Strawberry Letter 23

Album: Right On Time (1977)
Charted: 35 5
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  • Lyrics currently unavailable Writer/s: Shuggie Otis
    Publisher: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Comments: 25

  • Malibu Ben from MalibuWhen I criticize modern music from the Boomer perspective, I usually say "We had the Brothers Johnson. Now it's just brothers singing about their johnsons."
  • Desiree Nasti from New JerseyI’ve loved this song since I was a kid! I’m 56 & it’s part of my playlist. I heard the meaning behind the song from Casey Casesum ( not sure how his last name was spelled) but, even though Casey had died many years prior to the day I learned the meaning of the song, they still have his voice doing Saturday’s countdown. And basically what was said on here, is what story he told. Others have different stories they’ve told. And I thought it was about one of the brothers who had been receiving the letters. But the lyrics are definitely unique and makes you wonder what they mean by some of the lyrics. I kid around and think to myself “ I’d like to know what they were on to see such vibrant and colorful things “?? And trying to make sense of it all is challenging! But they did an awesome job with the song. And just wanted to share all that with anyone who cares. It still lives on and always will for me!!
  • AnonymousWhere's Sonora Sam's writing credit for this song.
  • Moosehead from Schahaha. always loved this song. apparently never knew one word!!!
  • Vinny from ArlingtonListen to "I want to sex you up" by Color Me Badd and "Ms. Jackson" by Outkast and you will hear two different melodies lifted from this song.
  • Jeffrey from SeattleThe best pop guitar solo ever played.
  • First from Right HereIt is called "Strawberry Letter 23" because the >SONG< is the 23rd letter.


    Proof:
    1) The opening lyrics are a greeting to his love interest: "Hello, my love"


    2) "A present from you - Strawberry letter 22"
    This means he has received her latest letter, number 22 and he is singing about the letter he is going to write back to her, letter number 23.


    3) He is thinking and feeling sweet, loving emotions about her:
    a. Thoughts - "Rainbows and waterfalls run through my mind"
    b. Hearing - "Pretty music I hear - so happy"
    c. Feeling - "Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue"
    d. Seeing - "In the garden - I see west, purple shower, bells & tea, orange birds & river cousins dressed in green"

    Letter "23" is not mentioned by name, because he is in the act of composing the 23rd letter in his head (which we hear as the song).
    He has yet to write it; it is still in his mind.

    This is why the lyrics are so free flowing with vivid imagery and fanciful word play, e.g. "Feel sunshine sparkle pink and blue" and "...purple shower, bells & tea, orange birds & river cousins dressed in green."
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyPer: http://www.oldiesmusic.com/news.htm
    Louis Johnson, bass player and one-half of the Brothers Johnson (with his sibling George), died Thursday (May 21st, 2015) at the age of 60...
    In addition to the group's hits like "I'll Be Good to You" (#3-1976), "Strawberry Letter 23" (#5-1977) and "Stomp!" (#7-1980), Louis also played bass on Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and "Off The Wall" albums, Herb Alpert's "Rise" and George Benson's "Give Me the Night"...
    The Los Angeles native started out in the Johnson Three Plus One (with George, their brother Tommy and their cousin Alex Weir). George and Louis played in Billy Preston's band before creating their duo...
    Their nicknames, Thunder Thumbs (Louis) and Lightnin' Licks (George), became the title of a song they wrote for the movie, "Mother, Jugs & Speed"...
    The brothers split up in 1982 and Louis later formed a bass academy…
    The did reunite for a tour in 2002...
    May he R.I.P.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn September 17th 1977, the Brothers Johnson performed "Strawberry Letter #23" on the ABC-TV program 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time the song was at #7 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart; the very next day it peaked at #5 {for 2 weeks}...
    {See the next post below}.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn June 26th 1977, "Strawberry Letter 23" by the Brothers Johnson entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #71; and on September 18th, 1977 it peaked at #5 (for 2 weeks) and spent 19 weeks on the Top 100...
    And on July 31st, 1977 it reached #1 (for 1 week) on Billboard's R&B Singles chart...
    Between 1976 and 1988 the 'brothers' had seventeen records on the R&B Singles chart; four made the Top 10 with three of them reaching #1, the other two #1s were "I'll Be Good To You" (1976) and "Stomp!" (1980).
  • Meocyber from Alma, CoJust killer free form lyrics. The lead vocals fit the song perfectly. Ofcourse the the harmonizuing is just too sweeeet. I definitely agree the guit fiddle solo is too nice. Just a real nice feel to it.
  • Harry from Leeds, United KingdomThere Is An Extented Version (12" Inch Single 5:08 Long ) Of This Song , BBC 1 England Currently ( August 2011) Using This Has A backing Tune For A Program Advert For The Code Science Program . :D
  • D from Redhook Ny, NyFor me the most memorable use of this song was the very last episode of Six Feet Under. It was sooooo cool yet hauntingly familiar.

    Good stuff!
  • Ekristheh from Halath, United States"Blue flowers echo from a cherry cloud" probably had to do with the design of the stationery she was writing on.
  • Jet from Tucson, AzI heard Sugar Otis wrote the guitar leed, agreed as one of the all time great guitar leads, but the song was written by another not ever mentioned. This is possibly why it is thought of as such a unique and yes, fabulous song.
  • Al from New York, NyI can honestly say i've never heard another song like this. i also recommend getting the original shuggie otis version. The Brothers Johnson...man.
  • Rick from Providence, RiI always figured that he was singing ABOUT Strawberry Letter #22, and that the song ITSELF was Strawberry Letter #23.
  • Sean from Lake Charles, LaThis song jams ! My sisters played this constantly on Saturday mornings as we got our day started. In my opinion, it is still a great hit !
  • Zoloft from Milton, WvOne of the greatest guitar solos in the history of music.
  • Ronald from Houston, TxWhat a great song! But it drove me bananas as
    to why the title of the song is "Strawberry
    Letter 23" but the lyrics say "22"!

    Your explanation....the guy is expecting
    ANOTHER letter....Now I can breathe easy...
  • Wally Lindsay from Auckland, New Zealanda truly great piece of music buy two very talented muso's.form beginning to end,this track is absolutely brilliant.a must for every playlist despite your musical tastes
  • Raquel from Miami, FlNo one can fight jammin' to this. My husband wants this as his ringtone. I love it!
  • Kc from Grapevine, TxThis song--the hook or the instrumental bridge, either one--would make a FABULOUS ringtone for your celly! Plus, it's just a great representation of seventies soul. Today's rappers don't have the musical talent of Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, The Commodores, etc. That's why this music still gets MAJOR play!
  • Charles from Auburn, AlI thought this was about a guy being shot with a 22 by his girlfriend. "blue flowers echo from a cherry cloud"? When Samuel L. Jackson starts playing this song, you know he's going to shoot the guy in the trunk of the car.
  • Kevin from Tokyo, JapanThis tune DEFINES 'funky'. Biggest shame is that the playing time is a little too short ! Is it cool?... Damn straight!
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