Super Bad (song)
Encyclopedia
"Super Bad" is a 1970
James Brown
song
. Originally released as a three-part single
, it went to number one on the soul singles chart and number 13 on the Hot 100. . The song's lyrics
include the refrain
"I've got soul and I'm super bad." The positive use of the word "bad" is an example of linguistic reappropriation
, which Brown had done before in "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud
".
The song includes a tenor saxophone
solo
by Robert McCollough, during which Brown yells "Blow me some Trane
, brother!"
Brown re-recorded "Super Bad" for a 1971 album of the same name.
with The J.B.'s
:
1970 in music
- Events :*January 3**Davy Jones announces he is leaving the Monkees**Former Pink Floyd frontman Syd Barrett releases his first solo album The Madcap Laughs....
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...
song
Song
In music, a song is a composition for voice or voices, performed by singing.A song may be accompanied by musical instruments, or it may be unaccompanied, as in the case of a cappella songs...
. Originally released as a three-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...
, it went to number one on the soul singles chart and number 13 on the Hot 100. . The song's lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
include the refrain
Refrain
A refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
"I've got soul and I'm super bad." The positive use of the word "bad" is an example of linguistic reappropriation
Reappropriation
Reappropriation is the cultural process by which a group reclaims—re-appropriates—terms or artifacts that were previously used in a way disparaging of that group. For example, since the early 1970s, much terminology referring to homosexuality—such as gay, queer, and faggot—has been reappropriated...
, which Brown had done before in "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud
Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud
"Say It Loud — I'm Black and I'm Proud" is a funk song written and recorded by James Brown in 1968. It is notable both as one of Brown's signature songs and as one of the most popular Black Power anthems of the 1960s. The song was released as a two-part single which held the number-one spot on the...
".
The song includes a tenor saxophone
Tenor saxophone
The tenor saxophone is a medium-sized member of the saxophone family, a group of instruments invented by Adolphe Sax in the 1840s. The tenor, with the alto, are the two most common types of saxophones. The tenor is pitched in the key of B, and written as a transposing instrument in the treble...
solo
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
by Robert McCollough, during which Brown yells "Blow me some Trane
John Coltrane
John William Coltrane was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Working in the bebop and hard bop idioms early in his career, Coltrane helped pioneer the use of modes in jazz and later was at the forefront of free jazz...
, brother!"
Brown re-recorded "Super Bad" for a 1971 album of the same name.
Personnel
- James Brown - lead vocal
with The J.B.'s
The J.B.'s
The J.B.'s were James Brown's band during the first half of the 1970s. On record the J.B.'s were sometimes billed under various alternate names such as The James Brown Soul Train, Maceo and the Macks, A.A.B.B., The First Family and The Last Word...
:
- Clayton "Chicken" Gunnells - trumpet
- Darryl "Hasaan" Jamison - trumpet
- Robert McCollough - tenor saxophone
- Bobby ByrdBobby ByrdBobby 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...
- organ - Phelps "Catfish" Collins - guitar
- William "Bootsy" Collins - bass
- John "Jabo" Starks - drums
- Johnny Griggs - congas
Chart positions
| Chart (1970) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 13 |
| U.S. Billboard R&B | 1 |
Appearances and references in media
- The song is prominently featured in the film The New GuyThe New GuyThe New Guy is a 2002 American teen comedy directed by Ed Decter. The film tells the story of high school loser Dizzy Gillespie Harrison. Dizzy is an unpopular, high school band geek going through a hellish senior year...
. - In a Boondocks strip, Michael CaesarMichael CaesarMichael Caesar is a fictional character from the comic strip The Boondocks, created by Aaron McGruder. Caesar was Huey's classmate and best friend during the comic strip's run...
interrupts his elementary school class to recite the song lyrics. - An exclusive remixRemixA remix is an alternative version of a recorded song, made from an original version. This term is also used for any alterations of media other than song ....
of this song was featured on the video game Gran Turismo 4Gran Turismo 4is a racing simulator for the Sony PlayStation 2 which was developed by Polyphony Digital. It was released on December 28, 2004 in Japan and Hong Kong , February 22, 2005 in North America , and March 9, 2005 in Europe , and has since been re-issued under Sony's 'Greatest Hits' line...
. - The song is featured in the film White Men Can't JumpWhite Men Can't JumpWhite Men Can't Jump is a 1992 American sports comedy drama film starring Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes as streetball hustlers, co-starring Rosie Perez...
. - The Dutch techno band Human Resource used a lyrical interpolation of James Brown's "I wanna kiss myself" for their 1991 hardcore track Dominator.
- The song is featured in the 1996 film The Nutty ProfessorThe Nutty Professor (1996 film)The Nutty Professor is a 1996 science fiction-romantic comedy film starring Eddie Murphy. It is a remake of the 1963 film of the same name, starring Jerry Lewis. The original music score was composed by David Newman. The film won an Academy Award for Makeup.Murphy plays benevolent university...
. - The song is featured in the 1999 film BowfingerBowfingerBowfinger is a 1999 comedy cult film directed by Frank Oz. It depicts a down-and-out filmmaker in Hollywood attempting to make a film on a small budget with a star who does not know that he is in the film...
. - The song is featured heavily in the 2011 commercials for the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
on Rogers Sportsnet - The song is featured in a 2011 commercial for GatoradeGatoradeGatorade is a brand of sports-themed food and beverage products, built around its signature product: a line of sports drinks. Gatorade is currently manufactured by PepsiCo, distributed in over 80 countries...
. - The song is featured in one of the first segments of Ken Burns' Baseball: The Tenth Inning.
- The song provided the title for both the novel Superbad by Ben GreenmanBen GreenmanBen Greenman is an American writer and magazine editor.-Biography:Greenman was born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Miami, Florida. He attended Miami Palmetto High School and then Yale University where he worked on the Yale Herald...
and the Judd ApatowJudd ApatowJudd Apatow is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He is well known for his work in comedy films, especially for films he has been involved with throughout the latter half of the 2000s. He is the founder of Apatow Productions, a film production company that also developed the...
film of the same name. - The song was released as downloadable content for Rock Band 3Rock Band 3Rock Band 3 is a music video game, developed by Harmonix Music Systems. The game was initially published and distributed by MTV Games and Electronic Arts, respectively, with Mad Catz taking over both roles a year later. It is the third main game in the Rock Band series...
in August 2, 2011.
External links
- [ Song Review] at Allmusic
- List of songs that sample "Super Bad"