Many people who don’t really care about artistic talents go out of their way to praise artists when they pass away. I have seen this type of behavior on numerous occasions and I would like to point out that I am not going to praise the talent of James Brown because he recently died. I am going to praise this great legend of soul music, because Mr Brown’s music has been a part of my life since the 80’s!
I got to know James Brown’s music through a Cameroonian friend. I’ll always remember how impressed I was by discovering James Brown’s rhythmic Sex Machine and his euphoric I Feel Good.
As a young student, the music of James Brown spiced up my daily life. He gave me a great dose of enthusiasm and dynamism. Starting the day with his music really improved my way of life. He made me feel alive, ready to conquer the world.
James Brown’s voice touched my soul. He had a unique way of telling things, like he did in This Is A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World.
This beautiful song made me feel how much I appreciated women:
“This is a man’s world, this is a man’s world
But it would be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl
You see, man made the cars to take us down the road
Man made trains to carry heavy loads
Man made electric light to bring us out of the dark
Man made the boat for water, as Noah made the ark.
This is a man, a man, a man’s world
But it would be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl
The man thinks of a girl and a boy
Man makes them happy because man makes them toys.
And after the man has done all, all he can
You know that man earns money to buy another man
This is a man’s world
But it would be nothing, nothing without a woman or a girl
is lost in the desert
He is lost in bitterness…”
James Brown not only had a unique and smooth voice, but his use of instruments inspired the greatest artists in this world, including the NWA, the first Michael Jackson, and many more.
James Brown can be seen as the ancestor of rap music. He is and will continue to be a black music legend. His incredible talent remains a great source of inspiration for many contemporary artists.
James Brown also gave blacks a new sense of pride with his famous, world-renowned phrase: “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud!” »
I could name a multitude of his songs, including Living In America, Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag, I Feel Good, This Is A Man’s world, and many more, but I’ll stop here.
I’d like to stand still for a minute and pay tribute to the great musician that James Brown actually was. A great legend left us on Christmas day. May God bless his soul. RIP James Brown and thank you for the music that has touched my soul over the years. Never forget you.
Copyright © 2006 by Isabelle Esling
All rights reserved