Sex Machine Part 1 – James Brown | Top 40 Chart Performance, Story and Song Meaning
Chart Performance: Pop (#61) and R&B (#16); 1975
Story Behind The Song By Ed Osborne
Here are just a few highlights from James Brown’s lifetime achievement resume: the #1 R&B artist of all time, the most chart hits (119), the most Top 40 hits, (98), the most Top 10 hits (58), and the most “crossover” hits (also made the pop charts) (89).
With 82% of his chart singles reaching the Top 40, James is the Michael Jordan of R&B. In 1974, 18 years after his first hit record, Please, Please, Please, James reeled off three consecutive #1’s! In 1975 – at age 41 – he revamped his #2 single from five years earlier (Get Up I Fell Like Being Like A Sex Machine).
The original version – before editing for single release – ran to almost 11 minutes. The updated version clocked in at under six, and showed the younger generation of funksters that he was still The Godfather of Soul.
This content and all Song Meaning articles were created and written by Top 40 Contributing Editor Ed Osborne. © 2024 Ed Osborne. All Rights Reserved. In addition to these song meaning articles, Ed has written our “Year in Music 1960s-1990s” articles.
Produced by:
- James Brown
Lyrics Written by:
- James Brown
Ed Osborne
Hi. I got my first record at age two and never looked back, spending a decades-long career in radio and the music business. Even after years of reading about and listening to all types of music, I am still fascinated by it. Apart from that, I’m endlessly intrigued by art, nature, and the inner lives of people (and dogs).