THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

889-The Brothers Johnson-Stomp!

1980- Number 6 single.

Best Bit- At 2.42. If you ever wondered why they were nicknamed ‘Thunder Thumbs,’ and ‘Lightnin’ Licks,’ then have a listen to this.

The Brothers Johnson (see also best songs 1022) were formed in Los Angeles, California, United States, in 1975, by the brothers, George, (Lightnin’ Licks) and Louis E. Johnson (1955-2015) (Thunder Thumbs.) George and Louis began in music by forming the band ‘Three Plus One,’ with their older brother Tommy, and their cousin Alex Weir, and then they toured professionally as a backing group for acts such as Bobby Womack, (1944-2014) and the Supremes. They then joined Billy Preston’s, (1946-2006) band where they contributed to his 1973 Album ‘Music Is My Life,’ and his 1974 release ‘The Kids & Me,’ before coming to the attention of Quincy Jones, (see also best songs 1022-812-703-511-357 and 191) who hired them to play on his 1975 Album ‘Mellow Madness.’ George and Louis were active as a duo from 1975 until 1982, when they split in order to pursue solo projects. They then re-united in 1984, and recorded, and toured together through until Louis’ death from liver cancer, at the age of 60, in 2015. The Brothers Johnson are best remembered as a duo, but over the years they have actually worked with 11 other official band members, in different time periods.

The discography of The Brothers Johnson includes seven studio Albums released between 1976-1988, and 21 singles released within the same time period, there are also eight official compilation Albums, and one live Album available. In America on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, they have had four top 40 entries, with their debut single ‘I’ll Be Good to You,’ charting the highest at Number 3 in 1976, ‘Stomp’ made Number 7, but did reach Number 1 on the Billboard ‘Hot R&B’ chart. In the UK, The Brothers Johnson have made the top 40 on two occasions, with their cover of ‘Strawberry Letter 23,’ making Number 35 in 1977. Away from The Brothers Johnson, Louis recorded a ‘Gospel Music’ Album in 1981, and also played bass on Michael Jackson’s 1982 Album ‘Thriller.’ George Johnson has released one solo single called ‘Back Against the Wall,’ which was issued on Quincy Jones’ record label ‘Qwest.’

‘Stomp!’ was the first of three singles released from The Brothers Johnson’s fourth studio Album ‘Light Up the Night,’ from April 1980, and was co-written by Louis Johnson, George Johnson, Valerie Johnson, who was Louis’ wife, and Rod Temperton, with Quincy Jones producing the single, and it’s parent Album. Among the artists who provided backing vocals on the track, were Michael Jackson, (1958-2009) Jim Gilstrap, Scherrie Payne, and Quincy Jones.

Rodney Lynn Temperton (see also best songs 511 and 357) was born on October 9th, 1949, in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, England, he died on September 25th, 2016, after a a brief aggressive battle with cancer, he was 66 years old. Temperton was a pupil at ‘ De Aston Grammar School, in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, and was a year older than Bernie Taupin, (see also best songs 946-481-237 and 62) who attended ‘Market Rasen Secondary Modern School.’ Temperton started his music career as a keyboard player, joining the British ‘Funk/Disco’ band ‘Heatwave’ in 1974, and writing hits for them including ‘Boogie Nights,’ (UK-Number 2, and Billboard Number 2, in 1977) and ‘Always and Forever’ (UK-Number 9, and Billboard Number 18, in 1978.) In 1979 Temperton was recruited by Quincy Jones to write for Michael Jackson’s fifth solo studio Album ‘Off the Wall,’ which produced the Billboard Number 1 single ‘Rock With You.’ Even greater success came in 1982 when Temperton wrote three songs for Michael Jackson’s sixth solo studio Album ‘Thriller,’ including the title track, the Album is the best selling Album of all time, with sales estimated in excess of 70 million copies sold worldwide. Rod Temperton also achieved great success writing hits for other artists including George Benson (‘Give Me the Night’-1980) and Donna Summer (‘Love Is in Control (Finger on the Trigger’-1982.)

It is said that Quincy Jones liked to give his songwriters assignments, he had asked George Johnson to write a song called ‘Stomp,’ Jones had done the same thing in 1976 when asking Johnson to write a song called ‘Get The Funk Out Ma Face.’ It is said that Johnson wrote the word ‘stomp’ on a piece of paper, and then drew a picture of a foot. After spending all night on the song, he took what he had done to the studio the next day, and ‘Stomp!’ was born.

‘Steppin’ out, the weekend’s open wide, fill it up, let’s blast the jams and ride. While we’re cruisin’ around in the street, listen up for the party in feet. Slap me five, that’s the place we’ve arrived, it’s alive, everybody take it to the top.’