Favorite Funk Songs #2 - "Flash Light"
@teamfreak16 (43567)
Denver, Colorado
January 9, 2018 9:41pm CST
When Funkadelic hit my countdown of my favorite funk songs with "One Nation Under a Groove," you knew, you just knew that sister band Parliament would land here at some point. The song is no surprise, either. We are at #2: "Flash Light."
Right off the bat, "Flash Light," probably the greatest funk song ever recorded, is interesting. From Parliament's 1978 album, Funkentelechy Vs. the Placebo Effect, the song's bassline was not played by the band's legendary bassist Bootsy Collins, who played drums. Instead, it was played on keyboards by Bernie Worrell. Of all the tunes recorded by a George Clinton band, according to the Houston Press, "Flash Light" is the most sampled.
In the 1970's, Casablanca Records was mainly known for the successes of KISS and Donna Summer. "Flash Light" brought the label it's first Billboard R&B #1 (also the first #1 on that chart of any song from Clinton's Parliament-Funkadelic empire,) and reached #16 on the Hot 100. All told, the single sold over a million copies.
There really aren't any great live versions on You Tube, so I've linked to the album version. Besides, it's the best way to appreciate the sheer awesomeness of this song!
(Flashing light info verified by Wikipedia)
Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group North America Flash Light · Parliament The Best Of Parliament: Give Up The Funk ? ? 1977 The Island Def Jam Musi...
7 people like this
6 responses
@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
10 Jan 18
Absolutely no question about this band or its greatness. I’ve mentioned that I met Bootsy...and he dresses like that all the time. 

3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jan 18
Bootsy is the MAN! He made "Groove is in the Heart" even better than it would have been anyway.
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Jan 18
I don't think you are going to be rockin' down the highway but funkin' down the highway!
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jan 18
If this came on the radio, I'd probably start breaking the funkin' speed limit! 

1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97912)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Jan 18
Thanks for the share.First time I hear them.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jan 18
It's classic funk. I'm glad you got to hear it!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
10 Jan 18
I love this series, its what I heard as a littl kid.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jan 18
I'm glad. This is fun because funk is so awesome!
1 person likes this
@BloggerDi (3121)
• United States
10 Jan 18
I still love it!
I was a sophomore in high school in '77. Fun memories!
"Everybody's got a little light under the sun..."
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jan 18
I was in the 8th grade. That was back when radio was great. If it was good, they played it!
1 person likes this
@misunderstood_zombie (8765)
• United States
10 Jan 18
I think I remember this, at least the title sounds very familiar.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
10 Jan 18
You probably have heard it at some point. It was pretty popular.
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