James Brown had dozens of hits over his decades-long career. Here is a smattering of his seminal, career-defining songs:
1956: “Please, Please, Please” – This begging ballad about a man trying to keep his woman took on a raw, sensual tone as Brown growled and yelped through the burning track.
1961: “Bewildered” – Brown’s she-done-me-wrong classic. He shrieks and shouts passionately, “bewildered” by the actions of his now-former woman.
1962: “Night Train” – One of the first songs to feature the tight, jumping horn section that would become a cornerstone of most of his major hits. Brown’s rough-edged voice shouts out cities nationwide on the “Night Train” route.
1965: “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag (Part I)” – Another classic dance track about – what else – dancing.
1965: “I Got You (I Feel Good)” – Perhaps Brown’s most famous tune, and one of the all-time greatest songs in rock’s canon. A buoyant, joyful jam that is an instant party starter. If you’ve never heard this, you’ve never heard music.
1968: “Say it Loud – I’m Black and I’m Proud (Part 1)” – Released at the height of the civil rights movement, this anthem boldly asserted pride in being black at a time when blacks were still fighting for basic rights.
1970: “Get Up (I Feel Like Being Like A) Sex Machine” (Part 1)” – Despite its somewhat risque title, this frenetic groove is more of a call to move your feet. Perhaps Brown’s second most-famous song, its signature is its slamming rhythm section.
1971: “Make It Funky (Part 1) – This could be the theme song of Brown’s entire career. It begins with Brown saying what would become his motto: “(Whatever) I play, it’s got to be funky!”
1985: “Living in America” – This rousing, patriotic song from the fourth installment of the “Rocky” movie franchise re-established Brown as a hitmaker in his fifth decade.
1988: “Static, Pts. 1 &2” (with Full Force) – As Brown’s music was being sampled right and left by rappers, Brown showed hip-hop heads how it should be done with this sizzling collaboration with the group Full Force.
Associated Press
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