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THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

Posted by: In: Other 02 Feb 2025 Comments: 0

THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

340-Funkadelic-(Not Just) Knee Deep.

1979-It has never charted in the UK.

Best Bit-At 6.59. The ‘Freak’ in the song is name of a dance, and like ‘Rock ‘N Roll’ it has that naughty double entendre interpretation.

The mastermind behind Funkadelic is George Clinton who was born George Edward Clinton, on July 22nd, 1941, in Kannapolis, North Carolina, United States. In 1955 he co-founded the ‘Doo-Wop’ group ‘The Parliaments’ who were originally based on ‘Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers (see also best songs 250.) Over the years ‘The Parliaments’ sound developed with the adding of Soul, R&B, Rock, and Funk, they remained active until 1969. Due to contractual problems with his record label, and in order to continue recording for other labels George Clinton was forced to change the bands name, it was the bassist Billy ‘Bass’ Nelson’ who coined the new name ‘Funkadelic’ (see also best songs 26.) Clinton didn’t just form the Rock and Funk orientated Funkadelic, he also simultaneously formed the Funk, R&B, and Psychedelic Soul outfit Parliament as well (see also best songs 612 and 143.) Clinton who would work with many differing musicians released Albums with both acts, with Parliament releasing nine studio Albums between 1970-1980, with a 10th Album ‘Medicaid Fraud Dogg’ issued in 2018, their first in 38 years, while his sister act Funkadelic released 13 studio Albums between 1970-1981, there has also been a 14th studio Album issued in 2014 called ‘First Ya Gotta Shake the Gate,’ the first new material under the Funkadelic banner in 33 years.

‘(Not Just) Knee Deep’ was the first of two singles released from Funkadelic’s 10th studio Album ‘Uncle Jam Wants You,’ from September 1979, and at 15 minutes and 21 seconds it is one of the longest songs on this countdown, although when it was released as a single it was edited down to 4 minutes and 25 seconds. ‘(Not Just) Knee Deep’ was produced by George Clinton, and although Clinton is down as the songs sole writer, one of the songs vocalists Philippé Wynne also received royalties according to the songs publishers. Philippé Wynne was born Phillip Walker, on April 3rd, 1941, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States, he died of a heart attack, on July 14th, 1984, at the age of 43. Prior to joining the Funkadelic collective he had been a member of the Spinners (known in the UK as the Detroit Spinners) (see also best songs 834) during their time at Atlantic Records, staying with that group until 1977. While associated with Parliament-Funkadelic, Philippé Wynne also appeared on the Bootsy Collins (see also best songs 850-612-340-143 and 88) Album ‘Sweat Band’ in 1980. After leaving The Detroit Spinners, Philippé Wynne released three solo studio Albums between 1977-1984, including one on George Clinton’s record label ‘Uncle Jam’ records, and one on ‘Sugarhill’ records.

Other musicians who played a big part in the making of (‘Not Just) Knee Deep,’ included Walter ‘Junie’ Morrison, who was the tracks arranger, and keyboard player, Booty Collins, who played the drums, and Michael Hampton, (see also best songs 26) who provided the tracks critically acclaimed guitar solo. Walter ‘Junie’ Morrison (see also best songs 506-143 and 26) was born on June 28th, 1954, in Dayton, Ohio, United States, he died on January 21st, 2017, at the age of 62, his death was reported the following month, but the details remained private. Of his part in creating ‘(Not Just) Knee Deep,’ Morrison has said, ‘I created ‘Knee Deep’ using a drum machine, Fender Rhodes, Steinway Grand, Mini-Moog for the lead and bass lines, and a Gibson L6S for my jazzy guitar solo. Bootsy (Collins) added his drums at a later date. In fact, Bootsy was also the drummer on ‘One Nation (Under A Groove.’) Michael Hampton added his monumental guitar solo to the Knee Deep mix some time later, as well. Although Bernie Worrell (1944-2016) (see also best songs 612-143 and 26) is a phenomenal musician, contrary to popular belief, he did not perform on (‘Not Just) Knee Deep.’ The track is of my conception. It originally began with the idea, groove and keyboard parts that I had created a few years prior to producing the track for Funkadelic, which later became (‘Not Just) Knee Deep,’ as you now know it today.’

(‘Not Just) Knee Deep’ is just one of the Funkadelic tracks that have been sampled on many occasions, particularly noteworthy is the 1989 UK Number 22 hit single by the ‘Hip-Hop’ trio De La Soul, (see also best songs 444 and 246) with their song ‘Me Myself and I.’ George Clinton has said, ‘I get back more than they do. They used ‘Knee Deep’ and they paid, but I get paid in a different way because I know how to appreciate it, the fact that they used the music. If they’re hot with the kids and the kids like them then they’ll like me. According to Clinton, he earned $100,000 for the sample. Many other artists including The Black Eyed Peas (see also best songs 899 and 234) and Tone Loc have sampled the track. Dr Dre’s (see also best songs 564-544-482-189-128 and 48) use of Funkadelic samples has also led to them becoming a big influence in the genre of ‘Gangsta Rap.’

(‘Not Just) Knee Deep’ is the tale of a guy meeting a girl at a club. He sees her dancing to the ‘Monkey,’ the ‘Chicken,’ and the ‘Jerk,’ but he is besotted by her after she ‘busts’ her moves to ‘The Freak.’

‘The girl is a freak, the girl never misses a beat. Not just knee deep, she was totally deep, when she did the freak with me.’