Boogie On Reggae Woman
Encyclopedia
"Boogie On Reggae Woman" is a 1974 funk
single by American
Motown artist Stevie Wonder
, from the album Fulfillingness' First Finale
. The song, which was not in the reggae style, continued Wonder's successful Top Ten streak on the pop charts, reaching number three and also spent two weeks at number one on the soul charts. It features Wonder's distinctive harmonica
, and is notable for Wonder's pulsating Moog synthesizer
bassline. The lyrics are designed as a dialogue between "nice" and "naughty" intent, including the introduction to his harmonica break, which incorporates Wonder's casual but repeated question "Can I play?"
Following conclusion of the vocal, the harmonica is reprised for the remaining seventy seconds, and concluding thirty bars of the tune, to the fade.
occasionally covers it in concert; one such performance appears on their live album
Hampton Comes Alive
. It has additionally been covered by Marcus Miller
on his 2005 album Silver Rain
.
"Boogie On" was also covered by the Legion of Mary band, a collaboration between Merl Saunders, Jerry Garcia, Martin Fierro, John Kahn and Ronnie Tutt a total of 24 times between 1974 and 1975; a cover of this song is available on the "Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1" bonus disc, "Absolutely Mary," as sung by Merl Saunders.
Funk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
single by American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Motown artist Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, from the album Fulfillingness' First Finale
Fulfillingness' First Finale
-Side One:#"Smile Please" – 3:28#*Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, background vocal, Fender Rhodes, drums#*Michael Sembello – electric guitar#*Reggie McBride – electric bass#*Bobbye Hall – congas, bongos#*Jim Gilstrap – background vocals...
. The song, which was not in the reggae style, continued Wonder's successful Top Ten streak on the pop charts, reaching number three and also spent two weeks at number one on the soul charts. It features Wonder's distinctive harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, and is notable for Wonder's pulsating Moog synthesizer
Moog synthesizer
Moog synthesizer may refer to any number of analog synthesizers designed by Dr. Robert Moog or manufactured by Moog Music, and is commonly used as a generic term for older-generation analog music synthesizers. The Moog company pioneered the commercial manufacture of modular voltage-controlled...
bassline. The lyrics are designed as a dialogue between "nice" and "naughty" intent, including the introduction to his harmonica break, which incorporates Wonder's casual but repeated question "Can I play?"
Following conclusion of the vocal, the harmonica is reprised for the remaining seventy seconds, and concluding thirty bars of the tune, to the fade.
Personnel
- Stevie Wonder – lead vocal, Fender Rhodes, piano, harmonica, drums, Moog bass
- Rocky DzidzornuRocky DzidzornuRocky Dzidzornu, also known as Rocky Dijon, is an African percussionist. He is known for his playing contributions to the The Rolling Stones, among others. Critic Ned Sublette has written that the addition of his conga drumming on "Sympathy for the Devil" transformed the song from "a dirge, and a...
– congas
Cover versions
PhishPhish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
occasionally covers it in concert; one such performance appears on their live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
Hampton Comes Alive
Hampton Comes Alive
Hampton Comes Alive is a six-disc live album by the American rock band Phish, released on November 23, 1999, by Elektra Records. It is the band's third live album and the first time complete live Phish concerts were released in their entirety...
. It has additionally been covered by Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller
Marcus Miller is an American jazz composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist. Miller is best known as a bassist, working with trumpeter Miles Davis, singer Luther Vandross, and saxophonist David Sanborn, as well as maintaining a prolific solo career...
on his 2005 album Silver Rain
Silver Rain
Silver Rain is an album by bassist Marcus Miller. It was released in 2005.-Track listing:# "Intro Duction" – 0:30# "Bruce Lee" – 5:23# "La Villette" – 5:54# "Behind The Smile" – 6:24# "Frankenstein" – 6:33# "Moonlight Sonata" – 7:38...
.
"Boogie On" was also covered by the Legion of Mary band, a collaboration between Merl Saunders, Jerry Garcia, Martin Fierro, John Kahn and Ronnie Tutt a total of 24 times between 1974 and 1975; a cover of this song is available on the "Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1" bonus disc, "Absolutely Mary," as sung by Merl Saunders.