SMOKE SIGNALS
1979 P-Funk, Vocal Group Style, 108BPM, Produced by Bootsy Collins style, Thick Layered Low-voice Female & Male Vocals, Analog Tape Warmth, Heavy Slap Bass, Minimoog, ARP Odyssey, Scratchy Rhythm Guitar, Clavinet, Melodic Gritty Multi-part Harmonies, Aggressive Call and Response, Conversational Shouts, Psychedelic Effects, Hand Craps, Horn Section.
SMOKE SIGNALS
1979 P-Funk, Vocal Group Style, 108BPM, Produced by Bootsy Collins style, Thick Layered Low-voice Female & Male Vocals, Analog Tape Warmth, Heavy Slap Bass, Minimoog, ARP Odyssey, Scratchy Rhythm Guitar, Clavinet, Melodic Gritty Multi-part Harmonies, Aggressive Call and Response, Conversational Shouts, Psychedelic Effects, Hand Craps, Horn Section.
Lyrics
Intro
(Muddy, bubbling Minimoog bass. ARP Odyssey "UFO" effects. Heavy cutting guitar. Male: "Can you smell it?" Female: "Yeah... I see the smoke... GET READY!")
[Chorus 1]
SMOKE SIGNALS, SENDING OUT A MESSAGE!
SMOKE SIGNALS, THE FUNK IS ON THE WAY!
SMOKE SIGNALS, BURNING IN THE NIGHT!
SMOKE SIGNALS, EVERYTHING’S ALRIGHT!
[Verse 1]
I’m sending smoke signals, I hope you understand
(Female whisper: Understand...)
I’m trying to reach you, all across the land
The fire is burning, but there ain’t no flame
(Male: No flame, just the game!)
[Pre-Chorus 1]
It’s getting thicker (Thicker!)
It’s getting stronger (Stronger!)
It’s rising up from the ground to the sky!
WE’RE GONNA GET FUNKED, AND YOU KNOW WHY!
[Verse 2]
CAN YOU SEE IT?! (I see the smoke!)
CAN YOU FEEL IT?! (I feel the poke!)
It’s rising higher, way up in the air!
SMOKE! (Smoke!) SIGNALS! (Signals!)
[Bridge 1]
(Long bass solo with "Wah" effects. ARP Odyssey screams. Male: "BLOW THE HORN!" Chaotic horn stabs. Female: "IT'S TOO THICK! FOLLOW THE BASS!")
[Verse 3]
I don’t need no phone, I don’t need no wire
I just need the funk, to take me a little higher
The signals are moving, in a hazy cloud
(Male: Speak it low...) I’M SAYING IT LOUD!!
[Chorus 2]
SMOKE SIGNALS, BURNING IN THE NIGHT!
SMOKE SIGNALS, EVERYTHING’S ALRIGHT!
I’m sending a message, straight to your soul
Let the music take complete control!
[Verse 4]
(Male): I’m the sender! (Female): I’m the receiver!
(Male): I’m the funk! (Female): I’m the believer!
(Together): We’re mixing the message, in a cloud of grey
WE’RE GONNA FUNK THE NIGHT AWAY!!
[Bridge 2]
(Thick layered "Oooooh" textures. Male: "Is that the 1979 signal?" Female: "That's the Bootsy signal, honey." Sudden "ZAP" electronic effect. Shout: "FIRE IN THE P-FUNK!")
[Verse 5]
LOOK AT THE SKY! (What do you see?!)
A CLOUD OF FUNK! (Covering me!)
I’m sending signals, from deep down inside
(Female): NOWHERE TO RUN! NOWHERE TO HIDE!!
[Verse 6]
(Bass & Drum groove only. Spoken rhythmically)
Male: "Hey, baby... your signal is getting a little distorted."
Female: "That's the ARP Odyssey talking to your soul!"
Male: "I hear it! It's saying... GET DOWN!"
[Chorus 3]
SMOKE SIGNALS, SENDING OUT A MESSAGE!
SMOKE SIGNALS, THE FUNK IS ON THE WAY!
SMOKE SIGNALS, BURNING IN THE NIGHT!
SMOKE SIGNALS, EVERYTHING’S ALRIGHT!
[Bridge 3]
(Long, smoky "Smoke... Smoke..." harmonies. Male monologue: "Keep the signal alive... keep it on the one..." Female screams: "THE FUNK! AAAAAAAHHH!!!")
[Verse 7]
S-M-O-K-E! (Funk is the key!)
S-I-G-N-A-L! (Ring the bell!)
(Together): CAN YOU HEAR THE SMOKE?! CAN YOU HEAR THE SMOKE?!
HA! WHOO! GET DOWN! SHAKA-LAKA-SHAKA-LAKA!
[Pre-Chorus 2]
It’s getting thicker (Thicker!)
It’s getting stronger (Stronger!)
It’s rising up to the Mothership high!
WE’RE GONNA FUNK UNTIL WE DIE!!!
[Verse 8]
SMOKE SIGNALS! SMOKE SIGNALS BABY!
I HAD IT! I LOST IT! BUT I FOUND IT IN THE SMOKE!!!
SMOKE SIGNALS! SMOKE SIGNALS DARLING!
(Scream: "I REMEMBER THE FUNK!!!")
[Chorus 4]
SMOKE SIGNALS, BURNING IN THE NIGHT!
SMOKE SIGNALS, EVERYTHING’S ALRIGHT!
SMOKE SIGNALS! (Call) SMOKE SIGNALS! (Response)
STAY FUNKY! DON'T FORGET! YEAH!
[Outro]
(Minimoog & ARP Odyssey echoes. Singers laughing: "Did you get the message?")
THE FUNK NEVER FORGETS!
(Final massive analog explosion and a deep cackle of laughter)