Song Lyric Sunday – Funk

As we continue to explore different genres of music, we have this week arrived at Funk. In my opinion Motown, Soul and Funk are connected and if you like one, then you like them all.

According to Wiki, Funk is a music genre that originated in Black American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African Americans in the mid-20th century. It de-emphasizes melody and chord progressions and focuses on a strong rhythmic groove of a bassline played by an electric bassist and a drum part played by a percussionist, often at slower tempos than other popular music. Funk typically consists of a complex percussive groove with rhythm instruments playing interlocking grooves that create a “hypnotic” and “danceable” feel.

So for Song Lyric Sunday this week have chosen a song that I have enjoyed for many years called ‘Rock Steady by The Whispers. It checks all the boxes for Funk so I hope you enjoy it too.

The Song

Written in 1987, this is the Whispers’ biggest hit, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100. It’s about a guy who falls into a complicated relationship with a girl he thinks he loves. He is trying to figure out if she loves him in return, though it should be obvious that she does.

This was written and produced by the team of L.A. Reid and Babyface. It was one of the first songs the pair worked on for another artist – they were members of the group The Deele at the time. In 1989, they formed LaFace Records and became music moguls as well as hit producers. TLC, OutKast and Pink were all signed to LaFace.

Courtesy of Songfacts

The Lyrics

I looked at you 
You stole my heart 
You were all that I anticipated 
I wanted you
Every part 
But I knew that love would be complicated 

I began to touch
But you wouldn't let it 
It never seemed to be the right time 
I started to give up
Down to the limit 
And then you changed your mind, oh

And we begin to rock steady 
Steady rockin' all night long 
And we begin to rock steady 
Rockin' 'til the break of dawn 

Rock steady 
Steady rockin' all night long 
Rock steady 
Rockin' 'til the break of dawn 

You looked at me to my surprise 
You were through anticipating 
I should have known
It was in your eyes 
That you were gettin' tired of waiting 

You wanted me so much
But I didn't get it 
How could a fellow be so blind? 
I started to give up
But love wouldn't let it 
Then you walked into my life 

And we begin to rock steady 
Steady rockin' all night long 
And we begin to rock steady 
Rockin' 'til the break of dawn 

Rock steady 
Steady rockin' all night long (all night long)
Rock steady 
Rockin' 'til the break of dawn 
Rockin' 'til the break of dawn 

Rock
Steady, baby
Rock steady, baby
Ooh rock, rock
Steady, baby
Rock steady, baby

Rock
Ooh, rock, rock

You wanted me so much
But I didn't get it 
How could a fellow be so blind? 
I started to give up
But love wouldn't let it 
Then you walked into my life, ohh

And we begin to rock steady 
Steady rockin' all night long 
And we begin to rock steady 
Rockin' 'til the break of dawn
Rockin' 'til the break of dawn 

Rock steady 
Steady rockin' all night long (all night long)
Rock steady 
Rockin' 'til the break of dawn 

Everybody, rock (steady rock) steady (s-s-s-steady rock)
Steady rockin' all night long
(Everybody's steady rockin')
Rock steady 
Rockin' 'til the break of dawn
Rockin' 'til the break of dawn 

(Everybody's steady rockin')
Writer/s: Antonio M. Reid, Boaz Watson, Kenneth Edmonds 
Publisher: Bluewater Music Corp., BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., O/B/O CAPASSO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind