Edited by Azizi Powell
This post showcases a video of James Brown 1985 Funk/Soul song "Living In America".
The lyrics to this song, and selected comments from this video's discussion thread are also included in this post.
The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.
All copyrights remain with their owners.
Thanks to James Brown for his musical legacy. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
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INFORMATION ABOUT THE SONG "LIVING IN AMERICA"
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Living_in_America_(James_Brown_song)
"Living in America" is a 1985 song composed by Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight and performed by James Brown. It was released as a single in 1985 and reached number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song entered the Billboard Top 40 on January 11, 1986, and remained on the chart for 11 weeks. It also became a top five hit in the United Kingdom, peaking at number 5 on the UK Singles Chart; it was his only top 10 single in the UK. It was his first Top 40 hit in ten years on the US pop charts, and it would also be his last. In 1986, it was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song and won Brown a Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
The song was prominently featured in the film Rocky IV. In the film, Brown sings the song before Apollo Creed enters the boxing ring, in reference to the character's patriotism. It appeared on the Rocky IV soundtrack album. The full version of the song (nearly six minutes long) was included on Brown's 1986 album, Gravity, and on various compilations throughout the 1990s. Live performances of the song appear on the albums Soul Session Live and Live at the Apollo 1995.
The song's co-writer Dan Hartman later included his recording of the song on his 1994 album Keep the Fire Burnin'."....
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SONG LYRICS: LIVING IN AMERICA
(composed by Dan Hartman and Charlie Midnight)
Yeah, uh! Get up now! Ow! Knock out this!
Super highwys, coast to coast, easy to get anywhere
On the transcontinental overload, just slide behind the wheel
How does it feel
When theres no destination-that's too far
And somewhere on the way, you might find out who you are
Livin' in America-eye to eye, station to station
Livin' in America-hand to hand,across the nation
Livin in America-got to have a celebration
Rock my soul
Smokestack, fatback,many miles of railroad track
All night radio, keep on runnin' through, your rock 'n' roll soul
All night diners, keep you 'wake, on black coffee, and a hard roll
You might have to walk the fine line,
you might take the hard line
But everybody's workin' overtime
Livin' in America-eye to eye, station to station
Livin' in America-hand to hand,across the nation
Livin in America-got to have a celebration
I live in America, help me out,
but I live in America,
wait a minute
You may not be looking for the promise land,
but you might find it anyway
Under one of those old familiar names
Like New Orleans (New Orleans) Detroit City (Detroit City), Dallas (Dallas), Pittsburgh P.A.* (Pittsburgh P.A.) New York City (New York City) Kansas City (Kansas City) Atlanta (Atlanta) CHICAGO & L.A.!
Livin in America-hit me
Livin in America-yeah,
I walk in and out
Livin' in America
I live in America-state lines,
gonna make the prime, that
I live in America-hey
I know what it means,I
Livin' in America...
Livin' in America- hit me now, eye to eye, station to station
Livin' in America
Livin' in America-I feel good!
Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/jamesbrown/livinginamerica.html
-snip-
*I corrected the spelling of the word "Pittsburgh" that was given without the "h" ending. As a resident of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania since 1969, I know it's nearly blasphemous to spell Pittsburgh without the h like other "burg" communities in the USA and elsewhere are spelled.n
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SHOWCASE VIDEO: James Brown - Living in America
JamesBrownVevo, Published on Jun 13, 2014
James Brown official music video for 'Living in America'.
-snip-
Selected comments from this video's discussion thread:
These comments are presented in chronological order based on their posting date, except for replies, with the oldest dated by year comment given first. However, these comments may not be in consecutive order. I've assigned numbers for referencing purposes only.
2014
1. jocap75
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!!!!!!"
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2. Stephen Parallox
"If the Star Spangled Banner and God Bless America didn't exist, THIS SONG would be the national anthem, and it would make for an awesome time during sporting events."
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3. Martenas Godfrey
"Livin in AMERICA !!!
Damn, James Brown...you will always be THE MAN ! Soul brotha, from anotha motha !
They broke this lil gem out in the burger king in ATL, and i was singing up a storm. Everyone lookin all sour with mouth full of burga meat ! I didn't care though ! I always loved signing the part where he names all the cities. Especially ATLANTA !
Plus, it reminds me of Rocky4, my favorite rocky !
This song...man, its a true ameircan treasure. When im feeling down about my country, this lifts me right up ;)"
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4. Antonio Castro
"Happy 4th of July everybody."
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5. Justin Mohareb
"My friends living in the holy republic to the south, I present to you the Godfather of soul, the hardest working man in show business, James Brown! James Brown!! JaaaaaAAAAAaammes BROWN! Enjoy your fourth of July weekend!"
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6. dalydose
"@rene04jemi Jealous much? Why don't you just love your country and stop being a hater?"
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Reply
7. "alan barrena (2015)
"Hater gonna hate"
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Reply
8. teemu Juhola (2015)
"some of us who dont live in the usa or know anyone from the just cant stand that american culture is making its way in to ours."
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2015
9. B4BoomersBlockBoy7
"Love this song.. Right On James !"
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10. jinxinternet
"Hardest working man in show business, yo."
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11. HurriShane00
"Man...All I hear in my head when I hear this song is Living with a hernia.....Come on, admit...you all do too."
-snip-
"Living With A Hernia" is Weird Al Jankovic's parody of "Living In America". Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Ow1nlafOg for a video of that parody.
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12. Stormy Wheather
"OLD SCHOOL !!!!!"
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13. thejonatasBRASIL
"BRASILLLL SOUTH AMERICA O/"
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14. tildenhellgate
"If this song don't make you want to get down and boogie...........nothing will....."
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15. biscutbob94
"Living in America.. its a continent. the US is in it.. so we still live in America.."
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16. Serdar Yegulalp
Don't be bewildered, get up offa that thing, put on your hot pants, and get on the good foot to ride the night train to get out of sight.
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17. Leo Olivier
"respect for James Brown, one of The greatest off all time. I live in Brazil, but i want to visit U.S.! Such amazing country."
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18. Matt Cyr
Get down with your bad self!
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19. Conor Noonan
"shame on mark ronson and bruno mars for ripping this off."
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20. jaime gee
"Sad how bruno mars is unoriginal. ..He had to bite his dont believe me just watch from trinidad james and the beat from the king of soul smh...they say they paying homage but they are really just lazy"
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21. bobbyw223
"james brown has been ripped from pretty much every modern music artist"
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22. trentnathan1
"Similar to current hit Uptown Funk ft. Bruno Mars but better."
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23. Timber Humphrey
"always a classic, never gets old :)"
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24. enlightened child
"Brother James is tooooo smooth during 1:39 - 1:43. He just gliiiiiides across the stage. James was the BEST!!!"
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25. Angelica Maria Medellin Tapia
"América is a continente not a country"
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26. Keith Witcher
"Yeah Rocky 4 was a very good movie and I love James Brown Living In America song. Nice jam and RIP James Brown. He was a funk legend."
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27. TomRB 97
"Can't beat James Brown his music always puts me in a good mood "
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28. tildenhellgate
"Makes you........"feel good""
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29. richard darby
"My favorite rocky movie my favorite rocky moment"
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30. Raymond Malcuit Jr.
"This Song Went To Number 4 On The Billboard Hot 100 Chart In 1986."
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31. Saint318
"Even though I'm not American, I still love this song, this was my first memory of James Brown."
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32. Nicholas Caianiello
"James Brown , WOOOOW what a bad ass song, rest in peace"
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33. tigersfan14
"America's REAL national anthem."
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2016
34. wpm
"They ought to play this song when they grant citizenship to people."
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35. Cameron Hamill
"A true showman with a tight band. Would love to have seen him perform live."
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36. macchlerie
"Saw him when I was in the Army in Columbus, Ga. Great show. Always had to be on the lookout for Muscovy (County cops) when you had black and white GI's in the same car."
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37. UbiquitousDesigns
"James Brown's footwork @ 1:39. Dude was nice with it."
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38. Serdar Agdas
"thank you james brown"
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39. Belkyb14
"I LOVEEEE this soundtrack (Rocky IV) My fav of all the movies"
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40. Evan Thompson
"The twirling trumpet at 2:55 brings back memories of live acts that were tight, flashy and polished. Am thinking also of Kool and the Gang and the Ohio Players, for starters. Any additions?"
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Reply
41. Mike Howard
"+Evan Thompson Also Earth Wind and Fire"
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Reply
42. Carolyn Evers
"+Evan Thompson There is something about that twirling trumpet that is sexy and cool as hell. Timing, like drum stick spinning. Super cool."
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Reply
43. Evan Thompson
"Agreed. It takes confidence to spin your trumpet or sticks on stage. Makes you look like you are in control and yet free to express yourself. Have always loved those moves. As a drummer in a band that covered Hendrix and Led Zepplin, I was more concerned about staying in time and driving the beat versus add-ons. But if I could do it again, I would work on the twirling effect. Thanks for your thoughts."
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44. Dean :p
"The lyrics are wrong in the description btw"
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45. Tomás Ibañéz
"I see this video and I wanna be american....
From chile with love"
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46. Carolyn Evers
"I just love this song. With your BAD self! Boom!"
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47. "YouCantHoldOnTooLong6 months ago
Long Live The Legendary King Of Soul...James Brown!!!
~Dutch"
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48. ares gnauk (igameu3)
"SO is this soul or funk?"
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Reply
49. Gates Of The West
"Both"
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50. Razor8472
"Ahhhh...cool. Just cool."
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51. Vema Price1 week ago
"Carl Weathers and Dolph Lundgren!!! didn't know Carl can cut a rug! love this song!"
-snip-
Carl Weathers played "Apollo Creed" in Rocky IV and Dolph Lundgren played the Russian fighter "Ivan Drago".
"Cut a rug" means "to dance".
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