Super Bad

James Brown, The J.B.'s

About Super Bad

"Super Bad", originally titled Call Me Super Bad, is a 1970 song by James Brown. Originally released as a three-part single, it went to #1 on the R&B chart and number 13 on the Billboard 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!" A reverbed version with overdubbed audience applause was released on a 1971 album of the same name. He performed the song on Soul Train on February 10, 1973. 


Year:
1991
5:00
70 

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Watch me, watch me, I got it, watch me
I got it, yeeah, I got somethin' that makes me wanna shouta
I got somethin' that tells me what it's all about
Huh, I got soul and I'm super bad

I got soul, huh, and I'm super bad, huh
Now I got a move that tells me what to do
Sometimes I tease now
I gotta move that tells me what to do

Sometimes I feel so nice I wanna try
Myself with you, huh, uh
I got soul and I'm super bad, huh
I'm a lover, I love to do my thing, ha

An a, an I don't need no one else
Sometimes I feel so nice, good Lord
I jump back, I wanna kiss myself
I've got soul, huh, and I'm super bad, hey

I said I'm super bad
Come on, up and down and
Round and round, up and down, all around
Right on people, huh, let it all hang out

If you don't brothers and sisters, then you won't know
Ha, what it's all about, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme
Gimme, gimme, gimme, yeeaah, ack
Uh, come on

I got the somethin' that makes me wanna shout
I got that thing, tell me what it's all about
I got soul, ha, and I'm super bad, heh
Got the move that tells me what to do

Sometimes I feel so nice, I said
I wanna tie myself to a fuse, huh
I, I, I, I got soul, heh and I'm super bad

Hit me up and down and all around
Right on people, heh, let it all hang out
If you don't brothers and sisters, then you won't know
A what it's all about, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimmie

Aayee, uh, come on, come on rap it, come on brother
Do the rap it, how about me some trains brother
Hey, gimme, huh, gimme, uh, gimme, gimme

Some super bad, a super bad brother, ha, heh
Super bad uh, come on dance it, come on
Super bad, jab, good Lord, super bad
Mercy, huh, let me hear ya, super bad

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James Brown

James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of funk music and is a major figure of 20th century popular music and dance. more »

2 fans

Written by: JAMES BROWN

Lyrics © CALDERWOOD, INC., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Information
"Super Bad" was released by James Brown in 1970. It was issued as a two-part single at its release.
Hit Performance
Both parts of the "Super Bad" single peaked at No.13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It reached No.1 on the Billboard Soul Singles chart, showcasing its popularity within the soul and R&B community.
Album Feature
The song is also the title track of his album "Super Bad", revealing its importance to that particular collection of songs.
Notable Lyrics
The song contains around 90 words, repeatedly arranged in a way to make the lyrics highly memorable and infectious for listeners.
Live Recording
The original release of "Super Bad" was a Live rendition. The studio version did not appear until later. The live version used in the single was recorded in Cincinnati.
Song Theme
The song features the theme of individualism and self-affirmation. It focuses on being unapologetically oneself, a theme often found in Brown's repertoire.
Song Length
The full-length version of the song is about 9 minutes long, which is considerably longer than most popular song formats, but not uncommon for James Brown's recordings.
Music Composition
A key aspect of "Super Bad" is its funky rhythm, driven by a powerful horn section and Brown's energetic vocal delivery. The song's groove has made it a favorite among funk music enthusiasts.
Influence
The song has been sampled multiple times in popular culture and has influenced many hip-hop and R&B musicians.
Band Collaboration
Like many of his songs, "Super Bad" was recorded with his longtime collaborators, The J.B.'s, comprising talented musicians like Fred Wesley and Maceo Parker.

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