Written By McKenna

I have to draw attention to a stand out in the revolution who did something no other could, in which I believe made him and his song an essential part in the Sexual Revolution development.

         James Brown was born in 1933 and died in 2006. During his lifetime, he was defined as a singer, songwriter, actor, dancer, artist, and “Godfather of soul” amongst many other titles. James started as a gospel singer in Toccoa, Georgia in which he joined the R&B group the Gospel Starlighters created by Bobby Byrd. James was considered the most iconic funk artist and one of the most tireless performers.

         GetUp (I feel like being a) Sex Machine was the first song with the word “sex”in the title to make the Hot 100 hit list. Many artists were shocked and couldn’t perceive how he got away with it, however as erotic as the title may seem the song was purely funk and normalized the word “sex” through its repetition. In the lyrics “Stay on the scene/ like a sex machine” James gives little power to the word sex using “sex machine” as a simile to “staying on the scene” or being aware and in the moment. James consistently reinforces the funky groove through his call and response with Bobby Byrd throughout the entire track. The sexuality of the lyrics is briefly reaffirmed through the line “You got to have the feeling sure as you’re born” implying the sexy sexual feeling he’s carrying through out the song. It’s also understood in the line “You give me fever ‘n’ a cold sweat”which also refers to his song “Cold sweat”. The word “fever” could imply his hotness in sexual desire, however it could also imply his fever from dancing to the sexy funk beat. The overall tone of the song sets a party atmosphere, insinuates dancing and social interaction that could later lead him to be a “sex machine”.

         Funk as a genre on its own has sexy music, dancing and culture that normalizes sexual desire into a fun, uplifting atmosphere. James Brown reinforced this in lots of music, especially this song.His ability to turn the shocking titled song into a stone-cold classic with little backlash was an essential example in the sexual revolution that inspired many. James represented a culture that had partially accomplished what the revolution was trying to do. Like I said before, funk exists as an undeniably sexy style, and James produced a track that represented just that.