Give It Up or Turnit a Loose
James Brown released the single Give It Up or Turnit a Loose in 1969. The track reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart that same year. It also climbed to position fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles list. Cliff White documented this release in his 1991 Star Time CD booklet notes. The song arrived during a period when funk was gaining mainstream traction across American radio stations.
The instrumental version appeared on the Ain't It Funky album in 1970. This recording removed James Brown's vocals and added guitar overdubs instead. A different live double album called Sex Machine captured another iteration of the song in 1970. That five-minute performance featured an organ riff and a florid bassline not present in the studio cut. Clyde Stubblefield played drums alongside congas during minutes four and five of that live take. Dick Hyman recorded a synthesizer version on his 1969 album The Age of Electronicus before the live versions emerged. Lyn Collins recorded her own rendition with Brown producing in 1974. A genuine live version from Chastain Park appeared on an album released in 1988 though it was recorded in 1985. Tim Rogers remixed the Sex Machine track for inclusion on the 1986 compilation In the Jungle Groove.
Tim Rogers created a remix of the Sex Machine recording for the 1986 compilation album In the Jungle Groove. That specific remixed version has been extensively sampled by hip-hop producers over decades. The drum pattern from the original 1969 single became a foundational loop for countless modern tracks. No other funk record from that era generated as many derivative works across multiple genres. The rhythm section provided a template that allowed artists to build entirely new compositions around its core groove.
The song peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1969. It reached the top spot on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles list during the same year. These positions marked significant commercial success for a funk track released before the genre fully dominated pop radio. Cliff White noted these figures in his 1991 Star Time CD booklet documentation. The dual chart performance demonstrated the crossover appeal of Brown's work during that specific period.
Common questions
When did James Brown release the single Give It Up or Turnit a Loose?
James Brown released the single Give It Up or Turnit a Loose in 1969. The track reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Black Singles chart that same year.
What album features the instrumental version of Give It Up or Turnit a Loose from 1970?
The instrumental version appeared on the Ain't It Funky album in 1970. This recording removed James Brown's vocals and added guitar overdubs instead.
Who played drums alongside congas during minutes four and five of the live Sex Machine take?
Clyde Stubblefield played drums alongside congas during minutes four and five of that live take. That five-minute performance featured an organ riff and a florid bassline not present in the studio cut.
Which synthesizer version of Give It Up or Turnit a Loose was recorded by Dick Hyman in 1969?
Dick Hyman recorded a synthesizer version on his 1969 album The Age of Electronicus before the live versions emerged. No other funk record from that era generated as many derivative works across multiple genres.
On what date did Lyn Collins record her own rendition of Give It Up or Turnit a Loose with James Brown producing?
Lyn Collins recorded her own rendition with Brown producing in 1974. A genuine live version from Chastain Park appeared on an album released in 1988 though it was recorded in 1985.