Claire Thompson
Do the Funky Chicken is a song by Rufus Thomas, produced by Al Bell and Tom Nixon, with instrumental backing by the Bar-Kays, featuring guitarist Michael Toles. The song is about a new dance that was becoming popular at the time. The lyrics invite the listener to try out the dance, describing the steps in detail: You raise the left arm up and your right arm too [...] You flap your arms and your feet start kicking / Then you know you're doin' the funky chicken. The Jackson 5 also released a song with a similar theme, titled How Funky Is Your Chicken.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lyrics | "Y'all come on in now, come right on down front I got something I want to show you Now y'all heard of the popcorn, y'all heard of the dog You heard about all your other dances But now there's a brand new dance that's going around I want to show you exactly what I'm talking about I'm talking about the funky chicken, y'all ready? I say y'all ready, okay, here we go You raise the left arm up and your right arm too Let me tell you just what to do, start both of 'em to flapping Start your feet to kicking, that's when you know You doin' the funky chicken Slick and spasm, you put both arms up, across your face You knees start wiggling, all over the place You flap your arms and your feet start kicking Then you know you doin' the funky chicken Oh, I'm feeling it now, I feel so unnecessary This is the kind, this is the kind of stuff To make you feel like you want to do something nasty Like waste some chicken gravy on your white shirt Right down front, here we go y'all You work both arms and you work both feet. You're together, baby, you're on the beat. Do the Funky Chicken, now." |
| Artist | Rufus Thomas |
| Other notable mentions | "I want to see your dying bug Whats that you say? oh ah oh ah oh ah(lay down and squirm) One more time oh ah oh ah oh ah(lay down and squirm)" |
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What You'll Learn
Rufus Thomas' Do the Funky Chicken
"Rufus Thomas: Do the Funky Chicken" is a song that became a popular dance craze in the 1970s. The song introduces a new dance, "the funky chicken", and includes instructions on how to perform it.
The song begins with Rufus Thomas's invitation to the audience to come and watch him demonstrate the new dance:
> Y'all come on in now, come right on down front I got something I want to show you Now y'all heard of the popcorn, y'all heard of the dog. You heard about all your other dances but now there's a brand new dance that's going around. I want to show you exactly what I'm talking about. I'm talking about the funky chicken, y'all ready? I say y'all ready, okay, here we go.
Thomas then launches into the dance instructions:
> You raise the left arm up and your right arm too. Let me tell you just what to do, start both of 'em to flapping. Start your feet to kicking, that's when you know you're doin' the funky chicken. Slick and spasm, you put both arms up, across your face. Your knees start wiggling, all over the place. You flap your arms and your feet start kicking. Then you know you're doin' the funky chicken.
The song also includes a spoken word section, which Thomas regularly used as a shtick as a radio DJ:
> Oh I feel so unnecessary. This is the kind of stuff that makes you feel like you wanna do something nasty, like waste some chicken gravy on your white shirt right down front.
The recording was produced by Al Bell and Tom Nixon, with instrumental backing by the Bar-Kays, featuring guitarist Michael Toles.
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Lyrics and dance moves
The funky chicken is a dance craze that became popular in the 1970s. The song "Do the Funky Chicken" by Rufus Thomas includes lyrics that instruct listeners on how to perform the dance:
> Y'all come on in now, come right on down front I got something I want to show you Now y'all heard of the popcorn, y'all heard of the dog
> You heard about all your other dances But now there's a brand new dance that's going around I want to show you exactly what I'm talking about I'm talking about the funky chicken, y'all ready? I say y'all ready, okay, here we go
> You raise the left arm up and your right arm too Let me tell you just what to do, start both of 'em to flapping Start your feet to kicking, that's when you know
> You doin' the funky chicken Slick and spasm, you put both arms up, across your face You knees start wiggling, all over the place You flap your arms and your feet start kicking Then you know you doin' the funky chicken
The dance moves for the funky chicken, as described in the song, involve raising both arms and flapping them like a chicken while also kicking your feet. The second part of the dance involves putting your arms across your face and wiggling your knees.
The Jackson 5 also released a song called "How Funky Is Your Chicken," which includes the following lyrics:
> [Chorus: Michael + (Jackson 5)] / Show me how funky / Is your chicken now (Can you do it, can you do it, can you do it) / Let me see you get away, get away / When the band starts kickin' now / Show me how funky / Is your chicken now (Can you do it, can you do it, can you do it) / Let me see you get away, get away / When the band starts
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The Funky Chicken as a dance craze
The "Funky Chicken" is a dance craze that emerged in the 1970s, with its namesake song recorded by Rufus Thomas and produced by Al Bell and Tom Nixon. The instrumental backing was provided by the Bar-Kays, featuring guitarist Michael Toles.
The dance itself involves a series of lively and playful movements that mimic a chicken's motions. It begins with the arms raised and flapping, accompanied by kicking feet. As the dance progresses, the arms are brought up to cover the face, while the knees start to wiggle energetically. This unique combination of movements is what defines the Funky Chicken dance.
The lyrics of the song "Do the Funky Chicken" provide a step-by-step guide to performing the dance:
> You raise the left arm up and your right arm too. Let me tell you just what to do, start both of 'em to flapping. Start your feet to kicking, that's when you know you're doin' the funky chicken. Slick and spasm, you put both arms up, across your face. Your knees start wiggling, all over the place. You flap your arms and your feet start kicking. Then you know you're doin' the funky chicken.
The Funky Chicken dance and song captured the imagination of people in the 1970s, becoming a fun and lighthearted craze that brought joy and laughter to many. It is a testament to its enduring appeal that even today, people still fondly recall and occasionally revisit this quirky dance phenomenon.
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The song's recording and production
"Do the Funky Chicken" is a song by Rufus Thomas, released in 1970. The song was produced by Al Bell and Tom Nixon, with instrumental backing by the Bar-Kays, featuring guitarist Michael Toles. The song is known for its fun and goofy nature, with Thomas even impersonating a cackling hen at the beginning of the record.
The song is an upbeat funk track with a unique dance to match. Thomas introduces the dance to the listener, inviting them to "come right on down front" and learn the brand new dance that's "going around". He instructs listeners to raise their left arm and their right arm, start them flapping, and kick their feet—that's how you know you're doing the Funky Chicken.
The song and dance encourage fun and silliness, with Thomas adding a spoken word section that he used as a shtick as a radio DJ: "Oh I feel so unnecessary - this is the kind of stuff that makes you feel like you wanna do something nasty, like waste some chicken gravy on your white shirt right down front."
The album from which the single came includes other novelty tunes, such as a remake of Thomas' 1953 hit "Bear Cat" and a two-part gospel/funk take on "Old McDonald Had a Farm." The album also features an extended version of "Sixty Minute Man," showcasing African-styled chanting, a raw vocal performance, and hypnotic bass, guitar, and drum figures.
The song "Do the Funky Chicken" has become a memorable part of Rufus Thomas's career, showcasing his ability to create fun and energetic music that gets people moving and grooving to the beat.
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The dying bug and lay down and squirm
To do the dying bug, you must first raise your left arm and your right arm. Start both arms flapping, and kick your feet. Then, put both arms across your face, and wiggle your knees. Flap your arms again, and kick your feet. This is the dying bug.
To do the lay down and squirm, you must first raise your left arm and your right arm. Start both arms flapping, and kick your feet. Then, put both arms across your face, and wiggle your knees. Flap your arms again, and kick your feet. Finally, lay down and squirm on the floor.
The funky chicken is a fun and goofy dance that is sure to get everyone moving and grooving. It's a great way to add some spice and humour to your movement and is a fantastic icebreaker at parties or social gatherings.
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