The Payback
James Brown
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Hey, gotta, gotta payback! (the big payback) Revenge! I'm mad (the big payback) Got to get back! Need some get back! Pay Back! (the big payback) That's it! Payback! Revenge! I'm mad! You get down with my girlfriend, that ain't right! Hollerin', cussin', you want to fight Payback is a thing you gotta see, hey Brother do any damn thing to me Sold me out, for chicken change (yes you did!) Told me that they, they had it all arranged You had me down, and that's a fact Now you punk, You gotta get ready For the big payback! (the big payback!) That's where I land, the big payback (the big payback!) I can do wheelin', I can do dealin' (yes you can!) But I don't do no damn squealin' I can dig rappin', I'm ready! I can dig scrappin' But I can't dig that backstabbin' (oh no!) The brother getting ready, that's a fact! Get ready you mother, for the big payback (the big payback!) Let me hit 'em, hit 'em Ren, hit 'em! Hey, hey, woo! Lord, Lord Took my money, you got my honey Don't want me to see what you doing to me I could get back I gotta deal with you I gotta deal with you I gotta deal with you I gotta deal with you Hey, let me tell ya! Get down with my woman, that ain't right! You hollerin' and cussin', you want to fight! Don't do me no darn favor I don't know karate, but I know Ka-Razor! (yes we do!) Huh, hey Get ready, that's a fact Get ready you mother for the big payback (the big payback!) Hey! I'm a man! I'm a man! I'm a son of a man, but don't they tell ya then Pappa can Get ready for the big payback (the big payback!) Hit 'em again! Ohh Lord, Lord Yeah, hey, get ready I need it, I need a hit again! Say it once Say it once Say it once Hit 'em back! Ohh Lord The big payback! Sold me out for chump change Said my woman had it all arranged Tryin' to make a deal, she wants to squeal But I had my boys on her heels Saw when she comin', told a lie She broke down like she wanted to die I don't care what she does She gon' be doin' just like she was Take those kids and raise them up Somebody teach 'em to be righteous tough Take her, take that woman, it's one place she found Just run that mother out of town Make it get up! Make it get up, get out Make it get up! Make it get up, get out I'm mad! I want revenge, I want revenge (the big payback!) I want revenge I want revenge I want revenge, I want revenge Can I get some hits? I need those hits I need those hits, hit me Ohh Lord, I need those hits Carry on, carry on Pay back all of it (the big payback!) Oh, oh, oh (the big payback!) The big payback
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Written by: James Brown, John Starks, Fred Wesley
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Classification - Release"The Payback" is a song by the influential soul and funk musician, James Brown. The song was released in 1973 as part of an album also titled "The Payback."
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Classification - PerformanceKnown for his passionate performances, James Brown incorporated a unique blend of soul and funk in "The Payback", which would go on to become one of his signature songs.
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Classification - Chart position"The Payback" skyrocketed to the number one spot on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and remained there for a total of two weeks.
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Classification - Sales"The Payback" album was a commercial success, going on to be certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
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Classification - Music AttributesThe song is notable for its engaging combination of a funky bassline and percussion, along with a stinging brass section complemented by Brown's powerful vocals.
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Classification - ContextThe album was initially rejected by Brown's record label due to its politically charged nature and intense tone. However, after its success, it was welcomed as another iconic part of Brown’s repertoire.
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Classification - LongevityEven though "The Payback" was released in the early 70s, the song has enjoyed a lasting legacy. It has been sampled by different artists across various genres of music in the years since its release.
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Classification - Movie SoundtrackInterestingly, "The Payback" was initially intended to be a soundtrack for the blaxploitation film, "Hell Up in Harlem," but was rejected for being "the same old James Brown stuff," which later proved to be a misjudgment given the song's tremendous success.
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Classification - Song InspirationThe song and the album as a whole were inspired by the theme of revenge, reflecting some of the personal and professional struggles that Brown faced at the time.
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Classification - Sampling"The Payback" has been widely used in a number of popular songs by major artists. For example, the distinctive opening of the song was sampled by En Vogue for their hit "My Lovin' (You're Never Gonna Get It)" and by Kendrick Lamar for his song "King Kunta."
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Classification - Cultural impactThe song's message of revenge against injustice has resonated with many over the years, contributing to its cultural impact and enduring popularity.
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Classification - TechnicalityThe song operates on a duration of 7:39 minutes, making it one of the longer tracks in the soul/funk genre.
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"The Payback Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 5 Oct. 2024. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric-lf/1335954/James+Brown/The+Payback>.
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