song was referenced and a piece of it was played in "Face/Off".
  • John from New York, NyIn the second graph, the King Records executive was Syd Nathan, not Syn Nathan
  • Tim from Collinsville, IlThis song was referenced to good effect in the movie Face/Off
  • Tommy from Jacksonville, NcThe song was recorded at Arthur Smith Studios in Charlotte N.C.
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