James Brown, Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine | Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶

In the 194^th edition of Throwback Vibez (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” by James Brown.

The vibes, the vibes, those Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶! Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 is a column that celebrates awesome songs from the past.  The records that grace this column are older, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ancient – no fossils 🦴! All genres of music are welcome. In the 194^th edition of Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 (2024), we recollect and reflect on “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” performed by James Brown.

“Fellas, I’m ready to get up and do my thing (Go ahead, do your thing, then, get on up and do it) / …I want to get into it, man, you know /… Like a, like a sex machine, man, (Yeah, yeah!).” There will only ever be one James Brown.  Rightfully dubbed The Godfather of funk, he left an indelible mark on the soul sub-genre.  One of his best songs features a title considered risqué at the time: “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine”.  Can you guess the offensive word? It’s SEX 🤫 🤭! “Sex Machine” was written by Brown, Bobby Byrd, and Ronald Lenhoff.  Despite featuring sex in its title, it was a highly successful pop hit. It peaked at no. 15 on the Billboard Hot 100.  More than five decades after its arrival, “Sex Machine” remains the sugar honey iced tea – a timeless gem from James.

What makes “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” so good? James Brown infuses ample personality into his performance, period.  Electrifying, the electricity begins with the infectious intro. After establishing the tone, the rhythm section enters and is firmly ‘in the pocket. The groove is badass – funky as hell! The drums, rhythmic guitar, and bass ‘bring the heat.’ Notably, The Original J.B.s back Brown. This includes  Bootsy Collins on bass and his brother, Catfish Collins on guitar.  Also, Brown provides some bluesy work on the keys.  Even with sex raising eyebrows, the lyrics are simple and generally, non-offensive.

“Get up (get on up) / Get up (Get on up)

Stay on the scene (Get on up)

Like a sex machine (Get on up).”

“Sex Machine” gives more of an attitude than bedroom talk. Notably, Brown quotes a past hit in the second verse: “You said the feeling you got to get / You give me the fever in a cold sweat.” Other notable moments include the unforgettable “Take ‘em to the bridge?” where Brown infectiously asserts, “Hit me now! / Come on! / Stay on the scene, like a sex machine.” Writing about “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine” is fun. More fun is experiencing as it’s meant to be – listening.  This is a certified classic.

James Brown // The 50^th Anniversary Collection // UMG Recordings, Inc. // 2003

James Brown, Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine: Throwback Vibez 🕶️🎶 No. 194 (2024) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; UMG Recordings, Inc.; OpenClipart-Vectors, Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Speedy McVroom from Pixabay]