The Payback
The Payback

James Brown - The Payback Lyrics

R&B/Soul
Jul 4, 2010
16
The Payback Music Video

The Payback Lyrics

Hey
Got to, got to pay back (the big payback)
Revenge, I'm mad (the big payback)
Got to get back, I need some get-back
Payback, payback (the big payback)
That there's payback, revenge
I'm mad

You get down with my girlfriend, that ain't right
Whoa, walkin', hollerin' and cussin', you want to fight
Payback is a thing you got to see
Hell, never do any damn thing to me
Sold me out for chicken change (yes, you did)
You told me that they, they had it all arranged
They had me down, and that's a fact
And now you punk, you gotta get ready
For the big payback (the big payback)
That's where I land, oh, for the big payback (the big payback)

I can do wheeling, I can do dealing (yes, we can)
But I don't do no damn squealing
I can dig rapping
I'm ready, I can dig scrapping
But I can't dig that backstabbing (oh no)
Now brother, get ready, that's a fact
Get ready, you mother, for the big payback (the big payback)
Let me hit hit, hit him, Fred, hit him
Hey, hey, hey
Lord, Lord

You took my money, you got my honey
Don't want me to see what you're doing to me
I can get back, I got to deal with you
Got to deal with you
Got to deal with you
I got to deal with you
Hey, let me tell you
Get down with my woman, that ain't right
You holler and cuss, you wanna fight
Look here
Don't do me no done favor
I don't know karate, but I know ka-razor (yes, we do)
Hey, get ready, that's a fact, girl
Get ready, you mother for the big payback (the big payback)
Hey, I'm a man, I'm a man
I'm a son of a man, but don't they tell you that papa can
Get ready for the big payback, hey (the big payback)
Hit me again
Lord, lord, hey
Get ready
I need it, I need a hit again
The same one, the same one, same one
Hit me back, Lord (the big payback)

Sold me out for chicken change
you said my woman had it all arranged
Tried to make a deal, but she wanted to squeal
But I had my boys on her heels
Saw her when she come in, told a lie
She broke down and she wanted to cry
I don't care what she does
Won't be doing just like she was
Take those kids and raise them up
Show 'em how to drink out the righteous cup
Take her, take that woman, it's one place she found
Just run that mother out of town
Make her get up, make her get up, get out
Make her get up, make her get up, get out
I'm mad, I want revenge, I want revenge, my (the big payback)
My patience ends, I want revenge
My patience ends, I want revenge
I want revenge, I want revenge (the big payback)
Can I get some hits? I need those hits
I need those hits, hit me

Lord, I need those hits
Carry on, carry on, playful melody (the big payback)
(The big payback)
Alright
(The big payback)

Writer(s): James Brown, John Starks, Fred Wesley
Copyright(s): Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who originally wrote the lyrics for 'The Payback'?

    The original lyrics for 'The Payback' were written by trombonist and bandleader Fred Wesley, but they were heavily revised by James Brown himself before recording.

  2. What was the initial purpose of the song 'The Payback'?

    'The Payback' was initially recorded to be part of the soundtrack for the 1973 blaxploitation film Hell Up in Harlem. However, it was rejected by the producers, leading James Brown to release it as a standalone album.

  3. Why did James Brown decide to rework the song's original lyrics?

    James Brown decided to rework the song's original lyrics after discovering that a woman in his camp had been disloyal. He tossed aside Fred Wesley's original lyrics and began freestyling, which led to the creation of 'The Payback'.

  4. Which notable musical element is featured in 'The Payback' that wasn't common in previous James Brown songs?

    'The Payback' is notable for its use of wah-wah guitar, a relatively rare feature in James Brown's previous funk recordings. This contributed to its unique sound and arrangement.

  5. How did 'The Payback' perform on music charts?

    'The Payback' reached #1 on the R&B charts and peaked at number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also certified Gold by the RIAA for selling over a million copies.

  6. Has 'The Payback' been sampled or covered by other artists?

    'The Payback' has been widely sampled and covered by numerous artists across various genres. Notable examples include En Vogue's hits 'Hold On' and 'My Lovin’ (You’re Never Gonna Get It)', LL Cool J’s 'The Boomin’ System', Mary J. Blige’s 'Everything', and Kendrick Lamar’s 'King Kunta'.

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