Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud
"Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud (Part 1)" | ||||
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Single by James Brown | ||||
from the album A Soulful Christmas and Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud | ||||
B-side | "Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud (Part 2)" | |||
Released | August 1968 | |||
Recorded | August 7, 1968, Vox Studios, Los Angeles | |||
Genre | Funk | |||
Length |
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Label | King 6187 | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) | James Brown | |||
James Brown charting singles chronology | ||||
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"Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud" is a
"Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud" was Brown's first recording to feature trombonist Fred Wesley.
Lyrics
In the song, Brown addresses
The lyrics "We've been 'buked and we've been scorned/ We've been treated bad, talked about as sure as you're born" in the first verse of the song paraphrase the
Recognitions
"'Say It Loud – I'm Black and I'm Proud' was a record that really convinced me to say I was black instead of a
However in direct response to the song's message, Willie Cobbs wryly observed that Brown was a millionaire by that point, as Cobbs retort was "Sing It Low - I'm Black and I'm Poor".[6]
Personnel
with the James Brown Orchestra:
- Waymond Reed – trumpet
- Richard "Kush" Griffith – trumpet
- Fred Wesley – trombone
- Alfred "Pee Wee" Ellis – alto saxophone
- Maceo Parker – tenor saxophone
- St. Clair Pinckney – baritone saxophone
- Jimmy Nolen – electric guitar
- Charles Sherrell – bass
- Clyde Stubblefield – drums
Other versions and uses
Numerous
A few performers have recorded
A slightly modified version of the
Jazz pianist Jaki Byard recites the title phrase at the onset of "Parisian Thoroughfare", the opening track of his album The Jaki Byard Experience. However, the recitation is only audible when the track is played at a high volume.
The song is referenced in an episode of
The song is also referenced in the
"Let's Take it to the Stage" by Funkadelic gives a nod to this song with the lyric "Say it loud, I'm funky and I'm proud."
R&B/Rock artist Meshell Ndegeocello covers the song during her live performances.
References
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles: 1942-2004. Record Research. p. 84.
- ^ White, Cliff (1991). "Discography". In Star Time (pp. 54–59) [CD booklet]. New York: PolyGram Records.
- ^ James Brown interviewed on the Pop Chronicles (1970)
- ^ "Charles Bobbit". Interviews, Roots Of Doo Wop. 2012-06-11. Archived from the original on 2014-05-02. Retrieved 2012-06-11.
- ^ Mojo, March 2002
- ISBN 978-0-306-80743-5.
- ^ Leeds, Alan, and Harry Weinger (1991). "Star Time: Song by Song". In Star Time (pp. 46–53) [CD booklet]. New York: PolyGram Records.