About the song
Background
- Released in 1973 as the title track for James Brown’s album of the same name.
- Originally intended for the blaxploitation film “Hell Up in Harlem” but rejected (supposedly for not being funky enough).
- Became a massive hit, reaching #1 on the R&B charts and solidifying itself as a funk classic.
- Considered one of Brown’s most iconic songs and a major source of samples in hip-hop.
Lyrics
The lyrics are short and repetitive, relying heavily on call-and-response between James Brown and his backing vocalists. There’s a spoken word intro by a radio announcer setting the scene for a story of revenge.
The main lyrical refrain is:
I got somethin’ to tell you I got somethin’ to say About a bad mother come around You gonna get paid back
Themes
- Revenge: The overall theme is getting payback for wrongdoing. Brown sings about someone who’s been mistreated and is now seeking retribution.
- Funk groove: The instrumental backing is pure funk, with driving drums, bass, and horns creating an infectious dancefloor atmosphere.
- Empowerment: The song can be interpreted as an anthem of empowerment, especially for those who have been marginalized or mistreated.
Legacy
“The Payback” remains a landmark song in James Brown’s career and a cornerstone of funk music. The song’s themes and infectious groove continue to resonate with listeners today.
Video
Lyrics
Hey, you gotta, gotta payback (the big payback)RevengeI’m mad (the big payback)Got to get backI need some get back!Payback, payback (the big payback)There it isPaybackRevengeI’m mad
You get down with my girlfriend, huh, that ain’t rightWoo (talkin’)Hollerin’, cussin’, you want to fightPayback is a thing you gotta see, hellNever do any damn thing to me
You sold me out for chicken change (yes, you did)Told me, yeah, they, they had it all arrangedYou had me down and that’s a factNow you, punk, you gotta get readyFor the big payback (the big payback)That’s where I land, Lord, for the big payback (the big payback)
I can do wheelin’, I can do dealin’ (yes, we can)But I don’t do no damn squealin’I can dig rappin’, I’m ready, I can dig scrappin’But I can’t dig that backstabbin’ (oh no)
Now brother getting ready, that’s a factGet ready you, mother, for the big payback, hey (the big payback)Let me hit ’em, hit ’em, Fred, hit ’emHey, hey, heyLord, Lord
You took my money, you got my honeyDon’t want me to see what you doing to meI could get backI gotta deal with youGotta deal with youGotta deal with you, uhGotta deal with youHey, let me tell yaGet down with my woman, that ain’t rightYou hollerin’ and cussin’, you want to fightLooky, hereDon’t do me no darn favorI don’t know karate, but I know ka-razor (yes, we do)
Huh, heyGet ready, that’s a fact, yeahGet ready you, mother, for the big payback (the big payback)Hey, I’m a man, I’m a manI’m a son of a man, but don’t they tell ya that Pappa canGet ready for the big payback, hey (the big payback)Hit ’em again
OohLord, LordYeah, hey, get readyI need it, I need a hit againSame oneSame oneSame oneHit me backOohLordThe big payback
Sold me out for chicken changeYou said my woman had it all arrangedTried to make a deal, but she wanted to squealBut I had my boys on her heelsSaw when she comin’, told a lieYou broke down like you wanted to die
I don’t care what she doesShe gon’ be doin’ just like she wasTake those kids and raise them upShow ’em how to drink out the righteous cup, uhTake her, take that woman, it’s one place she foundJust run that mother out of townMake her get up, make her get up, get outMake her get up, make her get up, get outI’m mad, I want revenge, I want revenge, my (the big payback)My patience ends, I want revengeMy patience ends, I want revengeI want revenge, I want revenge (the big payback)Can I get some hits? I need those hitsI need those hits, hit me
OohLord, I need those hitsCarry on, carry onPray for a melody (the big payback)Woo (hey, the big payback)AlrightDa-di-da-da, da-di-da-da, da-di-da-da
The big payback