Play That Funky Music by Wild Cherry Lyrics Meaning – The Fusion of Rock and Funk in An Era of Rhythm

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Wild Cherry's Play That Funky Music at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Hey do it now, yeah hey

Once I was a boogie singer
Playin’ in a rock and roll band
I never had no problems yeah
Burnin’ down the one night stands
Then everything around me, yeah
Got to stop to feelin’ so low
And I decided quickly, yes I did
To disco down and check out the show
Yeah they were

Dancin’ and singin’ and movin’ to the groovin’
And just when it hit me somebody turned around and shouted
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Lay down that boogie and play that funky music ’til you die
‘Til you die, oh yeah yeah

Well, I tried to understand this (yeah)
I thought that they were out of their minds
How could I be so foolish (how could I)
To not see I was the one behind
So still I kept on fighting
Well, losing every step of the way
I said, I must go back there (I got to go back)
And check to see if things still the same

Yeah they were dancin’ and singin’ and movin’ to the groovin’
And just when it hit me somebody turned around and shouted
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Lay down the boogie and play that funky music till you die
‘Til you die, yeah
Oh ’til you die

(Gonna play some electified funky music, yeah)

(Hey, wait a minute)
Now first it wasn’t easy
Changin’ rock and roll and minds
Yeah, things were getting shaky
I thought I’d have to leave it behind
Oh, but now its so much better (it’s so much better)
I’m funking out in every way
But I’ll never lose that feelin’ (no I won’t)
Of how I learned my lesson that day

When they were dancin’ and singin’ and movin’ to the groovin’
And just when it hit me somebody turned around and shouted
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Lay down the boogie and play that funky music ’til you die
‘Til you die, yeah
Oh ’til you die

They shouted play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(You gotta keep on playin’ funky music)
Play that funky music
(Play that funky music)
Play that funky music
(Want to take you higher, ya)
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right, yeah
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right
Play that funky music white boy
Play that funky music right, yeah

In the heart of the 70s, a sonic explosion occurred that reverberated through the walls of every discotheque and juke joint. That explosion was Wild Cherry’s ‘Play That Funky Music,’ a raucous anthem harmonizing the rollicking force of rock with the infectious beats of funk. More than a mere call to the dance floor, this song encapsulated a cultural shift, a musical pivot that reflected the fluid nature of genres.

Despite its immediate interpretation as a dance command, the lyrics hold layers of significance about the evolution of music and the artist’s journey through change, adaptation, and ultimately, transformation. Let’s delve into the lines that made us groove and decode their deeper reverberations.

From Rock to Funk – A Transition of Epic Groove Proportions

Wild Cherry’s narrative begins with a confession, a tale of a ‘boogie singer’ entrenched in a rock and roll band. The comfort of familiarity and success is palpable in the early lines, depicting a life unhindered by challenges. However, a sense of discontent brews beneath, spurring the protagonist towards an unfamiliar scene that promises revitalization.

The quintessential ‘disco down and check out the show’ marks a transition, both personally for the singer and culturally within the music industry. This shift is magnified in the anthemic chorus, commanding to ‘play that funky music right,’ denoting an embrace of diversity, rhythm, and the magnetic pull of funk.

The Anthemic Chorus – A Boundless Call to Cultural Integration

Enshrined in the song’s catchiest part, the chorus ‘Play that funky music white boy’ is a powerful instruction that transcends mere musicality. It is an emblem of cultural convergence, urging the integration of the predominantly African American funk genre with the singer’s rock roots.

The command to ‘lay down the boogie and play that funky music ’til you die’ is both an encouragement for the endurance of art and an invocation of funk’s immortality. It symbolizes a shared, human connection to rhythm, defying racial and genre boundaries, encouraging inclusivity in music.

A Hidden Meaning – Personal Evolution Through the Power of Funk

Wild Cherry’s ode to funk is also a reflection of personal growth. Lyrics such as ‘I thought that they were out of their minds’ and ‘How could I be so foolish’ represent a realization and self-reflection. The white ‘boogie singer’ personifies the listener, grappling with change and skepticism.

As the singer discards his doubts to embrace the infectious ‘funky music,’ he undergoes an artistic metamorphosis. This transformation is an allegory for the audience, advocating a message of expansiveness and abandoning prejudices—not just musically, but existentially.

Memorable Lines Resonating Through Generations

‘Play that funky music right,’ a line that reverberates as much in the soul as in the ears, lingers as a unifying chant. The relentless repetition of this line is hypnotic, ensuring that its message of embracing change is etched deeply into the listener’s consciousness.

This phrase, imbued with vibrancy and an infectious rhythm, has transcended the era of its birth to become a staple of musical vernacular. The concept of ‘funky music’ now occupies both a literal and metaphorical space in the lexicon of cultural adaptability.

Beyond the Beat – Impact of Wild Cherry’s Masterpiece on Music History

A deeper inspection of ‘Play That Funky Music’ reveals its enduring legacy as a transformative piece within the music landscape. The song, both a product and instigator of the funk movement’s proliferation, has influenced legions of musicians and paved the way for subsequent genre fusions.

The success of Wild Cherry’s hit is more than the sum of its catchy hook and groovy bassline. It is a symbol of music’s ever-evolving essence and the notion that artistic evolution is not just necessary for survival—it’s the vital heart of creativity and longevity.