"Licking Stick — Licking Stick" is a song recorded by James Brown

James Brown

James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...

 in 1968. It was released as a two-part single

Single (music)

In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...

 and also appeared on the album Say It Loud — I'm Black and I'm Proud. The song's title refers to a stick used to administer corporal punishment (a "lickin'").

"Licking Stick — Licking Stick" was one of Brown's first post-Famous Flames hits to feature backing vocals by original Flames member Bobby Byrd

Bobby Byrd

Bobby Byrd born Robert Howard Byrd was an American funk/soul/R&B/gospel musician, songwriter and record producer. He was born in Toccoa, Georgia, and is a 1998 winner of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's prestigious Pioneer Award...

, a role he would continue in later recordings such as "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine

Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine

"Get Up Sex Machine" is a funk song recorded by James Brown in 1970 and released as a two-part single on King Records....

" and "Soul Power

Soul Power

"Soul Power" is a song by James Brown. Recorded in 1971 with the original J.B.'s and released as a three-part single, it was a Top Ten R&B hit. The song also appeared on the 1972 album Soul Classics...

". Byrd also co-wrote the song. It was also the first stereo

Stereophonic sound

The term Stereophonic, commonly called stereo, sound refers to any method of sound reproduction in which an attempt is made to create an illusion of directionality and audible perspective...

 single release by Brown's label King Records

King Records (USA)

King Records is an American record label, started in 1943 by Syd Nathan and originally headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio.-History:At first it specialized in country music, at the time still known as "hillbilly music." King advertised, "If it's a King, It's a Hillbilly -- If it's a Hillbilly, it's a...

.

Chart positions

Chart (1968)	Peak position
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	14
U.S. Billboard R&B	2

Live version

Brown performs a live version of "Licking Stick — Licking Stick" on his 1970 album Sex Machine

Sex Machine (album)

Sex Machine is a 1970 double album by James Brown. It showcases the playing of the original J.B.'s lineup featuring Bootsy and Catfish Collins, and includes an 11-minute rendition of the album's title song. This rendition is different from the original recording of the title song, which was...

.