Song meanings by artist

James Brown: every song, explained.

4 James Brown songs in the archive, from 1956–1965: what each one is about, who wrote it and what it did on the charts. Each entry opens the full explanation.

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Songs explained

1956–1965

Years covered

R&B & Soul

Main genre here

4 songs

Sorted by year

James Brown Please, Please, PleaseWhat James Brown's 'Please, Please, Please' means: a song with barely any words, the 1956 Federal single the label owner tried to bury, and the cape routine it… 1956 James Brown I Got You (I Feel Good)What 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' means: James Brown's biggest pop hit, the song a court order kept off the shelves, and the scream that opens it. Maceo Parker's… 1965 James Brown Papa's Got a Brand New BagWhat 'Papa's Got a Brand New Bag' means: the 1965 record where James Brown moved the accent to the one and funk began. What a 'bag' meant, and why the released… 1965 James Brown It's a Man's Man's Man's WorldDive into the meaning and legacy of James Brown's iconic track 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World'. Discover its lyrics, historical context, chart success, and…

More artists in R&B & Soul and Rock

By number of songs explained

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About these entries

Every James Brown entry sets out what the song is about and where that reading comes from: writing credits, interviews, the record's own history. Where a popular interpretation is wrong, the entry says so and shows the evidence. Missing a song? Suggest it.