James Joseph Brown (May 3, 1933 – December 25, 2006) was an American composer, singer, dancer, musician, record producer and bandleader. A progenitor of funk music and a major figure of 20th-century music and dance, he is often referred to as the "Godfather of Soul".
In a career that lasted over 50 years, Brown influenced the development of several music genres. The Residents are known to be fans of his work, even meeting him on two occasions. They have paid tribute to Brown many times, most notably with their interpretation of his album Live At The Apollo in 1984, and their cover of "This Is A Man's Man's Man's World" the same year.
History with The Residents[]
Early influence and first meeting (1958-1966)[]
The Residents had been fans of James Brown since their pre-history. They likely discovered his music in their early teens when his first hit "Please, Please Please" reached No. 6 in the R&B music charts. Following this was "Try Me", which was released in 1958, and reached No. 48 in the US billboard charts. After this it was hit after hit for Brown, "I'll Go Crazy" and "Think" in 1960, then in 1961, "I Don't Mind" & "Lost Someone" , followed up in 1962 the minor hit, "Night Train", which charted at 35. This same year he released his first live album, Live at The Apollo, considered one of the most influential live releases of all time, and a favortie of The Residents.
In 1965 he released "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag", which The Residents would later sample and cover on their suite Swastikas on Parade. "Bag" charted at number 8 in the US, making it his biggest hit at the time. The same year, several future members of The Residents saw Brown play live in Louisiana. After the show, Brown's tour bus got lost, and the not-yet Residents offered to help direct them. The following year, "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" charted at Number 8.
Appearances in Residents projects and second meeting (1974-1999)[]
The first James Brown song to be covered by The Residents was "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" in 1974. The Residents' version translates the song into German, and samples the iconic horns, long predating the cliched sampling of the horns in 1990s hip hop.
For their George & James album in 1984, The Residents covered the entirety of Live at The Apollo in abridged form, included as the record's second side. The same year, The Residents released their cover of "This Is a Man's Man's Man's World" as a 7 inch single. From 1985 to 1987, the song was performed live as part of their 13th Anniversary tour. It was re-recorded by the group in 1986. "Man's World" would be performed again ten years after the finale of The 13th Anniversary Show, as the encore to the group's Fillmore performances.
The Residents met Brown once again, in 1999. The group were performing at a House of Blues venue, and bumped into him backstage. Brown had dropped in to examine the venue in preparation for his own upcoming performance there. He had forgotten their prior encounter.
Continued references (2000-present)[]
Infamous 2006 mugshot which inspired the song "The Scarecrow" from The Residents' 2018 album Intruders
The Residents again recorded "This Is A Man's Man's Man's World" for their Icky Flix retrospective project in 2001, and it featured on the set list of the corresponding tour. It was performed once again between 2017 and 2019 during the group's tour, In Between Dreams.
During the Demons Dance Alone tour, The Residents referenced Brown in a monologue in during Mr. Wonderful, which detailed the group's two encounters with him.
In 2004, Brown was arrested on reports of of domestic abuse. He served no prison time but was fined $1000. His mugshot, in which he is seen disheveled and dressed in a bathrobe, became infamous after being used by several media outlets who reported the story. He died December 25th 2006 from congestive heart failure.
The Residents' 2018 album Intruders features a song entitled "The Scarecrow", which tells the story of a man who sees a scarecrow wearing James Brown's bathrobe in the days following Brown's death.
Songs covered by The Residents[]
- Please, Please, Please (1956)
- Try Me (1958)
- I'll Go Crazy (1960)
- Think (1960)
- Originally performed by The "5" Royales.
- I Don't Mind (1961)
- Lost Someone (1961)
- Night Train (1962)
- Originally by Jimmy Forrest.
- Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (1965)
- It's a Man's Man's Man's World (1966)
Writing credits on Residents releases[]
- George & James (1984, 'I'll Go Crazy', 'Try Me', 'I Don't Mind', 'Lost Someone', 'Please, Please, Please')
- The White Single (1984, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World')
- This Is A Man's Man's Man's World / I'll Go Crazy (1984)
- Ralph Before '84 (1984, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World ')
- Memorial Hits (1985, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World ')
- Heaven? (1986, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World')
- The Eyeball Show (Live In Japan) (1986, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World')
- Jailhouse Rock (1986, 'Mans World')
- Video Voodoo (1987, 'It's A Man's Man's Man's World')
- 13th Anniversary Show - Live In Holland - Featuring Snakefinger (1987, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World')
- Commercial Album Expanded (1988, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World')
- Our Tired, Our Poor, Our Huddled Masses (1997, 'This Is A Man's World')
- Twenty-Five Years Of Eyeball Excellence (1998, 'It's A Man's Man's Man's World'')
- Live At The Fillmore (1998, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World')
- Icky Flix (2001, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World')
- Live! ...On The Outskirts (2002, 'Man's World')
- Kettles Of Fish On The Outskirts Of Town (2003, 'Man's World')
- 80 Aching Orphans (2017, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World', 'I'll Go Crazy')
- Loss Of The Lizard Lady (2018, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World')
- In Between Dreams Live (2019, 'It's A Man's Man's Man's World')
- Icky Flix (The Original Soundtrack Recording) (2020, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World')
- Moravian Meeting (2020, 'This Is A Man's Man's Man's World')
See also[]
- Live At The Apollo
- George & James
- The American Composer Series
- "This Is A Man's Man's Man's World"
- "The Scarecrow"