King Heroin
Greg Edwards, James Brown
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Ladies and gentlemen Fellow Americans Lady Americans This is James Brown I wanna talk to you about one of our Most deadly, killers in the country today I had a dream the other night, and I Was sittin' in my living room Dozed off to sleep So I start to dreamin' I dreamed I walked in a place and I saw a real strange, weird object Standin' up talkin' to the people And I found out it was heroin That deadly drug that go in your veins He says I came to this country without a passport Ever since then I've been hunted and sought My little white grains are nothin' but waste Soft and deadly and bitter to taste I'm a world of power and all know it's true Use me once and you'll know it, too I can make a mere schoolboy forget his books I can make a world-famous beauty neglect her looks I can make a good man forsake his wife Send a greedy man to prison for the rest of his life I can make a man forsake his country and flag Make a girl sell her body for a five-dollar bag Some think my adventure's a joy and a thrill But I'll put a gun in your hand and make you kill In cellophane bags, I've found my way To heads of state and children at play I'm financed in China, ran in Japan I'm respected in Turkey and I'm legal in Siam I take my addicts and make 'em steal, borrow, beg Then they search for a vein in their arm or their leg So, be you Italian, Jewish, Black or Mex I can make the most virile of men forget their sex So now, no, my man, you must, you know, do your best To keep up your habit until your arrest Now the police have taken you from under my wing Do you think they dare defy me, I who am king Now, you must lie in that county jail Where I can't get to you by visit or mail So squirm, with discomfort, wiggle and cough Six days of madness, you might throw me off Curse me in name, defy me in speech But you'd pick me up right no if I were in your reach All through your sentence you've become resolved to your fate Hear now young man and woman, I'll be waitin' at the gate And don't be afraid, don't run, I'm not chased Sure my name is Heroin, you'll be back for a taste Behold, you're hooked, your foot is in the stirrup And make, haste, mount the steed and ride him well For the white horse of heroin will ride you to Hell, to Hell Will ride you to Hell until you are dead Dead, brother, dead This is a revolution of the mind Get your mind together And get away from drugs That's the man Back, back
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Written by: CHARLES BOBBITT, CHARLES FRED BOBBITT, DAVE MATTHEWS, JAMES BROWN, MANNY ROSEN
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
10 facts about this song
Song Composition"King Heroin" is a spoken word song written and composed by James Brown, Manny Rosen, Dave Matthews, and Charles Bobbit; it is a rarity in Brown's music catalog as it doesn't follow his standard groovy funk style.
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Album ReleaseThe song was released in 1972 as part of James Brown's album titled "There It Is."
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InspirationThe song represents a stark warning against drug usage, specifically heroin. It was inspired by the detrimental impact of drug addiction that Brown witnessed within the music industry and his community.
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Billboard RankingUpon release, "King Heroin" rapidly climbed the charts and secured a position at #6 on the Billboard R&B chart and #40 on the Billboard Hot 100.
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Narrative StructureThe song has a distinctive structure, with James Brown speaking over a slow, mournful rhythm section and the lyrics mimicking the perspective of the drug, personifying heroin as a merciless king in the lives of addicts.
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Social ImpactAt a time when drug addiction was growing in the US, especially within urban communities, the song played a part in raising public awareness about the devastating effects of heroin usage.
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Anti-drug Advocacy"King Heroin" signified Brown's stance against drugs and his efforts to curb drug addiction, cementing his role as an anti-drug advocate.
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Song ImprintsThe song's poignant lyrics, such as “My strength will make you curse the day you tried me”, and unique spoken-word style left unfading impressions on its listeners.
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Critic ReceptionThe song was well-received by critics for its candid take on drug culture, being hailed as a powerful anti-drug anthem.
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LegacyJames Brown has since became known for his fervently anti-drug position; the lingering influence of "King Heroin" echoes in his later works and interviews. This song solidified his social standing not just as a musician, but as a leader opposing drug abuse.
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Citation
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"King Heroin Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 14 May 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/531767/James+Brown/King+Heroin>.
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