The song of the day is “Get Up Offa That Thing” by James Brown, the godfather of soul.

Fun Facts

• James Brown says the inspiration for the song came when he was performing at a Fort Lauderdale, Florida club. The fact that the audience was seated while he performed was deeply upsetting to him. He wanted them to get up and to get down to the music— and he told them so.
• The song went all the way to the 45th spot on the Billboard Hot 100, reached the 4th spot on the R&B chart, and peaked at the19th spot on the US Billboard National Disco Top 40.
• “Get Up Off Of That Thing” has been featured on the big screen —such as Muppets from Space. It’s also been featured on the small screen in films such as Another World.
• The song has been sampled by musicians such as Gloria Estefan and Jazzy Jay.
• James Brown credited his wife Deidre and their daughters Yamma and Deanna as songwriters for the song. He did this because he owed back taxes worth millions and didn’t want the IRS to get any of the royalties from the song.
• The song was featured in a 2012 Super Bowl commercial ad promoting the Volkswagen Beetle.

Lyrics:

(Genius)

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAW!!!

OH!

Say it now!

I’m back!

I’m back!

I’m back!

I’m back!

Get up offa that thing

And dance ’till you feel better

Get up offa that thing

And dance ’till you, sing it now!

Get up offa that thing

And dance ’till you feel better

Get up offa that thing

And try to release that pressure!

Get up offa that thing

And shake ’till you feel better

Get up offa that thing

And shake it, say it now!

Get up offa that thing

And shake ’till you feel better

Get up offa that thing

And try to release that pressure!

Get up off!

Ha!

Good God!

So good!

Ha!

Everybody ready?!

Follow me!

Get up offa that thing

And shake ’till you feel better (yeeeah)

Get up offa that thing

And shake it, sing it now!

Get up offa that thing

And shake ’till you feel better

Get up offa that thing

And try to release that pressure!

Get up offa that thing (ha!)

And twist ’till you feel better

Get up offa that thing

And shake ’till you, sing it now!

Get up offa that thing

And shake ’till you feel better

Get up offa that thing

And try to release that pressure!

Hah! So funky! So good, uh!

Bus stop, hah!

Funk around, uh, ha!

Ohio player!

Can you hit it one time, from the top?

I want ya to get up offa that thing

And dance till you feel better!

Get up offa that thing

Follow me… Help me!

Get up offa that thing

And dance ’till you feel better!

Get up offa that thing

And try to release that pressure!

Wait a minute! Huh-ha, so funky

(Whoo, sho-nuff!) I need it

That’s the wise old brother at the side start good!

C’mon Clive do it!

Do it, Jimmy!

Uh, ha!

(Watch it, watch it, look at that)

Good God!

You feel good? Let me hear you say somethin’!

(Now watch it, watch it)

You feel good? (Watch it, watch it) You feel good?

Do it to me!

Huh, good God!