Released September 4, 1978 Release date 4 September 1978 Label Warner Bros. Records | Artist Funkadelic Producer George Clinton | |
 | ||
Recorded 1977-1978
United Sound
(Detroit, Michigan)
Monroe Civic Center
(Monroe, Louisiana) Length 41:40 (original album)
16:58 (bonus EP)
58:38 (total) One Nation Under a Groove
(1978) Uncle Jam Wants You
(1979) Genres Funk, Soul music, Rock music, Funk rock Similar Funkadelic albums, Funk albums | ||
One Nation Under a Groove is the tenth studio album by American funk and rock band Funkadelic, released in September 1978 on Warner Bros. Records. Recording sessions took place at United Sound Studio in Detroit, Michigan, with one song recorded live on April 15, 1978 at the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, Louisiana. The album was the first album to include keyboardist and frequent songwriter Walter "Junie" Morrison. One Nation Under a Groove also marked the pinnacle of Michael Hampton's development as a guitarist.
Contents
- One nation under a groove funkadelic 1978
- Songs and music
- One Nation Under a Groove
- Groovallegiance
- Who Says a Funk Band Cant Play Rock
- PE Squad The Doo Doo Chasers
- Into You
- Cholly Funk Getting Ready To Roll
- Original LP track listing
- US Priority CD track listing
- Personnel
- Songs
- References
One Nation Under a Groove was Funkadelic's most commercially successful album, and one of its most critically lauded. It is also regarded by many as the greatest funk album of all time and ranks at or near the top of many "best album" lists in disparate genres. The album was later featured on Vibe magazine's 100 Essential Albums of the 20th Century list. In 2003, the album is ranked number 177 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time. The album is listed as one of the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
One nation under a groove funkadelic 1978
Songs and music
One Nation Under a Groove is a very loose concept album (as are most of Funkadelic's works), essentially declaring the power of Funk (see P Funk mythology) to do two interconnected things: become an open-minded, happy, and goal-oriented person, and dance well. This is the power of Funk stated in less clear terms on previous albums (Free Your Mind... And Your Ass Will Follow).
"One Nation Under a Groove"
This song became Funkadelic's biggest hit and the group's only million selling single, and is today regarded as one of their signature songs, being a part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll and Rolling Stone magazine's list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". It was also a top 40 hit. The song refers to dancing as a path to freedom: the "dancing" can be seen as metaphoric, though.
"Groovallegiance"
A song with a slow funky beat, Groovallegiance continues the album's loose concept about forming "One Nation Under a Groove". It references the "United Funk of Funkadelica", supposedly the one nation referred to in the title and presents the taking of an oath pledging groovallegiance to the funk. Groovallegiance is an excellent example of the vocal finesse of the group and also features a rare bass solo.
"Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?!"
In keeping the album's theme of breaking political, social, and musical barriers, this song is a cross between funk and rock, mixing a funky bassline with heavy, more rock oriented guitar and drums. The lyrics are simple, referring to why a funk band can, contrary to popular belief, play rock: regardless, it is one of their most popular songs.
"P.E. Squad (The Doo-Doo Chasers)"
"Promentalshitbackwashpsychosis Enema Squad (The Doo-Doo Chasers)" is a long, scatological song with references to the world being, among other things, a toll-free toilet.
"Into You"
A Funk ballad that features bass singer Ray Davis as the primary lead vocalist, a rarity among Funkadelic songs.
"Cholly (Funk Getting Ready To Roll!)"
This song deals with a man once interested in classical music who is introduced to funk and phone cords by some friends of his: at first, he is doubtful of it, but he eventually grows to love it.
Original LP track listing
In the US, the original album came with a bonus 7" EP. In Europe, the Bonus-EP was replaced by a bonus 12" 45rpm mini-album containing the 3 EP tracks on one side and an extended version of "One Nation Under a Groove" on the other.
US Priority CD track listing
(note that the UK Charly Groove presents side one of the EP (Lunchmeat/PE) as tracks 7 & 8 and side two (Maggot Brain) as track 9.
Personnel
Funkadelic Main Invasion Force (as given in the liner notes):
Songs
1One Nation Under a Groove7:29
2Groovallegiance7:00
3Who Says a Funk Band Can't Play Rock?6:18