Clarence Carter, Strokin’ | Midnight Heat

In the 5^th edition of Midnight Heat (2023), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind “Strokin’” by Clarence Carter. 

When I start makin’ love / I don’t just make love / I be strokin’…” Ah, bring on Midnight Heat ! Wait – it is not usually hot at midnight! Well, it is steaming hot at midnight when it comes to this naughty, innuendo and sex-laden column featuring songs intended for nighttime. Yeah, we are talking about that after dark, bedroom boom $hi†, ya dig? These unapologetic records often raises both eyebrows and temperature alike. Woo! In the 5^th edition of Midnight Heat (2023), we explore the naughty, sexy vibes behind, “Strokin’” by Clarence Carter. 

Versatile R&B and blues musician Clarence Carter is best known for his hit, “Patches”, which peaked at no. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.  Of course, at times, the blind musician has also shown himself to be unapologetic . “Back Door Santa” does NOT feel child appropriate, for example – Santa is one bad motherf – SHUT YO MOUTH. Far worse, however, is the unquestionably sexual “Strokin’”. Mr. Carter informs us, “I stroke it to the east / And I stroke it to the west / And I stroke it to the woman that I love the best / I be strokin’.” Wow! Clearly, the strokin’ is a euphemism for a sexual act.  Most of the time, it seems Carter is referencing to intercourse.  Still, if we are even more perverted, it doesn’t seem far-fetched if he at least mentions a solo act as well, if you catch my drift.

Carter asks several questions about sex (making love) regarding time and place on this highlight from Dr. C.C..  That, my friends, is just freaky! A prime example is when he asserts, “Have you ever made love on the back seat of a car?  I remember one time I made love on the back seat of a car / And the police came and shine his light on me, and I said: ‘I’m strokin’, that’s what I’m doin’, I be strokin’.” Jesus! Carter, for good measure, also makes references to “Make it hard, long, soft, short” (), and saying his name thanks to the orgasm, presumably (“She’d say: Clarence Carter, Clarence Carter… ooh shit, Clarence Carter”).  My, my, my! Cringy, hilarious, and raunchy, “Strokin’” is truly one of a kind.

Clarence Carter • Dr. C.C. • Koch • 1994

 Clarence Carter, “Strokin’”: Midnight Heat No. 5 (2023) [: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Koch; Ash via Pexels; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Dorothe, Stefan Schweihofer via Pixabay]